Fujitsu Mini-ITX G-Series mainboard’s Linux platform now optimised for maximum performance

Even on state-of-the-art embedded x86 CPUs, playback of high-definition video material requires the use of a hardware accelerator. “However, the relevant drivers are often available in binary-only format and are assembled for standard Linux distributions,“ says Heike Jordan, Technical Marketing, emlix GmbH. “Integrating them into this distribution requires a number of manual procedures, but the result is still optimised for servers and desktop computers only. The provided updates need to be verified and tested before the short support period of standard distributions expires.”

This circumstance is at odds with the long product lifecycles of many embedded devices. Additionally, customer-specific applications in the fields of boot-time optimisation or power management often make it difficult to implement standard updates.
The Embedded Linux system optimised by emlix now offers users a customisable embedded platform with high graphics performance particularly suitable for applications in the fields of digital signage, automation, medical engineering, and kiosks.

Fujitsu’s Mini-ITX mainboard D3003-S2 is equipped with an AMD A55E Controller Hub chipset. It supports the AMD FT1 (eOntario) Dual-Core T56N (18W) processor and comes with a high-performance ATI graphics controller integrated into the CPU. The board supports VGA, DVI, DisplayPort, and 24-bit Dual Channel LVDS. An additional LVDS Controller even supports 24-bit Dual Channel LVDS. This makes it possible to operate displays with a size of more than 12” in highest resolution and HD quality, which is not possible with conventional 18-bit Single Channel LVDS.

Various special features ensuring safe operation of the board include the watchdog, which monitors the operating system as well as the boot process and performs a restart or shutdown in case of problems. Independent from the operating system and the CPU, the System Management Controller monitors and controls the temperature and the performance of fans. Both these parameters are visualised by the software tool System Guard.

Additional Tools, such as LVDS-Settings (for adjusting the Video BIOS to an LVDS panel under the user’s own auspices), SilentFanConfig (for adjusting the cooler fan settings to the customer’s requirements), and CDV Adapt (for flashing customer-specific BIOS parameters without manual adjustment), enhance operating comfort during design-in and system production. The Mini-ITX boards are especially aimed at users who require small form factors combined with high computing power at low energy-consumption levels - and a reasonable price. Designed for a temperature range from 0 to 60 degrees centigrade, the mainboard has an extended lifecycle of up to five years. These specifications make it particularly suitable for continuous operation (24/7) in reliable industrial applications.

Additionally, Fujitsu offers a complete kit solution for the D3003-S including the mainboard, a Mini-ITX IPC housing, a risercard (PCI or PCIe), cooling, and WLAN systems. Its comprehensive CE certification, including climate tests, helps users save R&D costs and development time.

emlix specialise in the development of Embedded Linux systems. The company assemble and archive their software in e2factory, the software management and building system by emlix which allows the reproduction, maintenance, and extension of software years after the original release. In addition to the optimised Embedded Linux system, emlix also offer concepts and solutions for integrating the system into customer-specific IT infrastructures for safe exchange of content data, system updates, and condition monitoring.