High Reliability Mini PCIe Modules - Expansion Designed for Extreme Environments

Author - Laura Biddiscombe

PCI Express Mini Card (also known as Mini PCI Express, Mini PCIe,  and mPCIe), based on PCI Express, is a replacement for the Mini PCI form factor, supporting both PCI Express and USB 2.0 connectivity. Each card may use either standard. Mini PCIe modules provide an economical and standardised way to add I/O and storage functions to embedded computer products. Unlike typical expansion boards, Mini PCIe allows additional functions to be added to a system with almost no increase in overall package size.

MiniPCIe cards are 30mm × 50.95mm. There is a 52-pin edge connector, consisting of two staggered rows on a 0.8 mm pitch, and each row has eight contacts, a gap equivalent to four contacts, then a further 18 contacts. The PCB itself has a thickness of just 1mm, excluding the components.

VersaLogic's new MiniPCIe modules are all designed for high reliability in demanding environments. They are all rated for operation across the full industrial temperature range (-40º to +85ºC), and for high shock and vibration (MIL-STD-202G).

VersaLogic's Mini PCIe modules are RoHS compliant and include VersaLogic's renowned 5+ year product life guarantee for long lifecycle applications. Customisation options include conformal coating, IPC Class 3 assembly, application-specific testing, BOM revision locks, etc.

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The latest product to join the MiniPCIe family is the VL-MPEe-V5 - a video expansion module which provides an easy and economical way to add VGA and LVDS display outputs to an embedded computing solution.

The VL-MPEe-V5 is compatible with a variety of popular x86 operating systems including Windows, Windows Embedded, and Linux.

Pricing starts at $218 for up to 49pcs.

Contact Sarsen Technology for more information - info@sarsen.net

Good things, extremely small MiniPCIe shaped packages…

Over the last few weeks we’ve seen a lot of interest in the MiniPCIe modules from VersaLogic.

These little boards allow extra functions to be added to a system with almost no increase in overall package size.

VL-MPEe-E3 - MiniPCIe Ethernet Module

All of the MiniPCIe modules from VersaLogic have been designed for use in tough environments. They are rated for operation over the full industrial temperature range (-40º to +85ºC), and for high shock and vibration (MIL-STD-202G).

They are also guaranteed to be available for at least 5 years, supporting long term projects and providing the configuration stability required in many applications.

There are 8 different modules available, including Analog Input, Ethernet, Encrypted Memory and GPS Receiver, supporting Support GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and QZSS.

For more information please contact Sarsen Technology on +44 1672 511166 or email us your enquiry.

Trenton Systems - Matrox Validated Video Wall Controllers

Trenton Systems has designed a series of Matrox-validated video wall controllers, optimised to take advantage of Matrox Mura™ MPX graphics cards. Matrox Graphics is a leading manufacturer of specialised graphics solutions for applications such as video display walls, medical imaging and military control rooms.

The Matrox-validated video wall controller solutions feature a precise hardware combination built and tested by Trenton Systems, and certified by Matrox Graphics, to deliver optimum video display wall performance. Matrox-validated video wall controllers are supported by Trenton’s expert embedded computing hardware engineers. They offer maximum system flexibility to meet both current and future video display wall requirements, and are designed and manufactured in the United States.

Configuring these kinds of video display walls used to be a complex process, but with the MuraControl for iPad app from Matrox Graphics, it has never been easier. The iPad app is the perfect companion for setting up and configuring any of Trenton’s Matrox-validated video wall controllers, including the TVC4403, which supports up to six Mura MPX Series cards, providing up to 24 hi-definition video inputs and 24 hi-definition outputs.

Trenton Systems TVC4403 Matrox validated video wall controller is a CE-compliant and UL recognised video wall controller, validated for use with up to nine Matrox Mura MPX Series video controller boards. The TVC4403 features a Trenton JXTS6966 single board computer and BPG7087 PCI Express 2.0 backplane, up to eight front access / hot swap storage drives and flexible power options, ideal for use in command and control centers, process control, network operations centers and traffic management video display wall applications.

For more information please contact the Sarsen sales team on +44 1672 511166, or email them at sales@sarsen.net

High Reliability and Quality as Standard....

One of the most important considerations when choosing the manufacturers we work with is the reliability of their products.

All the products available from our principals are designed from the ground up for high reliability, and manufactured and tested to the highest quality standards.

