RTC Magazine

Communication Rack Mount Servers Move to New Levels of Reliability

The growing demand to maximize uptime, performance and reliability of networked systems has led to the design of more rugged server solutions. Moreover, these types of rugged solutionsRead More...

Atom-Based Series of Fanless, Cable-Free Rugged I/O Platforms

A series of rugged and fanless I/O platforms based on the Intel Atom N270 are targeted for providing rugged I/O solutions to the market. The Matrix MXE-1000 and MXC-2000 from AdlinkRead More...

Ruggedized Atom-Based COM Express Module

A low-power, long-lifecycle computer-on-module (COM) is based on the cost-effective, ultra-low-power Intel Atom N270. The Ampro by Adlink Express-ATR is specifically designed from theRead More...

Eurotech—from Sensors to Supercomputers

What kind of embedded computing company also produces Petascale supercomputers—computers running at over 1,000 Teraflops—and considers them integral to their embedded business? TheRead More...

Fanless Box Computer—Ruggedness in Mobile and Extreme Apps

A new rugged box computer complies with the EN 50155 railway standard, fulfills IP67 and has an E1 approval from the German Federal Motor Transport Authority. The RC1 from Men MicroRead More...

Kontron Acquires Digital-Logic

Kontron has acquired the non-public Digital-Logic, headquartered near Solothurn, Switzerland. Kontron takes over a 78 percent majority of Digital-Logic, which has specialized on highlyRead More...

Lessons in Performance, Ruggedness and Reliability for Commercial Embedded Markets

Embedded systems are all about performance and reliability; they are expected to handle their assigned tasks efficiently and without fail. Secure network infrastructure applications inRead More...

Designing the World’s Toughest Computing Systems

Technological developments that reduce complexity while enhancing usability are always a welcome addition to rugged applications, since fewer parts means improved reliability. The needRead More...

Maintenance-free Ethernet Switches Target Rugged Applications

Maintenance-Free Ethernet Switches Target Rugged Applications Two new IP67-compliant Ethernet switches each feature eight Fast Ethernet ports on standard M12 connectors withRead More...

Quad-Core Blade Server in New CoolShell Package

Quad-Core Blade Server in New CoolShell Package   The principle barrier to higher compute density in modular electronic packaging is the cooling and mechanical stabilization ofRead More...

Compact, Ruggedized, Fanless System Expands Flexibly

  Compact, Ruggedized, Fanless System Expands Flexibly A series of compact, rugged, reliable, low-power systems aimed at high-reliability data acquisition and controlRead More...

Compact Atom Solution for Extreme Environments

Compact Atom Solution for Extreme Environments A COM Express pin-out type-2-compatible computer-on-module is designed for use in extreme conditions. Each component in theRead More...

High-Tech Control and Automation Apps—a Natural for CompactPCI

Embedded design for industrial control and automation markets is characterized today by a great need for flexibility within computing systems. Small, highly integrated rugged systemsRead More...

USB Data Acquisition Module with ISO-Channel Technology for Harsh Conditions

Compact Form Factor Computer-on-Module for Industrial Temperatures

A compact form factor COM Express Type 2 Computer-on-Module is specifically designed for use in the industrial temperature E2 range from -40° to +85°C. The new microETXexpress-XLRead More...

Rugged Transit Rack Cases in 4U and 12U

Transit rack cases for safe and reliable transport of electronic systems in rugged environments come in 4U and 12U heights. The cases feature superior shock/vibration and extremeRead More...

Atom XL-based ESMexpress COM Module with Extended Temperature Operation

Atom XL-based ESMexpress COM Module with Extended Temperature Operation  An upgraded ESMexpress Computer-on-Module (COM) incorporates the Intel Atom XL processor to provideRead More...

Increasing Reliability through Automated Enforcement of Design Rules

In the ongoing effort to improve software reliability, advanced static-analysis tools have proven to be effective at finding serious programming errors. These tools use sophisticatedRead More...

EPIC-Express Board Demonstrates New Cooling Concept and Mechanical Design

EPIC-Express Board Demonstrates New Cooling Concept and Mechanical Design A new product family targets strategic mission-critical systems and enables easy andRead More...

