EPIC SBC aims for M2M comms duties

The EPX-GX targets machine-to-machine applications that require a processor, a wide variety of I/O, and connectivity.

The Internet is a profound driving force for a connected world.

Harbor Research forecasts that by the year 2010 there will be over a trillion users; however, most of them will not be human beings.

To meet the need for the rapidly growing market to connect smart sensors, industrial devices and products, Winsystems has introduced a single board computer (SBC) called the EPX-GX.

The EPX-GX targets machine-to-machine applications (M2M) that require a processor, wide variety of I/O, and connectivity.

It supports 11 different on board I/O functions with even more I/O expansion options via PC/104 modules.

Various communication links are onboard including wired and wireless Ethernet as well as optional PC/104 expansion modules for cellular, WLAN, GPS etc.

Applications include robotics, pipelines, medical, transportation, test equipment, COTS/military/homeland security, process/machine control, and HVAC systems.

The EPX-GX is based on the AMD GX500@1W processor.

It is a Pentium-class CPU with an x86-native instruction set and 32Kbyte of integrated L1 cache that efficiently runs Windows CE, WindowsXP embedded, Linux and other x86-compatible operating systems such as VxWorks and QNX.

It consumes little power and supports advanced power management (APM and ACPI) for even less power during standby and suspend modes.

The low power design allows the EPX-GX to operate over the industrial temperature range of -40 to +85C without a fan.

Onboard I/O support includes 10/100 Ethernet, 802.11 miniPCI connector, two USB ports, four COM ports, 24 parallel digital I/O lines, 4x AGP video with CRT and digital flat panel interface, keyboard controller, PS/2 mouse support, LPT port and AC97 audio.

Optionally a GPS receiver, 802.11 transceiver and 8SE/4DI 12bit A/D can be added.

Even more special function I/O expansion is possible by self-stacking modules on the PC/104 and PC/104-Plus connectors.

Over 1000 different PC/104 modules are available worldwide.

The board also offers support for both rotational and solid state disks and provides interfaces for two floppy disk drives and two UltraDMA 66 IDE drives.

Plus there is a socket for bootable Type I and II CompactFlash cards.

The EPX-GX draws typically 1.8A at +5V during normal operation.

The board measures 115 x 165mm and is compatible with the Embedded Platform for Industrial Computing (EPIC) standard that was introduced last year.

Delivery is from stock to three weeks with a price of $499 in OEM quantities.

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