Tensor-PC Introduction
IIOT (Industrial Internet of Things)
ADDRESS DIVERSE IIOT REQUIREMENTS
High granularity modular design and a parametric enclosure
Tensor-PC is a new mini-PC intended to address diverse requirements in the IIOT market.
The design concept of Tensor-PC is different from previous generations of mini-PCs, introducing high granularity modular design and a parametric enclosure.
Top Features
Functionality
Tensor-PC is based on Intel 9th generation Core H – up to 6 cores, 25W. Performance is several times that of IPC3, and higher than Whiskey Lake which is common in the category. Tensor-PC has up to 64 GB RAM and a discrete chipset that gives it much more I/O than a SoC. TELs make it easier than on-board I/O to achieve exactly the functionality and connectivity features needed for the application.
Tensor-PC is designed to support off-the-shelf PCIe cards. Support for discrete graphics cards will be introduced later.
Reliability
Initial tests of Tensor-PC indicate it is quite reliable. It is released after several months of stress testing. In case of failure, the TELs concept should prove beneficial in three ways:
- Tensor-PC can have redundancy of storage and critical I/O
- In older products a failure of HDMI or Ethernet would require a RMA, but in Tensor-PC it would be possible to just replace a TEL in the field
- If there is an epidemic design flaw in a TEL – it can be quickly addressed by rework or redesign and distributed for replacement without the need for RMA
Another important factor is that from a single motherboard we derive many variants of the product. This allows allocating more resources than usual to ensure it is debugged, tested and supported properly.
Manageability
The key for effective manageability is out-of-band management which should allow logging-in remotely over the network, monitoring status and getting alerts, turning the computer on/off, updating operating-system and BIOS over-the-air etc. Tensor-PC is designed with provisions for out-of-band management which is developed in parallel to the computer itself. This capability should be introduced at a later date and can be added ad-hoc to units in the field.
Integrability
Tensor-PC starts from 1 liter and will initially be offered in 18 form factors for different content and cooling scenarios. Tensor-PC takes industrial temperature rating a step further and is provided with more thermal headroom in -TI (and not just extra testing like in previous products). Mounting is from the back and side (similar to fitlet2). Power is not on-board but by a discrete power module, which allows a terminal block, dual power supply, wide power range etc.
IP rating is considered for future introduction.
Security
Better security is often achieved by eliminating unneeded features that could pose a risk of attack. Tensor PC TELs based design allows achieving it better than with a traditional PC. E.g. if USB is considered a risk, Tensor PC can be installed with no USB (or if USB is needed for installation – connect a USB TEL temporarily, and disconnect it after installation is complete). TPM and secure boot are present. Compulab considers more advanced hardware security features to be introduced in the future.
