User manual

ARK-4153 User Manual 2
1.1 Introduction
Advantech provides embedded platform products and services to system integrators
that go into the most remote or hostile or extreme environments on earth, embedded
platforms that have to work reliably. To meet the demand for a highly modular com-
pact rugged solution, Advantech developed a PC/104+ stackable system that is
designed and qualified for the most demanding of applications. Each system is
housed in a specially cast and milled solid aluminum block with thermal fins which
also help dissipate heat. Another unique feature is the specially designed fanless
thermal solution for embedded PC applications that allows wide temperature opera-
tion between -40° ~ +75° C, without active cooling. All electronics are protected in a
compact sealed housing for convenient embedded and stand alone applications,
where space and environment considerations are critical.
Modularity is a key feature and in addition to the PC/104+ ability to stack I/O and
other modules to add functionality, Advantech uses special brackets on the aluminum
enclosure itself so that additional enclosures can also be stacked, making this the
most flexible rugged solution on the market. The core stacking modules use Advan-
tech standard CPU boards: PCM-4153 w/PC/104+ expansion slot with support for
four RS-232, six USB 2.0, audio line-in, line-out, dual LAN and onboard memory/
flash, and special bushings that ensure the system has excellent anti-vibration char-
acteristics.
What is more, the unique removable heatsink and daughter board mean that you can
completely replace the system, retaining just the chassis. Flexibility is the name of
the game in embedded computing, and this new, compact, rugged solution from
Advantech delivers on all fronts and in all environments!