Rugged Ethernet Switching Solution for Increased Mission Effectiveness

Combining multi-functionality, performance and small size for deployment in the widest possible range of demanding environments, the GS12 rugged Ethernet switch from GE IntelligentRead More...

MicroTCA Chassis Line for Smaller, Rugged Embedded Applications

A series of compact, rugged MicroTCA chassis models provides flexibility in a variety of industrial, commercial and military environments. The new ATR chassis from LCR ElectronicsRead More...

Rugged XMC Module Targeted for Video Streaming from Unmanned Vehicles

Responding to the rapid growth in unmanned vehicles and their requirement to deliver high-quality mission video over links that are often bandwidth-constrained, a rugged videoRead More...

A Call to ARMs: Auto Industry Quality Standards Provide Path to SWaP-C Reduction

Size, Weight, Power and Cost are always concerns in rugged and mobile applications. However, the level of emphasis varies dramatically between the types of applications. In the groundRead More...

OpenVPX Module Uses Freescale Eight-Core P4080 Processor

A high-performance 3U OpenVPX single board computer is based on the Freescale QorIQ P4080 processor. The XPedite5470 from Extreme Engineering Solutions delivers enhanced PowerRead More...

OpenVPX Tackles PED Challenge with GPU-Based Rugged Solution

One of the toughest challenges is to improve the warfighters’ situational awareness through timely and precise delivery of actionable information by PED capabilities. Mercury’s ISRRead More...

CompactPCI Processor Board Brings Core i7 Performance to 6U Systems

A 6U CompactPCI SBC is based on the latest Intel Core i7 mobile processor technology. The CO6002 from Kontron is designed to bring high performance with low power consumption and lowRead More...

Rugged Efficient Atom-Based System Targets Harsh Applications

A high-reliability Atom-based rugged system integrates a high-efficiency processor, RAM, graphics, networking, serial I/O and PC/104-Plus expansion into an Extreme Rugged enclosure,Read More...

3U CompactPCI IPv4/v6 Gigabit Ethernet Switch with Range of Management Interfaces

With up to 16 Gigabit Ethernet ports, a new fully managed IPv4/v6 switch is a cost-effective, high-performance solution for harsh environments. The new 3U CompactPCI CP3929 switchRead More...

Rugged EPIC SBC Offers SUMIT Expansion

A rugged EPIC single board computer (SBC) includes the SUMIT expansion connector, supporting both a single mezzanine card and multiple modules in a stack for optimal flexibility.Read More...

8.8 Pound ½ ATR System Satisfies Demanding SWaP Requirements

An 8.8 pound sub-½ ATR, forced air-cooled enclosure for conduction-cooled modules is designed to reduce the Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) of deployed military systems. A fullyRead More...

Low Power, High Processing Combine in Compact ESMini COM Module

A new ESMini module uses a PowerPC MPC5121e or a MPC5123 processor, each based on an e300 processor core incorporating a memory management unit (MMU) and a floating point unitRead More...

Rugged Atom-Based SBC the Size of an iPhone

A new Intel Atom-based rugged SBC offers extremely low power consumption combined with an exceptionally small footprint and high performance. The Atom XPC40x (extendedRead More...

Industrial PC with Modular I/O Serves Cost-Sensitive Applications

A new I/O server industrial PC is targeted at reducing costs as an alternative to PC/104 or CompactPCI embedded computers. Field I/O signals in the IOS-7200 Industrial PC fromRead More...

Type 39 Enclosure Family for Desktop and Portable Cases

A new customizable sheet metal enclosure platform is an excellent enclosure platform for which to base custom designs. The Type 39 from Elma Electronic comes in desktop, portableRead More...

Industrial Server brings Dual Xeon to Extended Environmental Conditions

With up to 12 processing cores designed with new 32 nm technology, a new industrial server offers high performance density that makes it a fit for virtualization functionality,Read More...

New Front I/O Systems for Rugged Enterprise Server Family

Two new high-performance servers for mission-critical applications in harsh environments are offered as 2RU and 3RU systems in a 17-inch (431.8mm) depth chassis with all I/ORead More...

