1. Product Overview

Product Name: ARS-1500
Model: ARS-1500
Series: ARS-1000 Series (Fanless Embedded Controller Family)
Article Number: ARS-1500
Manufacturer: Vecow Co., Ltd.

The Vecow ARS-1500 is a high-performance, fanless embedded automation controller designed for industrial and embedded computing applications. It belongs to the ARS-1000 series, a family of rugged, compact, and energy-efficient controllers built around the Intel® Atom™ D525 processor. The ARS-1500 model distinguishes itself within the series by offering an expanded number of serial communication ports (8 COM ports), isolated digital I/O, dual Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, and versatile expansion capabilities through Mini PCIe and PC/104+ slots. Engineered for reliability in harsh environments, the ARS-1500 supports wide temperature operation, vibration and shock resistance, and flexible mounting options for wall or DIN-rail installations.

---

2. Key Features

- Fanless Embedded Design: The ARS-1500 employs a completely fanless thermal architecture, utilizing an aluminum heat-sink chassis for passive cooling. This design ensures silent operation, reduced maintenance, and enhanced reliability in dusty or vibration-prone environments.
- Intel® Atom™ D525 Processor: Powered by a dual-core Intel® Atom™ D525 CPU (1M Cache, 1.8GHz) paired with the Intel® ICH8M chipset, the system delivers efficient computing performance with low power consumption, ideal for automation and control tasks.
- Dual Gigabit Ethernet Ports: Equipped with two Intel® WG82583V Gigabit Ethernet controllers, the ARS-1500 provides high-speed, redundant network connectivity for industrial communication and remote management.
- Rich Serial Communication Interfaces: The ARS-1500 offers eight COM ports, including multiple RS-232 and RS-232/422/485 interfaces with automatic flow control, supporting a wide range of legacy and modern serial devices.
- Isolated Digital I/O: Features 16-channel isolated GPIO (8 digital inputs and 8 digital outputs) with 24V sink/wet contact support, enabling safe and reliable integration with industrial sensors, actuators, and control systems.
- Dual Independent Display Support: Supports VGA (DB15) and DVI/HDMI or 24-bit LVDS outputs for dual-display configurations, suitable for HMI, monitoring, and visualization applications.
- Flexible Expansion: Includes one Mini PCIe slot and PC/104+ expansion interface for additional modules such as data acquisition, communication, or fieldbus cards.
- External CFast Slot: Provides an externally accessible CFast port for quick storage access and system updates without disassembly.
- Comprehensive OS Support: Compatible with Windows XP Embedded, Windows XP Professional, and various Linux distributions (Fedora 11, Ubuntu 10.04, CentOS 5.3), ensuring broad software integration.
- Wide Operating Temperature Range: Designed for rugged environments with operational stability from -20°C to +70°C (-4°F to +157°F).
- Compact and Rugged Construction: The 186 × 147 × 79 mm aluminum chassis provides durability and efficient heat dissipation while maintaining a small footprint for space-constrained installations.

---

3. Technical Specifications

Processor: Intel® Atom™ D525, dual-core, 1M Cache, 1.8GHz
Chipset: Intel® ICH8M
Memory: Supports up to 4GB DDR3 SO-DIMM (single channel, two slots)
Storage:
- Internal 2.5" SATA/SATA II bay for HDD or SSD
- External accessible CFast slot for solid-state storage or OS deployment

Display Interfaces:
- VGA (DB15 connector)
- DVI/HDMI or 24-bit LVDS (internal)
- Dual independent display support

Audio:
- Internal stereo headphone output
- Internal microphone input

Networking:
- 2 × Intel® WG82583V Gigabit Ethernet ports

Serial Communication:
- 8 × COM ports (combination of RS-232 and RS-232/422/485 with automatic flow control)

USB Interfaces:
- 5 × USB 2.0 ports (2 front, 2 internal, 1 via Mini PCIe)

Digital I/O:
- 16-channel isolated GPIO (8 DI / 8 DO, 24V sink/wet contact)
- Programmable GPIO-4 for status/mode LED display
- 16-step rotary switch for mode selection

