| Rugged Linux wrist computer upgraded |
Nov. 17, 2008
 Just in time for the latest 007 movie release, Eurotech subsidiary Parvus announced a new version of its military-targeted personal wrist computer. The Linux-ready Zypad WR1100 offers a faster Marvell PXA 270 processor, more memory, a higher-resolution display, plus ZigBee and fingerprint scanner options.
(Click for larger view of Zypad WR1100)
Designed for harsh field conditions where hands-free operation is desirable, the Zypad WR1100 is designed to meet MIL-STD-810F environmental and MIL-STD-461E EMI requirements, says Parvus. The GPS-enhanced device is aimed at military, homeland defense, first responder, security, and emergency service field and in-vehicle applications.
Parvus Zypad WL-1000
(Click for details) |
The first Parvus Zypad, the still-supported WL-1000 (pictured at right) shipped in 2006. Later that year Frost & Sullivan awarded the device a 2006 Product Innovation Award in the field of "ambient intelligence."
Whereas the WL-1000 offers a choice of Linux or Windows CE, the new WR1100 is offered exclusively with Linux. In place of the Raza Microelectronics 32-bit MIPS-based AU 1100, the WR100 is equipped with a Marvell PXA 270 clocked at 416MHz, and it comes with 256MB RAM, 128MB flash, and an SD card, says Parvus. The device offers a higher-resolution (640 x 480) 3.5-inch touchscreen that is said to be protected against water and dust ingress.
Zypad WR1100
(Click to enlarge)
Like its predecessor, the WR1100 is equipped with 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth, a GPS receiver, and accelerometers. In addition, it provides a ZigBee short-range wireless option in place of the Bluetooth radio, and also offers options for an electronic compass and a biometric fingerprint sensor, says the company. Other options in the modular design include hot-swapping the GPS receiver with a GPRS cellular module.
The rugged device comes in a fiberglass-reinforced nylon/magnesium alloy case, and offers a rigid wrist support system with ergonomic positioning controls, says Parvus. Like the original Zypad, the WR1100 offers an orientation sensor that detects when the user lowers the arm on which the device is strapped, and automatically places the unit in a standby mode to conserve power. A "tilt and dead reckoning system," meanwhile, can determine if a user is motionless or has fallen down, resulting in the transmission of a locator beacon signal.
 
Zypad WR1100, with and without wrist-strap
(Click on either to enlarge)
Specifications listed for the WR1100 include:- Processor -- Marvell PXA 270 416MHz
- Memory -- 256MB RAM; 128MB flash
- Expansion -- SD memory card interface
- Display -- 3.5-inch VGA (640 x 480) color touchscreen; shock-resistant; optional night-vision compliance
- Keyboard -- cursor pad and virtual QWERTY onscreen keyboard
- Pen input -- stylus
- LEDs -- power, charge, WPAN, WLAN, alarm
- Audio -- AC97 codec; integrated mic and speaker; optional 3.5mm stereo or microphone sockets
- USB -- 1 x USB Device port; 1 x USB Host port
- WiFi -- IEEE 802.11b/g
- Bluetooth -- Class 2; optional swap-out for ZigBee
- GPS -- 12-channel receiver; DGPS and SBAS (WASS, EGNOS) support; optional swap-out for GPRS cellular radio
- Other features -- accelerometer; biometric fingerprint reader; optional electronic compass
- Operating temperature -- -4 to 140 deg. F (-20 to 60 deg. C)
- Shock and vibration -- meets MIL-STD-810F (Methods 516.5, 514.5C-17)
- Weight -- 1.4 lbs (645 gr)
- Power -- 3.6V Li-Ion hot-swappable battery; optional AC adapter for 100-240V AC 50-60Hz 400mA input
- Operating system -- Linux, based on kernel 2.6
Availability
The Zypad WR1100 is now available "from stock to 12 weeks lead-time," says Parvus. More information may be found here.
Parvus is showing the WR1100 at its booth 1109 at MILCOM 2008 this week at the San Diego Convention Center. Sponsored by the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the MILCOM show runs from Nov. 17-19.
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