SBCs often lack a wide variety of I/O functionality needed for industrial applications. The EPX-C3 supports nine different functions with even more I/O expansion options via PC/104 modules. Powering this SBC is a 733-MHz VIA C3 processor that will operate from –40° to 85°C without a fan. The board measures 4.5² × 6.5² and is compatible with the new Embedded Platform for Industrial Computing (EPIC) standard. Together, this SBC provides a processor- and I/O-intensive solution for demanding applications in robotics, COTS/military, transportation, pipeline, and machine control.

The EPX-C3’s on-board I/O support includes 10/100 Ethernet, two USB 2.0 ports, four COM ports, 24 parallel I/O lines, 4× AGP video with CRT, a flat panel and LVDS interface, a keyboard controller, PS/2 mouse support, an LPT port, and AC 97 audio. More special-function I/O expansion is possible by stacking modules on the PC/104 and PC/104-Plus connectors. Over 1,000 different PC/104 modules are available worldwide.

The EPX-C3 also offers support for both rotational and solid state disks. It supports two floppy disk drives and two UltraDMA 33/66/100 IDE drives. Plus there is a socket for bootable type I and II CompactFlash cards and a socket for a bootable M-Systems’s DiskOnChip.

The EPX-C3 runs Windows CE, Windows XP embedded, Linux, and other x86-compatible operating systems such as VxWorks and QNX. The ESP7000 consumes only 6 W of maximum thermal design power and nearly 1 W of typical power when running at a clock speed of 733 MHz. The result is that the processor can run full speed at extended temperatures without a fan. Another unique feature of the ESP7000 is that it contains the VIA PadLock data encryption engine to enhance the confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity of electronic data for secure communication systems.

The EPX-C3 is an EPIC-compatible board measuring 4.5² × 6.5².  It requires only 5 V and typically draws 3.1 A with 256 MB of SDRAM installed. The board operates across the industrial temperature range of –40° to 85°C. It costs $590 in moderate volumes. 

WinSystems, Inc.
www.winsystems.com