Motherboard offers thin-client solution

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Oct 15, 2003

A new thin client solution adapts one of the industry's smallest, most highly integrated Mini-ITX motherboards into a flexible and reliable computer platform for embedded engineering.

A new thin client solution adapts one of the industry's smallest, most highly integrated Mini-ITX motherboards into a flexible and reliable computer platform for embedded engineers, OEMs and consumers alike.

Built around a popular Mini-ITX motherboard, JK Microsystems' Thin Client operates like a desktop PC with superb multimedia, operating system and device support, while also providing a power supply, memory options and hardware features ideal for embedded environments.

JK Microsystems' Thin Client system combines the powerful Via Technologies motherboard with a versatile 8-30V DC input power management system, pushbuttons for power and reset, status LEDs, two onboard IDE Compact Flash slots (treated as hard drives) and a watchdog timer.

When enabled, the watchdog timer can reset the motherboard in the event it crashes.

Also available as options are a 2.5in IDE hard disk drive, CD-ROM and sheet-metal enclosure.

The Via Mini-ITX board's rapid acceptance in the market can be attributed to its full native x86 compatibility and performance in demanding, PC-based digital media applications.

Driven by the 533MHz Via Eden ESP 5000 microprocessor, the motherboard provides a VGA port, a 10/100 Ethernet LAN port, a serial port, a parallel port, PS/2 Mouse and keyboard ports, two 168-pin DIMM sockets for SDRAM, a PCI slot and two USB ports.

The device includes S-Video, composite video (Pal or NTSC) and audio (line-in, line-out and microphone) support as well.

The Thin Client delivers a solution with ample connectivity and hardware features, while granting developers the flexibility of implementing a variety of operating systems - free of compatibility issues associated with many other platforms.

The system can be tailored for a variety of local, embedded applications including: data acquisition, industrial PCs, network computing, desktop management, information appliance, digital video recorders, point of sale systems, video conferencing, multimedia and voice over IP (VoIP) systems.

JK Microsystems offers the Thin Client, which includes the Via EPIA Mini-ITX motherboard, for only $349 in single quantities.

For engineers, development kits are available and contain necessary documentation, hardware and a bootable Linux image.