Neousys Nuvo-2822 The Ultimate Compact Expansion Computer for Industrial Automation and Smart Factories

In the world of industrial automation and smart manufacturing, compact and robust computing solutions are essential for streamlining operations, reducing downtime, and improving productivity. The Neousys Nuvo-2822 is a powerful, ultra-compact industrial computer designed to meet these challenges. Equipped with the Intel® Alder Lake N97 processor, this small yet mighty machine delivers a high level of computing power, versatility, and reliability, making it a perfect fit for industrial applications that require ruggedness and flexibility.

This article delves deeper into the features, specifications, and real-world applications of the Nuvo-2822, showcasing its potential to revolutionise industries such as manufacturing, machine vision, automation, and data acquisition.

The Neousys Nuvo-2822 is powered by the Intel® Alder Lake N97 processor, which is part of Intel’s Alder Lake-N series. This processor is known for its quad-core, four-thread architecture, delivering clock speeds of 2.0 GHz, with the ability to boost up to 3.6 GHz when needed. This ensures the system can handle compute-intensive workloads without compromising performance, all while keeping power consumption at a modest 12W TDP.

Compared to its predecessors like the Intel Atom, the Alder Lake N97 provides a noticeable boost in processing speed and efficiency. This leap in performance makes the Nuvo-2822 highly capable of running applications that require fast data processing and real-time computation. With Intel® UHD Graphics integrated into the system, users benefit from improved graphics performance, which is especially beneficial for machine vision and visual inspection tasks in industrial settings.

Flexible Expansion Options for a Range of Industrial Applications

One of the standout features of the Nuvo-2822 is its versatile expansion capability, which includes two PCIe slots and two PCI slots. These expansion slots are vital for adding custom add-on cards to the system, allowing the Nuvo-2822 to be tailored to a wide range of applications.

Examples of Add-On Cards and Their Uses:

• Frame Grabbers: Used in machine vision systems, frame grabbers capture images from industrial cameras for processing and analysis. This is crucial in applications like quality control in manufacturing, where high-speed cameras monitor production lines for defects.
• Motion Control Cards: Used in robotic systems and automated machinery, motion control cards enable precise control of motors, actuators, and servos, ensuring smooth operation in tasks such as precision welding, cutting, and packaging.
• Data Acquisition Cards: These cards allow the Nuvo-2822 to gather data from sensors and devices in real time. In industries such as oil and gas or environmental monitoring, data acquisition cards collect critical information from temperature, pressure, and flow sensors.
• COM Port Expansion Cards: These allow for increased serial communication capability, which is essential in connecting legacy industrial devices that rely on RS-232/422/485 serial communication.

By supporting these versatile expansion cards, the Nuvo-2822 is adaptable to various industrial applications, from robotics and automation to data acquisition and sensor management.

Rugged Design Built for Harsh Environments

Industrial environments can be harsh, with high levels of vibration, shock, dust, and extreme temperatures. The Nuvo-2822 is designed to withstand such conditions, ensuring reliability in the most demanding settings. It has passed the MIL-STD-810H shock and vibration tests, which are military-grade standards that certify the system’s durability.

Key Features That Enhance Ruggedness:

• Wide Operating Temperature Range: The Nuvo-2822 can operate in temperatures ranging from -10°C to 70°C when equipped with the optional fan kit. Without the fan kit, it can still handle temperatures from -10°C to 60°C. This ensures the system performs reliably even in outdoor environments or factory floors with fluctuating temperatures.
• Screw-Lock USB and LAN Ports: In industrial settings, loose connections can lead to costly downtime. The Nuvo-2822’s screw-lock mechanisms for USB and Ethernet ports ensure secure connections, preventing accidental disconnection during operation.
• Fanless Design: For applications that require a dust-free environment, the Nuvo-2822 can be configured with an optional fanless cooling design. This is particularly important in food processing or pharmaceutical environments where contamination must be minimized.