Small Form Factor Conduction Cooled Chassis Features Composite Materials

A new, rugged 6-slot 3U OpenVPX (or 7-slot 3U CompactPCI) conduction-cooled chassis is designed for harsh environments. The SFF-6 Small ATR-style small form factor baseplateRead More...

Industrial-Strength Computerized Machine Management

Sometime soon the computer system in an industrial machine responsible for capping a popular cola, or welding the frame on an automobile, or controlling the operation of a city’s powerRead More...

Rugged SBC Offers Robust Display Functions for Mobile Applications

A rugged, maintenance-free SBC is targeted for use in mobile and intelligent display environments including trains, public transportation, airplanes and other specialty vehiclesRead More...

Big Performance, Little Footprint: Rugged System Beats ATR-Short

A fast, powerful, rugged computer system packs features and options into a small, easily mounted package that is one-quarter the size and weight of a ½ ATR-Short package. With a Core2Read More...

Is There Life Beyond Defense and Aerospace for VPX?

What does a Navy SH-60 helicopter landing on a ship have in common with an oil rig and a coal mine? Answer, they are all extremely dangerous places with harsh environments ofRead More...

OpenVPX Xeon-Based Rugged Server-Class SBC for ISR Applications

"VPX Cube" 3U Rugged Conduction Cooled Enclosure

A ruggedized 4-slot conduction-cooled enclosure for VPX 3U modules is designed to MIL-STD-810F, DO-160E and MIL-STD-461E standards, and is compliant with applicable VITA 46 (VPX), VITARead More...

3U CompactPCI Building Blocks for Rolling-Stock and Rugged In-Vehicle Applications

A series of new railway-compliant 3U CompactPCI products is targeted to accelerate OEMs’ time-to-market and reduce hardware design-in costs for a host of rolling-stock and ruggedRead More...

Modern Wearable Computers – Form and Function Still Reign

Developing a full-function computer to mount on the body requires a delicate balance of computing power, usability, ruggedization and ergonomics.  In contrast to mobile devices,Read More...

Rugged, Removable SSD Supports Supports 256-Bit Encryption and Declassification

Compact, Rugged Server Class System Uses High-End Xeon CPUs

A server class rugged 1U computer system for the embedded military market is based on the highest performing processors on Intel’s road map, the Quad and Dual Core Xeon chipset.Read More...

Extreme Rugged PC/104-Plus SBC with Atom Processor

Supporting a range of Intel Atom processors from the power efficient N450 running at 1.66 GHz to the performance oriented dual-core D510, a new PC/104-Plus module takes advantage ofRead More...

Rugged, Removable SSD Supports Supports 256-Bit Encryption and Declassification

A ruggedized, removable SATA solid-state disk (SSD) supports 256-bit AES encryption and declassification capabilities. With its storage capacity of up to 256 Gbyte and its maximumRead More...

Preconfigured Rugged Systems Combine Flexibility with Short Lead Time

A new family of rugged, off-the-shelf systems is designed to reduce the cost and time-to-market of developing solutions for a range of military vehicle platforms including UAVs, mannedRead More...

A New Approach to 3U VPX Pre-Configured Conduction Cooled Systems

Size, weight and power (SWaP) requirements have dramatically changed the embedded military and aerospace system landscape. As VPX systems mature, the size and modularity of the 3U formRead More...

COM Express versus SBC: Deciding which to Use and Where

Is Computer-On-Module (COM) the magic bullet for embedded applications? Which platform technology best serves the embedded market requirement: COM Express modules or standard SingleRead More...

Rugged 512 GB Solid State Disk XMC with Data Encryption

A conduction- or air-cooled solid state disk (SSD) XMC module provides up to 512 Gbyte, or a half terabyte (½ TB), of storage capacity with data encryption. With the ability to operateRead More...

Conduction-Cooled 1/2 ATR Box with 6-slot 3U VPX Backplane

A new ½ ATR conduction-convection-cooled enclosure with a unique, advanced airflow design that distributes air across external fins in sidewalls helps to ensure fast removal ofRead More...

