Defining The Edge Continuum
As industrial applications evolve and adopt Industry 4.0 technologies, the role of industrial computers in meeting AI-powered demands at the edge has become extremely critical. Due to the variability of deployments, a one-size-fits-all hardware solution is not feasible. Instead, optimized edge computing solutions are necessary to address these diverse requirements effectively. Premio has defined the edge computing continuum and consolidated these demands into three distinct categories: the industrial edge, rugged edge, and specialized edge. Each segment shares fundamental traits that present specific challenges that are addressed with fully optimized industrial computers and uniquely positions its product portfolio to address key requirements.
This brief focuses on Premio’s line of x86 Super-Rugged Industrial Computers, the RCO Series, that are purpose-built to address key challenges found at the rugged edge. We’ll explore the key-defining attributes of each RCO Series and explain how they provide the necessary features to streamline rugged edge deployment applications.
Leveraging the x86 Super Rugged RCO Series for Rugged Edge Deployments
The rugged edge requires computing solutions that go beyond standard industrial designs. Deploying at the rugged edge presents unique challenges, such as reinforced durability for remote and mobile deployments, compatibility with high-specification IoT devices, out-of-band connectivity for remote management, and more. Premio’s flagship line of x86 super-rugged industrial computers, the RCO Series, meets these unconventional demands with its key-defining features and support for modular EDGEBoost technologies uniquely designed for the RCO Series.
Super-Rugged Durability and Reliability
Although commercial-grade desktop computers can power most Industry 4.0 applications, there are major pitfalls when deployed in industrial settings. The rugged edge is often mission-critical, and system failures are not only costly, but detrimental to operations when there are downtimes due to failures. The RCO Series is engineered for super-rugged durability with a fanless and cableless design that mitigates major points of failure and enhances operational reliability. With a passively cooled construction, it prevents ingress of dust and debris that damages a computer’s internal components and additional key features including:
- Wide Operating Temperatures (-40°C to 70°C)
- MIL-STD-810G Shock & Vibration Resistance
- Wide Power Input Ranges (9~48VDC)
- Power Protection (OVP, OCP, RPP)
- World-Class Safety Certifications (UL-Listed, FCC, CE)
Real-Time Performance with Intel Processors
The RCO Series is powered by the latest x86 Intel embedded processors, delivering real-time performance even in the harshest industrial environments. Premio has carefully selected embedded-centric processors that prioritize multi-core performance and power efficiency, ensuring reliable operation in rugged edge applications. By integrating processors from Intel's embedded product lifecycle roadmap, each generation of the RCO Series benefits up to 10 years of lifecycle support. This extensive longevity and support ensure prolonged deployment consistency and reliability, mitigating system redesigns that could conflict with deployment compatibility.
For instance, the RCO-3000 and 6000 Series leverage the latest 13th Gen Intel Core TE processor that utilizes a performance hybrid architecture with a 35W TDP for power efficiency. This design optimizes performance by using P-cores for resource-intensive AI workloads, while E-cores enhance multitasking efficiency.
- Low-Power Efficiency (12/35W TDP)
- Performance Hybrid Architecture
- 10-Year Intel Embedded Product Support Lifecycle
Modular EDGEBoost Technologies
A major challenge that the rugged edge faces is the need for customizability and flexibility. These deployments have varying requirements from 10GbE LAN and PoE support to power high-fidelity vision sensors to GPU acceleration to streamline heavy AI workloads for machine learning and inference detection. Due to such a wide array of deployment demands varying from deployment to deployment, Premio has taken a modular approach to quickly and seamlessly meet these demands.
A key-defining feature of the RCO Series is support for modular EDGEBoost technologies. Customize-to-optimize and enable the flexibility to configure I/O and performance acceleration for the most optimized solution.
