AEU - eNewsletter: Digital Signage, Not Only A Box!

Digital Signage, Not Only A Box!

When it comes to digital signage, people talk about decoding capability and numbers of graphic output, that’s it? Of course not, today’s digital signage is no more a standalone media player, it could be networked media player, it could be even empower by remote technology to replace traditional daisy chain switch.

In AAEON’s digital signage solution, we have 3 segmentation- value, mainstream, and intelligent. Value line has low power ATOM processor, is capable to handle full HD graphic; Mainstream line are mainly AMD solution, suitable for heavy graphic demanding media content; If you are looking for something more than graphic power, also in calculation power to handle complicated message detecting from sensors to decide what content to play, even do remote management, then Intelligent line is definitely your choice.

As standalone media player is not a trend any more, networked media player is emerging in the market, it saves a lot of hassles in maintenance and content update, in some field 3G media player is next upcoming demand. Today standalone media player is a highly price competitive market, where you can see consumer PC are popular in this segment, however, in networked or 3G media player, encryption and security are required, besides contents are variable according to audience if sensors are deployed in design, a reliable industrial media players can do a good job; furthermore, customization in 3G module integrated is what industrial PC is good at. 

Desire multi-display features? Thanks to innovation of graphic chipset technology, a lot of media player is already capable to handle 2-3 independent video output, what if you want more? Let’s see how to achieve this.  

While traditional daisy chain board or media switch still use proprietary TCP/IP, AAEON’s remote display technology use standard TCP/IP transporting by CAT-5 cable. The system includes one sender, and receiver units—all interconnected in a cascade concept. All work together to extend 1080p full HD with RS-232 and IR control signals with simply CAT-5 cable. Support remote booting when system fails. IP camera connection, audio broadcast. CAT-5 distances up to 100 meter. 

AEU - eNewsletter: Intel 4th Generation Core Processor, more graphic power, more connectivity

Intel 4^th Generation Core Processor, 
more graphic power, more connectivity 

Another Core i CPU?!  You probably will say so, however, it is not only another Core i CPU, some features have been improved and changed.

No support for LVDS and SDVO? AAEON fixes it!

We may calm down a little bit, Yes, from 4^th generation Core CPU, Intel doesn’t support LVDS and SDVO any more; we understand what kind impact will be to our customer when they still use LVDS as their display input, therefore in AAEON embedded board design, we still use have LVDS output at customer’s disposal, you can see it in COM-QM87, GENE-QM87, EMB-H81A, and EMB-QM87 with easy connection as before. 

Only BGA CPU in Mobile Embedded Line 

One of significant change in 4^th Generation Core CPU has only BGA type Mobile CPU in Embedded Roadmap. For Desktop CPU, there are still PGA types available. 

Support DDR3L

Called DDR3L for DDR3 Low Voltage, devices adhering to the new standard will operate from a single 1.35V power supply voltage compared to 1.5V in existing devices.

Continuing the evolution of DDR3 as the dominant DRAM standard today, DDR3L will enable a significant reduction in power consumption for a broad range of products that utilize memory; the possibility of reduced power consumption and lowered cooling demands with no loss in performance can have a far-reaching, positive impact - especially as the industry strives to meet ever more challenging environmental requirements.

Empower graphic performance 

From this platform, digital display interfaces has been moved to processors. It supports 3 independent symmetric displays, Display port standard is moving to 1.2 instead of 1.1 in 3^rd Gen. Core CPU.  

More possibilities for ODM Projects

One 16-lane PCI-Express port with three controllers

This is great features to ODM projects, which have more flexibilities to configure PCI-E according to their requirements, either configure to 2x8 lane PCI-E or 1x8 lane plus 2x4 lane PCI-E. 

 I/O Ports Flexibility 

New architecture allows some I/O ports to be configured at time of system design. 

-Total 18 differential signal pairs split between SATA, USB 3.0, and PCIe. 

-4 different signal pairs are muxed can be configured to meet I/O needs

-Max number of PCIe ports is 8. 

AEU - eNewsletter: Security is everywhere

Security is everywhere

Connecting people all around the world; moving toward more and more e-transaction to buy some goods; accessing huge amount of data located somewhere in the cloud; all those actions have one point in common: they require secure access. The risk is big: losing confidence in this evermore digital world.

Encryption is key!

AES is a US standard and one possible solution to encryption

Used to encrypt traffic data for security reasons.

AES vs AES-NI

–     AES is SW algorithm based  and thus leads to intensive computing   

–     AES-NI(New Instructions)  is 6 new instructions (it offloads some intensive SW calculations to HW)

Benefits

So it’s all about accelerating 3 to 10x AES encryption

More Speed ! More Protection!