Transportation Applications Find Value in Centralized Computing Platforms

Transportation markets are varied but unified in their need for flexibility, longevity, reliability and performance. Applications are characterized by extreme conditions, non-stopRead More...

COM Express Module Boasts Rugged RS-DMM Memory Module

A new COM Express module boasts one of the first implementations of the rugged RS-DMM memory specification. The Toucan-QM57 from Lippert Embedded Computers is a COM Express revisionRead More...

Rugged Memory Spec Raises the Bar for Rugged Modular Computing

The popularity of COM Express has positioned the modular computing standard for penetration into more demanding markets such as intelligent transportation, military ground vehicles,Read More...

SystemPak Makes ATCA Ready for Tough Field Deployment

  A high-performance, multiprocessing system platform is designed to address compute-intensive requirements in command and control data center applications. The ATCA7365 SystemPakRead More...

OpenVPX Xeon-Based Rugged Server-Class SBC for ISR Applications

A high density server for rugged deployed intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance  (ISR) systems brings Intel enterprise server-class processing to deployed sensor-based systems.Read More...

Industrial Embedded SD Card Takes Shock, Vibration and Temperatures

A new industrial SD card from Apacer is designed for embedded systems in harsh storage environments. Features include high reliability, high storage and resistance to extendedRead More...

High-Octane Distributed Computing Fuels Intelligent Highways

The intelligent highway expands and gains speed each year. To fuel the expansion, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has an Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) researchRead More...

3.5 Tbyte of Solid State Storage in Rugged ½ ATR NAS

A natural convection-cooled sub-½ ATR system supports between 1 Tbyte and 3.5 Tbyte of rugged solid state storage. The XAct3000 from Extreme Engineering Solutions is a turnkey NAS; byRead More...

HD Video Streaming Appliance Is Rugged, Small, Lightweight, Powerful and Flexible

A rugged streaming network appliance is designed in response to the growing requirement for unmanned vehicles to capture, process and transmit increasing quantities of videoRead More...

CCPMC Ethernet Switch Card for Tough Military and Aviation Applications

A new 10-port managed/ unmanaged Ethernet switch PMC for embedded use in the aerospace and defense industries features advanced management functions, health monitoring, onboardRead More...

Ruggedizing Commercial Products to Withstand the Most Demanding Environments

Rugged box-level systems are a vital component for a variety of demanding conditions on land, sea and air. However, how these rugged systems are created can be as different as theRead More...

Conduction Keeps Computing Cool

Reliable. Quiet. Affordable. Small. With protection from dust and humidity, and flexible mounting options. And easy on the electric bill. System designers expect everything fromRead More...

Small Form Factor Series with Transportable, Rugged Computing Module

The initial two products of a series of performance- and mission-critical embedded computing platforms are targeted for deployment in harsh environments. 760 Series Mupac Small FormRead More...

EPIC SBC with Latest Generation Core Processors

A rugged EPIC form factor SBC boasts 2nd Generation Intel Core i7/i5/i3 and Celeron processors. The ReadyBoard 910 EPIC SBC from Adlink Technology also features an onboard SolidRead More...

COM Express Type 6 Module Extreme Rugged Solution for Mobile Environments

A COM Express Type 6 module based on the quad/dual-core  second generation Intel Core i7 processor and Mobile Intel QM67 Express Chipset is targeted at mobile applications running inRead More...

Rugged, Liquid Cooled ATR Chassis Accepts 6U VPX Boards

A new rugged 1 ATR tall, short enclosure with independent dual liquid cooled side walls offers significantly better cooling than conduction only and air-flow designs. Targeted forRead More...

Rugged Box Computer Provides Dual Graphics Processing

A rugged, maintenance-free box computer uses an AMD processor to unite low power consumption with excellent graphics performance. Designed for connecting two or more displays, the BC1Read More...

When Transportation Applications Get Rugged

Transportation solutions are most often housed outdoors or in moving vehicles, where exposure to a variety of climates dictates the need to operate in extended temperatures and toRead More...

