Compact box PCs for demanding edge applications

The box PCs from Phoenix Contact are suitable for a wide range of automation tasks – from simple data acquisition to complex IoT and edge applications. With the VL3 UPC series, particularly compact devices are now available for demanding edge computing installations in distributed control cabinets.

Choosing the right Intel processor – either dual-core or quad-core Atom CPU from Intel’s X6000 series (Elkhart) – ensures the right performance for the respective application while consuming as little power as possible. The use of modern components – such as DDR4 RAM, Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) and Gigabit Ethernet ports – further increases the performance of the box PC.

The basic system features a DisplayPort interface for high-resolution screens with multi-stream capability. Equipped with two Gigabit Ethernet interfaces and two high-speed USB 3.1 interfaces, the device can be supplemented with two serial interfaces (RS-232, RS-422, RS-485). In addition, users can also configure WLAN communication. Installation is via the DIN rail or via mounting brackets for wall mounting. The VL3 UPC series can also be extended by two modules. One option includes two additional Gigabit Ethernet ports and an M.2 interface for extending the mass storage. The second option is a 4G/LTE modem that also includes an M.2 interface for memory extension. The module is also prepared for future 5G modems, making it future-proof.