A new credit card-size board launched with a Kickstarter campaign provides a powerful new alternative to the Raspberry Pi2, the de facto standard of today’s makers. However, while the UP board shares the same form factor (85.6mm x 56.5mm), it targets the professional maker market. This is readily apparent when you look at its processor. As a press release notes, for a board you can slip into a pocket, the 14 nm four-core Intel^® Atom^™ processor x5-Z8350 is a “Ferrari” (Figure 1).

Figure 1. The UP board is a Raspberry Pi2 alternative with a powerful processor for its size.

In this post, we look at the performance attributes and other advantages of the new board and its processor.

UP – A Board and an Organization

The board originates from a collaboration of AAEON, Emutex, and Intel, but has now taken on a life of its own as an organization and product line under the name “UP.” A team of independent hardware and software engineers referred to as the “UP Garage Team” have created an UP website and UP community. The team hails half from the industrial electronic market and half from the “makers” market.

The team runs an UP Shop offering different configurations and accessories. Like all Internet of Things (IoT) innovations, innovation is ongoing. The original design featured 1GB DDR3L RAM and 16GB eMMC. The most recent UP designs pack up to 4GB DDR3L and up to 64GB eMMC.

UP bridges the gap between the world of prototypes and the world of high-grade mass-produced embedded systems solutions. AAEON, the industrial embedded company of the Asus group, manufactures the boards in compliance with industrial standards – wide operating temperature, three years’ longevity, CE/FCC Class A certifications, and RoHS compliance. For ODM customers, UP can provide BIOS modifications, depopulated I/O, and system customization. The board is available with a growing selection of accessories, including a 10-inch waterproof touch display and various types of chassis.

The Configuration

For versatility, UP features a 40 GPIO designed to connect a shield with the same connector-and-pin definition of Raspberry Pi2 (Figure 2). UP upgraded its original 40-pin interface by integrating an Altera MAX V CPLD (output DC-current up to 170mA) and an ADC (8bit/189KSPS) to enable a new series of mixed analog/digital applications.

UP+with+callouts2.png

Figure 2. The UP board’s configuration includes a 40 GPIO and other similarities to the Raspberry Pi2.

The MAX V CPLD enables “breadboard-friendly” GPIO features. The MAX V CPLD GPIOs can be re-programmed to change: GPIO-driver strength, slew-rate (fast/slow), Schmitt trigger, internal pull-up and internal clamp diode. Developers can also re-program the MAX V CPLD to integrate “ad-hoc” finite-state machines that reduce the latency of OS/drivers to enable faster response.

The latest board announced on the site features the expanded memory and runs up to two independent displays. The board includes a Display Serial Interface (DSI) and support for both embedded Display Port (eDP) and Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) over HDMI. Other I/O includes 4x USB 2.0 ports on connectors, 2x USB 2.0 ports on header, 1x USB 3.0 On-The-Go (OTG), 1x Gbit Ethernet (full speed), and 1x camera (MIPI-CSI).

A standard industrial PC operating temperature range of 32-104^°F/0-60^°C makes the UP board a rugged, reliable, and flexible solution for many applications. Other UP board highlights:

Includes real-time clock (RTC)
Supports Preboot eXecution Environment (PXe) and Wake-on-LAN
Runs Windows 8.1, Windows 10 Pro, and Windows IoT Core
Supports a touch controller part via the USB header

Operating System Choices

Developers can choose the operating system best suited for the application – Android 5.0 Lollipop, Microsoft Windows* 10, or Linux*. All advanced computing features and simple connection interfaces are made available through standard Linux, Windows and Android APIs which are regularly improved and supported by the UP community.

UP is Microsoft Azure Certified for IoT, making it ideal for IoT edge-to-cloud applications. Pre-tested and verified to work with Microsoft Azure IoT services, the board makes it easy to get IoT solutions up and running quickly. The certification opens up an ecosystem of devices and platforms for faster time to production.

Emutex can help get Linux users started through a new build of their ubilinux* distribution. Ubilinux is an embedded Linux distribution based on Debian that is targeted at embedded devices with limited storage capabilities. Emutex provides ongoing support through a proactive ubilinux community.

