Category: Know How

First things first: Windows 10 IoT

As already hinted at in the teaser, there is good news. Our customers are already looking forward to the expansion of our OS offering through the “Internet of Things”. In the coming weeks, we will regularly feed our knowledge blog with entries on Windows 10 IoT . Because this much can be said: it’s not just savers who will be clapping their hands. There is also plenty of material for our software cracks and all those who want to become one!

By the way: Wall brackets are now also available for our spo-book CORE!

Our small digital signage powerhouse spo-book CORE is now also available with a VESA-standard wall mount for a small surcharge. The great thing about this is that the CORE can be conveniently hooked onto the mounting option on the wall bracket. What does the whole thing look like in real life? Pictures at the bottom of the article!

Intel’s “Coffee Lake”: 8th generation to be launched on the market in 2017

Intel recently announced that the 8th generation of Core i processors called “Coffee Lake” will be launched on the market in the second half of this year. An increase in performance of more than 15 percent is expected. Intel is still keeping a low profile when it comes to code names and clock frequencies. We remain excited!

Even better than expected: The Pentium version of the “Kaby Lake” processors

Intel is significantly upgrading the 7th generation Pentium processors (Kaby Lake). Thanks to Hyper-Threading, the entry-level CPUs offer significantly better values than their Skylake predecessors, which is clearly noticeable in some rendering software. Further information on upgrading the Kaby Lake Pentium can be found here. If you want to know what the term “hyper threading” means, just take a look at our blog entry:

Good to know: What is a CPU?

Terms such as Full HD and 4K refer to the picture resolution. This is indicated by the number of pixels – either as a total number or with the number of pixels per row times the number of pixels per column, for example 1920 x 1080 pixels. The second variant has the advantage that the aspect ratio is directly visible.

Another variant is the HDTV standard, which specifies the number of lines and the picture structure, for example 1080p. The former is the vertical image resolution in pixels, the latter is specified in p or i. This results in the designation 1080p, for example. “P” stands for “progressive” and means full screen, while the abbreviation “i”  stands for “interlaced”. This refers to a so-called interlaced or interline process in which an image is created from two different fields. To be more precise, the odd rows are built up first and then the even rows. However, this variant is on the decline, as UHD TV, for example, only provides for the recording and playback of full images.

But now to the different resolutions:

SD: The old standard

Let’s start small: The term SD (standard definition) or SDTV (standard definition television) refers to a picture resolution of 720 x 576 pixels, which corresponds to an aspect ratio of 4 : 3. This resolution was already used in analog television reception and can be found on DVDs, for example.

Full HD

Full HD is the abbreviation for Full High Definition, which means “full high resolution”. It stands for a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels (2,073,600 pixels in total). The aspect ratio is also 16 : 9. The term describes the ability to output Full HD resolution (via televisions, PCs, flat screens, DVD players, etc.) or record it (via video cameras, etc.).

In addition to Full HD, there is also HD ready, which refers to a lower resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. This is, for example, the resolution that is broadcast by public broadcasters (such as ARD and ZDF) and then played back on HD-capable televisions.

UHD and 4K

Now let’s move on to what everyone is currently talking about: 4K. While there has been little content in the private sector to date – despite the growing market for 4K televisions – UHD and 4K are a major topic in professional digital signage.

UHD stands for Ultra High Definition and refers to a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. That is exactly four times the Full HD resolution. The pixel lines are doubled from 1080 to 2160 and from 1920 to 3840, quadrupling the total number of pixels to around 8 million. The aspect ratio still corresponds to 16 : 9.

The term 4K comes from the digital cinema sector and actually describes a resolution of 4096 x 2160 pixels (hence the sometimes used term 4K2K). The aspect ratio of 4K is 17 : 9. Today, a ratio of 21 : 9 is typical, which is achieved by cutting away pixels.

However, it has become common practice for the terms 4K and UHD to be used synonymously, so that 4K usually describes the resolution 3840 x 2160 pixels.

Looking to the future: 8K

But it can be even sharper: the term 8K describes an incredible resolution of 7680 x 4320 pixels. This means that there are four times the number of pixels of Full HD over the length and width and twice the number compared to UHD. The aspect ratio is again 16 : 9. In Japan, where the television broadcaster NHK was one of the first to experiment with this format, 8K is also known as Super Hi-Vision. In reality, however, 8K is more a dream of the future. Televisions with this resolution are not only relatively large but also quite expensive – the  prices are still in the six-figure range. There is also hardly any content in 8K format.

