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In driving cost out of an application requiring a single board computer, many
OEM’s ensure the selected SBC has just the bare minimum of features.
Whilst superficially this seems to be a logical approach, it can mean that should
the application become more complex (perhaps through later expansion) early
migration to an alternative SBC could well become necessary.
As OEM’s strive for greater efficiencies the real cost of this approach could be
substantial and the mechanics of revisiting legacy projects can often play havoc
with internal resource scheduling.
Building expansion provision at the outset would clearly be advantageous but this
has to be carefully weighed against the component cost of the solution, as now
more than ever, working margins are being stressed.
It follows that if OEM’s could standardise on an economically priced but fully
featured SBC platform, then its use across a diverse range of applications,
ultimately supported by OEM’s pre-proven reusable software modules, could provide
a welcome fiscal advantage.
Designed around the fanless 1.6Ghz Intel Atom N270 processor and supported with
2GB RAM, the EPIC (165mm x 115mm) footprint ASB-L701 is equipped with a wealth
of features and yet cost less than half a man day of design engineers time.
Six serial ports, six USB 2.0 ports, eight digital I/O lines and dual GbE
Ethernet provide a good base line feature set with additional interfaces
accommodated through a single Mini-PCI express socket.
A conventional CRT output (2048x1536) is supplemented by dual 18bit or 24bit LVDS providing simple integration
with a remote mounted flat
panels (1600x1200). Conventional PS/2 KB/mouse + parallel port + audio
ports completes the user interface offering.
Two SATA headers, a single CompactFlash socket and a 44 pin IDE header provide
storage in most permutations.
Requiring a single rail 12V DC supply at a miserly 1.45A (with support for AT/ATX
mode support) and rated at 0°-60°C, the ASB-L701 now available from DSL provides
a genuine application agile solution for discerning OEMS.
Pricing for the ASB-L701 starts at an amazing £205 in 100 off quantities
with discounted pricing available for higher volume purchases.
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