| Fanless signage computer sports 2.16GHz Core 2 Duo |
Jul. 25, 2008
 Acrosser announced an embedded system capable of running Intel's 2.16GHz Core 2 Duo fanlessly. Targeting digital signage and vehicular applications, the AR-ES5430FL features an aluminum case with advanced heat pipe technology, four serial ports, dual LAN ports, plus DVI, LVDS, VGA and S-Video outputs, says Acrosser.
(Click here for a larger view of Acrosser's AR-ES5430FL)
Like other designs including the recently announced APC-3x17 panel PC from Datasound Laboratories, the AR-ES5430FL tackles the issue of adapting relatively inexpensive, but hot-running, processors to use in passively cooled embedded devices. In this case, it's Intel's long-life Core 2 Duo T7400, a 65nm CPU that runs at 2.16GHz.
This processor's 34 Watt TDP would normally disqualify it from fanless operation, but Acrosser has provided its computer with an aluminum chassis, integral heat sink, and a "high technology heat pipe thermal module." Thus, claims the company, the device can operate with no problems in operating temperatures from 0 to 50 deg. C, when it is equipped with Compact Flash storage. With a 2.5 hard disk drive fitted instead, operating range is 0 to 45 deg. C.
The AR-ES5430FL is also available with Intel's 2GHz Core Duo T2500, and with Celeron M 530 and M 540 processors, running at 1.73GHz and 1.86GHz, respectively. All configurations come with a standard 512MB of DDR2 RAM, expandable to 2GB via a single SO-DIMM socket.
The device comes with Intel's 945GME northbridge and ICH7M southbridge, and it offers integrated GMA950 graphics. Four different video interfaces include analog VGA, DVI, an S-Video TV output, and a dual 18-bit LVDS interface that has a DB25 connector and "LCD backlight inverter control."
The box also sports dual gigabit Ethernet connectors, with R45 connectors, via a Broadcom BCM5787 controller. In addition, it provides four USB ports (two internal, two external), PS/2 keyboard/mouse ports, and four serial ports.
Inside, there's room for an anti-shock mounted 2.5-hard disk drive (optional), a Compact Flash socket for an SSD (solid state disk, also optional), and a PCI-104 expansion interface. The AR-ES5430FL has a 44-pin box header for an IDE interface, plus a SATA-2 port.
The device includes a 12VDC power adapter and input, but also will be available in the future with an input power converter that accepts voltages from 9VDC to 32VDC, according to Acrosser.
Features and specifications listed by Acrosser for the AR-ES5430FL include:- Processor -- Intel Core 2 Duo T7400 (2.16GHz), Core Duo T2500 at 2.0GHz, Celeron M 540 (1.86GHz), or Celeron M 530 (1.73GHz)
- Memory -- 512MB of DDR2 RAM, expandable to 2GB
- Storage -- 2.5-inch hard disk drive bay, and Compact Flash socket for SSD (solid state drive)
- Networking -- 2 x RJ45 for gigabit Ethernet
- Other I/O:
- 1 x VGA
- 1 x DVI
- 1 x S-Video
- 1 x LVDS (DB25 connector)
- 4 x USB 2.0 (2 internal pin headers, 2 external)
- 1 x PS/2 for keyboard/mouse
- stereo audio output
- remote power switch jack
- 4 x RS232
- Expansion:
PCI-104 interface
- Compact Flash socket
- 1 x IDE
- 1 x SATA-2
- Operating temperature -- 0 to 50 deg. C (Compact Flash), 0 to 45 deg. C (hard disk)
- Dimensions -- 9.8 x 6.5 x 2.63 inches (251 x 165 x 67mm)
- Weight -- n/a
Though Acrosser did not specify, the AR-ES5430FL's standard Intel chipsets likely support the use of Windows XP Embedded, Windows XP, Linux, and other operating systems. Pricing was not listed, but more information may be available from the Acrosser website, here.
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