Keeping Down the Costs

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Fujitsu have recently introduced two new Mini-ITX mainboards for industrial use. Peter Hoser from Fujitsu Technology Solutions tells us more.
 
Equipped with an AMD A55E Controller Hub, the new models D3003-S1 and D3003-S2 are both designed for challenging kiosk or digital signage applications at increased temperature levels.
 
Both industrial Mini-ITX mainboards are based on AMD G-Series platform technology. Model 3003-S1 is populated with AMD’s low-energy processor FT1 (eOntario) Single-Core T44R (9W), while model D3003-S2 comes with an onboard soldered Dual-Core T56N (18W). The CPU comes with an integrated high-performance ATI Radeon graphics processing unit (GPU) with multiple connectivity (DVI, DisplayPort, LVDS and via adaptor: HDMI & VGA). Two displays can be operated independently. A discrete onboard LVDS controller even supports 24-bit Dual Channel LVDS which allows for operating displays larger than 12’’ at the highest resolution in HD quality, something which is not reasonable with the integrated 18-bit Single Channel LVDS of the AMD G-Series. The full HD capability of the GPU enables the system to run HD content while the CPU still has plenty of performance left to run separate additional operations. Just imagine PoS systems with 2 displays. While one display runs HD advertising the operator can easily use the cash desk.
 

This is an obvious advantage in digital signage and kiosk applications and testifies to the fact that Fujitsu has developed many features of the new Mini-ITX mainboards based on their years of experience with the requirements of these marketplaces.
 
Additional features include two RS232 serial ports as well as a dual GbE LAN connection, serial ATA III RAID, USB 2.0, 8-bit GPIO, and HD Audio onboard. Their onboard mSATA socket for Flash memory, for example, mounted horizontally on the mainboards, allows assembly in housing with only one unit of height while offering tremendous advantages over conventional CF cards in terms of data transfer rates. A PCI and PCIe x1 slot provide the possibility to use extension cards such as the Fujitsu D2907-A a PCIe x1 GbE card which supports DASH out-of-band manageability similar to Intel’s advanced management technology (iAMT) but on a far lower platform cost level. Remote control of the system with, e.g., access to the BIOS setup is just one benefit of many.
 
Several other special features of the D3003-S were developed with round the clock service in mind. They are aimed at guaranteeing the safe operation of the Mini-ITX mainboards and at facilitating remote maintenance and include the Watchdog. It controls the operating system and performs a restart or shutdown in case of a system hang.
 
The Mini-ITX boards are especially aimed at users who require solutions with high graphic performance at low energy-consumption levels, combined with small form factors and affordable costs. Designed for a temperature range from 0 to 60°C, the mainboards have an extended lifecycle of up to five years. This makes them particularly suitable for continuous operation (24/7) in various applications including kiosk enclosures.
 
Furthermore, the use of previous Fujitsu mainboards in media players for deployment on buses, taxis, railway and underground trains, as well as ships, has set high standards of resistance to heat, dirt, vibration, and shocks for the new D3003-S boards.
 
Low Energy
 
Thanks to the low energy levels of the Mini-ITX mainboards, they have even successfully been used within digital signage players by US manufacturer MediaVue Systems in fanless player PCs. Thus, fanless operation (e.g. with passive heat sinks to replace traditionally unreliable fans) is also possible with the new D3003-S generation. When using a fan, though, the additional tool SilentFanConfig provided with the mainboard helps customers to adjust the cooler fan settings to their requirements. All fans will be fan speed controlled and supervised. In case of any malfunction or aging an alert will be raised.
 
For the 3003-S, the company also offers several helpful accessories such as a small format mini-ITX IPC housing, riser cards (PCI or PCIe), cooling equipment and WLAN. The kit comes with a complete CE certificate including climate tests, thus saving R&D costs and time on the part of the customer.