Category: Know How

Long-term availability of industrial PCs

Once you have decided on an industrial PC, it probably means that
everything fits
The performance of the PC, the price, the software compatibility, the dimensions,
the cooling system
. But what if there is still a need for the same industrial PC years after the purchase, for example because the project is to be expanded further or because a replacement system is required? For this reason, the hardware manufacturers guarantee long-term availability. To avoid costly and time-consuming recertification or recertification procedures, Intel guarantees the long-term availability of its embedded CPUs for a maximum of 15 years.

Identical successors: Industrial PCs from msi IPC and spo-comm

The following scenario: You are using a certain Mini PC. But after countless years of reliable use, it is now time to move with the times and rely on the latest technology. A successor model is needed. However, your product solution only provides a certain amount of space for a Mini PC. Despite the latest technology, it must under no circumstances be larger than the previous system. Better still: a successor model that is identical in construction to its predecessor. Sounds like a pipe dream? It is not. Because msi IPC shows with a product development similar to a picture book how to establish identical successors on the market. 

A prime example of identical successor models are the industrial PCs from the
WINDBOX series
. Thanks to the very flat design of the passively cooled embedded PCs, the systems blend seamlessly into their surroundings. Thanks to the close cooperation and continuous further development of the Mini-PCs from
msi IPC and spo-comm
have been ensuring that this remains the case since 2008. The industrial PCs from the WINDBOX family can easily be replaced by newer models without having to worry about running out of space. New models in the WINDBOX series always have exactly the same dimensions as their predecessors, while the inner workings/hardware and connections have been brought up to date.

Any questions? Or are you looking for a suitable industrial PC? Our consultants will be happy to help you make the right choice!

Contact us

Curious about industrial PCs? Click here for all industrial PCs from spo-comm:

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Industrial PCs: Compact and space-saving

It’s not easy being an industrial PC:
They have to be robust
they have to be,
energy-efficient
and yet powerful. But as if that wasn’t enough, they should also be weather and temperature resistant.
temperature-resistant
temperature. The whole thing is then installed as compactly as possible to save space. What sounds like an egg-laying wool-milk sow is in principle exactly that: the all-round talent of IT. It is easy to explain why an industrial PC (also known as an embedded PC) should be like this: In the world of companies and their product solutions, there is often not much space left to install a computer. Examples include ATMs, interactive touch solutions, emergency vehicles such as ambulances, machines or the back of displays. However, computers cannot be dispensed with either, as they are the heart of many product solutions. The top priority for hardware developers is therefore to make high-performance systems ever smaller and more efficient. The further development of PC systems should ensure new potential and application possibilities.

PSSSST!  The
smallest industrial PCs
or mini PCs, from spo-comm also fit in a trouser pocket. There’s generally no reason to stick them in there, but it’s kind of cool. Just imagine the following scenario in a bar: “Is that a mini PC in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?”

Ultra-compact and monster power: KUMO series from spo-comm makes it possible

The mini PCs from the
KUMO series
have it thick as a fist behind the ears: They are capable of simultaneously displaying content on four screens with a resolution of 4K@60Hz. The KUMO IV (“End Of Life”, as of November 2019) even had a resolution of 8K@60Hz, i.e. an incredible 7680×4320 pixels. Even virtual reality content and complex computing processes on behalf of artificial intelligence (
see also use case “Advertima AG”
) can be handled by a KUMO. It’s hard to believe that this extraordinary performance is housed in a compact housing measuring just 200 x 205 x 80 mm (KUMO IV).

Any questions? Or are you looking for a suitable industrial PC? Our consultants will be happy to help you make the right choice!

Contact us now

Curious about industrial PCs? Click here for all industrial PCs from spo-comm:

Discover industrial PCs

 

Standard or extended – we differentiate

Industrial PCs are technically designed to remain operational and powerful even at low or particularly high temperatures. In general, a distinction is made between two temperature ranges according to which the IPCs can be classified: One is the standard temperature range and the other is the extended temperature range.

The standard temperature range

If the hardware of an industrial computer is designed for an ambient temperature of 0° to +50° Celsius, this is referred to as the standard temperature range. Any computer that wants to call itself an industrial PC must at least meet this requirement.

