Faced with the increasing workload at the edge, end devices are required to be smart, automated and interconnected, which reflects the demands of AI computing and M2M (Machine-to-Machine) communication on small-sized PCs.
In the Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) era, Industrial PC (IPC) is expected more than just a computer for general data processing, according to Taiwan-based DFI.
“The demand for AI computing emerged with the decentralisation trends in recent years to reduce cloud computing workloads and costs. And to reinforce AI performance at the edge, high-end embedded solutions is a must,” said DFI in a statement. “But to downsize them and while supporting conditions required by edge environments, like tight spaces and abrupt temperature changes, it's definitely a challenge for IPC manufactures.”
Founded in 1981, DFI provides high-performance computing technology across multiple embedded industries. To date, DFI’s embedded products power up more than 10 million industrial machines all over the world.
With its innovative design and premium quality management system, DFI’s industrial-grade solutions enable customers to optimise their equipment and ensure high reliability, long-term life cycle, and 24/7 durability in a breadth of markets including factory automation, medical, gaming, transportation, smart energy, mission-critical, and intelligent retail.
With the decentralisation of computing and the shifting of workloads toward the edge, DFI noted the emergence of diversity and heterogeneity into AIoT framework, which further stresses the importance of integration capability.
“Edge computing is an integrative application that requires the synergy of multiple devices. That is, devices should be able to communicate, even though their operating systems differ from each other and bring compatibility issues on data storage, processing and transferring,” DFI said.
Responding current market shifts, DFI has developed a full portfolio of small-sized embedded solution designed to help enterprise customers optimise their AIoT ecosystem. The Pi-sized GHF51 and ALF51 have AMD and Intel x 86 platforms downsized into the 1.8" boards to boost industrial IoT development. To tackle more complicated tasks, CS551 condenses desktop-platform power into the 3.5" SBC, and has the processor-warming mechanism under -30°C that ensures seamless operation in dramatic temperature change. With high performance, the designs are easier to not only leverage the AI power but also run virtual machine software to solve the data compatibility issue and amplify the effect of AIoT.
For market-ready solutions, DFI has also introduced an array of x86-based mini PCs, such as EB100-KU for IoT gateway and industrial NUC and ES220-CS featuring as the first 35W desktop PC with REAL DUAL 4K HDMI supported.