Hertz or frames per second

So far we have only talked about image resolution. In the digital signage sector, however, the video resolution, which is made up of image resolution and refresh rate (also known as frame rate), is often also of interest. The frame rate is usually specified in Hertz (Hz). It describes the number of frames per second that can be played back. For example, at a refresh rate of 24 Hz, 24 frames per second  are always written to a monitor or projected onto a movie screen. The terms fps (frames per second) or BpS (frames per second) are therefore used in addition to Hertz.

In connection with 4K, a distinction is often made as to whether the resolution can be displayed with a refresh rate of 60 or only 30 Hz. On the one hand, this depends on the chipset of the PC, but on the other hand, the connections are also decisive. Because at least DisplayPort 1.2 or HDMI 2.0 are required for 4K@60Hz.  

4K@60Hz at spo-comm

The spo-comm range naturally also includes some mini PCs that can output a video resolution of 4K@60Hz. These include our ultra-compact spo-book CORE, the spo-book TURO Q87 and spo-book ELIX H81 digital signage players and our brand new spo-book KUMO IV, which can even play back 4K@60Hz four times or alternatively 8K@60Hz once. The spo-book EXPANDED Q170 and the spo-book NINETEEN Q170 are also 4K-capable if they are equipped with an appropriate graphics card.

Discover 4K mini PCs from spo-comm now!

Digital Signage

Digital signage (DS for short) describes the reproduction of media content on screens, canvases, signs and much more. Times Square in New York is probably one of the best-known examples of digital advertising. With digital signage players, not only the size but also the performance of the mini PCs is extremely important. Not only are the solutions usually built directly into the displays, they often also have to be powerful enough to play 4K content on one or more screens.

spo-comm Digital Signage Player

Machine control

Whether milling machines, vehicle scales at the recycling center or automated storage systems. In industry, most of the machinery is linked to mini PCs either to record information for further processing or to output data for information utilization. Due to the usually harsh working environment (dust, sawdust, humid air, outdoor installations), passively cooled industrial PCs are a reliable partner.

Industrial PCs from spo-comm

Music player

No matter where you go shopping these days – supermarkets, car dealerships or clothes stores – you’ll always be surrounded by appropriate and melodious music. Here too, who would have thought it, mini PCs serve as the basis for playing the songs. The longevity, energy efficiency and compact design of the PC systems are the main reasons for their use. A prime example of such a system is the spo-book WINDBOX II Quad (fanless).

Kiosk terminals

At the airport, train station, at the bank or at trade fairs. Every day we encounter kiosk systems, get information from them or work with them. Even if you have the feeling that you are working more with a display, the screens (mostly touch displays) conceal 24/7-capable mini PCs. The spo-comm system solutions not only provide the appropriate software to make the user happy, but must also be able to cool down to appropriate operating temperatures under the poor waste heat conditions of the stele.

Vehicle Computing

As the name suggests, vehicle computing refers to the use of mini PCs in vehicles of all kinds. These include ambulances, police cars, ships and public transportation.  All of these examples contain control units which in turn rely on the small vehicle PCs.

spo-comm Vehicle PCs

Retail trade

On the one hand, we encounter mini PCs in supermarkets in the area of digital signage (see above). On the other hand, they are also used at the checkouts. For example, scanners and screens are connected to the embedded PCs, which are usually passively cooled, and thus form the usual working environment.

Logistics and production

Mini PCs fulfill their purpose in several areas, especially in warehousing and production. As already mentioned above in machine control and information processing, but also for diagnosing sources of error, for example on the assembly line. It can happen that a conveyor belt stops running because something is jammed somewhere and prevents the belt from moving. The mini PC then ensures that the relevant software can do its work unhindered and errors can be rectified without delay. You can find a possible product solution for the logistics sector in our article
hama and spo-comm – logistics made easy
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Office operation

Of course, mini PCs have not left their original purpose behind. More and more PC systems are also being used in offices. They are not only space-saving, but also considerably more energy-efficient than conventional desktop PCs. Passively cooled solutions also contribute to a quieter and more pleasant working atmosphere. Due to its technical specifications, the spo-book WINDBOX III Advanced, for example, is a popular product solution with our customers.