By the way, did you know? At spo-comm, we like to refer to our IPCs as “mini PCs” due to their space-saving size. However all of the systems in our product range meet the requirements of an industrial PC.

The extended temperature range

The extended temperature range is when an industrial PC can withstand ambient temperatures from -20° to +70° Celsius. Are you wondering where an industrial computer with such low or high temperatures could be used? Two application examples:

With regard to low temperatures, the Alps are a possible location. Just like the scientists of the PMOD/WRC research team who specialize in climate modelling and have developed our RUGGED HM87 for cloud research. In the Alps, sub-zero temperatures are quickly reached and snow is not uncommon. Nevertheless, the RUGGED HM87 has been doing its job reliably for several years due to its outdoor-suitable properties.

And what about high temperatures of up to +70° Celsius? We also have an exemplary use case from the RUGGED family for this. A few years ago, our RUGGED HM87 set off into the desert in the style of Indiana Jones. He has been breathing new life into ATMs there ever since. In tropical temperatures and high humidity, however, burying your head in the sand is out of the question for the outdoor PC. Anyone who thinks that the finest sand dust at the latest could cost the RUGGED its collar is wrong. Thanks to the passive cooling system of the RUGGED family, the housings of the systems are completely sealed. Our new RUGGED PCs, such as the new RUGGED T1000, are of course just as robust as our RUGGED HM87 was!

Our latest RUGGED, the RUGGED T1000, not only impresses with its extended temperature range and robust housing, but also with much more – configure here:

Curious about industrial PCs? Click here for all industrial PCs from spo-comm:

Energy-efficient industrial PCs: not just good for your wallet

In
Part 1 of our blog series
we discussed why metal enclosures are essential for industrial computers. We have learned that a robust shell is important for both robustness and heat generation in combination with the waste heat from the IPCs. The latter is a good reason and another important factor for the following characteristic of industrial PCs: energy efficiency . The reasons why IPCs should not consume vast amounts of energy are as follows:

1. Industrial PCs often run 24 hours a week, 360 days a year. The continuous operation of the computers is a key distinguishing feature compared to PC systems from the consumer league. If a computer consumes less electricity, it costs the operator less money. This also makes the industrial PC more durable.
2. If a system is installed in a closed installation (such as in ATMs, in vehicles or in measuring stations), it must be ensured that increased temperature development due to waste heat released by the small computers does not jeopardize the installation. But how can it be ensured that the systems only produce a minimum amount of heat? The key to low heat development is the selection of so-called “low-power” hardware, i.e. PC components with low energy consumption. If a processor (also: CPU) or a RAM bar only consumes a minimum amount of energy, conversely, less energy is released into the environment in the form of heat. At first glance, energy-efficient computers (low-power consumption) may seem like a “nice to have”. At second glance, however, this feature is what makes these solid mini PCs what they are. 

Would you like an example? We just happened to have something prepared:

Environmentally conscious and powerful: The BOX N4100

The
fanless BOX N4100
is an ultra-compact industrial PC (also known as an “embedded PC”) with a volume of just 0.22 liters. Thanks to its dimensions of 115 x 76 x 25 millimeters, the IPC takes up hardly any space and fits into any installation, no matter how small. But despite its diminutive size, the mini PC is in no way inferior to its larger counterparts in terms of performance. Playback of two 3840 x 2160 pixels – i.e. 4K – at a frequency of 60 hertz is no problem for the small power pack and makes it particularly interesting for digital signage applications. You might be thinking: “That’s crazy, it must use a lot of electricity”? You might think so. In fact, under full load, the small popular model consumes a maximum of 19 watts. For comparison: Our KUMO IV already consumes 45 watts in “idle mode”. The BOX N4100, on the other hand, achieves maximum values of 3 watts in idle mode. The bottom line is that the cost-benefit ratio is impressive.

Any questions? Or are you looking for a suitable industrial PC? Our consultants will be happy to help you make the right choice!

