Neousys Technology’s POC-700-FT, a Compact and Fanless Industrial PC Built for Rugged Edge Applications

Neousys Technology, a leader in rugged embedded systems, has recently introduced the POC-700-FT series, a compact, fanless industrial computer crafted to address the unique challenges of edge computing in thermally constrained environments. Featuring Intel® Alder Lake Core i3-N or Atom® x7425E processors, the POC-700-FT combines powerful computing performance with low power consumption, making it an ideal solution for space-limited and industrial applications.

This computer is equipped with a unique flat-top heatsink design, rugged connectivity options, and versatile expandability, positioning it as a preferred choice across various industries, including industrial automation, transportation, security, healthcare, oil and gas, and more.

A standout feature of the POC-700-FT Series its innovative flat-top heatsink design, which optimises heat dissipation even in confined or sealed environments. By creating a direct thermal pathway to the outer surface of the cabinet, the heatsink ensures that heat is effectively channeled away from the processor, enabling consistent performance without overheating. This design also reduces the device’s size by around 20%, making it highly suitable for installations in tight spaces where traditional cooling solutions might struggle.

The fanless nature of the POC-700-FT Series offers added benefits for low-maintenance environments, as it reduces dust accumulation, making it particularly well-suited for settings like healthcare facilities and laboratories. In these environments, dust and debris can interfere with traditional cooling systems, leading to increased maintenance costs and downtime. Additionally, the fanless design ensures silent operation, which is especially beneficial in noise-sensitive sectors such as medical facilities and research labs, where a quiet environment is essential for patient comfort and focus.

The POC-700-FT Series is powered by Intel® Core™ i3-N305 or Atom® x7425E processors, both of which support Intel’s OpenVINO™ toolkit. This enables the device to process AI workloads at the edge, providing a significant advantage for applications requiring real-time analytics, such as machine vision in industrial automation or intelligent monitoring in security systems. With robust processing capabilities, the POC-700-FT can support tasks like object detection, facial recognition, pattern recognition, and other advanced AI-driven functions directly on-site, eliminating the need for time-consuming data transmission to a central server or cloud.

The POC-700-FT’s four USB 3.2 Gen2 ports and four GigE PoE+ ports with screw-lock mechanisms provide stable, secure connections, even in high-vibration environments. These ports facilitate the integration of Ethernet or USB cameras, sensors, and other peripherals essential for data-intensive applications. With high-speed data transfer capabilities, the POC-700-FT Series supports seamless real-time data collection and processing. Additionally, the system includes an M.2 2280 M key slot for SSD storage, which is particularly beneficial for applications requiring rapid data access, and a mini-PCIe slot for added connectivity options like WiFi, LTE/5G, or CAN bus modules.

For greater flexibility, the POC-700-FT is compatible with Neousys’ MezIO® expansion module, which allows users to customise the system with application-specific I/O functions. The expansion module offers additional COM ports, USB 3.1 Gen1, ignition power control, and SATA ports for a 2.5″ HDD/SSD. This adaptability enables the POC-700-FT to meet the specific requirements of various industrial environments, making it a versatile choice for sectors requiring custom connectivity and functionality.

The powerful processing, advanced thermal design, and flexible connectivity of the Neousys POC-700-FT Series make it highly adaptable for a broad spectrum of applications across various industries:

