The collection of analysis tools can be installed on any workstation and do not require the full suite of Visual Studio development tools.  To begin using the Power Toys, the .NET Compact Framework must be installed.  Once the utilities and their dependencies are installed, an application’s memory usage can be analyzed through an ActiveSync connection.

The .NET CF Remote Performance Monitor is one analysis tool included in the Power Toys collection.  This utility is useful for monitoring applications statistics and counters on-the-fly.  The counters available will provide valuable information on the behavior of the garbage collector in relation to an application.  One of the really useful features of this utility is the ability to export the data to Window’s performance monitor.  This integration allows application statistics to be graphed over time very easily.  This makes identification of memory leaks a trivial task.

Another useful tool in the Power Toys collection is the .NET CF CLR Profiler.  This utility is helpful in isolating the portions of code responsible for memory leaks and performance bottlenecks.  The tool allows one to graphically explore an application’s runtime memory allocations as they relate to various method calls.  It is also possible to explore the application’s heap at any point during execution.  This tool makes it much easier to determine which methods can be optimized to decrease memory allocations and thereby improve application stability and performance.

The tools contained in the .NET Compact Framework Power Toys collection can be very useful to analyze application code when executing on resource limited embedded systems.  There are some other useful tools included in the .NET Compact Framework Power Toys, but for the sake of brevity, this article will not cover them.  It is important to note that application performance will be significantly reduced for most applications being analyzed by the tools mentioned in this article.

For more information, check out the sites below:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/netframework/aa497273
http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=65
http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=13442

COM Express designs offer a similar choice in computer systems: the technical advantages of a custom design without the high cost and long development cycle. Pretty big claim, so how does this work?

The concept of using a Computer on Module (COM) was developed as an alternative design architecture that combines important benefits of custom and off-the-shelf systems. COM Express systems use an off-the-shelf COM module that supplies the core, high-speed functionality found in most PCs (processor, chipset, video, memory, Ethernet, USB) married to a custom designed “carrier board” with all connectors, power, and application specific I/O. Although there is still some design effort required for the carrier board, time to market is greatly shortened compared to a true custom computer system while delivering the same exact match to the electrical and mechanical application requirements.

The benefits of COM Express systems are numerous and include:

• Fast Time to Market
• Scalability for Easy Upgrade
• Application Specific I/O
• Flexible Mechanical Configuration
• Vibration Resistant
• Long Term Availability and Support
• Superior Lifecycle Management

You can find additional information on COM Express and Sealevel’s custom design capabilities by visiting our website.

Also at West 2012, we will also be showcasing our ACC-188 Synchronous Interface Adapter, which enables tactical radios to interface to PCs and quickly transmit IP-based data such as email, IM-type communications, files, GPS maps, images, coordinates, etc. We will have a range of other products on display, including synchronous products (PCI, low profile PCI, PCMCIA, and USB) and industrial computers.

Whether you’re looking for off-the-shelf or custom products, your feedback is important to us. Stop by to discuss how our products can be customized to best serve your needs.

We look forward to meeting you at West 2012. If you have any questions, please email me at marcf@sealevel.com or call at (864) 843-4343.

Complete with driver support for the leading embedded operating systems, Sealevel carrier boards and GE Intelligent Platforms COM Express modules combine to meet the processing and I/O requirements for a broad base of applications including oil and gas, telecom, and automation solutions where Sealevel Systems and GE Intelligent Platforms have significant domain expertise. The COM Express architecture allows upgrade of the processor subsystem as new processing technology is released. This modularity promotes flexible scalability and long-term availability for system designs thus enabling cost-effective deployment and technology insertion, together with superior life cycle management of systems and applications.

“This synergistic relationship with GE Intelligent Platforms allows Sealevel to combine our core competencies of fast, reliable custom I/O design with the power and flexibility of the COM Express computing platform,” said Ben O’Hanlan, president of Sealevel. “The customer will be able to focus on their application software and overall system design while reaping the benefits of a custom-designed embedded computer solution.”

“Sealevel can enable our OEM customers to quickly and cost-effectively implement state-of-the-art COM Express-based solutions while reducing risk and avoiding the cost and learning curve associated with an in-house design,” said Tommy Swigart, global program manager at GE Intelligent Platforms. “The combination of GE’s rugged next-generation COM Express modules with a custom carrier board specifically designed to meet unique I/O configurations can provide compelling performance advantages to our customers.”