Contact us

Curious about industrial PCs? Click here for all industrial PCs from spo-comm:

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The housing: The armor of our industrial PCs

A key point in which hardware for “consumers” differs from hardware for professional use is the housing. Unlike consumer PCs, which are predominantly protected by plastic housings, industrial PCs are characterized by solid metal housings. This ensures that the PC remains efficient even in harsh environmental conditions, such as those found on construction sites, in emergency vehicles or in large machines. When designing the housings, special attention is paid to ensuring that the housings are as resistant as possible to dust and other fine particles. But even in damp conditions, the mainboard, CPU, RAM and hard disk must be protected by the housing, just like by a suit of armour. Especially with actively cooled PCs, i.e. computers in which fans are installed, this resistance plays into the hands of service life. The metal housing is a must, especially for industrial PCs with passive cooling, i.e. fanless systems. We would like to explain why this is the case using our RUGGED GTX 1050 Ti as an example.

spo-comm par excellence: The RUGGED GTX 1050 Ti

Our RUGGED GTX 1050 Ti is a good example of a combination of robust appearance and passive cooling system. The question of why a fanless design is based on a metal housing is easily answered: Metal conducts heat, plastic does not. Conductor tracks made of copper ensure that the heat generated in the computer housing is conducted to the outside. So-called cooling fins, which are located on the top of an enclosure, then dissipate the heat generated to the environment. Especially with a graphically powerful IPC such as the RUGGED GTX 1050 Ti, there can be a high level of heat development in the housing. A well-designed and flawlessly functioning fanless cooling system is therefore essential.

Did you know?
Mini PCs with a passive cooling system are considered to be particularly durable!

To summarize: Metal housings are so great because

1. they give the industrial PC robustness,
2. make the systems resistant to dust and moisture (only applies to passively cooled systems),
3. because they enable passive cooling of the PCs,
4. because they can more easily release the heat generated inside the computer into the environment,
5. because they make the systems more durable.

Any questions? Or perhaps you are looking for a suitable industrial PC? Our consultants will be happy to help you make the right choice!

Contact us now

Curious about industrial PCs? Click here to see all our industrial PCs:

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Zen 3 coming in 2020: AMD reveals details

AMD recently announced the first details of the Zen 3 architecture. The new processors are said to offer an enormous increase in performance and a higher clock rate than Zen 2 CPUs. This is made possible by a completely new chiplet design. A chiplet, called “Compute Cache Die” (CCD), previously consisted of two four-way clusters, called “Compute Core Complex” (CCX). With Zen 3, all eight computing cores are now located in one CCD and therefore one CPU chiplet. The advantage of this is a shared level 3 cache, which all cores can access directly and at the same speed.

AMD manufactures Zen 3 using the so-called 7nm+ process. The new processors are due to be released in the second half of 2020 and will be compatible with the current sockets. Work is already underway on Zen 4 (planned for 2021/2022) and Zen 5. It is not yet clear which technology will be used to manufacture them.

Sources: heise.de, golem.de, gamestar.de, pcgameshardware.de.

Great price pressure: Intel CPUs are getting cheaper

Intel recently introduced new Core-X and Xeon series processors. Although these are still produced using the 14nm process, they score points with higher base and boost clock rates and faster RAM. Despite the increase in performance, the new models cost only half as much as their predecessors. Intel is responding to the strong competition from AMD and is now offering its processors at a similar price to comparable AMD CPUs.

Shortly afterwards, Intel also lowered the prices for the ninth generation of “F” CPUs. This benefits the competition in the high-end gaming sector in particular, as the Core CPUs with the “F” suffix do not have an integrated graphics unit and are mainly used where a powerful graphics card is available anyway.

Sources: pcwelt.de, pcwelt.de.

Renewed delivery problems: Intel’s 14nm CPUs 

Intel’s CEO Bob Swan has confirmed that there are once again supply problems with 14 nm processors. Production capacity has been increased, but stocks are completely exhausted, meaning that there will be a shortage until the end of 2019. In addition, 10 nm production is rather sluggish and desktop and server CPUs will probably continue to be produced using the 14 nm process. Nevertheless, Intel has announced its intention to produce the first 7 nm processors in 2021 and there are increasing indications that 10 nm production will soon be extended to other models

Sources: gamestar.de, heise.de.

End of life: SQUARE 15 no longer available

The SQUARE 15 panel PC is being discontinued from the spo-comm range and is no longer available with immediate effect. We don’t have a successor ready yet, but we are already busy making plans and, as we can already reveal, we don’t want to leave it at just 15 inches.

