(Click here for larger image)Axon decided to make the ARC-SS available on the general market after having used it internally for some time. a company spokesperson said. Unlike the original design -- which was much larger and heavier, and was based on standard PC components -- the new design is based on a 3.5-inch SBC (single-board computer) with an 800 MHz processor, 256 MB of RAM, and 1 GB of flash memory. Half of the flash storage is reserved for Windows XP Embedded, and the rest is available for applications.
The system's 15-inch active matrix TFT display offers 1024 x 768 resolution with a 300:1 contrast ratio and brightness of 250 cd/m2, Axon says.
The unit is packaged in a seam-welded all-steel body sealed to IP67, and the system's adjustable keyboard, which incorporates a trackball that substitutes for a normal PC-compatible mouse, also meets IP67. While most industrial operator terminals use touchscreens for input, Axon contends that a trackball is preferable in harsh environments.
A rear panel cover provides protection for I/O connections that include Ethernet, USB, and serial ports. Internal functional expansion is available using self-stacking PC/104 modules that plug into the SBC.
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