Plextek Ltd - EPAC - Embedded Processing and Communications platform

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EPAC - Embedded Processing and Communications platform

The EPAC (Embedded Processing And Communication) system is a compact, very low power, high-grade processing platform with a high density of wired and wireless communication interfaces. The EPAC set of modules provides a highly adaptable and powerful embedded system ready to be used in many different applications.

EPAC has been used to implement next generation remote sensor networks for homeland security applications, exploiting the video, audio and wireless networking capabilities of the platform. EPAC has also attracted interest for use in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and civilian emergency vehicles. Other potential applications include deployable security systems, environmental monitoring and very low power 'green' webservers.

The following descriptions briefly summarise the functionality of each EPAC module. For detailed technical information on all modules, contact us for further technical documentation

EPAC CPU Module

The CPU module implements the processing architecture of the system. It includes an RMI Au1550 MIPS32 processor (up to 500MHz), 256MB mobileSDRAM and up to 128MB of flash ROM. The module also provides a miniPCI interface, usually used for a COTS 802.11a/b/g radio. External connections include USB2.0 host and 10/100M Ethernet ports. The module architecture supports two low power modes, particulaly useful for wake-on-event or periodic applications. All necessary interfaces to support optional personality modules (see below) are provided, including the capability to support two PCI modules via PMC connectors.

The CPU module is supplied with a preloaded Windows® CE 5.0 BSP for the whole EPAC system, allowing users to quickly develop and run application code on the platform. Plextek is a Microsoft® Windows® Embedded Partner and can offer software design services for OS customisation or application code development.

EPAC PSU/IO Module

The PSU/IO module regulates power to the EPAC and provides a high level of external connectivity. Connections include three serial ports (configuarble as RS232 or RS422), 8 GPIO signals, GPS 1pps, power out and three isolated power in ports. All external pins are ESD protected and EMI filtered.

Also on-board is a 128kB SRAM store with a sector protected by an anti-tamper erase mechanism. This is ideal for storage of security keys or sensitive information. This protected store can optionally remain powered when the rest of the system is off.

Combining a PSU/IO module with the CPU module forms a 'core' processing capability providing a feature rich, low power, fanless embedded platform.

EPAC Video capture and encoding module (VIM) - optional

The VIM module provides frame or field based video capture from two composite or s-video image sources. The data is compressed into JPEG2000 format to provide a low-loss image but small file size, ideal for limiting utilised bandwidth on wireless networks. Encoding is performed in hardware for high efficiency. The VIM also provides closed loop control for camera pan/tilt/zoom/focus control as well as a camera power source.

The VIM interfaces to the EPAC core via PCI 2.2 and supports PCI bus mastering to allow DMA from its local 128kB buffer.

EPAC Analogue sampling module (AIM) - optional

The AIM module is a high precision 4 channel, differential input analogue sampling module. Each channel utilises a 24-bit ADC with a resulting dynamic range of 113dB, together with very low channel-to-channel skew. The channels are coherently sampled and data samples are timestamped with respect to a GPS 1pps input. The module is particulaly suited to audio processing.

The AIM interfaces to the EPAC core via PCI 2.2 and supports PCI bus mastering to allow DMA from its local 128kB buffer.

EPAC GPRS modem module - optional

The GPRS module adds a quad-band (850/900/1800/1900MHz) GSM/GPRS data communication capability to the EPAC. This provides the capability to add a wireless backhaul data connection in addition to the 802.11 networking capability. The module requires an external passive antenna and network SIM card. The module has been designed and tested to operate in the EPAC stack with no significant mutual interference.

Applications

The powerful combination of integrated functionality, processing capability, expandability and low-power consumption means EPAC lends itself to a huge range of usage applications. The low power nature and wireless connectivity capabilities allow the platform to be remotely deployable using battery power sources with potential long-term sustainability by wind and/or solar sources. EPAC is also designed as a rugged product to allow use in harsh environments.

EPAC is currently being utilised as the core component in next generation remote sensor network solutions. The capability of EPAC allows a distributed network of nodes to manage local video, audio, PIR and seismic sensors and perform complex processing of incoming data. The distributed nodes form an adhoc 802.11 network to allow sharing and relaying of processed data. The whole system provides a compact, highly powerful and adaptable tool for data collection and management in the field. Plextek has also provided additional mechanical and software design services to realise the system solution.

Plextek have developed a number of software applications for EPAC that allow us to demonstrate the capabilities of the platform. These include a JPEG2000 video client/server application with automatic wireless bandwidth utilisation adjustment, and an analogue data server with accompanying graphical display application for data analysis in time and frequency domains.

Customisation

As the EPAC platform is designed in-house at Plextek, we have the capability to adapt the current design to the needs of users as part of our design services activities. This allows us to rapidly implement changes including; functional enhancements, change of physical form factor, porting a different OS, combining functions on a single PCB or developing a limited function/lower cost/lower power system. Due to the existance of the present design, Plextek are able to offer a customised solution with lower NRE costs and risk than embarking on a new design.

Please contact us to discuss how we can apply EPAC technology for your application. We can quickly refer you to our engineering team for detailed technical discussions if required.