Intelligent Display Computer: DC1

Intelligent Display Computer for RAIL:DC1

Dominion Electronics - The DC1 is an extremely rugged panel PC based on Intel’s new Atom processor Z530 or Z510. The DC1 is unique because of its low power consumption, extended temperature range, space-saving design and seven years minimum usage with a great price/performance ratio.

Intelligent display computer in harsh and mobile environments: DC1 with Intel Atom

Intel® Atom up to 1.6 GHz
12“...19“ TFT LCD monitor
9-36V wide-range PSU
Fanless and maintenance-free
Shock and vibration resistant
-40 to +70(+85)°C operation temperature
Specified according to railway standard EN 50155
Vandal-proof

MEN (Mikro Elektronik) has released the DC1 an extremely rugged panel PC based on Intel’s new Atom processor Z530 or Z510. The DC1 is unique because of its low power consumption, extended temperature range, space-saving design and seven years minimum usage with a great price/performance ratio.

The intelligent display computer DC1 is a rugged, fan-less and maintenance-free panel PC for use in harsh, mobile and safety-critical applications in transport, avionics, medical engineering or industrial automation. Its robust aluminium housing is protected against vandalism and has been developed for safe operation in direct contact with passengers, e.g. in infotainment applications in trains, buses or air planes.

The DC1 is the first member in a family of display computers based on flexible, modular design concept as to display resolution, display size, processor type, I/O configuration and power supply. At the heart of the DC1 is Intel’s Atom processors with a frequency of up to 1.6 GHz and a performance comparable to a Pentium M with 1 GHz or more. 1 GB working memory and 4 GB USB-controlled Flash Disk supply enough capacity for every application. Standard I/O comprises 2 USB, 2 Fast Ethernet, 1 UART as well as binary inputs and can optionally be extended by HD Audio or IBIS field bus functionality. Wireless functions as, e.g. WIFI, WIMAX, GSM/GPRS, UMTS can optionally be implemented via a MiniPCI Express card slot in combination with an external antenna. Thus, loading of new display contents is possible. All signals are collected at the bottom side of the DC1 which enables the DC1 to be fixed on any mounting device.

The control electronics of the DC1 is located directly behind the display, which enables a fan-less cooling via conductive cooling between the electronics and the display. With a total power dissipation of just 20 Watts, the display computer is suited for an operation temperature of -40 to +70°C (up to +85°C for 15 minutes). The unit is protected against shock and vibration, all components are soldered and only M12 or D-Sub I/O connectors are used. The electronics are prepared for coating to withstand humidity. The off-the-shelf DC1 which is equipped with a 15“ display and a wide-range PSU with 9-36V (optionally also 18-75 Volt and 36-154 Volt) is IP54-protected at the front and complies to railway standard EN 50155.

The control of the displays and the installation of the DC1 are flexible, the signals are transferred to the next display computer/s hardware resulting in short delays. The signal is sent via an integrated Ethernet Switch which saves space and cost for the cabling which would be required otherwise. The DC1 can be mounted on a wall or bar. Another possibility is to mount two systems side-by-side or back-to-back, the double display being controlled by only one computer. As an option, the DC1 can also control a remote display with the same or different content via DVI-D. A Dongle enables easy configuration and exchanging of the DC1 as the respective configuration can be stored on it and imported on another DC1.