Expansion Slots:
- 1 × Mini PCIe slot
- 1 × PC/104+ expansion interface

Power Supply:
- Input voltage: 16–28 VDC
- On-board DC-to-DC power conversion
- ATX 2-pin remote power on/off switch
- Optional AT mode via jumper setting

Mechanical & Environmental:
- Dimensions: 186 mm (W) × 147 mm (D) × 79 mm (H)
- Weight: Approx. 2.1 kg (4.5 lb)
- Enclosure: Aluminum heat-sink with sheet metal chassis, iron-gray finish
- Mounting: Wall-mount or DIN-rail compatible
- Operating temperature: -20°C to +70°C
- Storage temperature: -40°C to +85°C
- Operating humidity: 20–95% (non-condensing)
- Storage humidity: 0–90% RH @ 40°C (non-condensing)
- Shock resistance:
- CFast: 50G @ wall-mount, half sine, 11ms
- HDD: 20G @ wall-mount, half sine, 11ms
- Vibration resistance:
- CFast: 5 Grms @ 5–500Hz
- HDD: 1 Grms @ 5–500Hz

Certifications: CE, FCC Class A

---

4. Functionality

The ARS-1500 functions as a compact, fanless embedded controller optimized for industrial automation, machine control, and data acquisition. Its Intel® Atom™ D525 processor provides sufficient computational power for real-time control, monitoring, and communication tasks while maintaining low thermal output.

The system’s dual Gigabit Ethernet ports enable redundant or segmented network configurations, ensuring reliable connectivity in industrial networks. The eight serial ports support a wide range of industrial communication protocols, allowing integration with PLCs, sensors, barcode scanners, and legacy serial devices.

The isolated digital I/O channels provide safe interfacing with external control signals, protecting the system from voltage spikes and electrical noise. The programmable GPIO and rotary switch allow flexible configuration of system modes and status indicators, enhancing adaptability in field deployments.

The ARS-1500 supports dual independent displays, making it suitable for operator panels, HMI terminals, or monitoring stations. Its Mini PCIe and PC/104+ expansion slots allow integration of additional communication modules (e.g., CAN, fieldbus, or wireless adapters), extending its functionality for specialized applications.

Typical use cases include:
- Factory automation and process control
- Machine vision and inspection systems
- Transportation and fleet management
- Energy monitoring and smart grid control
- Industrial data logging and SCADA systems
- Embedded control in kiosks, digital signage, or robotics

---

5. Components & Accessories

Included Components:
- ARS-1500 main unit (fanless embedded controller)
- YCB-D15D9 cable set (4 pieces): DB15 to dual DB9 connectors for serial port expansion
- Mounting brackets for wall or DIN-rail installation

Optional Accessories:
- PWA-60WP3: 60W, 24V DC power adapter (100–240 VAC input)
- SCSI-20P-100: 20-pin SCSI cable, 1 meter length
- TMB-SCSI-20P: Terminal board with one 20-pin SCSI connector and DIN-rail mounting support

Connectors:
- DB15 VGA connector
- Dual RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet ports
- USB Type-A connectors (front and internal)
- DB9 serial connectors (via YCB-D15D9 cables)
- 20-pin SCSI connector for digital I/O interface

---

6. Installation & Setup

The ARS-1500 is designed for flexible installation in industrial environments. It supports both wall-mount and DIN-rail mounting configurations, allowing integration into control cabinets, machinery enclosures, or rack systems.

Installation Requirements:
- DC power input between 16 and 28 VDC
- Adequate airflow around the chassis for passive heat dissipation
- Secure grounding to prevent electrical interference

Setup Procedure:
1. Mount the unit using the provided wall or DIN-rail brackets.
2. Connect the DC power supply (16–28 VDC) to the power input terminal.
3. Attach peripheral devices via USB, Ethernet, and serial ports.
4. Insert storage media (HDD/SSD or CFast card) as required.
5. Configure BIOS and OS settings for desired operation mode.
6. Optionally, install expansion modules via Mini PCIe or PC/104+ interfaces.