For makers intending to use UP platforms in IoT solutions, Emutex provides a free version of their ubiworx* software framework. This solution speeds development of sensor-monitoring IoT gateway solutions and cloud connection. For example, using Emutex’s ubiworx IoT software, developers can set up solutions where sensors communicate with the UP board and perform functions such as turning on a light when a switch is pressed or indicating when a door is opened.

A Processor Designed to Keep UP with the IoT

The Intel Atom processor x5-Z8350 is a 1.44 GHz SoC with a 1.92 GHz burst frequency. Launched at the start of 2016, the Intel^® Atom^™ processor’s advanced processing capabilities make the UP board an excellent choice for applications in robotics, drones, machine vision, Smart Home, education, digital signage, intelligent cars, and IoT in general.

The processor is the latest in the Intel^® Atom^™ processor x5-Z8300 product family which uses Intel’s latest 14 nm manufacturing process to provide tightly integrated SoCs (Figure 3). A power envelope of 2 W makes this processor family suitable for constrained environments.

8350+chip+diagram.PNG

Figure 3. This diagram shows the wealth of features integrated into the Intel^® Atom^™ processor x5-Z8300 product family.

The Intel Atom processor x5-Z8350’s four CPU cores and 2 MB of last level cache enable fast computing and efficient multi-tasking. Intel^® Burst Technology dynamically optimizes compute and graphics performance to handle peak loads and deliver lower overall power consumption. Support for 64-bit applications helps deliver higher performance and greater functionality across a wide range of IoT use cases.

The processor’s integrated graphics give the UP board an advantage over boards with lesser graphics and headless designs like the Intel^® Galileo board. The processor’s Intel^® HD Graphics (Gen 8) features 12 execution units running at up to 500MHz to deliver excellent 3D graphic performance, including 4K video playback. The eye-popping visual experiences and high-quality image capture improve results for visually-intensive IoT applications. Integrated support for hardware-accelerated video transcoding, video conferencing, wireless display connectivity, and the latest graphics APIs (DX11.2, DX12) provide the foundation for flexible, high-quality user experiences on small, lightweight, low-power mobile devices. The processor’s graphics support Open GL*4.2, Open CL*1.2 OGL ES3.0, H.264, HEVC (decode), and VP8.

For security, the processor provides the hardware-enhanced security features needed for professional IoT applications. These features include:

Intel^® AES New Instructions (Intel^® AES-NI) – a set of instructions that enable fast and secure data encryption and decryption
Intel^® Identity Protection Technology – a built-in security token technology that helps provide a simple, tamper-resistant method for protecting access to online customer and business data from threats and fraud

Up and Running with UP

For a quick start on new IoT solutions, be sure to check out the UP product line. To shop for other components from a selection of over 5,000 items, visit the Alliance’s Solutions Directory.

As casinos watch their core customer base age and drop in numbers, they’re looking for ways to get millennials into the game. To lure them, casinos are placing bets on a new generation of games that require skill and not just chance. For gaming machine makers, that means building more powerful systems that deliver the performance and graphics these game require.

The timing is perfect. With the recent release of the 6th generation of Intel^® Core^™ processor product family, there is a solid selection of boards available that deliver the fast action and visual excitement of the latest games, as well as the enhanced security features casinos need.

A Processor Built for Action and Games

In development for more than four years, the Skylake microarchitecture used in the 6th generation Intel Core processor family provides the advanced compute and graphics performance needed for high-resolution video playback, seamless game play, and many other enhancements (Figure 1). The extreme scalability of the processors enables boards targeting everything from fanless systems drawing as low as 15 W (Thermal Design Power) to powerful platforms for the most demanding gaming enthusiasts.

Figure 1. The Skylake microarchitecture used in the 6th generation Intel^® Core^™ processors delivers enhancements in nearly every aspect of processor and graphics performance.

Harnessing the power of Intel’s leading 14nm process and latest 3D transistors, 6th generation Intel Core processors pack more performance into a smaller space. The result is powerful small form factors capable of mainstream gaming capabilities.

