| Sealed computer runs Core 2 Duo fanlessly |
Nov. 11, 2008
 Advantech announced a fanless, aluminum-cased computer targeting self-service kiosks, digital signage, and industrial control applications. The ARK-3399 employs Core 2 Duo, Core Duo, or Celeron M processors, includes hard disk or CompactFlash storage, accepts 2GB of RAM, and runs Windows XP Embedded or CE, says Advantech.
(Click here for a larger view of Advantech's ARK-3399)
According to Advantech, the new ARK-3399 is designed to supplement its ARK-338x product range. A range of fanless industrial computers, the ARK-338x devices made their debut in 2005, with Celeron ULV or Pentium LV processors, plus aluminum cases measuring 10.4 x 2.7 x 5.4 inches.
The company says the ARK-3399 uses identical case dimensions and mounting mechanisms, making it easy for customers to upgrade their older systems. The device accepts several different Intel uFCBGA (micro flip chip ball grid array) processors: namely, a 1.66GHz Core Duo, 1.06GHz Core 2 Duo, or 1.06GHz Celeron M ULV, says Advantech.
The ARK-3399 is said to employ Intel's 945GME northbridge and ICH7-M southbridge. Via the chipmaker's "3.5 generation hybrid graphics engine," the computer can allocate up to 224MB of system RAM as video memory. Both VGA and LVDS interfaces are offered.
The device has a 533MHz or 667MHz frontside bus, and supports up to 2GB of RAM via a single 200-pin SODIMM socket. For mass storage, there's room for a 2.5-inch HDD (hard disk drive) or a Type 1/2 Compact Flash socket, the company adds.
As already suggested, the ARK-3399 is designed to run fanlessly, and is passively cooled via an aluminum heatsink. The computer's case is designed to stay sealed, which has led Advantech to provide external, real-world connectors for interfaces that are usually relegated to pin headers. For example, on the device's front panel (pictured at the top of this story), there are two nine-pin connectors that look like serial ports. The leftmost of these connectors actually carries signals for eight-bit digital I/O, while the righthand one carries display backlighting signals, Advantech says.
The front panel also includes two USB ports, an LVDS display connector, plus three 3.5mm jacks for audio: mic in, line in, and line out. On the rear panel (below), there are three more USB ports, two serial ports, a gigabit Ethernet port, a VGA output, and a PS/2 connector for a keyboard and mouse.
The rear panel of Advantech's ARK-3399
(Click to enlarge)
According to Advantech, the ARK-3399 weighs 4.4 pounds, and may be screwed to a wall, desk, or mounted on a DIN rail. The device has a cited operating temperature range of 0 to 45 deg. C (32 to 113 deg. F) with a hard disk drive, or 0 to 55 deg. C (32 to 131 deg. F) with Compact Flash storage.
Finally, the ARK-3399 is said to tolerate 11ms shocks of up to 20G during operation with a hard drive, or up to 50G with CompactFlash. Requiring a maximum of 40 Watts, it accepts input voltages from 9VDC to 34VDC, adds Advantech.
Features and specifications listed by Advantech for the ARK-3399 include:- Processor -- 1.66GHz Core Duo, 1.06GHz Core 2 Duo, or 1.06GHz Celeron M ULV
- Memory -- Up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM via single SODIMM socket
- Storage -- Has room for internal 2.5-inch HDD or internal CompactFlash slot
- Display -- Supports both VGA and LVDS via external connectors
- Networking -- Gigabit Ethernet port
- Other I/O:
- 1 x VGA
- 1 x LVDS
- 1 x 8-bit digital I/O
- 1 x RS232
- 1 x RS232/422/385
- Audio line out, line in, mic in
- PS/2 port for keyboard and mouse
- Backlight connector
- 5 x USB 2.0 (2 front panel, 3 rear panel)
- Operating temperature:
- 0 to 45 deg. C (32 to 113 deg. F) with a hard disk drive
- 0 to 55 deg. C (32 to 131 deg. F) with Compact Flash
- Power requirements -- Input voltage from 9VDC to 34VDC, 40 Watts maxiumum
- Dimensions -- 10.4 x 2.7 x 5.4 inches (264.5 x 137.25 x 69.2mm)
According to Advantech, the ARK-3399 runs Windows XP Embedded, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows CE 6.0. The device is said to be available now, though pricing was not released.
More information on the ARK-3399 may be available on the Advantech website, here.
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