The Relio R1420 offers a wealth of standard I/O including dual Gigabit Ethernet, six USB 2.0 ports, four serial ports, 8-bit GPIO, audio output and VGA video. Powered by a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N450 CPU, the Relio R1420 includes 2GB RAM and offers very low power consumption while operating fanless up to 50⁰C ambient.

Users can choose to operate from CompactFlash or a removable 2.5″ SATA solid-state disk. Popular operating system options include 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 7 Professional. Linux is also supported.

The R1420 is powered from a 9-30VDC source or select from a variety of Sealevel power supply options. The system is housed in a compact, rugged metal enclosure with the same footprint as our SeaI/O modules. Optional brackets allow for versatile mounting to walls, under counters, on tabletops or even to DIN rails.

Local or remote I/O expansion is available using our SeaI/O data acquisition modules. Choose from a variety of I/O configurations including optically isolated inputs, Reed and Form C relay outputs, TTL interfaces, A/D and D/A. The Relio R1420 connects to SeaI/O modules via the system’s RJ45 pass-through port and communicates using RS-485 Modbus RTU.

The Relio R1420 is available immediately from stock with prices starting at $999.00. Extended temperature motherboards, hard drives and other options are available. Email us or call today to discuss a solution for your specific application.

(Click here to read our article featured in the October 2011 issue of Military Embedded Systems)

Stop by booth #1706 at MILCOM 2011 to see our complete line of RISC embedded computing products – the SBC-R9™, SBC-R9-2100, Relio™ R9 and SeaPAC R9-8.4 – which are perfect for applications that require small size, wide operating temperature range, and flexible I/O connectivity.

As always, we will also be showcasing our ACC-188 Synchronous Interface Adapter, which enables tactical radios to interface to PCs and quickly transmit IP-based data such as email, text messages, GPS maps, images, coordinates and other communications.

(Watch a short video featuring the ACC-188 Synchronous Interface Adapter and our military-grade laptop docking station)

We will have a range of other products on display, including synchronous products (PCI, low profile PCI, PCMCIA, and USB) and industrial computers.

Whether you’re looking for custom or off-the-shelf products, Sealevel can help you find the perfect solution for your application. Our goal is to help you get your product to market faster. Stop by Booth #1706 and let’s talk about your application needs.

We look forward to meeting you at MILCOM 2011. If you have any questions, please email me at marcf@sealevel.com or call me at (864) 843-4343.

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS

• Each port individually configurable for RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485
• 16C954 buffered UARTs with 128-byte FIFOs
• Each port supports data rates to 921.6K bps
• Oscillator and clock prescalar support wide range of baud rates
• Supports 9-bit protocol framing
• RS-485 line termination, pull-up and pull-down resistors for each port are selectable via dipswitch
• RS-485 ECHO can be enabled/disabled via dipswitch
• PCI Express X1 compliant
• Compatible with all standard size PCI Express slots
• All modem control signals implemented in RS-232 mode
• Automatic RS-485 enable/disable in hardware
• Included 36″ cable terminates to four DB9M connectors (Item# CA143)

Introducing the new COMM+4.PCIe serial interface, which delivers the ultimate flexibility for expanding serial communications in a variety of test and measurement, process control and point-of-sale applications.

The COMM+4.PCIe serial interface provides four multifunction serial ports, each individually field-configurable for RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485. Each serial port utilizes a 16C954 UART with 128-byte Tx/Rx FIFOs that enables data rates to 921.6K bps for reliable high-speed communications in data intensive applications. This high-performance UART includes 9-bit framing support and is register compatible with legacy software applications designed for 16C550 UARTs. In addition, the board derives a 62.5 MHz clock from the PCI Express bus. This ultra high speed clock is divided by a flexible 8-bit clock prescalar with 1/8 steps to provide support for the widest range of standard and non-standard baud rates.

