The application range of embedded industrial PCs is becoming increasingly wide. In some fields, traditional industrial PCs have been replaced by new embedded PCs. The number of embedded industrial PCs used far exceeds that of traditional industrial PCs. Applications of embedded industrial PCs include manufacturing, process control, networking, communications, instrumentation, automotive, shipbuilding, aviation, aerospace, and military equipment. So, what are the differences between embedded industrial PCs and traditional industrial PCs?
I. Different structures
Embedded industrial PCs feature a sealed, fanless design, offering dustproof, moisture-proof, vibration-proof, and enhanced electromagnetic interference resistance, while also enabling wide-temperature operation. Traditional industrial PCs typically use a standard 4U chassis for easy installation. These chassis are made of steel and offer high electromagnetic interference and shock resistance. They contain a dedicated power supply, allowing for continuous long-term operation. However, these chassis require fan cooling; fan failure can damage the power supply and the industrial motherboard.
1. Active heat dissipation
Embedded industrial PCs use heat sinks distributed on the surface of the chassis for heat dissipation, effectively solving the problems of high internal temperatures and the tendency for cooling fans to fail after prolonged operation. This improves the stability and reliability of the industrial PC during long-term field operation. Furthermore, the fanless operation eliminates the need for air convection, effectively preventing dust from entering the computer's interior.
2. Wireless design
All circuits are securely fixed inside the industrial computer using circuit boards, ensuring stable and reliable operation even in extremely harsh environments such as high temperature, high frequency vibration, and high dust.
3. Wide DC input voltage
Built-in industry-standard voltage and current regulators support wide DC input voltage, providing safe and reliable operation in various industrial environments.
II. Different Functions
Embedded industrial PCs are compact industrial computers designed for applications in various confined spaces. They are compact in size, small in volume, lightweight, and occupy little space, making installation and maintenance simple and flexible, and operation convenient. They support various expansion interfaces, such as PCI, PCIE, mini PCIe, and mSATA, providing maximum flexibility for different industrial applications. High-performance embedded industrial PCs also support PoE ports, allowing data to be transmitted via Ethernet cables, enabling the system to use IEEE 802.3af standard power supplies, reducing complexity, installation, and maintenance costs, while increasing network security and reliability.
III. Usage Cycle
Embedded industrial PCs are often organically integrated with specific applications, and their upgrades and replacements are synchronized with the specific products. Therefore, once embedded system products enter the market, they have a long service life. Traditional industrial PCs have a broad and solid user base, and their system configurations are highly flexible, making them familiar and recognized by a large number of technical personnel.
Embedded industrial PCs occupy less space, making them suitable for applications with higher requirements for reliability, size, and power consumption. Both have their advantages; compared to traditional industrial PCs, embedded industrial PCs are better suited to complex and harsh field environments. Currently, embedded industrial PCs are widely used in industrial automation, intelligent transportation, networking, communications, medical equipment, automotive equipment, power, financial monitoring, machine vision, video surveillance, and other fields.
