Overview
In professional off-road racing, real-time calibration and data access are critical for rapid performance gains. A leading powersports team needed a compact and rugged onboard computer that could run tuning tools and communicate directly with the vehicle’s ECU. They selected Premio’s RCO-1000-EHL-10 fanless industrial mini computer, enabling reliable CANbus connectivity, ignition-aware power control, and stable operation in harsh racing conditions.
Challenges
- Adequate processing headroom for Windows 11 IoT tuning tools while keeping power draw and heat low
- Native CAN bus connectivity for real time ECU read and write without external gateways
- Survivability under severe shock vibration dust and extreme ambient temperatures
- Space constrained mounting inside a sealed onboard enclosure
- Built in ignition control and UL compliant power behavior that follows the engine start and shutdown sequence
Solution
- Premio’s RCO-1000-EHL-10 Series fanless industrial mini computer (Intel® Atom® X6425E)
- Intel Atom X6425E platform with Windows 11 support and expandable DDR4 plus a 2.5 inch SATA bay for SSD storage
- Dual CAN 2.0 A/B via internal header for direct ECU communication
- Adjustable power ignition management with 9 to 36 VDC wide input and automotive friendly protections
- Rugged small footprint with wide temperature 50G shock 5 Grms vibration flexible wall side VESA or DIN mounting and high speed I/O including 2.5GbE and USB 3.2 Gen 2
Benefits
- Real time ECU tuning and telemetry in the field
- Race proven reliability in heat dust shock and vibration
- Simple vehicle integration and future ready connectivity
Company Overview
A global powersports innovator designs, engineers, and manufactures off‑road vehicles, snowmobiles, motorcycles, and boats for both consumers and professional teams. The organization excels at blending mechanical performance with digital platforms that enrich the rider and technician experience. Future growth is focused on connected, data‑driven capabilities that shorten development cycles and elevate performance on any terrain.
The Challenges
Compute Requirements for On-Vehicle Calibration
Race‑day calibration tools demand enough CPU headroom to log data, plot signals, and apply map changes instantly. The team needed a small PC that could run Windows 11 IoT reliably without thermal throttling in tight spaces. Power budgets onboard the vehicle also required efficient silicon to protect alternators and batteries during long tests.
Direct ECU Connectivity via CANbus
Every second counts when flashing a tune or adjusting fuel and timing maps under load. External gateway boxes added latency and points of failure the team couldn’t accept mid‑race. Native CAN bus was required to talk to the vehicle ECU directly for rapid diagnostics and updates.
Environmental Ruggedization for Off-Road Racing
Desert heat, alpine cold, washboard vibration, and hard landings are normal in off‑road development. Consumer electronics cracked, overheated, or rebooted at the worst times. The platform had to shrug off dust, shock, and wide temperature swings while maintaining data integrity.
Space-Constrained Onboard Integration
Vehicles already carry radios, dataloggers, and safety equipment in sealed compartments. Engineers needed a computer that fits neatly into existing enclosures with straightforward brackets. Flexible mounting would let crews reuse the same design across multiple vehicle types.
Automotive-Grade Power and UL Compliance
Pit crews wanted the computer to power up with ignition and shut down gracefully to protect data. Automotive power rails can spike, dip, and reverse when batteries are swapped or jump‑started. Compliance and safety teams also pushed for UL‑listed electronics that meet rigorous standards.
The Solution
Premio’s RCO-1000-EHL-10 Series fanless industrial mini computer (Intel® Atom® X6425E)
The team deployed a compact embedded system that measures roughly 150 by 105 by 49 millimeters, small enough for sealed onboard boxes. It’s built on Intel® Atom® X6425E and officially supports Windows 11, giving engineers the familiar tools they use at the shop on race day. The unit’s architecture is designed for low power draw and reliable fanless operation at the edge.
Native CAN bus for ECU Control
The computer exposes two CAN 2.0 A/B channels via an internal header, enabling direct read/write access to the ECU without third‑party gateways. Crews connect loom leads from the ECU to the internal header and manage tunes through their calibration software. This cuts latency and reduces potential failure points during hot laps and post‑run checks.
Ignition‑Aware and Automotive‑Ready Power
An adjustable ignition‑sensing feature lets the PC follow the vehicle’s start and stop behavior, while the 9–36 VDC input tolerates typical automotive rails. Built‑in protections for over‑voltage, over‑current, and reverse polarity safeguard electronics during battery swaps and on‑trail service. These capabilities simplify wiring and keep data safe during abrupt shutdowns.
Ruggedized for Heat, Shock, and Vibration
The platform is rated for ‑40°C to 70°C operation and withstands 50G shock and 5 Grms vibration when configured with SSDs. That translates to reliable logging and control through whoops, jumps, and endless corrugations. UL and industrial EMC certifications add confidence for teams that operate in complex RF environments.
Flexible Mounting and High‑Speed I/O
Crew chiefs can mount the system on wall, side, VESA, or DIN‑rail brackets to fit tight spaces in different vehicles. 2.5GbE and USB 3.2 Gen 2 accelerate log transfers and firmware updates in the pits, while expansion options support radios and cellular backhauls when needed. The combination shortens turnaround time between runs and standardizes the setup across platforms.
The Benefits
Calibration at the Speed of Racing
Direct ECU access and race‑ready compute let engineers apply updates between runs without opening sealed boxes. The result is more test cycles per day and faster iteration on powertrain strategies.
Reliability That Keeps Laps Rolling
A wide temperature envelope, shock and vibration tolerance, and UL certification help the platform run through punishing events without data loss or reboots. Fewer electronics failures mean more actionable data.
Simple Integration and Local Support
Ignition sensing, wide‑range DC input, and flexible mounting reduce installation time across vehicle variants. When questions arise, engineering support from the Los Angeles area is close at hand to keep programs moving.
Conclusion
By equipping their racing program with a compact and rugged industrial computer at the vehicle edge, the team unlocked reliable real-time ECU tuning and telemetry under extreme off-road conditions. Native CANbus, ignition-aware power, wide-temperature durability, and a shock-resistant fanless architecture made the Premio RCO-1000-EHL Series an ideal foundation for faster iteration and data-driven performance improvements.