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Ruggedized Mobile Computing NorhTec conceived a time when computers would be found in automobiles, planes, boats and trains. For this to happen, many technologies would be required. Most importantly, computers would have to become smaller and more energy efficient. Computers would have to operate on the power available and they would have to network without wires.
Rugged Mobile Computer - Outside Some companies have tried to put computers in vehicles, believing that the same power supplies that run laptop computers on home power will work in automobiles. The result is that many early computing projects have failed. Laptop type power supplies only have 5 to 10% error. This means that they can not work when the power drops below 10.5 volts or goes above 13.5. Automobiles generally operate at 13.8 volts-- not 12. The power is not consistent and the surge of energy that comes during engine ignition will burn up many power supplies.
Rugged Mobile Computer - another view Beyond size and energy efficiency, The primary challenge is to design a system that will work in an automobile. Today, many police and fire departments use rugged laptops. Because these laptops can not operate under extreme voltage conditions, power protectors are installed that shut the laptop off if the power drops below 11 volts or goes above a certain voltage. This might be fine for radios and other equipment but we all know that when a computer is operating, the system has to reboot once the power is restored. Turning the power off without gracefully rebooting will result in data loss and possibly rendering the system unable to boot.
High Quality Power Supply for the product The power supply NorhTec had custom designed for mobile applications will operate from less than 6 volts up to 18 volts. Even if the computer is left on during ignition, the power supply will not be damaged. Each output port, the screen and the main motherboard are protected by resetting fuses. The power supply we use in our systems costs 10 times more than the power supplies found in laptops. NorhTec can design mobile computers to meet a variety of applications. For the most extreme applications, NorhTec will start with a motherboard that uses headers rather than mounting connectors on the motherboard. We will then use custom milled connectors sourced from Europe to meet the most extreme condition. For lighter duty or cost sensitive projects, we will use standard connectors.
View of the inside of one of NorhTec rugged mobile computers The images above show a system with a custom power distribution system using very high quality connectors mounted on a separate PCB used for power distribution. The silver block in the front left is our proprietary technology that allows us to operate the computer without the need for fans. Because we have no fans, we can completely seal the computer with gaskets, protecting the computer from dust, water, and oil.
Ruggedized Mobile Computer shown with Screen Designing a screen for a mobile application introduces its own set of unique problems. The first challenge is to produce enough brightness. Most laptop computers are rated about 150 nits. For mobile applications, we need better than 700 nits(minimum). We use a very expensive LCD panel rated at 1200 nit. The photo below is an actual photo from the screen. The image is is readable even in direct sunlight. Another challenge is finding the right size. A screen that is too small will be too hard to read and a screen that is too large will interfere with driving and probably will not be compatible with air bags and other safety equipment.
Actual photo of our display NorhTec uses expensive glass touch panels that have a hardness rating of 3 rather than use low cost consumer LCDs that come with their own plastic touch screens. The touch screens we use are very responsive, scratch resistant and when used with gaskets, form a water barrier. NorhTec can develop solutions based on either standard VGA or LVDS. We are currently delivering LVDS solutions with custom designed cables over 12 feet long. The resulting image is sharp, clear and free of noise.
NorhTec is not just talking mobile computers, we are delivering them in quantity Many companies are now talking about mobile computers. They believe that it is just a matter of building a case, adding a laptop power supply and shipping the units out the door. These home-brew solutions will fail. NorhTec's products are conceived from the ground up to operate in vehicles. NorhTec has the expertise to develop everything from the power supply, case, custom heat sinks and displays. NorhTec also has experts who can work with Microsoft Windows, Embedded XP, Windows CE and Embedded Linux. NorhTec can develop systems that use traditional WIFI, GPRS, Bluetooth, and other wireless technologies. |