Pssst: It’s now 20204 and the SQUAREs are back!

Discover the SQUARES

The DisplayPort was standardized by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA for short). This is a license-free standard for the digital transmission of video and audio signals. It defines both the transmission method and the corresponding connectors and cables, as well as a guideline for adapters to HDMI and DVI. The reason for the development of DisplayPort was to create a digital interface for higher display resolutions, replacing its predecessors VGA and DVI.

Applications of DisplayPort

As DisplayPort takes up less space than VGA and DVI, it is perfect for use in notebooks or even our mini PCs. In contrast to the HDMI port, which is mainly used in TV and multimedia devices, the DisplayPort is at home in information technology, i.e. in PCs, tablets and monitors.

Data transmission and pin assignment of DisplayPort

DisplayPort works in a similar way to PCIe: it is a serial, scalable point-to-point connection that can adapt to the characteristics of the transmission channel. If the graphics card and the monitor are connected to each other, they synchronize and set the signal level between 200 and 600 mV.

The DisplayPort has 4 channels available, but an image signal can only be transmitted on one channel, as each pixel is transmitted one after the other. DisplayPort also has an additional AUX channel. This accommodates the Display Data Channel (DDC) for the transmission of monitor data on the one hand, and a bandwidth of almost 100 Mbit/s on the other, which means that webcams or microphones can also be supplied. This article contains a more detailed explanation of the transfer procedure.

The ends of the DisplayPort cable have the same connector and therefore fit into both the graphics card output and the monitor input. A detailed list of pin assignments can be found here.

Advantages of the DisplayPort: Up to 8K picture resolution

In terms of image resolution, the DisplayPort achieves a lot more than its predecessors VGA and DVI, as these stop at 1K and 2K respectively. Depending on the version of DisplayPort used, an image resolution of up to 1K (DisplayPort 1.1), 4K (DisplayPort 1.2), 5K (DisplayPort 1.3) and even 8K with the latest DisplayPort 1.4 specification can be achieved.

However, DisplayPort also has other advantages: Firstly, as mentioned above, it is a license-free standard. This saves manufacturers of small series fees, such as those incurred with HDMI. On the other hand, the DisplayPort has a smaller connector that does not have a screw connection and instead relies on a mechanical locking mechanism. This saves space and the connection can also be used on small devices.

Further developments up to DisplayPort 1.4

• DP 1.1 (2007): The first final version has a maximum transfer rate of 8.64 Gb/s, which is sufficient for HDTV and larger monitors. DP 1.1 is copy-protected with HDCP 1.3 and also introduces the DP++ feature.

• DP 1.2 (2009): The most significant change here is the increase in the maximum data rate to 17.28 Gb/s. Another new feature is the support of MST (Multi Stream Transport), which allows several monitors to be connected with just one connection using the daisy chain principle.

• DP 1.3 (2014): The data rate has been increased again and is now up to 25.92 GB/s. Thanks to MST, multiple 4K UHD or WQXGA displays can now also be controlled.

• DP 1.4 (2016): This version does not include an increase in data rate, but the introduction and updates of features such as: Display Stream Compression 1.2, where the viewer should not recognize any visual difference between compressed and uncompressed images, Forward Error Correction, which reduces transmission errors, and the expansion of audio channels to 32.

In addition to the normal further development of DisplayPort 1.1 to 1.4, the three special forms Mini DisplayPort, MyDisplayPort and eDP have been developed over the years. More information about the special forms is summarized in this article.

More spo-comm knowledge

DVI – The Digital Video Interface

The Digital Display Working Group, which was made up of companies including Intel, Fujitsu and IBM, is responsible for the publication of the DVI connection in 1999. The acronym DVI stands for Digital Video Interface and the interface was the first widespread standard that could transmit images digitally between a graphics card and monitor. Previously, there was only the purely analog VGA interface.

Advantages of DVI

As mentioned in the previous paragraph, DVI transmits images digitally. For this reason, the process of converting analog to digital images, as used to be the case with VGA, is no longer necessary and the images can be transferred directly from the graphics card to the monitor without any loss of quality.