With every piece of hardware warrantied for at least 1 year, you can rest assured that the risk of your boards or system malfunctioning is extremely low.*
*Obviously if you drop it, sit on it, or allow it to fall down the loo (it happens) then the warranty is void. 

This computer probably wouldn't be covered under warranty......

Trenton Systems are particularly aware of the importance of the quality and reliability of their products. They offer a 5 year warranty on all of their PICMG 1.3 single board computers, backplanes and embedded motherboards, and maintain strict quality control standards during the fabrication and testing process. Inspections are performed at each critical stage on the factory floor.

Trenton's factory in the USA

 Trenton have also announced a new series of computing system configuration options that make it easier for customers to meet UL and CE certification requirements in industrial computing and video display wall controller applications.

For information on warranties, life cycles and quality standards for all of our manufacturers please get in touch on +44 1672 511166, or by email - info@sarsen.net

Countdown to DSEi 2013. And Christmas.

90 days until Christmas.
   ...142 days until Valentine's Day.
      ...... 350 days until DSEi 2013!!


 
Yes indeed! 
Its time to get our thinking caps on again, and come up with some ideas on how to make our week more successful than ever before.

DSEi 2011 was a great exhibition for Sarsen Technology; we spoke to loads of new people about our broad range of embedded hardware, and came away with lots of follow up to do, with new opportunities and projects to investigate. It was also a great way for us to show off our new branding..

This time, with our new logos and colour scheme in place, it will be even more focussed on the products, with more demonstration units than ever before, and plenty of experts on hand from our manufacturers to help us answer any questions you might have. We'll be showcasing single board computers, FPGA technology, digital signal processing, data acquisition and high-speed data recording COTS technology, as well as integrated rugged ATR chassis systems and industrial 19" rackmount embedded computing systems.


This year our manufacturers have released many new products, with even more scheduled for production before Christmas. DSEi is a great opportunity to come and see all the new designs and technologies from the defence and security industry's brightest bods. 

Last year we ran a competition to win an iPad.... Who knows what you could win at DSEi 2013!?

 

HOT OFF THE PRESS!!! Brand New Board from VersaLogic

Is it a Bird?

Is it a Plane?

No!

FALCON

(VL-EPU-2610-E***) 

A brand new

complete embedded computer from

VersaLogic!

The new 'Falcon' Embedded Processing Unit (EPU) combines processor, memory, video, and system I/O into an extremely compact embedded computer. Despite its diminutive size it packs a lot into a tiny space.

The Falcon is around the size of a credit card (a mere 55 mm x 84 mm), and only 22mm thick, making it a great choice for a range of applications, including Mil-Aero, Medical, Security, R&D and Robotics; industries that are always looking for smaller, lighter and lower power embedded systems, that still offer exceptional high reliability and long term availability.

Tipping the scales at under 115g, which is about the same as a smartphone, it’s also a seriously good solution for use in for portable applications and unmanned systems where Size, Weight and Power consumption (SWaP) are critical design elements.

The Falcon is VERY rugged - designed to withstand extreme temperature (-40º to +85ºC), it also meets MIL-STD-202G specifications for shock and vibration. Soldered-on RAM and latching SATA, Ethernet, power, and main I/O connectors provide additional ruggedisation for use in the corners of the world where us mere mortals will never venture......

The spec sheet reads like an engineer's wish list -

• Industrial Temperature Operation - -40º to +85ºC operation for harsh environments.
• Fanless Operation - No moving parts for CPU cooling.
• Wide Input Voltage Range - Accepts 8 to 17 volts (12V typ.).
• High Performance Video - Graphics core supports MPEG-4/H.264 and MPEG-2 encoding and decoding.
• Network - Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) with remote boot support.
• RAM - Up to 2Gb soldered-on DDR2 RAM.
• SATA - Supports SATA hard drives and mSATA flash storage options.
• Mini PCIe Card Socket - Supports Wi-Fi modems , GPS, MIL-STD-1553, Ethernet, Solid State storage and other plug in devices.
• Device I/O - Four serial ports, four USB ports, Intel Hi-Def Audio

Check out the Falcon datasheet here for a complete run down of spec and capabilities!

The Falcon will be available from stock starting in September of 2012. 

We are anticipating a lot of demand for this board, so register your interest now by contacting us at info@sarsen.net or visit www.sarsen.net for more information.