Rugged, versatile embedded automation controller with ultra-wide temperature range option
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

While most of the computing gear we follow and discuss here at RuggedPCReview is designed for mobile deployment and use — such as handhelds, tablets and notebooks — we also cover embedded systems that often meet similarly stringent ruggedness requirements, and may see mobile deployment as well.

An example is the Winmate IV7 family of embedded automation controllers. What sets this system apart is the availability of a special version that can operate within an extremely wide temperature range of -40 to +158 degrees Fahrenheit (-40 to +70 degrees Celsius). The device is implemented as a 19-inch rack mount system, meaning it can be installed in a standardized enclosure designed to accommodate multiple such equipment modules. While the majority of rack mount systems are stationary, some are transportable and even designed for vehicle-mount applications.

Winmate's IV7 rack server is designed as a flexible solution for a wide variety of industrial applications. The server is implemented in "2U" format where "U" refers to the 1.75-inch height of a "rack unit." A 2U module is therefore 3.75 inches tall. The diagram below shows the Winmate IV7T from the top and all four sides.

While rack mount systems do not generally rely on battery power and the accompanying need for the most power-efficient processor and peripherals options, fanless designs and high thermal efficiency increase reliability, lower maintenance requirements, and lower overall heat load (which can be considerable in racks with multiple modules). For these reasons, Winmate chose a mobile standard voltage chip from Intel's "Ivy Bridge" 3rd generation Core processor lineup. It is a dual-core/quad-thread chip employing 22 nm process technology and running at a base frequency of 2,9GHz, with a maximum turbo frequency of 3.6GHz.

Winmate's goal here was to provide a simple, straightforward fanless electroplated steel rack mount design that provides roughly the computing performance of a high-end notebook computer, but considerably more I/O and configuration options. The image below shows the backside of the IV7 rack-mount server.

It's instantly obvious that we're talking significant I/O here. A base configuration includes four full-size high-speed USB 3.0 ports, dual RJ45 gigabit Ethernet jacks, two legacy PS/2 ports for mouse and keyboard, two legacy DB9 RS232 serial ports, a jumper-selectable RS232/422/485 port, as well as VGA for a console.

But that's not all. The unit also offers a half-size PCI slot to add customer-driven functionality, and there are two additional cut-outs where four additional serial ports and other I/O can be mounted.

For mass storage, the IV7 supports dual 2.5-inch SATA solid state disks, and there's up to 16GB if DDR3 1333/1600 SO-DIMM RAM. This being an industrial-grade system, the device also offers 256-level watchdog functionality.

As far as ruggedness and durability go, the standard IV7T offers a 14° to 140°F (-10° to 60°C) operating temperature range, enough for most applications. As stated above, the also available IV7W versions expand that to -40° to 158°F (-40° to 70°C). The platform has been tested in conformance with EC 61850-3 (general environmental and electromagnetic interference (EMI) immunity requirements for network equipment), IEC 60068-2-64 (environmental testing for vibration, broad-band random), and IEC 60068-2-2 (environmental testing for dry heat).