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ALIX 3d3 Micro PC
LX800/256MB/USB/VGA/audio/1lan/2miniPCI
The ideal platform for D-STAR hotspots ! |
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For systems that must be small and lightweight
(portable hotspots or repeaters, for example), or systems where DC power
usage is an issue (portable systems, solar-powered systems), a "mini"
PC
can often be used instead of a full-blown PC. Such
mini PC's are usually designed for use as a dedicated system for
industrial control, for telemetry data processing, or even as a media
player at home or in an RV!
![[Click for larger version]](images/alix-3d3-box_sm.jpg)
One such platform is the ALIX series of
Mini-ATX and Micro-ATX PC systems made by PC Engines GmbH in
Switzerland.
Designed for use in routers, firewalls, telemetry
appliances and so on, the ALIX series of systems now also find their way
into the world of Amateur Radio.
The 3D3 model of this family of
products is a fully-loaded standard PC, including Ethernet networking,
USB connectivity and a VGA display port:
| System Specs: |
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CPU: 500 MHz AMD Geode LX800 |
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DRAM: 256 MB DDR DRAM |
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Storage: CompactFlash socket |
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Power: DC jack or passive POE, min. 7V to max. 20V |
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Three LEDs |
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Expansion: 2 miniPCI slots, LPC bus |
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Connectivity: 1 Ethernet channel (Via VT6105M 10/100) |
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I/O: DB9 serial port, dual USB, VGA, audio headphone /
microphone |
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RTC battery |
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Board size: 100 x 160 mm |
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Firmware: Award BIOS |
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| Customer options: |
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I2C bus, buzzer |
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| Documentation: |
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User
Manual,
Schematics |
As it is mostly a standard PC based on the AMD Geode
processor with a VIA support chipset, most operating systems will easily
install. Linux systems are known to have all support already built
in; for Windows systems you can download additional drivers
here from our website.
To make things easy for you, we have put together three system bundles,
as not all people have the same, but similar, requirements:
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EU Bundle (EU 18V power supply)
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US Bundle (U.S. 18V power supply)
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Standard Bundle (no power supply)
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Each bundle contains:
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ALIX 3d3 System Board
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PC-Engines "Box2C" aluminium indoor enclosure
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PC-Engines aluminum enclosure front panel for 3d3
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High-speed SLC 4GB CompactFlash card for storage
Also included in the package is a CD
containing a pre-installed CentOS Linux image, as well as our
own "CFtool" program, which is a nice, simple tool for Windows users
to easily copy image files to a CF card, and, obviously, from a CF card
back to a file on disk. Remember, always keep a backup copy of
a CF card!
We have been using these systems on a number of
D-STAR hotspots and repeaters, without any problems whatsoever.
Some run Linux-based applications (NI-Star (ULF) software by David
G4ULF, ircDDB-GW by KI4LKF, etc), and some run Windows-based
applications (DVAR Hotspot by KB9KHM, or our own DV Node (WinDV)
software), all on the same low-power platform.
These systems and their options can be ordered through our Web Shop.
ORDERS CONTAINING THESE ITEMS
WILL ALWAYS BE SENT USING TRACKING AND INSURANCE. MAKE SURE TO SELECT
THIS IN THE SHOP IF NOT DONE SO AUTOMATICALLY !!