Inova Equips Hercules Industrial Computer with 'Hybrid Memory Concept' that Separates Program Memory from Data Memory for Virus Protection

Hercules, the CompactPCI industrial computer with a hybrid memory concept comprising write-protected Flash memory for application code, and hard disks primarily for application data, is inherently computer virus and Trojan free.

The industrial computer – Hercules – is equipped with a hybrid memory concept that separates program memory from data memory. The operating system and application programs are written to a write-protected area in Flash memory while data are stored on fast 2.5” hard disks. Hence, viruses can no longer be considered as dangerous, and external firewalls need no longer be considered.

Hercules is controlled by an optimized, 175 MByte Embedded Windows XP BSP and, with 75 MByte space available on the CompactFlash, there is enough headroom for application code. Naturally, for more intensive applications, the 256 MByte CompactFlash can be upgraded to one with more capacity. The standard BSP, comes complete with a good range of services including System Health that regularly interrogates operating parameters, and can even recognize when a hard disk has worn out. This standard BSP can also be ‘tuned' to meet individual requirements.

Based entirely on the open CompactPCI standard, Hercules has many advantages over Box PCs or motherboards: all boards and interfaces are accessible from the front. This permits easy integration and manageable cable looms. For memory-intensive applications, Hercules, apart from its exchangeable disk system, can have up to two of its five peripheral slots dedicated to HD carrier boards that can be exchanged up to 10,000 times.

A unique cooling concept, based on conductive cooling, enables Hercules to remain extremely compact yet high performing. Several Inova CPUs are suited to the Herculean environment: in particular, the 1 GHz ULV Celeron M and the 1.4 GHz Pentium M variants. Being completely free of fans or forced air-cooling of any kind, Hercules is ideally suited to applications in harsh environments. And it is here that Hercules differs from the conventional industrial PC, which even at room temperature, require forced-air cooling to remove ‘hot-spots'. The clever design of Hercules means that hot spots do not occur and, even at full-load, the passive cooling concept is more than adequate. In addition, remaining cool means that the MTBF values are exceptionally high and the operational stability is maximized.

The open standard of CompactPCI means that systems can be tailored through modular design. The sophisticated mechanical design permits economical volume manufacture while simple integration reduces development costs and ultimately leads to a prompt time-to-market.

Powered by a 24V DC external supply, Hercules is available as standard for operational temperatures between -20°C to +50°C, and as an option, for extended operational temperatures between -40°C to +85°C. Hercules is available in OEM quantities from just EUR 1,500.00.