Virtual reality: also for Industry 4.0

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) applications are increasingly being developed for use in industrial environments. This is because there are numerous potential applications in Industry 4.0: In addition to training employees, customers and business partners (e.g. flight simulators, operating theaters, but also hard-to-access locations such as power plants), VR is also interesting for design, development and presentation. Products, assemblies, systems and processes can be simulated and made interactively accessible in virtual reality. However, there is currently still a lack of a good hardware selection, as VR applications place high demands on the processor and graphics performance of a mini PC.

Integrated battery: more reliability

The vehicle PCs in the MOVE series from spo-comm can all be ordered with an optional battery. If, for example, the power fails or the ignition in the car goes out unexpectedly, the PC continues to run on battery power and shuts down automatically if it does not get power again. This is interesting in measurement technology, for example, as it means that data can still be backed up.  In addition, a hard shutdown is not necessarily good for PCs, as this can damage the operating system sooner or later.

The spo-comm MOVE series

Not just for cross-border commuters: two mobile networks

Our new models in the MOVE series each have two SIM card slots and therefore the option of using two mobile networks (3G or 4G). The advantages are obvious: on the one hand, two simultaneous connections can be established, which increases the speed of data transfer. On the other hand, by using two different networks, greater coverage can be achieved so that you don’t suddenly find yourself in a dead zone while on the move. This is also interesting for vehicles traveling in border areas. Here it is possible to use the right network for each country.

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the name for the processor of a computer. The “Central” in CPU is no coincidence. This is because it is the core, the heart of a PC, so to speak. In addition to specific designations for a CPU, the clock frequency provides information on how quickly a processor can perform operations.

Tasks of the processor

By and large, the CPU performs three main tasks:

Computing unit

All data on a computer consists of numbers. To be precise: From zeros and ones. A CPU receives commands, calculates the corresponding amount of data and outputs a new binary code as a result. The higher the clock frequency of a CPU, the more computing processes can be processed in the same time. The clock frequency, which is also referred to as the rhythm, is given in Hertz (Hz for short). One Hz means one beat per second. In the case of a so-called single-core processor, at one gigahertz (GHz for short), this means that around 1,000,000,000 digits can be processed simultaneously.

Control unit

The control unit, or control unit, is the main component of a processor together with the computing unit. In addition to processing input and output from peripherals (such as printers, scanners, mice, keyboards, etc.), the control unit ensures that the individual components of a processor can work together and coordinates them. The control unit is connected to the individual components via the so-called bus system.

Bus system

The bus system is a kind of bridge between the individual components of a computer and ensures the exchange of data between them.

Note: The more Hertz a CPU has, the faster the computing speed of a processor (of the same processor family).
But is the clock frequency alone responsible for the speed of a CPU? If only the single-core processors mentioned above were still in use today, the question could easily be answered with “yes”. However, since two-core, four-core, six-core, eight-core and even ten-core processors are now used in the desktop sector (as of 2016), the strength of a CPU also depends on the number of cores, among other things.

This brings us to the next important point:

Multi-core processors

To understand:
As already mentioned, in the past a CPU was mainly made faster by increasing the number of clock rates. Remember: At one GHz, a single-core processor can calculate 1,000,000,000 digits simultaneously per second. At two GHz, it would therefore be 2,000,000,000 digits per second.

However, simply increasing the clock frequency means that enormous temperature increases can be observed in the processor from a performance of 3.00 GHz. The background to this is that a higher clock frequency is achieved by increasing the voltage. The resulting resistance in the thin supply lines generates heat. This is not only extremely inefficient, but also damages the CPU if the cooling is inadequate. For this reason, developers came up with the idea of installing several cores on one CPU. Today, we know two-core (dual-core), four-core (quad-core), six-core (hexa-core), eight-core (octa-core) and ten-core (deca-core) processors in the user sector.

A particularly great advantage of multi-core processors is that the individual cores can perform tasks in parallel with the other cores. Modern software, for example, automatically outsources operations to the individual cores of a processor in order to achieve an even workload. If a core is fully utilized, it is automatically swapped to the next free core, even without intelligent software.

Another advantage is the low power consumption of the multi-core processors. For example, a dual-core processor consumes only half as much energy as a single-core processor. This is because a dual-core processor requires a lower clock frequency for the same performance as a single-core CPU, due to a lower voltage requirement. Ergo: Less power consumption.

Multi-threading

Multi-threading is the ability of a single processor core to perform several tasks simultaneously. Multi-threading is therefore very similar to the appearance of a multi-core processor. In plain language, this means that if a quad-core processor is equipped with two threads per core, the system recognizes a total of eight virtual cores and no longer just four real ones. The advantage here is obvious.

