VersaLogic has announced Falcon – an extremely small, rugged, embedded computer. The new Embedded Processing Unit (EPU) format combines processor, memory, video, and system I/O into an extremely compact embedded computer.
The Falcon was engineered and tested to meet the military and medical industries' evolving requirements for smaller, lighter embedded systems. Roughly the size of a credit card and less than one inch thick, the Falcon is a highly-integrated embedded computer. It combines the new Intel Atom E6x0T low power processor, with system interfaces, in a form factor designed to withstand extreme temperature, impact, and vibration.
The Falcon features an Intel Atom E6x0T processor which is optimized for performance/power consumption balance. It provides compatibility with a broad range of x86 application development tools for reduced cost and development time. Integrated high-performance graphics provide hardware-accelerated MPEG-4/H.264 and MPEG-2 video encoding and decoding. It includes a standard LVDS video output for flat panel displays.
On-board I/O includes Gigabit Ethernet with network boot capability, four USB 2.0 ports, four serial ports, and Intel High-Definition Audio (HDA). A SATA 3 Gb/s interface supports high-capacity rotating or solid-state drives. Dual microSD sockets and a Mini PCIe socket with mSATA capability provide flexible solid-state drive (SSD) options. Systems can be enhanced by leveraging the Mini PCIe socket with plug-in Wi-Fi modems, GPS receivers, MIL-STD-1553, Ethernet, Firewire, and other mini cards. The Falcon supports an optional Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip for applications that require enhanced hardware-level security functions.
The Falcon's wide input voltage range (8 to 17 volts) simplifies system power supply requirements. It is fully compatible with automotive type (nominal 12V) power systems.
Designed and tested for industrial temperature (-40° to +85°C) operation, the rugged Falcon meets MIL-STD-202G specifications to withstand high impact and vibration. Soldered-on RAM, fanless thermal solutions, and latching connectors (Ethernet, SATA, and main I/O) provide additional ruggedization for use in harsh environments. Falcon is available as an IPC-A-610 Class 2 assembly. Class 3 assembly is optional for situations where extreme reliability is required.
The Falcon will be available from stock starting in September of 2012. Pricing starts at $853 for 1 GB RAM models in OEM quantities.
