The rugged “Helix” PC/104 SBC runs Linux on a 1GHz Vortex86DX3 SoC, and offers DAQ, mini-PCIe expansion, a wide range of I/O, and -40 to 85°C operation.

Over the years, we’ve seen numerous PC/104 single board computers built around DMP’s x86-based Vortex processors, including a Diamond Systems Helio SBC from 2009 based on the Vortex86DX. Diamond’s new Helix SBC taps DMP’s latest Vortex86DX3 system-on-chip (SoC), as does Adlink’s circa-2015 CM1-86DX3 PC/104 SBC. The faster, dual-core, 1GHz Vortex86DX3 SoC offers double the L1 and L2 cache of the DX2, and adds support for DDR3 memory.

Diamond Systems Helix

Designed for rugged applications including industrial, medical, on-vehicle, and military, the fanless Helix offers MIL-STD-202G-rated shock and vibration resistance. It also supports -40 to 85°C temperatures.

The 101.5 x 101.5mm SBC is available in two standard models, which differ according to the data acquisition (DAQ) features populated on the board. Model A adds a high-quality analog I/O circuit that provides sixteen 16-bit A/D inputs with 100KHz sample rate, plus four 16-bit D/A channels with voltage outputs, and also provides 27 DIO lines instead of 16 on the D model. You also get Diamond’s free, Universal Driver DAQ programming library and a DAQ GUI for both Linux and Windows. The standard Model A version also doubles the soldered DDR3 RAM, to 2GB, and supplies three additional USB 2.0 ports.

Helix block diagram

Other I/O in common with both board models includes VGA and LVDS outputs, dual RS-232/422/485 and dual RS-232 ports, and optional CANBus. You also get Fast and Gigabit Ethernet ports, as well as a SATA port with optional 32GB or 64GB SATA DOMs.

Other Helix features include analog inputs and outputs, HD audio I/O, PS/2, and PWM. You can add PC/104 ISA expansion cards, and a mini-PCIe slot provides optional WiFi, Ethernet, analog and digital I/O, and mSATA. A development kit version offers preloaded Linux or Windows Embedded 7 SDKs, the SATA DOM, cables, and more.

Specifications listed for the Helix SBC include:

• Processor — DMP Vortex86DX3 SoC (2x x86 cores @ 1GHz); 6-stage pipeline; 32K I-Cache, 32K D-Cache, 513KB L2 Cache; FPU; integrated 2D GPU
• Memory — 1GB (Model D) or 2GB (Model A), soldered 64-bit DDR3 RAM
• Storage — SATA 1.5Gbps port; optional 32GB or 64GB SATA DOM MLC or SLC flashdisk; optional mSATA via mini-PCIe
• Display — VGA and 24-bit, single-channel LVDS, both up to 1920 x 1080 (up to 1280 x 1080 in dual display mode)
• Networking — 1x Gigabit Ethernet; 1x Fast Ethernet
• Other I/O:
  • USB 2.0 ports — 3x (Model D) or 6x (Model A)
  • 2x RS232/422/485 ports
  • 2x RS232 ports
  • PS/2
  • HD audio (Realtek ALC892) with line-out, line-in, mic-in
  • 16x 16-bit analog inputs (Model A only)
  • 4x 16-bit analog outputs (Model A only)
  • GPIO — 16x (Model D) or 27x (Model A), independently programmable bits
  • 4x PWM (24-bit)
  • 8x 32-bit counter/timers
  • Optional CANbus 2.0 port
• Expansion — PC/104 (ISA bus signals); mini-PCIe slot with mSATA
• Ruggedization:
  • Shock and vibration resistance — MIL-STD-202G
  • Operating temperature — -40 to 85°C
  • Optional conformal coating
• Dimensions — 102 x 102mm; PC/104 form-factor
• Weight — 70.8g with heatsink
• Operating system — Linux or Windows Embedded 7 SDKs

 
Further information

The Helix SBC is available starting at $425 (model D) in single unit pricing. More information may be found at the Diamond Systems website’s Helix SBC product page.