So you want all the benefits of a small, green, fanless computer but don’t want to compromise on connectivity? In fact you want to be able to mix & match connectivity options or even design your own custom connectivity solution?
Proving yet again that compact design & flexibility go hand-in-hand, the team behind the ultra-efficient fit-PC3 computer has not only been listening but has come up with the answer – it’s called FACE.
No, nothing to do with the achingly hip style magazine from the 1980s (or the not so achingly hip ‘good looking one’ from the A-Team TV series of the same era), but a brand new approach to delivering almost unlimited custom connectivity options without compromising on size.
A sheet metal front panel connected via an internal extension board, the FACE (or Function and Connectivity Extension) module allows the ultra-miniature fit-PC3 to offer more connectivity and interface options than most full-sized desktops. For example up to four Gigabit Ethernet and six USB ports could be installed for networking applications, or various combinations of GPIOs, ADCs, DACs and serial ports can be deployed for instrumentation systems. Not to mention a host of other options including PCIe lanes and SATA and LPC interfaces.
Standard FACE Modules i/o that can be used:
- 4 PCle lanes
- 6 USB2 + 2 USB 1.1
- 25 GPIOs
- 2 SATA
- 2 SMBus + 1 SPI
- LPC
FACE Modules available from the end of April include:
- 6 x USB ports + 4 ethernet
- 4 x USB ports + 1 ethernet
What’s more, as well as the pre-configured FACE module options above, design specifications, reference designs and complete documentation is also available for businesses who want to create their own custom modules from scratch.
Download our Face Module Design Guide