1. Industrial Automation
   Industrial automation demands high reliability, precision, and real-time processing capabilities. The POC-700-FT excels in this environment, supporting applications like machine vision, predictive maintenance, and production line monitoring. Here’s how it supports each of these applications:
   • Machine Vision for Quality Control: The POC-700-FT’s PoE+ and USB ports enable seamless integration with high-speed cameras for machine vision tasks. By inspecting products in real time, it can detect defects, inconsistencies, or abnormalities as items move through production lines. Leveraging AI inference, the device can identify and flag defects immediately, ensuring higher accuracy and efficiency in quality control processes.
   • Predictive Maintenance: With its ability to connect to a wide range of sensors, the POC-700-FT monitors equipment health indicators like vibration, temperature, and other critical data points. By continuously analysing this data, it can predict potential equipment failures before they occur. This proactive approach minimises downtime, optimises maintenance schedules, and reduces costs associated with unexpected equipment breakdowns.
   • Real-Time Process Monitoring: The POC-700-FT’s rugged design and robust connectivity allow it to gather data from machines on the factory floor, enabling operators to monitor productivity and identify performance bottlenecks. By providing insights into production metrics, the POC-700-FT helps industrial facilities optimise processes, enhance productivity, and maintain a competitive edge.
2. Transportation and Fleet Management
   For transportation and fleet management applications, the POC-700-FT offers compact, rugged design paired with flexible connectivity options like LTE/5G for real-time data communication.
   • Fleet Tracking and Management: Deployed within vehicles, the POC-700-FT uses LTE/5G connectivity to provide real-time insights into fleet operations. This includes data on vehicle location, speed, fuel consumption, and driver behaviour. Fleet managers can use this information to optimise routes, enhance fuel efficiency, and improve overall safety.
   • In-Vehicle Diagnostics: By connecting to the vehicle’s onboard diagnostic system, the POC-700-FT can monitor key performance indicators like engine health, temperature, and other critical metrics. This helps fleet operators identify mechanical issues early, ensuring timely maintenance and reducing the risk of breakdowns.
   • Intelligent Transportation Systems: In stations or terminals, the POC-700-FT can power applications that monitor passenger flow, manage schedules, control digital signage, and support smart ticketing systems. This enhances the efficiency of public transportation networks by ensuring smoother operations and better passenger experience.
3. Surveillance and Security
   Surveillance and security applications benefit from the POC-700-FT’s high processing power and secure connectivity, allowing reliable edge processing for video analytics and data security.
   • Smart Surveillance for Real-Time Analysis: With PoE+ ports supporting multiple IP cameras, the POC-700-FT is capable of on-site video analysis. Using AI tools like Intel’s OpenVINO™, it can conduct facial recognition, motion detection, and behaviour analysis in real time, which is ideal for applications in warehouses, transportation hubs, and retail environments. This reduces data transmission to the cloud, enhancing response times and reducing network congestion.
   • Access Control and Security Automation: The POC-700-FT can manage automated access control systems that monitor and record personnel entry into restricted areas. This is particularly beneficial in corporate or industrial environments where secure, restricted access is essential.
   • Data Privacy for Sensitive Surveillance: For locations that prioritise data privacy, the POC-700-FT allows local processing, ensuring that sensitive information remains within the premises. This minimises the risk of data breaches associated with cloud storage, making it suitable for sectors like finance, healthcare, and government facilities with stringent privacy regulations.
4. Oil, Gas, and Mining
   The POC-700-FT is built to withstand harsh industrial environments, making it a reliable choice for monitoring and diagnostics in the oil, gas, and mining industries.
   • Remote Equipment Monitoring: The POC-700-FT can be integrated with sensors to continuously track the status of remote assets like drilling rigs and mining machinery. This data can be transmitted to a central system for analysis, allowing operators to monitor equipment health, track production metrics, and ensure safe operation.
   • Predictive Analytics for Hazardous Conditions: The device’s AI capabilities allow it to analyse real-time data to predict potential malfunctions or hazardous conditions before they escalate. This proactive approach enhances safety by minimising the risk of accidents and equipment failure.
   • Environment Monitoring in Harsh Conditions: In remote oil and gas facilities, the POC-700-FT can monitor environmental conditions, such as air quality and potential gas leaks. This information is critical for maintaining safety standards in locations with extreme temperatures or high dust levels, ensuring a safe working environment for personnel.
5. Healthcare and Laboratory Environments
   The POC-700-FT’s fanless design, compact form, and low-noise operation make it ideal for healthcare settings where equipment integration, data processing, and patient monitoring are critical.
   • Medical Device Integration: The POC-700-FT can be connected to medical imaging systems, diagnostic tools, and other healthcare devices to streamline data collection and processing. By centralising patient information, it enables faster and more accurate diagnostics, contributing to improved patient care.
   • Laboratory Data Processing: In research laboratories, the POC-700-FT supports high-speed data analysis from lab instruments. By connecting to various equipment, it helps researchers gather and analyse data in real time, facilitating experiments and accelerating research outcomes.
   • Digital Patient Monitoring: For healthcare providers, the POC-700-FT can support real-time monitoring of patients’ vital signs, such as heart rate, oxygen levels, and blood pressure. This data can be transmitted to healthcare professionals, allowing for immediate intervention in case of any irregularities, thus improving patient outcomes.

The POC-700-FT is specifically designed to handle the demands of challenging environments. Its compact, fanless design is suitable for confined, thermally constrained spaces where traditional cooling solutions may not be feasible. The advanced flat-top heatsink ensures efficient heat dissipation, even in sealed enclosures, ensuring consistent performance over time. This rugged, low-maintenance design makes the POC-700-FT an excellent option for industries like oil and gas, mining, and other sectors requiring high dust and water resistance.

Whether deployed to increase productivity on a factory floor, secure a transportation network, monitor remote equipment in oil fields, or support advanced laboratory devices, the Neousys POC-700-FT Series is equipped with the robustness and versatility needed to excel in today’s complex industrial environments.

The Neousys POC-700-FT Series combines a compact design with innovative thermal management, robust processing power, and adaptable connectivity to address the unique demands of edge computing in space-constrained, thermally challenging environments. With applications spanning industrial automation, transportation, security, healthcare, and more, the POC-700-FT provides a reliable and adaptable solution for modern edge computing. Its performance, durability, and flexibility make it an exceptional choice for organisations seeking to achieve efficient, real-time processing without compromising on space, reliability, or environmental resistance.