| Box PC doubles as car computer |
Dec. 23, 2008
 Avalue released a new "box PC" targeting embedded thin client, automation, and automotive use. The EPC-945 offers Intel Core Solo or Duo processors, a CompactFlash socket, up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM, mini PCI expansion, and room for a 2.5-inch hard disk drive, the company says.
(Click here for a larger view of Avalue's EPC-945)
Like previously announced products in Avalue's "EPC" series, which offer 500MHz or 1GHz Via Eden processors, the new EPC-945 is said to be based on one of the company's previously released "3.5-inch" SBCs (single board computers). The 3.5-inch form factor, popular with a variety of Taiwanese embedded SBC manufacturers, actually measures 5.75 x 4 inches, matching the dimension of 3.5-inch components such as floppy drives and memory card readers.
Here, of course, that's mostly irrelevant, because the EPC-945's main board is housed inside a blue aluminum case, measuring 7 x 5.6 x 2.0 inches overall. Avalue does mention that if its case is removed, the device can become a "fully functional car computer," fitting into the dimensions of a single DIN slot.
Avalue's ECM-945GM main board
(Click to enlarge)
In any case, the specifications of the EPC-945 appear to match Avalue's previously announced ECM-945GM SBC, which we picture above. As can clearly be seen, the devices have a socket that accepts Intel Core Solo or Core Duo processors, an 82945GME northbridge, and a 82801GBM (ICH7-M) southbridge.
Via a socket on the bottom of its main board, the EPC-945 accepts up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM, with speeds ranging from 400MHz to 667MHz. Also bottom-mounted is a Type I/II CompactFlash slot which, as the photo below shows, is accessible from the PC's rear panel.
The rear panel of Avalue's EPC-945
(Click to enlarge)
Other internal expansion capabilities of the EPC-945 are said to include both a Mini PCI slot, and room for a 2.5-inch hard disk drive. The device has dual SATA connectors and a 44-pin IDE connector, adds Avalue.
Externally, the box sports three USB 2.0 connectors (one front, two rear), two gigabit Ethernet interfaces with RJ45 connectors, an RS232 serial port, and a VGA output supporting resolutions up to 2048 x 1536 pixels. The EPC-945 also includes a PS/2 port, mic and line inputs, and a line output, the company says.
Finally, the EPC-945 operates via 12VDC input power, and requires a 60W external AC power supply. While the earlier, Via Eden models in the EPC line can run fanlessly, the EPC-945 does require a fan, and has some additional rear-panel cooling holes not shown in the image above, according to Avalue.
Features and specifications published by Avalue for the EPC-945 include the following:- Processor -- Intel Core Solo or Core Duo; clock speeds not specified
- Memory -- Up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM, via single SO-DIMM slot
- Storage -- 2.5-inch hard disk drive bay, plus Type I/II CompactFlash slot
- Display -- VGA output up to 2048 x 1536 pixels
- Networking -- 2 x gigabit Ethernet; wireless LAN optional via Mini PCI slot
- Other I/O:
- 2 x SATA (internal)
- 1 x IDE (internal)
- 3 x USB 2.0 (1 front, 2 rear)
- 1 x RS232
- 1 x PS/2
- Audio mic in, line in, line out
- Expansion:
- 1 x Mini PCI
- 1 x CompactFlash
- Operating temperature -- n/s
- Power requirements -- 12VDC via 60W AC adapter
- Dimensions -- 7 x 5.6 x 2.0 inches (178 x 142 x 50mm)
Avalue did not release information about pricing, availability, or operating system support for the EPC-945. Other products from the company have supported Windows XP, Windows XP Embedded, Linux, and other operating systems, however.
More information on the EPC-945 may be found on the company's website, here.
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