Advanced Digital Logic Ensures Long-term Availability of PC/104-Plus Single-Board Computers with the Intel 855 Chipset

Advanced Digital Logic GmbH (ADL), a provider of highly reliable embedded single-board computers, systems and peripherals for use under harsh environmental conditions, has announced long-term perspectives for PC/104-Plus single-board computers (SBCs) by providing 855 products following Intel's discontinuance of its 855 chipset family. These well-established SBCs are extremely important for industrial applications, because they are the last platforms that support the 16-bit ISA bus with DMA. Currently, ADL has two solutions on the market that use the 855 chipset: the "ADL855PC" PC/104-Plus board and the 3.5-inch "ADL855HD" board. These SBCs are based on Intel Pentium M processors with clock rates of up to 1.8 GHz. They feature high performance as well as a broad range of graphics and interface offerings, and they represent the ideal solution for replacing competitor products that use the discontinued chipsets. On the basis of its current material planning, ADL guarantees product availability and the related support until 2015. This provides users with sufficient time to evaluate new solutions and replace the ISA bus with newer technologies. Long availability made possible by forward-looking material planning for inventory ADL can draw from a large inventory of Pentium M und 855GME chipsets. This offers the reliability and flexibility that is required in order to be able to meet the needs of industrial users with high-quality, recently manufactured products over a long period. "Long-term storage" of products that were made earlier can be avoided in this way. ADL recommends that all who use Intel-855 products switch to an ADL855PC or ADL855HD board as soon as possible. That step makes it possible to prevent future problems and the resulting risks as this product reaches its end of life. In this way, a high-quality ADL product that is manufactured in an environment that operates in strict conformance with ISO9001 and offers continued availability replaces the important core components in the customer setup. As a result, the design and the customer product can continue to be used for several years, thus minimizing investments for a redesign. Support for migration and adaptation In order to be able to successfully use products with the 855 chipset, ADL offers diverse support services to help with migrations. ADL offers its assistance, for example, for baseboard adaptations or BIOS modifications. OEMs that want to upgrade existing applications also profit from the comprehensive services available from ADL. If necessary, they can outsource the porting, validation and migration processes. That enables customers to focus valuable development resources on their core competencies while simultaneously gaining sufficient time for new development projects. Besides the main features of reliability, longevity and investment protection, the wide range of cooling solutions available for the 855 ADL products represent another important aspect. With its heat pipe solution that has been patented in the US, ADL offers highly efficient cooling capabilities, which keep PC/104 modules ready for operation in a flexible way, regardless of their position. Successor products and successor generations ADL also supplies its customers with innovative solutions for migration to successor products or for the transition to a new generation. The company's core competencies in the PC/104 and 3.5-inch form factors are constantly being expanded. In this way, ADL customers can be offered the best possible solution that is tailored to meet their needs from a rich portfolio of products. In the two core form factors - PC/104 (PC/104 Express) and 3.5 inches - and with customer-specific form factors, ADL offers both current technologies with long-term availability as well as top technologies of the future. "The discontinuation of Intel's 855 chipset family has created a major gap in the market for single-board computers. The 855 products are tremendously important for industrial applications, because these well-established systems are the last platforms that support the 16-bit ISA bus with DMA," explained Martin Kristof, operating manager at Advanced Digital Logic GmbH. "ADL's 855 solutions for PC/104-Plus offer full ISA support for the next few years. That gives users enough time to develop new solutions." About Advanced Digital Logic Founded in 1994, Advanced Digital Logic Inc. (ADL) is a provider of industrial embedded single board computers, systems, peripherals, and accessories for embedded and standalone applications with a special focus on solutions for applications in harsh environments. The diverse portfolio of products encompasses PC/104, PC/104-Plus, PC/104-Express, PCI/104-Express and 3.5" boards, as well custom formats and box PCs. ADL products are developed and manufactured in accordance with ISO9001 using state-of-the-art equipment in Germany and then tested during production at the factory. In addition, all computer boards and systems receive a final test at the respective ADL facility before shipping to customers. ADL's services include the design of standards-based and custom boards, standard and custom thermal solutions for cooling ADL products, integration services, custom system solutions and testing, including burn-in tests of overall systems. The company serves customers in a variety of markets, including Medical, Transportation, Defense, Aerospace, Communication, Security, Process Control, and Science. Further information on Advanced Digital Logic GmbH is available at: www.adl-europe.com