- EDGEBoost I/O (EBIO): Configurable I/O daughterboards that provide seamless connection types, M.2 TPU edge AI acceleration, and low latency 5G connectivity, and Out-of-Band management
- EDGEBoost Nodes (EBN): Enhanced performance acceleration to optimize data storage with RAID redundancy, streamline AI workloads with GPU support, and/or offer limitless expandability through PCIe Gen 4 expansion
Comprehensive IoT Connectivity
For seamless integration of multiple IoT devices to establish a homogenous dataflow ecosystem, the RCO Series is equipped with a comprehensive set of IIoT-focused I/O options directly on-board. With multiple LAN and USB ports, it can easily connect to high-fidelity vision cameras and sensors with even locking abilities for ingress, shock, and vibration. Unlike standard commercial desktops, industrial computers offer connectivity options specific to industrial use cases, including COM ports for legacy technologies, CAN Bus for vehicular telematic, and a DIO terminal for automation switches. The RCO Series addresses these demands by having IoT-centric peripheral connectivity options readily available on-board to consolidate the various IoT devices required.
- LAN & USB
- COM
- Isolated DIO Terminal
- CAN Bus
- Power Ignition Management
3 Scalable Models for Optimized Deployment
Recognizing that rugged edge deployments come with diverse size limitations and performance demands, the RCO Series offers three scalable models tailored to meet the most demanding industrial requirements.
- RCO-1000 Series: This fanless mini computer serves as a compact industrial NUC alternative, ideal for IoT gateway applications in space-constrained environments.
- RCO-3000 Series: Featuring a socket-type processor, this small form factor computer is designed to efficiently handle lite to mid-range edge AI workloads while maintaining a compact profile.
- RCO-6000 Series: An AI Edge Inference Computer, the RCO-6000 is highly modular, designed to accommodate the highest specification requirements, including GPU support and expanded data storage.
RCO-1000 Series: Fanless Mini PC and Industrial NUC Alternative
The RCO-1000 Series is a fanless mini computer that serves as a rugged alternative to the popularly known NUCs. It is engineered with low-power efficiency and ultra-reliable performance. Although compact in size, this mini computer can deliver real-time performance by leveraging an Intel Atom X Series processor and provide IoT scalability with EDGEBoost I/O technology. When combined with its super-rugged durability, it is an ideal IoT gateway solution for challenging industrial deployment applications with industrial-grade reliability.
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Read full case study >>RCO-3000 Series: High Performance in Compact Form
The RCO-3000 Series strikes a balance between performance and connectivity while maintaining a small form factor. For performance, it leverages an Intel Core TE processor to streamline mid-range edge AI workloads and provides versatile M.2 acceleration capabilities. Despite its small form factor, the RCO-3000 features plentiful IoT connectivity on-board and is scalable with modular EDGEBoost I/O technology for 10GbE LAN, PoE, and even M12 screw locking connection types. It has seen successful deployments in key Industry 4.0 applications including intelligent surveillance and security, smart cities, and factory automation.
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Read full case study >>RCO-6000 Series: Ultimate Performance and Expandability
Designed to optimize performance, scalability, and reliability, the RCO-6000 Series effectively manages edge AI workloads, even in the most challenging environments. As the highest performance industrial computer in the RCO lineup, the RCO-6000 Series provides plentiful IoT connectivity options, redundant data storage, and supports Intel Core and XEON processors. It offers fully optimized deployment capabilities with modular EDGEBoost I/O and Node technologies to meet high-specification requirements such as GPU support and PoE support.
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Read full case study >>X86 Super-Rugged RCO Series for Industry 4.0 Deployments
Premio’s RCO Series re-defines rugged edge computing by offering comprehensive solutions optimized to meet the demands requirements of Industry 4.0 applications. With super-rugged durability, real-time performance capabilities, extensive IoT connectivity, and scalable EDGEBoost technologies, this series of industrial computers are engineered to excel in diverse high-specification deployment challenges. The availability of three scalable models ensures that organizations are leveraging the most optimal configuration for their needs. The RCO Series is purpose-built for the rugged edge in the edge continuum as an edge computing hardware solution for navigating the complexities of Industry 4.0 and driving operational excellence in the most rugged environments.