With these rugged design features, the Nuvo-2822 is highly suited for outdoor deployments, factories, construction sites, and even military applications where robust computing is necessary under extreme conditions.

Energy Efficiency with Super Power Saving Mode

One of the often-overlooked aspects of industrial computing is energy efficiency. As the world moves toward greener technologies, reducing power consumption becomes a priority, especially in factories that run 24/7 operations.

The Nuvo-2822 incorporates a Super Power Saving Mode, which significantly reduces power consumption when the system is in standby (S4/S5) mode. This feature is particularly beneficial for industries with multiple systems running simultaneously, as it helps reduce the overall energy footprint.

For example, in a smart factory setup, hundreds of devices may be idle during non-peak hours, but still consuming power. The Nuvo-2822’s power-saving feature minimizes this energy wastage, resulting in lower operational costs and helping businesses achieve sustainability goals.

A key advantage of the Nuvo-2822 is its comprehensive range of I/O interfaces, enabling seamless communication between the system and external devices. This includes:

• 2x Gigabit Ethernet Ports: These ports use Intel I210-IT controllers, ensuring fast and reliable network connectivity. One of the Ethernet ports also supports Wake-on-LAN (WoL), which allows the system to be powered on remotely, enhancing remote management capabilities.
• 4x COM Ports: Serial communication remains vital in industrial environments, and the Nuvo-2822 offers four COM ports for RS-232/422/485 serial communication. These ports are crucial for controlling and communicating with legacy devices such as sensors, actuators, and controllers.
• 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Ports and 2x USB 2.0 Ports: With screw-lock mechanisms for secure connections, these USB ports are ideal for connecting industrial cameras, scanners, and data logging devices.
• 8-Channel Isolated Digital I/O (DIO): The isolated DIO is essential for real-time control and monitoring of digital signals, providing high-speed input/output functionality with protection from electrical noise. It is particularly useful in environments with high levels of electromagnetic interference, such as power plants or automotive manufacturing facilities.

This combination of I/O interfaces ensures the Nuvo-2822 can act as a central hub for controlling and monitoring various industrial devices, making it ideal for automation, data logging, and remote monitoring applications.

A key advantage of the Nuvo-2822 is its comprehensive range of I/O interfaces, enabling seamless communication between the system and external devices. This includes:

• 2x Gigabit Ethernet Ports: These ports use Intel I210-IT controllers, ensuring fast and reliable network connectivity. One of the Ethernet ports also supports Wake-on-LAN (WoL), which allows the system to be powered on remotely, enhancing remote management capabilities.
• 4x COM Ports: Serial communication remains vital in industrial environments, and the Nuvo-2822 offers four COM ports for RS-232/422/485 serial communication. These ports are crucial for controlling and communicating with legacy devices such as sensors, actuators, and controllers.
• 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Ports and 2x USB 2.0 Ports: With screw-lock mechanisms for secure connections, these USB ports are ideal for connecting industrial cameras, scanners, and data logging devices.
• 8-Channel Isolated Digital I/O (DIO): The isolated DIO is essential for real-time control and monitoring of digital signals, providing high-speed input/output functionality with protection from electrical noise. It is particularly useful in environments with high levels of electromagnetic interference, such as power plants or automotive manufacturing facilities.

This combination of I/O interfaces ensures the Nuvo-2822 can act as a central hub for controlling and monitoring various industrial devices, making it ideal for automation, data logging, and remote monitoring applications.

The versatility of the Neousys Nuvo-2822 allows it to be used across a wide range of industries, making it an ideal solution for automation, machine vision, and industrial control applications. Below are some examples of how the Nuvo-2822 can be deployed in real-world scenarios, demonstrating its benefits and capabilities.

1. Smart Factory Automation

In the era of Industry 4.0, factories are increasingly becoming “smart,” relying on interconnected devices, machines, and systems to optimise production processes. The Nuvo-2822, with its high-performance Intel® Alder Lake N97 processor and robust expansion options, plays a pivotal role in such environments.

