Automation computers have dual PCI slots  

Posted by Daniela Mehler

Automation computers have dual PCI slots

Advantech has added to its long-running "UNO" series of automation computers with fanless devices offering two PCI expansion slots. The UNO-3272 and UNO-3282 support dual- or single-core Intel CPUs, accept two CompactFlash cards and two hard disk drives, and run Linux, the company says.

(Click here for a larger view of Advantech's UNO-3282)

Advantech's UNO line of embedded automation computers dates back to at least 2004, when the UNO-2160 made its debut with a 400MHz Celeron processor. The products, which all feature fanless operation -- aided by metal cases with integral heat spreaders -- have come in a variety of form factors, with different types of expansion slots. For instance, the UNO-1170 announced earlier this month comes in a version with a PC/104+ slot.

Like their predecessors, the new UNO-3272 and UNO-3282 target industrial automation and control, but this time out, feature both PCI Express and PCI expansion slots. According to Advantech, the main board on these devices includes a one-lane PCI Express slot and a PCI slot. Using a bundled riser board, the single PCI slot can actually accept two PCI cards, for which apertures are provided in the system's case (see the photo at the top of our story.) However, the heat dissipation of dual cards "may affect thermal performance," the company warns.

The UNO-3272 and UNO-3282 offer passive cooling only, so this warning should be heeded. The systems are identical except for the processors they offer: the UNO-3272 is motivated by a 1.86GHz Celeron M CPU, while the UNO-3282 uses a Core 2 Duo L7400 clocked at 1.5GHz.

Automation computers have dual PCI slots


Advantech's UNO-3272 and UNO-3282 feature internal and external CompactFlash slots

Both devices come with 1GB of DDR2 RAM, apparently non-expandable, and also feature a plenitude of mass storage potential. For example, there are both internal and external Type I/II Compact Flash slots -- the latter visible in the above photo -- along with brackets that can accept twin 2.5-inch SATA hard disk drives.

According to Advantech, each of the systems has an internal USB port, ready to accept a flash drive or dongle, along with four external USB ports. There are also four serial ports, two on the front of the boxes and two on the rear, two gigabit Ethernet ports, and dual PS/2 connectors for a keyboard and mouse.

The UNO-3272 and UNO-3282 include both VGA and DVI-D video outputs. The devices support dual displays with resolutions of up to 1600 x 1200 pixels, Advantech says.

Finally, when equipped with CompactFlash storage only, the devices are said to withstand shocks of up to 50Gs for 11 milliseconds. Operating range is said to be from 20 to 60 deg. C for the UNO-3282, and from -20 to 50 deg. C for the UNO-3272.

Features and specifications listed by Advantech for the UNO-3272 and UNO-3282 include:Processor -- Intel Celeron M 440 clocked at 1.86GHz, or Core 2 Duo L7400 clocked at 1.5GHz
Memory -- 1GB of DDR2 RAM and 512KB of battery-backed SRAM
Storage -- Dual slots for 2.5-inch SATA hard disk drives, and dual Type I/II CompactFlash slots (one internal, one external)
Networking -- 2 x 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports
Other I/O:5 x USB (4 external, 1 internal)
4 x serial (2 RS232, 2 RS232/422/485)
VGA
DVI-D
2 x PS/2
Line-level audio I/0Expansion:1 x PCIe x1 slot
1 x PCI slot (accommodates dual PCI cards via bundled riser board)Operating temperature:UNO-3282 -- -20 to 60 deg. C (-4 to 140 deg. F)
UNO-3272 -- -20 to 50 deg. C (-4 to 122 deg. F)Power requirements -- 9VDC to 36VDC, 100 Watt consumption
Dimensions -- 9.4 x 7.9 x 5 inches (240 x 200 x 130mm)
Weight -- 12.1 poundsFurther information

According to Advantech, the UNO-3272 and UNO-3282 come with "strong driver support" encompassing Linux, Windows XP Embedded, Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows Vista.

Advantech did not release pricing or availability guidance for the devices, but both appear to be available now. More information may be found on the company's website, here .


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This entry was posted on 10:09 PM .