Conclusion

Single-core processors have now lost much of their importance in the server, PC and mobile sectors and have been banned from most store shelves, as extensive software in the user area requires at least two processor cores. What progress and how many cores will the future bring? We simply let ourselves be surprised.

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High-end graphics card: NVIDIA’s Pascal architecture

Demanding graphics applications in the fields of digital signage and virtual reality require powerful hardware. NVIDIA is currently setting the standard with its Pascal architecture, the Geforce 10 series, which has already triggered a storm of enthusiasm among gamers. We will most likely be able to answer the question of how these top performers can be integrated into professional mini PC solutions in the first quarter of 2017.

Mobile networks: more and more 4G

The availability of 4G networks in Europe is constantly increasing. The successor to the current 3G standard is characterized by significantly higher data rates. Suitable LTE modules will soon be available for many spo-comm systems.

Apollo Lake SOCs: Now also for IoT and embedded

Following the presentation of the Intel Apollo Lake CPUs for notebooks and tablets, the CPUs for embedded systems have now been presented. These are listed in a table below. It is not yet clear which of these will be used in spo-comm systems in the coming year. However, our product development team has already taken a closer look at these small power packs.

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The abbreviation RAID stands for “Redundant Array of Independent Disks”, which means “redundant arrangement of independent hard disks”. In a technical context, redundancy means that additional functionally identical or comparable parts of a system are present that are not required in normal operation. If a failure occurs, they can step in or, if they are already running in parallel, do the work on their own from then on.

A RAID is a network of at least two mass storage devices(hard disks or SSDs) that work together. The size and type of storage medium should be identical. The different RAID levels (e.g. RAID 0 or RAID 1) differ in the size of the storage capacity and the security of the stored data.

 

Hardware or software RAID

 

The RAID can be created in different ways. Hardware RAID requires an extra microprocessor, a so-called RAID controller. The chip is often located near the memory and organizes the data distribution. The main processor is not loaded. In larger network environments, such as data centers, external RAID systems are often used.

 

A software RAID is completely organized on the software side. The RAID can already be implemented in the BIOS in order to subsequently install the operating system on it. So this is secured. Alternatively, the RAID array can also be set up in the operating system first, but then the operating system does not benefit from the RAID. As there is no special RAID controller, all calculations are carried out on the main processor, which, depending on the application, is subject to a higher load.

 

RAID 0

 

With RAID 0, two or more storage media are combined to form a logical drive. These can work at an increased speed. For this purpose, the hard disks are divided into blocks of the same size, which are then arranged alternately, as in the zipper method. This technique, which allows all disks to be accessed in parallel, is known as “striping”. The advantage of RAID 0 is the acceleration of data transfer. One disadvantage is the lack of security: if a disk fails, data can no longer be fully restored. It is therefore only recommended if reliability is not an issue. As there is no redundancy in RAID 0, strictly speaking it is not a RAID, but only an “array of independent disks”.

 

RAID 1

 

RAID 1 ensures a high level of reliability with mirroring technology. The data is written simultaneously to all the hard disks involved (usually two). Thanks to two identical disks, there is now full redundancy. In plain language, this means that if one of the two components fails, the remaining hard disk can continue to deliver all data. However, a RAID 1 is no substitute for a data backup. Errors, such as viruses or accidental deletion of files, are immediately transferred to the mirror disk. The total storage capacity of RAID 1 is as large as the smallest hard disk involved.

 

RAID 5

 

At least three storage media are required for a RAID 5. It offers increased speed and some safety. As with RAID 0, the data is distributed to all drives in blocks. In addition, the information required to restore the data (so-called parity data) of another drive is stored on each disk. If only one hard disk fails, the data can be restored. The possible storage capacity is calculated from the number of disks minus one, multiplied by the capacity of the smallest disk. With three disks, each with 1 terabyte of memory, this would be 2 TB, for example.

 

RAID 10

 

RAID 10 is a combination of 1 and 0, so it can combine both advantages and offers both more speed and a high level of security. At least four drives are required. Two hard disks are connected to form RAID 1. These sets are then combined to form RAID 0. This variant is very safe, as one plate may fail in each set. However, only half of the total storage capacity is available for this.