Use Case: Automated Production Line

Imagine a factory producing electronic components on a fully automated assembly line. The Nuvo-2822, equipped with motion control cards and data acquisition cards, can seamlessly control the machinery responsible for assembling the components.

The system’s isolated DIO channels allow real-time monitoring and control of inputs and outputs from various sensors and actuators. For example, the Nuvo-2822 can control conveyor belts, robotic arms, and soldering machines, ensuring precise and synchronized operations. It can also collect data from temperature and pressure sensors to maintain optimal conditions during production, minimising defects and increasing efficiency.

With its ability to integrate AI-capable frame grabbers, the Nuvo-2822 can be used for real-time visual inspection of products. High-speed industrial cameras connected via the system’s USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports capture images of each component as it moves along the production line. These images are processed by AI algorithms to detect defects or anomalies, ensuring that only high-quality products make it to the end of the line.

The Nuvo-2822’s compact form factor and wall-mountable design allow it to be deployed in tight spaces near the production equipment, reducing cable clutter and enhancing efficiency.

Benefits:

• Increased Productivity: By automating tasks such as assembly and inspection, the Nuvo-2822 reduces human error and increases production speed.
• Cost Savings: Automation minimizes labor costs and reduces the potential for defects, saving money in the long term.
• Energy Efficiency: The Super Power Saving Mode ensures that the system consumes minimal power during downtime, further lowering operational costs.

2. Machine Vision for Quality Control

Machine vision systems are essential in industries where product quality and precision are paramount. The Nuvo-2822’s high-performance computing power, combined with its support for AI-capable frame grabber cards, makes it a powerful platform for machine vision applications.

Use Case: Pharmaceutical Packaging Inspection

In the pharmaceutical industry, the accuracy of product packaging is critical to ensure patient safety and regulatory compliance. The Nuvo-2822 can be deployed on a packaging line, where it controls high-resolution industrial cameras connected via its USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports. These cameras capture images of each package, including labels, barcodes, and product seals.

With the help of an AI-capable frame grabber card installed in one of the Nuvo-2822’s PCIe expansion slots, the system processes these images in real-time to detect any discrepancies. For instance, it can verify that all labels are properly printed, ensure that barcodes are scannable, and check that seals are intact.

The integrated Intel® UHD Graphics accelerates the image processing tasks, while the system’s 16 GB DDR5 memory ensures smooth handling of large datasets. If any irregularities are detected, the Nuvo-2822 can trigger an isolated DIO output to remove the defective package from the line.

Benefits:

• Improved Quality Control: Machine vision systems powered by the Nuvo-2822 offer a higher level of accuracy compared to manual inspection, reducing the risk of defective products reaching consumers.
• Increased Speed: Real-time image processing ensures that products are inspected without slowing down the production line.
• Compliance: By ensuring that packaging meets regulatory standards, the system helps pharmaceutical companies avoid costly fines and recalls.

3. Energy Management and Monitoring

With the increasing focus on sustainability and energy efficiency, industries are looking for ways to monitor and reduce their power consumption. The Nuvo-2822 can be used as a central system for energy management and monitoring, especially in facilities with multiple power-hungry machines.

Use Case: Smart Grid Monitoring in a Manufacturing Plant

In a large manufacturing plant, energy usage varies significantly depending on the time of day and the types of machines in operation. By connecting the Nuvo-2822 to smart meters and power sensors throughout the facility, the system can collect real-time data on power consumption.

With its multiple I/O ports and data acquisition capabilities, the Nuvo-2822 can monitor the voltage, current, and power consumption of various machines and equipment. The system can also control automated switches to turn off machines that are not in use or reduce power to certain areas during non-peak hours.

In addition, the Wake-on-LAN functionality allows the Nuvo-2822 to remotely wake up or shut down specific devices, further optimizing energy usage. The Super Power Saving Mode ensures that the system itself consumes minimal energy when not in use, contributing to the overall reduction of the facility’s power consumption.

