You reported to work this morning and discovered that among the day’s challenges is configuring an embedded-computing solution that integrates two Gigabit Ethernet ports plus at least two RS-232 serial ports. Designing and building custom boards is expensive and time consuming, but what other option do you have? Where are you going to find an off-the-shelf Single-Board Computer (SBC) that integrates dual NICs and multiple serial ports? Wouldn’t it be nice if “someone” offered a customizable modular system that could be configured to meet this and other one-off challenges? Well, someone has.
Advantech’s MI/O Extension (MIOe) is a unique SBC form factor originally proposed by Julian Aparicio, the company’s Europe B.V. Product Sales Manager for Embedded Single Board Computers. The MI/O Extension SBC format was specifically created to provide off-the-shelf single-board solutions capable of delivering a wide range of I/O configurations. Why incur the hassle and expense of designing and building custom SBCs for each distinct application that confronts you, when you can far more easily and economically adapt Advantech’s MIOe solution?
The “extension” feature is facilitated by the system’s Unified Connector that mates the MIOe SBC with a range of Advantech- or customer-sourced modules. Advantech MIOe SBCs are available in two basic formats – 2.5-inch MI/O-Ultra (Pico-ITX) and 3.5-inch MI/O-Compact – and seven extension modules (five standard I/O layouts and two evaluation-board options) to produce an impressive range of I/O configurations. The full line of Advantech MI/O products can be found here, including chassis designed specifically to house all potential configurations.
The MIOe Unified Connector system delivers efficient, integrated designs that require 20 percent less chassis space than cable connections and the flexibility to accommodate future I/O upgrade demands. But, bottom line? This modular off-the-shelf approach to I/O flexibility saves you time and money.
Oh, and the combination you’ll need to yield those dual Gigabit Ethernet and two RS-232 serial ports? Advantech’s MIO-5250 3.5-inch MI/O-Compact SBC with Intel Atom N2600/D2550 processor plus its MIOe-110 two RS-232 extension module. Or its MIO-5270 3.5-inch SBC with AMD G-Series processor plus its MIOe-210 four RS-232 port extension module. Or its MIO-5271 SBC with 4th-generation Intel Core U Processor (i5/i3/Celeron) plus its MIOe-110 extension module. Or its … well, you get the picture. There are a lot of potential MI/O Extension SBC/module combinations that solve those particular requirements.
By the way, that dual-NIC/two RS-232 port configuration isn’t hypothetical. A friend’s ideal automated-telescope application calls for precisely that.
Where have Advantech customers deployed its MI/O Extension boards? For control of in-vessel navigation devices, CNC 
cutting and milling machines, video-conference systems, rapid-transit systems and smart grids.
To learn more about Advantech products, please visit our website!
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