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Technical Manual
ePanel-C3
Version 1.04
2. INTRODUCTION
2.1. Kontron ePanel-Concept
Time is something no one has enough. „Short time-to-market" is a nightmare everybody suffers from. A new
concept promises a lot of advantages, but how to use them in a non existent time span? Especially embedded
boards are not always easy connectable, think of tangling cables or missing adapters. Kontron recognized this
problem and developed the ePanel, a platform for OEM and ODM. Its main benefit is the high integration of
mobile accessories and components in conjunction with mechanical fit and function. To build a mobile
computer, just use a battery, TFT display, inverter and housing and you're set. Now system design and
application development gets a great boost forward. Others still look for adapters while your project already
started.
In order to stay close to state-of-the-art computer technologies of the desktop PC market, the ECT business
(Embedded Computer Technology) demands adequate processor performance for many applications. There
are many standards for CPU boards with a lot of advantages or restrictions. Unfortunately none of these pro-
ducts care about the increasing customer specialization. A board, which fits exactly into a system, is nearly
impossible to find but ePanel fits nearly for all mobile and space critical applications. Only a customized mo-
dule will fulfill all requirements. But away from standard products, a customer has to tolerate long development
cycles and costly problems with quick replacements or easy upgrades. The way out of this situation has to join
two apparent opposites. The task is to create a customized PC board out of standard parts. Obviously the
solution has to be modular. The answer of Kontron for the mobile business: ePanel.
Quick integration and nevertheless standard PC technology.
®
The ePanel-C3 is a complete Pentium
III class PC with standard interfaces including USB and additional
options such as Sound capabilities, PC-Card, Touch & Matrix controller, TV-In-and Output, Flatpanel interface,
and 100 MBit Ethernet, etc.
Smallest Dimensions to meet smallest space requirements.
2
With 252 cm
the ePanel-C3 uses only a little more space compared to a current slot CPU, which needs 219
2
cm
. But the most surprising fact is the module height. The ePanel-C3 measures only 21mm!
How about the ISA bus?
The only way to extend the capabilities of the board is to plug in PC-Cards or Mini-PCI-boards. No other bus
systems are supported.
There must be replacements or upgrades for future requirements.
Kontron will expand and improve this innovative and handy ePanel concept. New PC technologies will be
obtainable the same way as in other Kontron product families.
An ePanel board does not force you in excessive and expensive cabling. Only the really demanded interfaces
are linked to the corresponding connectors. The decision is up to you, which one you call for or which one to
skip. Evaluation adapters and kits are available.
®
The application requests low power Pentium
III performance.
Don't worry about that. Depending on OS and used options, the ePanel-C3 consumes between 12..19 Watts
depending on input voltage and CPU speed.
Finally the system passed all the tests and now?
Nothing special, just start mass production. Kontron knows about the short life cycles of PC products.
Therefore we secured by suitable methods, that longevity is one of the most excellent characteristics of the
ePanel family.
Page 5 of 71 Pages
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