AMBLER, Pa. – September 2007 – MEN Micro Inc., a world-renown provider of embedded computing and I/O solutions for demanding industrial, mobile and harsh environment applications, has been named the winner in the 2007 Intel® Communications Alliance Innovate and Ignite Technology Showcase.
MEN Micro developed a unique control system for a rugged digital movie camera that garnered the award for the embedded computing company. Silicon Imaging, a global leader and innovator in IT centric digital cinema cameras, required a rugged camera control system for its new SI-2K camera, which is capable of shooting footage directly to disk at either 1920x1080P high definition or 2048×1152 cinema resolutions. MEN Micro responded to Silicon Imaging’s need with an integrated system consisting of a customized version of its Intel Core™2 Duo processor based F17 3U CompactPCI single board computer (SBC), a unique side card for advanced audio and video capabilities as well as a rugged, compact enclosure.
The digital cinema camera is being marketed to independent film production studios. The same technology can be repackaged for use in a number of other applications including surveillance, military, sports analytics and 3D video and stereo. The camera can operate in a wide range of environments from the hot, dry desert to the extremely cold arctic region. MEN Micro’s control system helps enable the camera to withstand these rigorous and diverse environments.
The MEN Micro F17 SBC controlling the camera includes an Intel Core 2 Duo processor T7600 running at 2.33 GHz, used by the SI-2K for simultaneous encoding of data, and an Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 (Intel GMA 950) for image graphics processing, colorization and visualization at full resolution. The F17 is equipped with
2 GB fast DDR2 DRAM and a hard disk on a removable slot. The F17 also incorporates two Intel Gigabit Ethernet PHYs (part number 82573), which transfer data from the camera head to the camera control unit and to other standard IP hardware. The custom side card enables the connection of a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI), headphones and balanced analog input and output ports for professional audio signals.
Since the camera is specified for an extended temperature range for use in harsh shooting environments, the F17 is equipped with a massive tailored heat sink accompanied by a fan installed inside the camera’s housing. The F17 also includes different watchdogs for monitoring processor and board temperatures.
The F17 is part of MEN Micro’s powerful family of intercompatible CompactPCI/-Express SBCs. This family also includes the newly released F18, which incorporates
the advanced Intel T7500 Core 2 Duo Processor combined with the Mobile Intel 965GM Express Chipset. The F18 is completely 100% compatible with the F17 and will be incorporated into Silicon Imaging’s new SI-2K camera.
Stephen Cunha, sales director of MEN Micro’s US subsidiary, noted, “We are very pleased to be selected by Intel® as the winner. This latest system, tailored to Silicon Imaging’s specific needs, is another example of how MEN Micro’s family of Intel-based 3U CompactPCI products is able to address the embedded computing and I/O needs of a very wide range of markets and applications.”
Ari Pressler, president of Silicon Imaging, added, “We have benefited not only from MEN Micro’s leading edge Intel Core 2 Duo-based F17 product, but from the company’s depth of expertise in developing embedded hardware solutions for harsh environments. Our engineer-to-engineer collaboration with MEN Micro has enabled us to secure a time to market advantage and provide a unique, high-end digital camera.”
“MEN Micro has a long history of developing embedded computing innovations based on Intel architecture within a number of embedded markets,” said Troy Smith, program director, Intel Communications Alliance, Intel. “MEN Micro was named the winner in the Intel Communications Alliance design contest because they have been able to apply extensive design knowledge to Intel architecture to meet specific customer applications.”
This year’s Intel Communications Alliance Innovate and Ignite Technology Showcase competition received many entries. The winner was announced on September 19, 2007 at ESC Boston.
For additional information, visit www.men.de or contact Stephen Cunha, MEN Micro, Inc., 24 North Main Street, Ambler, PA 19002; Phone: 215-542-9575; Fax: 215-542-9577; E-mail: [email protected].
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About MEN Micro, Inc.
Since 1982, MEN Micro has focused on innovation, reliability and flexibility to develop standard and custom board-level solutions that are used throughout industrial embedded applications and harsh environments.
The company provides a robust offering of highly reliable embedded computing and I/O solutions that employ the highest technology and innovations. In addition, MEN Micro offers exceptional custom development and environmental qualification services in accordance with industry standards. The company’s standard product range contains more than 100 different computer boards and systems with corresponding BIOS, BSP and driver software based on Intel Architecture and PowerPC platforms. The company has more than 180 employees and is a member of several industry associations, consortiums and alliances. MEN Micro is an Affiliate member of the Intel Communications Alliance.