PICMG announced the formation of a technical subcommittee to develop a new PICMG profile specification called ModBlox7. Box PC is a highly integrated computing solution, but lack of interoperability limits the ability of end users to implement truly cost-effective and sustainable solutions. This specification will transform the multi-billion dollar Box PC industry by offering open standards to proprietary markets.
The ModBlox7 specification will describe a compact modular Box PC that can be configured flexibly and can be mounted on a wall, clamped on a DIN rail or integrated into a 19" sub-rack. The height and depth are fixed; The width is variable 7HP. The maximum length is 84HP. These designs will be robust, support passive conduction cooling, and be used in demanding applications, including rail, avionics, mobile machines and autonomous mobility, as well as machinery in discrete manufacturing and control in critical process industrial infrastructure.
The result of the committee's work will be the definition of basic specifications for housing mechanics, modular functional units and electrical interconnection of units. The standard will ensure unit interoperability for manufacturers and Box PC users, while combining the advantages of modular systems with highly integrated cost-sensitive Box PC solutions.
The open specification will include the following requirements or specified capabilities:
Common panel-to-board connectors connect each unit to its neighbors and route defined I/O interfaces (PCIe and USB) to the next board. And cost-effective design, minimum mechanical work. No additional backplane or radiator is required.
Modular, features-packaged plug-in units in 7HP width pitch multiples. The unit consists of CPU, power supply, switch, I/O and other functional components. The units can be multiples of 7HP, for example, to implement more interfaces or functions assembled in a single building block.
This leads to a wide range of equipment combinations in a modular design of the 7HP (21HP, 28HP, 42HP to 84HP), making it cost-effective even in small batches.
Each modular cell can host a stack of one, two, or three PCBS, depending on the complexity. The separation is generally based on front-end I/O and the power and communication requirements between the host unit and its extension unit.
Flexible mounting with minimal accessory assemblies for walls, Dinrail, and 19 "box mounting.
Mathias Beer, chief product Officer, Ci4Rail said："For industrial end users, the advantage of Box PC open standards lies in the cost-effective design of dedicated systems and the flexible interchangeability of components to customize the platform for dedicated tasks. Manufacturers also benefit because interoperability between units enhances their core competencies and they do not have to develop each unit and its embedded components, such as cables and mechanisms, themselves. For VAR and system integrators, the new ecosystem will provide faster configuration options for components from multiple vendors, "