Benefits:

• Reduced Energy Costs: Real-time monitoring and control of power usage can lead to significant energy savings, especially in large facilities with fluctuating demand.
• Sustainability: By optimizing energy consumption, companies can reduce their carbon footprint and work towards environmental compliance.
• Improved Equipment Longevity: Monitoring power usage can help detect issues like overheating or power surges, preventing equipment damage and reducing maintenance costs.

4. Industrial IoT (IIoT) and Remote Monitoring

The rise of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) has transformed the way industrial processes are monitored and controlled. The Nuvo-2822, with its rich connectivity options, including Ethernet, serial ports, and isolated DIO, is an ideal platform for building IIoT applications.

Use Case: Remote Monitoring of Oil and Gas Pipelines

In the oil and gas industry, the ability to monitor pipelines remotely is essential for preventing leaks, ensuring safety, and optimising operations. The Nuvo-2822 can be installed at various points along a pipeline network, where it collects data from pressure sensors, flow meters, and temperature sensors.

Using its COM ports and Ethernet connectivity, the system communicates with a central control room, where operators can monitor pipeline conditions in real time. The Nuvo-2822 can also trigger alarms or automatic shutdowns in the event of a pressure drop or temperature spike, preventing potentially catastrophic failures.

In addition, the system’s compact size and rugged design make it ideal for deployment in remote locations, where environmental conditions can be harsh. The wide operating temperature range ensures that the system can function reliably in both desert heat and Arctic cold, while the MIL-STD-810H certification guarantees resistance to shock and vibration.

Benefits:

• Improved Safety: Remote monitoring allows for early detection of potential issues, reducing the risk of accidents or environmental damage.
• Operational Efficiency: By continuously monitoring pipeline conditions, operators can optimise flow rates and reduce energy consumption.
• Reduced Downtime: The ability to detect and address issues remotely minimizes the need for on-site inspections, reducing maintenance costs and downtime.

5. Retail Automation and Self-Service Kiosks

In addition to industrial applications, the Nuvo-2822 can be used in the retail sector to power self-service kiosks, automated vending machines, and other interactive systems.

Use Case: Self-Service Checkout in a Supermarket

Self-service checkout systems have become increasingly popular in supermarkets, allowing customers to scan and pay for items without the need for a cashier. The Nuvo-2822, with its high-performance processor and extensive I/O options, can serve as the brain of these systems.

Connected to barcode scanners, touchscreens, and receipt printers via its USB ports and COM ports, the Nuvo-2822 processes customer transactions quickly and efficiently. The system can also be integrated with payment terminals to process credit card payments securely.

In addition, the Nuvo-2822’s compact size allows it to be easily integrated into the kiosk enclosure, while its energy-efficient design ensures that it can run continuously without generating excessive heat or consuming too much power.

Benefits:

• Improved Customer Experience: Self-service kiosks reduce wait times and allow customers to complete transactions at their own pace.
• Reduced Labor Costs: Automating checkout processes allows retailers to allocate staff to other tasks, such as customer service or inventory management.
• Scalability: The Nuvo-2822’s modular design allows retailers to easily expand their kiosk networks as demand increases.

The Neousys Nuvo-2822 is a versatile and robust industrial computer that can be deployed across a wide range of industries, from manufacturing and automation to machine vision, energy management, and retail automation. With its powerful Intel® Alder Lake N97 processor, flexible expansion options, and rugged design, the Nuvo-2822 is well-suited to the demands of modern industrial applications.

Whether you need a reliable system for smart factory automation, an AI-capable platform for machine vision, or a compact solution for IIoT and remote monitoring, the Nuvo-2822 delivers the performance, durability, and flexibility required to keep your operations running smoothly and efficiently.

Its energy-efficient features, wide operating temperature range, and military-grade ruggedness ensure that it can withstand harsh environments while minimising operational costs. By integrating the Nuvo-2822 into your industrial infrastructure, you can future-proof your operations and embrace the next generation of Industry 4.0 advancements.