Specifications

ReadyBox Users Guide 5
Chapter 2 Product Overview
This product overview presents general information about the EPIC Architecture and the ReadyBox
enclosure. After reading this chapter you should understand:
• EPIC architecture
• ReadyBox features
• I/O Panel features and connectors
• Specifications
• ReadyBox construction
• ReadyBox mounting dimensions
EPIC Architecture
In 2004, five companies collaborated to fill the void between the EBX size and the PC/104 size with a
new industry standard form factor (115mm x 165mm, or ≈ 4.5” x 6.5”) called “Embedded Platform for
Industrial Computing (EPIC).” The EPIC standard principally defines physical size, mounting hole
pattern, and power connector locations. It does not specify processor type or electrical characteristics.
There are recommended connector placements for serial/parallel, Ethernet, graphics, and memory
expansion, including an optional location for PC Card (PCMCIA) expansion. This embedded SBC
standard ensures that embedded system OEMs can standardize their designs and that embedded
computing solutions can be designed into even more space constrained environments than ever before.
The EPIC standard boasts the same highly flexible and adaptable system expansion as EBX, allowing
easy and modular addition of functions such as USB 2.0, Firewire or wireless networking not usually
contained in standard product offerings. The EBX system expansion is based on popular existing
industry standards, PC/104™, PC/104-Plus™, and PCI-104™. PC/104 places the ISA bus on compact
3.6” x 3.8” modules with self-stacking capability. PC/104-Plus adds the power of a PCI bus to PC/104
while retaining the basic form-factor, but PCI-104 expansion cards only provide the PCI Bus to the
PC/104 form-factor. Using PC/104 expansion cards, an EPIC board can be easily adapted to meet a
variety of embedded applications.
The EPIC standard also brings stability to the mid-sized embedded board market and offers OEMs
assurance that a wide range of products will be available from multiple sources – now and in the future.
The EPIC specification is freely available to all interested companies, and may be used without licenses
or royalties. For further technical information on the EPIC standard, visit the web site at
http://www.epic-sbc.org. See Figure 2-1.
RdyBxstackthru
Built-In Standoffs (8)
(M3 P0.5 Thread)
Front Panel
I/O
Connectors
PC/104-Plus Module
ReadyBoard (EPIC-Compatible)
ISA Bus
Stackthrough
Connectors
0.8”/20mm
Spacers (4)
PCI Stack
Connectors
through
M3 P0.5 Screws (4)
0.6”/15mm
Spacers (4)
PC/104 Module
Access Plate B
Figure 2-1. Stacking PC/104 Modules in ReadyBox (Side view)