For which Application?

Firewall, VPN, UTM, AntiSpam

AES-NI can be found in

–     Intel Xeon families

–     Intel i Cores starting from 2nd generation

–     NOT on Cedar Trail platforms

–     But on next ATOM generation!

AES is offered at the CPU/chipset level. If you need additional encryption capabilities, just add dedicated third-parties network encryption card thru expansion slot available in 1U or 2u racks.

Intel QuickAssist® technology might be available on some CPUs to help accelerating the workload due to encryption.

Available in following AAEON’s models:

FWS-7600/FWS-7800/FWS-7810/FWS-2350/FWS-7350/CRS-100L-2S/CRS-100X-2S/CR-300M-2R/CRS-700M-4R/CRS-720X-2R

Did you know?

FWS-2350 based on 4^th ATOM generation  will be first ATOM platform with AES-NI support.
EVT: June 2013

DVT: August 2013

PVT: October 2013

MP: November 2013

AAEON is once again the first one to support breakthrough technology

Stay Tuned!

4th Generation Intel® Core™ Processors

AEU - eNewsletter: First i7-based EN50155-TX certified, rolling stock embedded controller

First i7-based &  EN50155-TX
certified, rolling stock embedded controller

To certify a product with EN50155 is never an easy thing, it is not only about the product performance, connectivity, the most critical will be thermal issue, when it comes to most tough TX grade operation temperature. In the market, most of rolling stock embedded controllers in market are based on ATOM N270, D5XX, the major reason is that it could be easier to handle the thermal dissipation while CPU is lower power consumption; however, another problem to face is what about performance? There are very few Core 2 Duo SP9300 CPU embedded controller were introduced to meet market demand. More or less, you might notice those CPUs were launched in year 2008, the end of life problem will be faced soon. 

AAEON is going to unveil first Core i7 embedded controller with latest i7-3517UE CPU,
which provides 2.8 Ghz clock speed and passes toughest operation temperature -40-70℃ TX grade. In the market, there is hardly to see multi-Core performance CPU could pass TX criteria; with decade’s experience in thermal, heat pile design, AAEON successfully to meet the highest standard with best performance product. Vibration is most concern in rolling stock application, AAEON offers richest I/O ports, and totally have 6 ports with M12 connectors, including USB, serial, Ethernet, and power; it gives the application most secured connectivity. Not to mention the isolation in serial ports and digital I/O, with 3KV optical isolation, it gives more protection with device connections, also ensure the safety when train drives in high speed.

We did not forget the importance of wireless communication, allowing moving train to keep real-time status update with ground control center; wireless LAN is using to communicate with other devices on board, front access SIM card with 3G module built in makes seamless communication between on-board and ground.

To get complete competition product comparison table, pls contact our sales.
Mass Production: July 2013
Sample available: Order now, delivery by end of June

Application

Mobility Control Unit: This system includes a display panel to allow the conductor to monitor vehicle status. A powerful computing platform is used to connect various devices, such as digital I/O units, GPS modules, audio devices, and wireless modules. Fast hand-over times from access point to access point enable immediate status updates to better control the railway system and keep passengers well-informed in all phases of the journey, while still accommodating the mobile nature of ground-to-train communications. 

Passenger Information System: This system needs a powerful computing unit to quickly show information on the connected display. An industrial switch is also used for communications with the Ethernet network, and the system can be further expanded with passenger entertainment features.

Network Video Recorder: A reliable network video recording system is responsible for performing efficient and real-time video monitoring. With an industrial-grade PoE switch, it is easier to install VoIP phones and IP cameras on the platform when a power supply is not readily available. The nodes at the front and rear of the train need a higher level of performance in order to support NVR playback, but entry-level embedded computers with built-in storage expansion is enough to record video in the individual train carriages. 

Still interested to know more about EN50155?

Test Standard

EN50155 certification includes the following routine tests for electronic equipment; AAEON’s AEV-6356 
takes tighter standard than mandatory definition; damp heat test, radio interference test, and low 
temperature storage tests are taken into accounts in EN50155 certification.

Note 1 The execution of tests marked “*” is mandatory by EN50155

Note2  The execution of tests marked “-“ is subjective to contract agreement between the user and the 

           manufacturer. 

Note 3 The execution of tests marked “**” is done in AEV-6356 

Note 4 For the purpose of these test ambient temperature shall be defined as 25° C + 10°C

Temperature 

 Rolling stock computers deployed on moving vehicles can be exposed to a variety of temperature conditions, including extreme hot or cold. The EN50155 standard includes specific criteria for operating temperature, as illustrated below:

 

Please contact us:
AAEON Europe
info@aaeon.eu