Embedded

Robust embedded edge server platforms for the energy sector will be introduced by congatec at SPE Offshore Europe next month (3 to 6 September).

The oil and gas industry is characterised by distributed assets and infrastructures in harsh environments and therefore require ultra-robust embedded platforms for the digital transformation challenge that offers a huge potential for cost savings.

Digitisation could reduce production costs by up to 30 per cent, estimates the International Energy Agency, with potential savings through efficient maintenance and better operation of assets. “There is also further potential for savings in the supply chain, through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and integrated platforms that connect organizations with external partners,” explains Dan Demers, director sales and marketing at congatec Americas.

To meet the requirements of the upstream and mid-stream oil and gas industry, congatec’s embedded edge computing platforms are designed for extended temperature ranges, with optional conformal coating to protect against the effects of salt water or condensation caused by large temperature fluctuations. They also offer comprehensive server class reliability, availability, serviceability (RAS) features that enable OEMs to reliably manage thousands of devices remotely. As multi-core designs with currently up to six cores and a particularly low 25W thermal dynamic performance (TDP), they are suitable for completely fanless – and therefore maintenance-free  – 24/7 operation in hermetically sealed housings with the highest IP protection classes, says congatec. Virtual machines based on Real-Time Systems’ hypervisor technologies allow optimal use of existing computing resources by partitioning the various tasks – including local real-time control requirements.

Virtualisation also means that the new platforms are tailored to build cost-efficient universal customer premises Equipment (uCPE). Such open standard hardware equipment is characterised by hosting telecomms network functions at the customers edge IT including software defined networks (SDN) and network functions virtualisation (NFV).

Visit congatec at SPE Offshore Europe, Aberdeen, Scotland, 3 to 6 September, Hall 1, stand 1AA62.   

http://www.congatec.com

Embedded computer specialisr, Aaeon, has introduced the Boxer-8170AI, for artificial intelligence (AI) at the edge networks.

The embedded computer is based on Nvidia’s Jetson TX2 and has four PoE LAN ports and four USB 3.0 ports.

At the heart of the computer is the Nvidia Jetson TX2 6-core processor, created by pairing the dual Denver 2 and quad Arm 57 processors into a single system on chip (SoC). The design has up to 256 CUDA cores which provide speed and performance to power AI at the edge, says Aaeon. The Boxer-8170AI comes with 8Gbyte LPDDR4 memory and 32Gbyte eMMC storage on-board. It supports AI frameworks such as TensorFlow and Caffe, as well as AI inference software from developers and customers.

The Boxer-8170AI’s four PoE LAN ports each have their own dedicated chip. This allows for higher bandwidth and stability for each port, allowing PoE cameras to operate individually on dedicated connections, explains Aaeon. The Boxer-8170AI supports a maximum output of 60W for up to four PoE cameras. It can be used for a range of AI solutions incorporating PoE cameras such as smart retail, virtual fences, and access control.

I/O features include four USB 3.0 ports, allowing for additional cameras or devices to be connected to the system. The Boxer-8170AI also features two COM ports for easy integration into industrial systems, two HDMI ports, and remote on/off. The Boxer-8170AI connects to networks with a Gigabit LAN port and two antenna ports to connect to wireless networks or act as an artificial intelligence of things (AIoT) gateway. The BOXER-8170AI also features an SD Card slot and USB on-the-go (OTG) for easy maintenance.

For operation in harsh environments, the Boxer-8170AI has a fanless design and all- aluminium chassis to protect the system from dust, vibration and other hazards. The Boxer-8170AI operates in temperatures from -20 to +50 degrees C and has an input voltage range of 12 to 24V DC.

The company module is only 48 mm thick, to fit into almost the constrained space needed to power AI edge applications.

Established in 1992, Aaeon designs and manufactures professional IoT solutions. It is committed to innovative engineering and provides reliable computing platforms, including industrial motherboards and systems, industrial displays, rugged tablets, embedded controllers, network appliances and related accessories, as well as integrated solutions.

The company is an Associate Member of the Intel Internet of Things Solutions Alliance.

http://www.aaeon.com