PC kits include low power displays

Trident Microsystems is simplifying the implementation of handheld PC based instrumentation with a series of 'ready-to-roll' kits designed for battery-operated systems.

Trident Microsystems is simplifying the implementation of handheld PC based instrumentation and equipment with a series of 'ready-to-roll' kits designed for battery-operated systems, including applications that are sealed for safety or hygiene reasons or where slim lightweight end products are desirable.

Each of the Trident kits includes a single-board computer and TFT display, together with the associated inverter, cables, software drivers and optional power supply and hard disk drive.

Microsoft Windows can be preloaded if required.

Trident has based its kits on Toshiba's low power poly silicon 8.4in 800 x 600 TFT LCD, which offers a much higher light transmission than normal TFTs and can be driven directly from the single board computers (SBCs) supplied.

The panel's polysilicon architecture reduces the power needed for backlighting and maximises battery life without sacrificing display brightness.

Trident Microversal has manufactured its own optimised inverter for use in the kits.

Chip-on-glass construction gives the displays a slim profile, reduced EMI, and improved shock and vibration tolerance.

Designers can opt to have one of three alternative 3.5in FDD-format Evalue SBCs included in their kit: the ECM3412, ECM3610 and ECM3615.

The ECM3412 uses a National Geode GX1 processor at 300MHz offering fanless low power operation.

The ECM3610 has a 667MHz Via Eden processor, whilst the ECM3615, with a Transmeta Crusoe TM5400, can run two displays simultaneously.

Power management features are available to maximise battery life in service, and multimedia capability, full peripheral device support and extensive connectivity options ensure application flexibility.

They have drive for a flat-panel up to SXGA resolution onboard (two panels on the ECM3615) and have PC104 expansion allowing for drive of LVDS or PanelLink TFT LCDs via an adapter.

Fanless design allows the PCs to be implemented as sealed units, for medical and surveying applications.

Storage options include up to 256Mbyte of memory allied to hard or Flash disks.

With the TFT panel drawing approximately 3.9W at 12V and the ECM3412 SBC using approximately about 10W on its single 5V rail, a very low power consumption unit can be achieved.

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