In RS-485 mode, the board provides automatic control of the RS-485 driver in hardware, allowing the 7404e to be used with standard serial communications without the risk of bus contention and data corruption. Additionally, RS-485 network termination, critical to robust multi-drop communication, can be selectively added to the circuit via DIP-switches. In RS-232 mode, all modem control signals are implemented for maximum compatibility with a variety of serial peripherals such as PLC’s, bar code readers, scales, and other data acquisition/control devices.

Our SeaCOM software driver and utilities make installation and operation easy using Microsoft Windows and Linux operating systems. The COMM+4.PCIE (Item# 7404e) ships with a 36-inch cable that terminates to four DB9M connectors.

COMM+4.PCIE prices start at $369.00 and quantity discounts are available. For more information, contact us at sales@sealevel.com or call +1 864.843.4343.

Measuring just 4.9” x 3.9” in size, the SBC-R9-2100 is small enough to fit in most embedded applications and is rated for a full -40 +85C operating temperature range. The SBC-R9-2100 is powered from your 7-30VDC source, or select from a variety of Sealevel power supply options.

To provide the fastest time to market, the Windows CE 6.0 BSP binary and low-level drivers for system I/O are included. Additionally, the SBC-R9 software package is equipped with the Sealevel Talos I/O Framework, which offers a high-level, object-oriented .NET Compact Framework (CF) device interface to simplify application development.

A QuickStart development kit is available, which includes the most common accessories. For applications with specialized hardware requirements, developers can use the SBC-R9-2100 as a platform for application development while Sealevel designs a customized target system specific to the user’s application requirements.

For more information, email us at sales@sealevel.com or  give us a call at +1 864-843-4343.

The non-polarized, isolated inputs on the DIO-16-LPCIe are rated for 3-30VDC and protect the PC and other sensitive equipment from voltage spikes and ground loop currents that are common to industrial environments. The outputs provide high quality, long-life, dry contact switch closures suitable for switching up to 500mA. The Reed relays are normally open and close when energized. Sealevel software drivers and utilities make installation and operation easy using Microsoft Windows operating systems.

The DIO-16-LPCIe (Item# 8012e) is available immediately from stock priced at $289. The 8012e is for use in low profile PCI Express slots. If you have a standard size PCI Express slot, order the Item# 8012se. Like all Sealevel I/O products, the DIO-16-LPCIe is backed by a lifetime warranty.

Sealevel Systems, Inc., founded in 1986, provides industrial computing solutions in addition to a variety of communications and I/O products including PCI Bus cards, Ethernet serial servers, USB serial adapters, PCMCIA cards, and PC/104 modules. The product line includes multi-port RS-232, RS-422/485, RS-232/422/485 multi-interface high-speed sync/async, and digital/relay I/O.

The most common failures in typical computer systems are the mechanical devices – namely motors – in both the cooling fans and the hard drive. Temperature management is critical, and manufacturing technology has evolved to include thermal testing of the finished product, the integration of heat exchangers into the enclosure and lower power components used in the manufacturing process.

Sealevel has been a leader in the design and manufacture of solid-state computing for several years. We eliminate the hard drive by utilizing flash memory devices, which were initially like the compact flash cartridges found in your digital camera, but more recently solid state drives (SSDs). As stated in Moore’s Law, as flash memory prices decrease and the density increases, we can offer more storage capability and a real costeffective solution to mechanical drives. We can put Windows Embedded or Linux on the SSD; the computer doesn’t know the difference between a conventional hard drive and the SSD.

Fan motors simply wear out over time, and once the fan fails, components in the computer start to overheat and fail. In our systems, we developed ways to remove the heat without a fan. Heatsinks which utilize the metal in the case are one approach. Using thermal analysis software during the design phase, we see where the heat will be concentrated. Proper component placement, chassis design and using natural air flow eliminate much of the heat. Extensive thermal testing and characterization also help.

Intel and other semiconductor companies are constantly pursuing lower power technologies, which is one of the most effective ways to eliminate heat at the source. This is all part of the “green” initiative: lower power, less heat, less wasted energy. Green initiatives are increasingly important in manufacturing with the elimination of lead in the soldering process, more efficient robotic parts placement machines, and supply chain logistics that eliminate excess inventory and lower shipping costs. Sealevel Systems, Inc. is committed to the long term sustainability of our environment. Companies can adapt processes and evolve technology as well to protect our natural resources now and into the future.