The system supports both ATX and AT power modes, selectable via jumper settings. The ATX mode allows remote power on/off control through a 2-pin connector, suitable for automated or remote-controlled systems.

---

7. Performance & Capabilities

The ARS-1500 delivers a balance of performance, efficiency, and reliability tailored for embedded and industrial applications. The Intel® Atom™ D525 dual-core processor provides sufficient processing power for multitasking, data acquisition, and control logic execution while maintaining low power consumption and minimal heat generation.

Performance Highlights:
- Processing Efficiency: Dual-core 1.8GHz CPU with 1MB cache ensures responsive performance for real-time control and monitoring.
- Memory Capacity: Up to 4GB DDR3 SO-DIMM supports moderate multitasking and data buffering.
- Storage Flexibility: Dual storage options (2.5" SATA drive and CFast card) allow separation of OS and data storage or redundancy configurations.
- Network Throughput: Dual Gigabit Ethernet interfaces enable high-speed data transfer and network redundancy.
- I/O Capability: 8 COM ports and 16 isolated DIO channels provide extensive connectivity for industrial devices.
- Environmental Resilience: Operates reliably across wide temperature ranges and under vibration/shock conditions typical of industrial environments.

Limitations:
- Memory limited to 4GB maximum due to chipset constraints.
- No built-in wireless connectivity (requires optional Mini PCIe module).
- Graphics performance suitable for 2D and basic 3D visualization but not for high-end rendering.

---

8. Standards & Compliance

The ARS-1500 meets key industrial and regulatory standards to ensure safety, reliability, and electromagnetic compatibility:

- CE Certification: Conforms to European safety and EMC directives for industrial equipment.
- FCC Class A Compliance: Meets U.S. Federal Communications Commission standards for electromagnetic emissions in commercial and industrial environments.
- Environmental Standards:
- Shock: IEC 68-2-27 (50G for CFast, 20G for HDD, half sine, 11ms)
- Vibration: IEC 68-2-64 (Random 1 octave/min, 1hr/axis; 5 Grms for CFast, 1 Grms for HDD)
- RoHS Compliance: Manufactured using lead-free and environmentally safe materials.

These certifications confirm the ARS-1500’s suitability for deployment in regulated industrial and embedded environments where reliability and compliance are mandatory.

---

9. Additional Information

Warranty:
Vecow provides a standard limited warranty covering manufacturing defects and hardware reliability. Warranty terms may vary by region and distributor but typically include one to three years of coverage.

Technical Support:
Comprehensive technical support is available through Vecow’s global service network, including driver updates, BIOS revisions, and OS image support for Windows and Linux platforms.

Maintenance:
The fanless design minimizes maintenance requirements. Periodic inspection of connectors and cleaning of external surfaces are recommended to ensure optimal thermal performance. Storage devices (HDD/SSD/CFast) should be monitored for wear in high-duty-cycle applications.

Software & Firmware Updates:
Vecow provides downloadable BIOS and driver updates to maintain compatibility with evolving operating systems and peripheral devices. Linux kernel support ensures long-term software sustainability for embedded deployments.

Customization Options:
- Custom chassis color or front panel design available upon request.
- Optional integration of additional communication modules (e.g., CAN bus, 1394a, or wireless).
- Configurable I/O mapping and programmable LED display modes for application-specific requirements.

---

Summary

The Vecow ARS-1500 Fanless Embedded Controller is a robust, compact, and versatile computing platform engineered for industrial automation, control, and embedded applications. Combining the efficiency of the Intel® Atom™ D525 processor with extensive I/O connectivity, isolated digital interfaces, and rugged mechanical design, the ARS-1500 delivers reliable performance in demanding environments. Its fanless architecture, wide temperature tolerance, and flexible mounting options make it ideal for continuous operation in factory floors, transportation systems, and field installations. With comprehensive OS support, expansion capabilities, and compliance with industrial standards, the ARS-1500 stands as a dependable solution for modern embedded control and automation systems.