Chapter 1 Hardware Configuration

1.1 Introduction

The PCA-6187 Series all-in-one industrial grade single board computer is a high performance and full-featured computing engine. It follows the PICMG 1.0 specification and meets most requirements for industrial applications.

The PCA-6187 uses Intel's 865G chipset to support Intel's Socket 478 Pentium 4 and Celeron processor with 800/533/400 MHz front side bus. The dual channel DDR 400 SDRAM interface provides bottle neck free memory bandwidth up to 6.4GB/s. In addition to the two EIDE interfaces (up to four devices), it features a high performance serial ATA interface (up to 150MB/s) which eases cabling to hard drives in industrial chassis with thin and long cables. Other features include chipset built-in high per- formance VGA interface, dual Giga-bit Ethernet ports, dual channel Ultra 160 SCSI interface, six USB 2.0 ports (up to 480 Mbps), and other stan- dard PC functions like two RS-232 serial ports, one enhanced parallel port and floppy disk interface.

The PCA-6187 Series offers several impressive industrial features such as: CMOS data backup, which is stored in the Flash memory, which pro- tects data even after battery failure. Also included is a 256-level watch- dog timer, which resets the CPU if a program cannot be executed normally. This enables reliable operation in unattended environments. The remote management interface enables the PCA-6187 to be managed through Ethernet when it is connected to the SNMP-1000 Remote HTTP/ SNMP System Manager.

Note:

Some of the features mentioned above are not

 

available with all models. For more information

 

about the specifications of a particular model,

 

see Table 1.1 : Comparison table and Section

 

1.3: Specifications.

PCA-6187User’s Manual

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Advantech PCA-6187 user manual Hardware Configuration, Introduction
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PCA-6187 specifications

The Advantech PCA-6187 is a high-performance industrial PC/104-Plus single-board computer designed to meet the rigorous demands of embedded applications. This robust and versatile board is particularly well-suited for applications in industrial automation, transportation, and telecommunications, where reliability and performance are paramount.

One of the main features of the PCA-6187 is its support for the Intel Pentium M and Celeron M processors, providing a potent combination of processing power and energy efficiency. This architecture allows for the execution of complex computation tasks while maintaining a low thermal profile, making it ideal for environments with limited cooling options. Furthermore, the PCA-6187 offers a wide operating temperature range, from -40°C to +85°C, ensuring reliable functionality in extreme conditions.

The board incorporates advanced memory capabilities, supporting up to 1GB of SDRAM with a 64-bit data bus. A flash disk interface is also available for high-speed storage solutions, making it easier to manage large amounts of data typical in industrial applications. Additionally, the PCA-6187 features several I/O options, including multiple COM ports, USB interfaces, and parallel ports, allowing for extensive connectivity options for various peripherals and devices.

One of the standout characteristics of the PCA-6187 is its PC/104-Plus form factor, which allows for a modular architecture. This design enables developers to easily expand the capabilities of the board by stacking additional PC/104 modules, facilitating the customization of hardware solutions tailored to specific application requirements. The PCA-6187 also includes watchdog timers to ensure system reliability and prevent system lock-ups, which is critical for mission-critical applications.

Furthermore, the PCA-6187 supports various operating systems, including Windows and Linux, providing developers with flexibility in software development. The integration of rich development resources and tools enhances the speed and efficiency of application deployment in diverse environments.

In conclusion, the Advantech PCA-6187 stands out as a powerful and flexible industrial single-board computer, perfectly suited for a wide array of embedded computing tasks. With its robust design, advanced processing capabilities, and extensive connectivity options, it provides an ideal platform for developers aiming to create reliable systems in demanding operational conditions. The PCA-6187 truly embodies the essence of industrial computing, balancing power and efficiency for a wide range of applications.
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