Rugged Intel Atom Mini PC: Redefining I/O for Industrial IoT
In the ever-growing field of industrial IoT, the demand for ruggedised, fanless, and compact edge computing solutions is paramount. The new RCO-1000-EHL series, launched by C&T Solution, sets a new benchmark in demanding IIoT environments with the latest Intel Elkhart CPUs and their proprietary EDGEBoost modular I/O daugherboards. Rigorously tested at C&T Solution’s in-house facility to ensure industrial-grade reliability, the latest ruggedised mini PC can operate within an extended temperature range of -40°C to 70°C and is engineered to withstand high levels of shock and vibration. Featuring a wide voltage input range of 9-36V DC, the RCO-1000-EHL is also equipped to accommodate fluctuating power sources commonly found in industrial environments, with overcurrent and voltage protection to protect the mini PC and connected devices from power surges.
Upgrading the low-power industrial PC to the Intel Atom x6425E processor from the previously integrated Intel Celeron J1900 represents a significant advancement in performance and efficiency for industrial edge computing. Built on a 10nm process compared to the 22nm architecture of its predecessor, the new Elkhart Lake series Atom x6425E CPUs deliver enhanced processing capabilities and energy efficiency, achieving up to a 60% overall performance increase while maintaining a maximum TDP of just 12W. Memory capabilities have also been substantially improved, with support for up to 32GB of DDR4 memory, four times the capacity of the J1900. In terms of computational power, the new rugged Intel Atom mini PC delivers up to 2.3 times faster single and multi-threaded performance, enabling more robust and responsive handling of complex workloads. Graphics performance has been revolutionised with Intel UHD Graphics, offering up to five times faster rendering than the J1900, making it ideal for applications requiring high-quality visuals or multimedia processing. For industrial-grade reliability and peace of mind, the RCO-1000-EHL series benefits from a 15-year extended product lifecycle through Intel’s IoTG roadmap, ensuring long-term availability and support for industrial IoT deployments.
Expandable EDGEBoost I/O for Connecting IIoT Devices
The rugged Intel Atom PC is designed to meet the connectivity and performance demands of industrial IoT applications, offering dual LAN ports with 1GbE and 2.5GbE bandwidth for high-speed and reliable network communication. It also features three USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, delivering up to 10Gbps data transfer speeds for fast and efficient device connectivity. Additionally, the system includes two COM ports, which can be configured for serial or CAN communication, enabling seamless integration with legacy and modern industrial devices. For visual-intensive applications, the PC supports dual independent display outputs with true 4K resolution, providing crystal-clear visuals for monitoring, analytics, and multimedia processing. This combination of advanced connectivity and display capabilities ensures versatility and robust performance for diverse edge computing scenarios.
The low-power rugged mini PC is optimised for IIoT data telemetry, featuring an external Dual-SIM socket that supports 5G connectivity via a modular add-in card. This advanced 5G module enables seamless communication with the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) for precise geo-spatial positioning, along with eSIM functionality for enhanced cellular redundancy and failover capabilities. In addition to 5G and 4G/LTE compatibility, the system offers integrated Wi-Fi 6 for high-speed, low-latency wireless networking and Bluetooth 5 for reliable short-range device connectivity. These robust communication options ensure consistent and efficient data transmission, making the PC ideal for dynamic and remote industrial IoT deployments.
Built on C&T Solutions’ proprietary PCIe 3.0 pin architecture, the expandable Intel Atom mini PC offers unparalleled customisability and scalability for industrial applications. With support for up to three universal I/O brackets, the RCO-1000-EHL series allows users to tailor their device configurations to specific operational needs. Whether integrating additional USB, COM, DIO, or HDMI/DP video output ports, this modular design ensures the flexibility to connect a wide range of IIoT devices. This adaptability enhances system functionality and future-proofs edge computing deployments in dynamic industrial environments.