Data transmission with DVI

DVI uses the TMDS standard for digital data transmission. This converts the three color channels into just one serial signal with three channels. As the clock rate is limited to 165 MHz, a resolution of 1600 x 1200 pixels at 60 Hz is achieved. For higher resolutions of up to 2560 x 1600 pixels at 60 Hz, the dual-link method is used. A corresponding dual-link cable with more pins is used, the video data is distributed to two TMDS transmitters and the clock rate is thus increased to 330 MHz.

Like other cables, DVI has a maximum cable length. This depends, on the one hand, on the attenuation and crosstalk of the connecting cable and, on the other hand, on the quality of the signal amplification. A maximum cable length of 10 meters can therefore still deliver optimum results; if the cable is longer, a DVI amplifier should be used.

Types of DVI

In contrast to VGA, there is not just one defined pin assignment for DVI. Depending on the pin assignment, there are different forms of DVI. The DVI connector is divided into two areas: The analog section on the left with up to 5 pins and the digital section on the right with up to 24 pins. It is also possible to screw the DVI cable to the connector, which ensures that the cable cannot simply come loose.

This picture shows the different plug versions. These are:

• DVI-A: This connection can only output/transmit analog signals and has 12 + 5 contacts. As a rule, DVI-A is only used as an adapter cable to VGA.
• DVI-D: DVI-D cables only transmit digital signals. They have either 18 + 1 contacts (single-link) for a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels or 24 + 1 contacts (dual-link) for a resolution of 2560 x 1600 @ 60 Hz or 1920 x 1080 @ 144 Hz.
• DVI-I: Transmits both analog and digital signals. A single-link cable has 18 + 5 contacts and is sufficient for a resolution of 16:10, i.e. 1920 x 1200 pixels at 60 Hz. A dual-link cable has 24 + 5 contacts and has a maximum resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels.

4K with DVI?

As mentioned at the beginning, a maximum resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels at 60 Hz can be achieved with DVI. For higher resolutions such as 4K, the successor DisplayPort must be used.

More spo-comm knowledge

In 1987, IBM introduced the computer graphics standard Video Graphics Array (VGA). This defines a specific combination of screen resolution, color depth and refresh rate. At the same time, the VGA connection, which owes its name to the computer graphics standard, was launched on the market as the successor to the EGA connection.

The VGA connection

In addition to the specification of a physical interface, the VGA connection also includes the associated connectors and cables.

The VGA connector is a 15-pin mini-sub-D connector with three rows of connections. This list shows the function of these 15 poles.

At the output of the graphics card, VGA is always realized by a socket, the input on the screen can be either a socket or a plug, but is always screwable in any case. However, as a socket is generally used, a connecting cable with two plugs must be used. Alternatively, there are also cables that have a BNC connector on the screen side. These have less attenuation and are better shielded than standard VGA cables, but are therefore also more expensive.

Transmission technology from VGA

With VGA, transmission takes place via analogue signals on 5 lines, three of which are responsible for transmitting the basic colors (RGB) and two for vertical and horizontal synchronization respectively. As the signals are transmitted analogue between the graphics card and the monitor, they must first be converted before the monitor can recognize and display them.

Applications of VGA

Until the end of the 20th century, consumer electronics and IT were kept separate. However, the performance of consumer electronic devices then increased immensely, and so the limits disappeared. The so-called “100 Hz televisions” have a line frequency of 31.25 Hz, which is very close to that of VGA monitors. As a result, CRT TV sets with a VGA connection were created, but these could only display the standard resolutions of 640 x 400 and 640 x 480 pixels. Many consumer electronics manufacturers also use the VGA connector to carry out firmware updates on TV sets.

Modern screens now rely on a digital signal, i.e. at least DVI. Although an adapter can be used to convert the analog signals into digital signals, the picture quality suffers enormously as a result. For this reason, the VGA interface is almost extinct today.

VGA and 4K – is that possible?

The VGA connection was originally designed for a maximum resolution of 640 x 480 pixels. However, using very good graphics cards and monitors, a resolution of up to Full HD with 1920 x 1080 pixels is not a problem. The VGA connection is no longer sufficient for displaying content in 4K resolution, as its transfer rate is too low.

More spo-comm knowledge

What is a desktop CPU?

