Aaeon unveiled an “OMNI” line of rugged, Linux-ready panel-PCs with modular I/O add-ons, starting with a Bay Trail “OMNI-2155” with a 15.6-inch touchscreen.

The OMNI-2155 is the first in a line of modular, customizable OMNI touchscreen panel-PCs from Aaeon, an embedded focused subsidiary of Asus. Like Aaeon’s recent 10.1-inch ACP-1104 panel-PC, the 15.6-inch OMNI-2155 runs Linux or Windows on a quad-core, 2GHz Celeron J1900 (10W TDP) or dual-core, or Celeron N2807 (4.5W TDP), both hailing from Intel’s 22nm Bay Trail processor generation. The OMNI-2155 also features a new OMNI expansion interface with available USB/COM/LAN, dual LAN, mini-PCIe/SIM, RS-232/422/485, RS-232/422/485, DIO, CAN Bus, and audio modules.

OMNI-2155 (left) and rear view showing USB/COM/LAN OMNI module plugged in on left side
(click images to enlarge)

The OMNI-2155’s OMNI slot lets users easily plug the brick-like OMNI modules “like a USB device” into the back of the unit. This shortens the lead time involved in customizing a panel-PC by adopting a modular design, “making the customization process as easy as building Lego toy bricks,” says Aaeon.


OMNI-2155 rear view showing OMNI slot on left (left) and with CAN Bus OMNI module plugged in
(click images to enlarge)

Aaeon’s product page and data sheet for the OMNI-2155 do not offer details as to the signals that are present on the panel-PC’s OMNI module expansion slot. However, based on the features listed for the current set of OMNI modules, the module slot appears to implement a set of signals equivalent to a pair of mini-PCIe slots. We’re guessing that the slot consumes the two sets of mini-PCIe signals, and that the only way to use mini-PCIe cards with the OMNI-2155 is by means of an OMNI module (we emailed Aaeon’s technical staff regarding this point, but have not heard back yet).


OMNI modules

The 15.6-inch, 1366 x 768 touchscreen is touted for its flat surface design. The backlit, 16:9 aspect ratio display has 400-nit luminance, and is available with either P-CAP capacitive or 5-wire resistive touch technology. HDMI and VGA ports are also available.


OMNI-2155 detail views
(click images to enlarge)

You can load up to 8GB (J1900) or 4GB (N2807) DDR3L onto the OMNI-2155, and store data via a CFast slot and a SATA bay. The device is further equipped with dual GbE ports, dual USB ports (one of them 3.0), and an RS-232/422/485 port.

The aluminum chassis supports extended temperatures, and provides shock and vibration resistance. There’s also a wide-range, 9 to 30V DC power supply and VESA mounting.

Specifications listed for the OMNI-2155 include:

• Processor — Intel Celeron J1900 (4x Bay Trail cores @ up to 2.0GHz with 10W TDP) or Celeron N2807 (2x Bay Trail cores @ up to 1.58GHz with 4.5W TDP); Intel HD Graphics
• Memory — Up to 8GB (J1900) or 4GB (N2807) DDR3L 1333MHz RAM via single SODIMM
• Storage — CFast socket; SATA 2.5-inch HDD bay
• Display:
  • 15.6-inch, 1366 x 768, 16:9 5-wire resistive or P-CAP capacitive touchscreen
  • 400 cd/m(2) luminance
  • 160° (H), 140° (V) viewing angle
  • Flat surface design
  • LED backlight
  • HDMI port
  • VGA port
• Networking — 2x gigabit Ethernet ports
• Other I/O:
  • USB 3.0 port
  • USB 2.0 port
  • RS-232/422/485 port
• Expansion — 2x full-size mini-PCIe sockets; OMNI slot for optional USB/COM/LAN, dual LAN, mini-PCIe/SIM, RS-232/422/485, RS-232/422/485, DIO, CAN Bus, and audio modules.
• Other features — VESA 100 or panel mount; SMA antenna hole
• Power — 9 to 30V DC
• Ruggedization:
  • Operating temperature — -20 to 60°C with 0.5 m/s air flow (N2807) or -20 to 55°C with 0.5 m/s air flow (J1900)
  • Vibration resistance — 1 grms/ 5 to 500Hz with HDD
  • Shock resistance — 15 G peak acceleration (11 msec. duration) with HDD
• Weight — 3kg gross
• Dimensions — 420 x 265 x 60mm
• Operating system — Linux 2.6 or above; Windows 7/8/WES

Omni Series video

 
Further information

No pricing or availability information was provided for the OMNI-2155. More information may be found in Aaeon’s OMNI-2155 product page.