On show in the US for the first time since its recent launch, a new single board computer (SBC) with extremely versatile, application-specific software will be one of the highlights introduced by Densitron (NAB stand C9032), a creator of display technologies and global leader in display, monitor and embedded computing solutions. Developed by the company’s Embedded division, the appropriately named “Aurora SBX™” (derived from the Latin for first light) will help engineers using Densitron displays and electronics within new broadcast applications to accelerate the development process and bring their products to market faster.
Aurora SBX™ combines with, and supports, a variety of Densitron displays to provide a Human Machine Interface (HMI) package for control or input panels, 1U or 2U rack systems and small colour displays. Designed specifically to drive various displays from within Densitron’s vast range - with PCT multitouch or haptic input and up to full HD resolution - and to fit within a 5” display outline, the package provides an out-of-the-box, development-ready solution which can be integrated without substantial development resources.
Rok Skutnik, global product manager - Embedded, Densitron comments: “Not only do we hope our new SBC will help nurture innovation and accelerate the development process among our broadcast customers, but also help to engage with those who might otherwise be hesitant in developing new, or upgrading existing products, with application-specific software and display integration.
“Densitron has always been associated with innovative displays and display technology, but is now in the unique position where it can develop, produce and support all sides of the HMI solution formula – the display and the embedded board hardware and software.”
Aurora SBX™ is a small form factor embedded board based on ARM Cortex-A9 architecture and built on the NXP i.MX6 application processor family, providing low-cost, efficient power usage and heat dissipation, making it suitable for any application across a range of markets from consumer to industrial. In addition, it is possible for the SBC to be tailored to the customers’ requirements by providing different configurations of its main components. Its main strength, however, is the seamless interaction of the HMI package components and display support, creating a development-friendly and stable environment for HMI applications.
The SBC in combination with a display, provides the main building block to drive the interface between the user and the system. In addition, Densitron provides stable software and development tools to build and run a graphics-rich GUI (graphical user interface) to present system information and provide input via touchscreen or other devices. Possible applications include control or input panels for a number of appliances and machines, IU and 2U rack displays.
Aurora SBX™ can also be used independently without a display (as a ‘headless’ device) becoming a link (controller or server) between various subsystems, gathering, storing and/or transmitting data, as well as communicating with subsystems and embedded devices using numerous supported interfaces.
In parallel with the launch of Aurora SBX™, Densitron has also released a development kit which includes everything needed to quickly setup and start the board, a choice of Linux and Android BSPs to run it, and a USB stick containing a preconfigured development virtual machine with Qt ecosystem which provides a complete application and GUI development environment. Together with a variety of Densitron Display Adapters, this kit will kick start the development of the end user’s application.