 

RAID with spo-comm Mini-PCs

As at least two hard disks are required for a RAID array, this is only possible with certain spo-comm PCs. These include the spo-book EXPANDED Q170, spo-book NINETEEN Q170 and spo-book NOVA CUBE Q87. We will be happy to advise you if you have any questions. Otherwise you can simply specify when ordering if RAID 0 or 1 is required.

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Green IT: Federal Environment Agency recommends mini PCs

The Federal Environment Agency has presented a 6-point plan for the environmentally conscious and resource-saving use of computers in the workplace. A key component is the recommendation to equip purely stationary workstations with mini PCs. These are characterized by lower electricity consumption and therefore also have a better greenhouse gas balance. In addition, the service life is much longer than that of laptops. Long-term availability makes it easier to install and set up the systems, as the same platform can be used for years.

Current Atom chips: Apollo Lake

Following the news about the high-end processors of the Kaby Lake generation, Intel has now also introduced more cost-effective models, which are also manufactured using the 14nm process. Celeron and Pentium processors with two or four Goldmont CPU cores and a TDP of 10 watts are referred to internally as Apollo Lake. They are considerably faster than their predecessors and are suitable for use in mini PCs. The first spo-comm models with the  new Atom technology are planned for 2017.

Even smaller and even faster: M.2 SSDs

Solid state disks in M.2 format are also increasingly being used in the embedded and industrial PC sector. One advantage over the standard SSDs in 2.5″ format is the much smaller design. Furthermore, the integrated SATA 3 port ensures faster transfer rates than previous card formats. M.2 SSDs will also be part of some spo-comm PCs from 2017.

Windows 10 IoT: New license areas

Microsoft has now provided specific details regarding the licenses for Windows 10 IoT. The former Windows Enterprise area is now divided into three licenses: Entry, Value and High-End. These depend on the hardware used.

More about Windows IoT

On PCs with Skylake CPUs, Windows 7 cannot be installed via a Windows CD as there is no driver support. Intel has removed support for eHCI (USB 2.0) in the chipset for these platforms and now only supports the new xHCI standard (USB 3.0). However, as the drivers for xHCI are not yet available in the Windows 7 installation media, the USB interfaces cannot be addressed.

What is xHCI and eHCI?

xHCI (eXtensible Host Controller Interface) is the specification of the new USB 3.0 interface and thus the successor to eHCI (enhanced Host Controller Interface), which defined the USB 2.0 standard. The xHCI module is located on the mainboard and controls the USB interfaces (3.0 and 2.0). If, as with the installation of Windows 7, the drivers for xHCI are missing, all USB ports (including USB 2.0) will not work. Accordingly, the mouse and keyboard connected via USB cannot be operated.

Extended support period

Microsoft originally limited the support period (provision of updates and security patches) for Windows 7 on Skylake systems until 2017. However, according to a recent announcement, this has now been extended until the end of 2020.

Windows 7 for spo-comm Mini-PCs with Skylake platform

spo-comm has found a solution to these difficulties and delivers its Skylake systems with pre-installed Windows 7 Professional 64-bit and Windows 7 Embedded on request. Each delivery includes a USB recovery medium for any necessary reinstallation (recovery process of a system in 5-10 minutes).

Discover our mini PCs with the latest Windows versions

New Intel platform: Kaby Lake

With Kaby Lake, Intel has introduced the latest and now seventh processor generation. As with Skylake, production is based on the 14 nm process. The platform is designed to increase performance by up to 12 percent. There may also be completely new CPU types, such as a quad-core processor with 15 watt TDP (U series). The first spo-comm systems with Kaby Lake processors will be available from mid-2017.

Internet of Things for everyone: Windows 10 IoT

With the introduction of Windows IoT, the successor to Windows Embedded, Microsoft has launched a new license model that is dependent on the CPU installed. Depending on the hardware and applications used, Windows IoT is often the cheaper alternative to the standard Windows 10 operating system.

Vehicle Computing: News from the MOVE series

An update for the MOVE series systems will be launched on the market shortly. The tried and tested features are brought up to date with the latest technology. Furthermore, special current transformers and the optional battery unit ensure smooth operation of the Mini-PCs in vehicles of all kinds.

Windows 7: Now also for Skylake

spo-comm has found a solution to run Windows 7 Professional 64-bit on industrial PCs with the latest Skylake platform. New systems with sixth-generation CPUs, such as the spo-book CORE and the OPS player, can now be ordered with the popular Microsoft operating system.

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