Advantech RSB-3720, User Manual

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57 RSB-3720 User Manual
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Thermal Solution Services
Advantech provides thermal solution services — including modularized and/or cus -
tomized thermal solutions — that quickly accommodate customers’ designs.
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Standard thermal solutions
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Customized thermal solutions
Embedded Software Services
This service provides support drivers, software integration/customized firmware, root
file-system, and Linux image — enabling users to save time and focus on their core
development.

Embedded Linux/ Android OS

Advantech boot loader Customization
With the spread of industrial computing, a whole range of new applications has been
developed, resulting in a fundamental change in the IPC industry. Due to diverse
market demands and intense competition, cooperation on vertical integration is an
effective way to create competitive advantages. As a result, ARM-based CPU mod -
ules have grown in popularity. Concentrating all necessary components on CPU
modules and placing other parts on the carrier board provides greater flexibility while
retaining low power consumption credentials.
Advantech has identified the following common questions concerning the implemen
-
tation of modular designs.
General I/O Design Capability
Users can typically perform vertical integration. However, lack of expertise and expe -
rience in general power and I/O design can cause challenges; especially when inte -
grating CPU modules into carrier boards.
Data Acquisition
Despite obtaining sufficient information for making decisions concerning specialized
vertical applications, some customers encounter difficulties dealing with platform
design, and communicating with the CPU/chipset manufacturers. These challenges
in carrier board design can negatively impact time-to-market at the expense of mar -
ket opportunities.
Software Development and Modification
Compared to x86 architectures, RISC architectures use simpler instruction sets.
Software support for x86 platforms cannot be used on RISC platforms. System
integrators (SI) need to develop software for their system and integrate it with
hardware themselves. Unlike x86 platforms, RISC platforms are not well supported
by Board Support Packages (BSP) and drivers. While driver support is provided,
system integration still requires a lot of effort. The BSP provided by CPU
manufacturers is usually tailored for carrier board design, making system integration
for software difficult.
Addressing this, Advantech introduced Streamlined Design-in Support Services for
RISC-based Computer on Modules (COM). With a dedicated professional design-in
services team, Advantech actively participates in carrier board design and problem