Support for the latest DDR4 SDRAM enables higher data rate transfer speeds for low latency and more responsive game play. To further amplify performance, Intel^® Core^™ i7 and i5 processors include Intel^® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0. This feature dynamically increases processor frequency as needed, taking advantage of thermal and power headroom to give compute or graphics tasks a burst of speed when they need one and increased energy efficiency when they don’t. Intel Turbo Boost is perfect for gaming systems because it can fire up performance to handle fast-paced action such as a rapid transition to a new game environment.

As for graphics, the stunning visuals available from these processors’ integrated graphics eliminate the need and the extra cost of a discrete graphics card. Videos come to life in Ultra HD 4K for vibrant multimedia experiences on Ultra HD and 4K displays (up to 4096—2304 resolutions with up to 60Hz refresh rates). The processors support HEVC (H.265), VP8, and VP9, plus accelerate video functions with Intel^® Quick Sync Video technology. Native support for the new Direct X 12 API (as welll as legacy compatibility with Open GL and DirectX 9 and 11 APIs) ensures a better experience on the many games coming out now supporting DirectX 12.

These latest processors also address security. Casinos need to protect systems against malware used to increase winnings or gain access to the casino’s network. The 6th generation Intel Core processors offer advanced hardware-level security features such as:

Intel^® Software Guard Extensions (Intel^® SGX) that help protect the gaming system and its data
Intel^® Memory Protection Extensions that help protect an application’s run-time integrity
Intel^® Device Protection Technology with BIOS Guard 2.0 and Boot Guard to help protect the system during boot
Intel^® OS Guard that protects the operating system (OS) kernel, preventing use of malicious data or attack code from taking over or compromising the kernel

Three Ways to Build Skill-Based Casino Game Platforms

As you might expect, what’s good for PC-based enthusiast gaming platforms is good for machines designed to bring millennials onto the casino floor.

ADLINK equips its AmITX-SL-G Mini-ITX board to suit a variety of gaming platforms through a range of 6th generation Intel^® Core^™ i7/i5/i3 processors (Figure 2). The board is available with up to 32GB of dual channel DDR4 at 2133MHz and three DisplayPort (DP) outputs for running up to three independent displays at up to 4096 x 2160. For audio, 7.1 channel audio will keep gamers in their seats.

Figure 2. ADLINK AmITX-SL-G Mini-ITX board

Expansion and I/O are extensive. PCI Express (PCIe) slots include one PCIe x16 Gen3, one PCIe x1 Gen2, one Mini PCIe full-size slot, and one Mini PCIe half-size slot. The board offers three SATA 6 Gbps ports, plus four USB 3.0, three USB 2.0, one RS-232/422/485, and three RS-232 serial ports. For networking, an Ethernet controller is included.

AAEON’sA Mini-ITX board, the EMB-H110B, is a low profile unit set up for a range of 6th generation Intel Core processors (Figure 3). The board handles up to 32GB of dual channel DDR4 and can power two independent displays (DP/HDMI). Realtek audio delivers the soundscape.

Figure 3. AAEON EMB-H110B Mini-ITX board

Expansion and I/O includes one PCIe x1, one half-size Mini-Card (PCIe + USB) x 1, one full/half-size Mini-Card x 1 (default: SATA 6.0Gb/s), four USB 3.0 ports, and six USB 2.0 ports (two ports for Mini Card, four ports at mid-board). An Ethernet controller is included.

The Avalue EMX-Q170 Mini-ITX board is a high-end performer with excellent power management for gaming applications (Figure 4). It supports up to 32GB dual channel DDR4 2133MHz system memory and triple independent display (VGA, HDMI, DP). The I/O includes one full/half-size Mini PCIe with mSATA support, one SIM card slot, one full/half-size Mini PCIe for WiFi module, one PCIe x16, four USB 3.0, six USB 2.0, six COM ports, six SATA III (one switch by jumper for mSATA) and 8-bit GPIO. Realtek 5.1 channel audio provides the sound experience. The unit includes two LAN ports.

Figure 4. Avalue EMX-Q170 Mini-ITX board

Game On in the Casino

To find out more about these and other boards that use 6th generation Intel Core processors to offer the muscle to bring skill-based games to the casino floor, check out our regularly updated Solutions Directory.

Tag: aaeon

A Ferrari in the Raspberry Pi World