New ESMini COM Features 1.6 GHz Atom at 5 to 7W

An ultra-small computer-on-module (COM) features an application-specific carrier board and a 1.6 GHz Intel Atom processor. The compact size of the semi-custom MM2 from MEN Micro, onlyRead More...

Core i7 Quad Core-Based Fanless Computer for 3G/WiFi/BT/GPS Support

A new series of rugged, quad core, fanless computers is based on the high-performance 2nd Generation Intel¨ Core i7/i5/i3 processor and QM67 chipset. The new Matrix MXE-5300 seriesRead More...

Rugged Four-Port USB Hub Features Extended Temperature

A rugged, industrial-strength four-port industry/military grade USB hub features extended temperature operation (-40° to 85°C), high retention USB connectors, and an industrial steelRead More...

Intelligent Vehicle Displays: Upgrade Opportunity for Harsh Environments

gned for deployment in harsh environments such as tanks and other ground combat vehicles for applications including embedded training, 360° situational awareness, terrain visualizationRead More...

Rugged COM Express Module with Third Generation Core i7

Industry-Standard Modular System Pre-Validated for Intelligent Digital Signage

A new open pluggable specification (OPS)-compliant modular solution is designed to make digital signage applications more connected, intelligent and secure, which results in devicesRead More...

Power Efficient Dual Core Processing in a Ruggedized Chassis System

An ultra-compact, fanless system is designed around the tiny VIA EPIA-P900 Pico-ITX board. The VIA AMOS-3002 from Via Technologies leverages the digital performance of the combined 1.0Read More...

Rugged IF Signal Recorder for Extreme Environments

The first of a new recorder family called Extreme Talon is an IF signal recording and playback system, suitable for military and aerospace applications, UAVs and other severeRead More...

From COTS to Commercial

Major military engagements and occupations are winding down in the greater Middle East. The outlook for the New Year is that program budgets will be reduced, or eliminated in someRead More...

Rugged Enough? Commercial Embedded Boards Offer Reliability and Survivability

As you read this, embedded processing boards are operating on the surface of Mars after surviving interplanetary travel and an amazing landing onto an inhospitable Martian world thatRead More...

Avionics Module Saves Space, Weight, Power and Cost

A multi-protocol embeddable avionics module is specifically designed to save valuable space, weight and power as well as deliver greater cost-effectiveness and higher reliability inRead More...

OpenVPX Interoperability in SFF Signal Processing Platform Expands VPX Ecosystem

Elma Electronic Inc., in cooperation with Pentek and Concurrent Technologies, has developed a small form factor (SFF), OpenVPX-based signal acquisition system for processing andRead More...

Challenges in Providing Optimal I/O Solutions for Small Systems

The most obvious challenge in bringing I/O out of electronic packaging is the lack of real estate. The same powerful processors that are enabling systems with smaller footprints areRead More...

COM Express Makes its Way into Rugged and Reliable Applications

The COM Express form factor has been very successful as a low-cost processor mezzanine in a variety of commercial, industrial and communication applications. But without ruggedizationRead More...

PC/104 Stackable Modules Enable Broad Applications for Minimal Effort

How can a design engineer use off-the-shelf computer modules to develop and deliver a cost-effective, rugged system in a short amount of time? This question has been asked for theRead More...

21.5-Inch High Definition Rugged Video Mission Display

A rugged mission display for airborne platforms comes as a next generation video display with touchscreen and is designed for the most demanding helicopter and fixed wing applications.Read More...

Small, Light and Rugged: Qseven Enables New Battlefield Technologies

As military electronics become more mobile and more complex, designs that combine form, function and performance are in demand on today’s battlefield. Unique applications andRead More...

Rugged, Reliable and Real: COMs Broaden Their Reach

During their introduction in the early 2000s, the true “standard” COM never materialized, as each manufacturer fragmented the parameters, essentially negating the very principles onRead More...

Extremely Rugged CPU Module for Highest Reliability in Harsh Environments

An extremely small and rugged Computer on Module (COM) board is based on the industry-standard COM Express mini form factor (55 mm x 84 mm). About the size of a credit card, theRead More...