As the name suggests, a desktop CPU is usually installed in a desktop PC. Heat development and power consumption therefore play a lesser role. On the one hand, there is enough space for fans and cooling airflow, and on the other hand, there is no battery life to consider, as desktop PCs are permanently connected to the power supply with a power supply unit. In return, desktop processors offer good performance, a larger cache and more Turbo.

Intel desktop CPUs

The Intel Celeron and Core i processors (e.g. i3/i5) include both mobile and desktop CPUs. These can be recognized by the letter(s) at the end of the product name. These include, for example:

• K = Can be overclocked (open at the top)
• S = Energy saving through reduced power (performance optimized, “Performance Optimized Lifestyle”), turbo mode is used less
• T = Energy-optimized (“Power Optimized Lifestyle”) due to reduced equipment, often fewer cores than regular model
• No letter = unspecified desktop CPU

An explanation of other letters can be found here . An explanation of the structure of the processor designations can be found at Intel.

AMD desktop CPUs

AMD uses completely different designations for its CPUs or APUs (“Accelerated Processing Unit”, refers to a main processor with an integrated coprocessor – usually the GPU – which supports the main processor and can also be superior to it). The series have specific names, and in most cases there is also a mobile version of the desktop processor series, which then bears the corresponding name. The current AMD desktop CPUs include

• AMD Ryzen = High-performance processors of the so-called “Zen architecture” for gaming and high-end graphics, comparable to Intel Core i processors
• AMD Athlon = multi-core processors with Radeon Vega graphics unit for the desktop and mobile segment
• AMD A-Series = processors for entry-level users with Radeon graphics unit
• AMD FX series = multi-core processors, intended for the high-end sector, high overclocking possible

What is a mobile CPU?

With mobile processors, efficiency is predominantly more important than performance. The outstanding feature here is low power consumption, as notebooks, for example, are not permanently connected to the power socket and should therefore sometimes run on battery power only. They also have less power than desktop CPUs, as a lot of power also means a lot of heat, and mobile devices offer little space for fans and waste heat. Nevertheless, thanks to modern technology, there are also mobile processors that are suitable for 4K gaming and other high-performance applications.

Intel mobile CPUs

The Intel mobile processors include the following series:

• Intel Atom = series of microprocessors and system-on-chips (SoC) for low-cost and energy-saving systems (also used in tablets, smartphones and infotainment systems in cars)
• Intel Pentium = series of microprocessors and single-chip systems, more powerful than Atom

But there are also mobile processors among the Celeron and Core-i CPUs, which are identified by the following letters, among others:

• U = “ultra-low power”, refers to CPUs with reduced voltage and TDP of approx. 15 W, are mainly used in ultrabooks, where power consumption plays a major role
• Y = “extremely low power”, similar to the U series, but TDP of less than 13 W
• M = Mobile Dual-Core
• QM = Mobile Quad-Core
• HQ = “High performance graphics, quad core”, especially for gaming laptops, offer good performance, TDP around 45W
• HK = “High performance graphics, Unlocked” similar to HQ, can be overclocked

AMD Mobile CPUs

As already mentioned, most AMD product series also have mobile versions:

• AMD Ryzen Mobile = Powerful APUs with Radeon Vega graphics unit
• AMD Athlon = multi-core processors with Radeon graphics unit
• AMD A-Series = For notebooks, suitable for gaming

Which CPU is suitable for what?

Desktop CPUs are usually installed in desktop PCs, while mobile processors are used for notebooks, ultrabooks and mini PCs. However, as desktop CPUs are becoming ever more energy-efficient and effective, they are increasingly finding their way into laptops. If you would like to know more about this topic, you can find a detailed article at ChannelPartner. The manufacturers also offer server and embedded CPUs. While the former are similar to desktop CPUs but offer even more performance, the latter are characterized above all by their long-term availability.

Mini PCs with desktop CPU

Due to their characteristics, mobile CPUs are often installed in mini PCs, which are significantly more energy-efficient and generate less waste heat. However, many applications require good performance, which is why many spo-comm Mini PCs are equipped with desktop CPUs. These include the KUMO V and KUMO Ryzen models for high-end graphics applications, the robust, fanless outdoor and vehicle PCs RUGGED GTX1050 Ti and RUGGED Ryzen as well as a few models where the CPU can even be freely selected: CORE 2, NANO H310 and NOVA Q170.

All spo-comm Mini-PCs