DFI ADN253-x7211E Dual-Core Intel Atom x7211E 4″ x86 SBC with 9 to 36 V DC Input and Dual 2.5GbE

A protocol converter spends its day moving register values between RS-485 and Ethernet, and a data logger mostly waits. Neither needs many cores, but both need plenty of serial ports and a supply input that tolerates what the cabinet provides. The ADN253-x7211E is the dual-core build in the DFI ADN253 series of 4″ x86 SBCs, and the entry point to the range.

Its Intel Atom x7211E (Alder Lake-N) runs two cores at 1.0 to 2.9 GHz, which is enough for Modbus and MQTT gateways, logging and a single-screen HMI. Memory is 8 GB of LPDDR5-4800 soldered to the board. Intel UHD Graphics drives an HDMI 1.4b output and an internal eDP or dual-channel LVDS connector for a local status panel.

The six COM ports are the reason to choose this board for conversion work: two RS-232/422/485 and two RS-232 on DB9, plus two RS-232 on internal headers, with 8-bit DIO selectable in BIOS in place of COM4. Two 2.5GbE ports on Intel I226 and one GbE port on Intel I210 keep the field network, plant network and uplink apart. Three USB 3.2 Type-A ports, one USB 3.2 Type-C port and two USB 2.0 headers sit alongside an M.2 M-key for an SSD, an M.2 E-key for Wi-Fi and an M.2 B-key with SIM for cellular backhaul.

The ADN253-x7211E takes 9 to 36 V DC on a barrel connector or 4-pin header and operates from -5 to 80 °C with 0.2 m/s airflow over its heatsink, with CE and FCC compliance and a TPM 2.0. For four cores and 16 GB, ADN253-x7425E is the next step up. For a kiosk or signage role, ADN253-N97 offers four cores with 8 GB.