Advantech Releases Fanless EPC-C301 for Machine Vision Applications

Advantech, a leading global provider of intelligent IoT systems and embedded platforms, is pleased to announce EPC-C301, a compact fanless box PC powered by 8th Gen. Intel® Core™ processor. This system features diverse domain-focused I/O and can operate in wide temperature ranges. EPC-C301 integrates Intel® and Canonical technologies, provides Ubuntu OS and OpenVINO toolkits. This powerful system is an excellent choice for machine vision applications, such as biometric artificial intelligence (face recognition), automated optical inspection (AOI) or automated plate number recognition (APNR).

Domain-Focused Functional I/O Meets Industry Demands

EPC-C301 supports 4x GbE LAN and 4x USB 3.2 Gen2 x1 (10 Gbps) to accommodate the IP/HD camera inputs required for AOI, APNR and other machine vision applications. To improve expandability, Advantech’s compact design (170 x 118 x 70 mm) platform features 4x USB 2.0 and 4x UART interfaces for card readers, barcode scanners, key pads, fingerprint sensors and other peripherals. Furthermore EPC-C301 provides 2x isolated CANBus ports designed for use in automation and medical applications. This solution is equipped with Windows and Linux based drivers/APIs to improve convenience and compatibility. This combination of diverse I/O and OS makes EPC-C301 exceedingly adaptable.

 

Enables Powerful Computing and Comprehensive Expansion

The EPC-C301 is powered by 8th Gen. Intel Core processor, the first one that doubles the core count to quad-core on a low power 15 Watt CPU, providing 1.5x higher CPU performance versus its previous generation. High-bandwidth dual-channel DDR4 supports up to 32GB while satisfying intensive data handling and image processing requirements. EPC-C301 is equipped with an M.2 M-Key 2280 that accepts both SATA SSD’s and PCIe x4 SSD’s, enabling improved computing speeds.

Advantech’s solution provides the expansion capabilities needed to meet AIoT challenges on the edge. It includes M.2 E-Key for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, M.2 B-key for LTE and a mini-PCIe, which is compatible with Advantech’s VEGA-330 AI mini-PCIe module. This system functions in broad operating temperatures (-20 ~ 60°C/-4 ~ 140°F) typical of outdoor applications like passenger information/tracking systems (PIS) or smart parking solutions.

 

Intel® OpenVINO Toolkit Accelerates AIoT

Advantech’s EPC-C301 features the Intel® OpenVINO™ developer kit, compatible with the VEGA-330 AI acceleration card and Ubuntu 18.04 LTS.

Sameer Sharma, General Manager of Smart Cities and Transportation at Intel® stated, “With an increase in urban population and road vehicles, there is a significant opportunity to help cities stay ahead of growing demands that put strain on existing road infrastructure. Intel’s collaboration with Advantech, coupled with investment in AI technologies, including the Intel® Distribution of OpenVINO™ toolkit, can help accelerate the transformation towards safer, greener and more efficient road infrastructures.”

 

Supports Embedded Software Services and WISE-DeviceOn

EPC-C301 comes with Windows 10 image, Ubuntu 18.04 LTS image and iManager software API. “By certifying Advantech’s EPC-C301 for Ubuntu 18.04, Canonical guarantees 10-years of software update support that gives enterprises a stable and secure AIoT platform for their industrial automation and robotics” said Loic Minier, Global Director Devices Field Engineering at Canonical. Likewise, Advantech’s EPC-C301 features WISE-DeviceOn, an IoT device operations management and remote monitoring software that enables users to visualize, operate and manage their industrial IoT devices through cloud services.

 

Key Features:

  • 8th Intel® Core™ i7-8665UE/i5-8365UE processor
  • Dual Channel DDR4-2400MT/s up to 32GB
  • Dual Display HDMI + DP, up to 4K2K
  • 4x GbE, 4x USB 3.2, 4x USB 2.0, 3x RS-232/422/485, 1x RS-232, 2x isolated CANBus and 8 GPIO’s
  • 2 E-Key 2230, B-Key 3042, M-Key 2280 for SATA & PCIe x4 SSD, and mini-PCIe
  • DC-12V, and -20 ~ 60°C (-4 ~ 140°F) operating temperature
  • Supports iManager software APIs for Windows 10, Linux and WISE-DeviceOn
  • Developer kit (EVK) SKUs default equip VEGA-330, Ubuntu 18.04 LTS, Intel OpenVINO Toolkit.

Advantech’s EPC-C301 fanless box PC is available for order. For more information regarding EPC-C301 or other Advantech products and services, please contact your local sales support team or visit our website at www.advantech.eu.

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