TEGRA 2 – Next-level digital signage player based on SoC

03.12.2018

The TEGRA 2 is the last new product to be launched this year. This passively cooled mini PC is based on an SoC chip developed by Nvidia, which is equipped with all the necessary components as standard. Thanks to the integrated CUDA cores and the Linux version specially adapted for this hardware, the TEGRA is the perfect digital signage player for developers.

TEGRA 2: First SoC-based spo-comm PC

What sets the new addition apart is its special design. The TEGRA is not an ordinary x86 computer, but is based on an Nvidia SoC chip. These chips are normally used in mobile devices to make use of every millimeter. But increasingly smaller PCs for industrial applications are also using this design to save space. Measuring just 160 x 132 x 51 mm, the TEGRA 2 fits into even the smallest of corners.

Tegra SoM has everything integrated

There is also another decisive advantage. The TEGRA 2 is a so-called "system on a module" ("SoM") - i.e. a single-chip system. This module has everything you need already integrated. These include an 8GB DDR4 RAM memory, a 32GB eMMC flash memory and the eponymous Nvidia Tegra X2 CPU, as well as a LAN and WLAN module.

Linux Vibrante and CUDA

Nvidia uses a specially developed Linux distribution for its Tegra series, which goes by the name of Vibrante and is the Nvidia equivalent to the Ubuntu version, so to speak. Only even more special and also exclusively available for this hardware. Vibrante comes with a much larger GNU toolkit and is also equipped with significantly more Nvidia-related libraries. There is also a developer kit for the Tegra module, which, in combination with the 256 integrated CUDA cores, enables a wide range of applications.

Next-level digital signage - deep learning, AI & automation drive

Thanks to the Nvidia-related libraries, it is possible to process data and images significantly faster and more efficiently. The TEGRA 2 is therefore the perfect solution for anyone looking for a passively cooled digital signage player in the next league. Although the HDMI and DisplayPort multimedia connections make it possible to display content in 4K@60Hz resolution on two screens simultaneously, the mini PC can do much, much more thanks to its special features: the TEGRA 2 scores highly when it comes to real-time calculations and video editing in the automotive sector. However, the spo-book TEGRA 2 is also used for camera solutions with facial recognition, which can be found on display panels in department stores, for example, or general deep learning processes.

Variety of connections for a wide range of applications

In addition to a power button, the front panel of the mini PC also has two USB 2.0 ports and an SD card slot. The rear of the TEGRA 2 offers several different interfaces: In addition to a COM port, two USB 3.0 ports and a LAN port, there are also three audio connections and two antennas for WiFi. The multimedia interfaces HDMI and DisplayPort are also located on the back panel.