Kontron has introduces the KIC (Kontron Intelligent Computer) - a family of Box PCs with front and rear interfaces that, for the first time, can be integrated directly into the chassis of devices and machines. Thanks to its second set of interfaces, the IPC requires no additional cabling to the front of the housing and can therefore be faster and more easily integrated into machine designs for low installation costs. By reducing the need for cables, reliability increases and maintenance costs decrease significantly since the potential of failure from cables being disconnected over time is greatly reduced.
With 200 x 85 x 200 mm, the KIC family fits perfectly in compact automation solutions in which the IPC, thanks to its smaller size and greater energy efficiency, moves out of the 19-inch rack and directly into the device or machine. The embedded computer system can be mounted horizontally, vertically on its side, as well as facing upwards and features a particularly service-friendly mounting similar to an ATX PSU. Alternatively, the IPC can be mounted on a top hat rail.
The first member of the KIC family, which is optimized for graphics-intensive applications, features the Kontron ETXexpress-MC Computer-on-Module, with Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 at 2.2 GHz and up to 4 GB of DDR2 RAM. Further variants are planned with Intel Atom processors. For data storage, the new Box PC integrates up to 2 x 2.5" hard disks or robust SSD with RAID-0 or RAID-1 functionality. Interfaces on the inward-facing side of the dual-access system include two real-time Gigabit Ethernet ports, 3x USB, 1x COM, 1x LVDS, 1x GPIO as well as amplified audio. On the outward-facing side, the Box PC offers an additional 6 USB ports, 2 x 1Gb/s Ethernet, 1 x COM, 1 x DVI, and 1x line out. For customer-specific extensions it also features a PCIe x 1 slot to accommodate low profile PCIe add-on cards.
Wolfgang Patelay, Editor Print & Online 