What are the key features of the ACS-ALUC compact system?

The ACS-ALUC is a fanless compact system with 12th/13th Gen Intel Core i3/i5 (15W) processors, DDR4 3200MHz up to 32GB, triple M.2 expansion (Key-E/B/M), 4 x front RS-232, 6 x rear USB 3.2 Gen1, DP++ and HDMI, and dual Ethernet (Intel I226-V 2.5GbE + I219-V GbE) in a 180 x 136 x 40 mm chassis.

Which processors does the ACS-ALUC support?

It supports 12th and 13th Generation Intel Core i3 and i5 processors in the 15W class (e.g. i3-1215U, i5-1235U), offering substantially more compute than Atom/N-class mini systems while remaining fanless.

How much memory and storage does the ACS-ALUC support?

It supports a single DDR4 3200MHz SO-DIMM up to 32GB and an M.2 Key-M 2280 slot for SSD storage, with additional M.2 Key-B and Key-E slots for expansion.

What display outputs does the ACS-ALUC have?

It provides DP++ and HDMI outputs via the processor's Intel integrated graphics, supporting dual-display industrial HMI, dashboards, and signage.

What I/O does the ACS-ALUC offer?

I/O includes four front RS-232 COM ports, six rear USB 3.2 Gen1 ports, DP++ and HDMI, line-out + mic audio, and a 12V DC input.

What networking does the ACS-ALUC include?

It has dual Ethernet via an Intel I226-V 2.5 Gigabit controller and an Intel I219-V Gigabit controller, enabling high-speed plus standard network connections.

Is the ACS-ALUC ruggedized?

Yes. It is validated to 1.5Grms vibration (IEC 60068-2-64), 11ms half-sine shock (IEC 60068-2-27), and ISTA 2A / IEC-60068-2-32 drop testing for reliable industrial use.

What power input does the ACS-ALUC require?

It uses a 12V DC input and is typically supplied with a 120W adapter (barebone or pre-configured ordering options are available).

What ordering configurations are available for the ACS-ALUC?

Options include barebone or pre-configured units with Core i3-1215U or i5-1235U, e.g. ACS-ALUC-A1-1R/2R (i3) and A1-3R/4R (i5), with DDR4 8GB and M.2 128GB on configured SKUs.

What applications is the ACS-ALUC best suited for?

With 15W Core performance, rich serial I/O, 2.5GbE networking, and rugged testing, the ACS-ALUC suits machine control, machine vision, edge analytics, retail/POS, and industrial gateway roles needing more than Atom-class compute.

Avalue · Computing System

ACS-ALUC

Data Sheet

*Price on request. Contact us for a quote.

Manufacturer: Avalue

Highlights

12th/13th Gen Intel Core i3/i5 (15W) processor, fanless
1 x DDR4 3200MHz SO-DIMM, up to 32GB
Triple M.2 expansion: Key-E 2230, Key-B 2242/3052, Key-M 2280
4 x front RS-232 (DB9), 6 x rear USB 3.2 Gen1
DP++ and HDMI display output
Intel I226-V 2.5GbE + Intel I219-V Gigabit Ethernet
12V DC input
Vibration / shock / drop tested
180 x 136 x 40 mm, Windows 10/11 / Linux

Product Description

The Avalue ACS-ALUC is a compact fanless industrial computing system powered by 12th/13th Generation Intel Core i3/i5 (15W) processors, delivering notably higher performance than Atom-class mini systems while retaining a quiet, rugged 180 x 136 x 40 mm chassis.

It supports DDR4 3200MHz memory up to 32GB and triple M.2 expansion (Key-E, Key-B, Key-M) with an M.2 Key-M 2280 slot for SSD storage.

For industrial integration the ACS-ALUC offers four front RS-232 (DB9) COM ports, six rear USB 3.2 Gen1 ports, DP++ and HDMI display, and dual Ethernet via Intel I226-V 2.5GbE and Intel I219-V Gigabit controllers.

A 12V DC input and validated vibration, shock and drop testing make it a dependable mid-performance node for machine control, vision, and edge workloads on Windows 10/11 or Linux.

Technical Specifications

Processor

12th/13th Gen. Intel® Core™ i3/i5 (15W) processor

System Memory

1 x 260-pin DDR4 3200 SO-DIMM up to 32GB

M.2

1 x M.2 Key-E 2230 (PCIE)

1 x M.2 Key-B 2242/3052 (PCIE+USB2.0+USB3.0)

1 x M.2 Key-M 2280 (PCIE)

M.2

1 x M.2 Key-M 2280

COM Port

4 x RS232(Front)

USB

6 x USB 3.2 Gen1(Rear)

Audio

1 x Line-Out+Mic

DP

1 x DP++

HDMI

1 x HDMI

AC/DC Input

DC 12V

LAN Chipset

1 x I226V 1GbE

1 x I219V 1GbE

OS

Win10, Win11, Linux

Operating Temp.

-10°C ~50°C (14°F ~ 122°F) with 0.5m/s air flow

Dimension (W x L x H)

180mm x 136mm x 40mm

Vibration Test

with SSD: 1.5Grms, IEC 60068-2-64, Random, 5 ~ 500Hz, 30min/axis

Shock Test

IEC 60068-2-27, Half Sine, 11ms

Drop Test

ISTA 2A, IEC-60068-2-32 Test : Ed, 1 Corner, 3 Edges, 6 Faces

Ordering Information

ACS-ALUC-A1-1R:, ACS-ALUC Compact System w/i3-1215U w/ECM-ALUC,Barebone with 120W Power Adapter, ACS-ALUC-A1-2R:, ACS-ALUC Compact System w/i3-1215U,DDR4 8GB,M.2 2280 128GB, 120W Power Adapter, ACS-ALUC-A1-3R:, ACS-ALUC Compact System w/i5-1235U w/ECM-ALUC,Barebone with 120W Power Adapter, ACS-ALUC-A1-4R:, ACS-ALUC Compact System w/i5-1235U,DDR4 8GB,M.2 2280 128GB, 120W Power Adapter

What is ACS-ALUC?

The ACS-ALUC is a computing system manufactured by Avalue, designed specifically for compact-computing-system applications. The Avalue ACS-ALUC is a compact fanless industrial computing system powered by 12th/13th Generation Intel Core i3/i5 (15W) processors, delivering notably higher performance than Atom-class mini systems while retaining a quiet, rugged 180 x 136 x 40 mm chassis. It supports DDR4 3200MHz memory up to 32GB and triple M.2 expansion (Key-E, Key-B, Key-M) with an M.2 Key-M 2280 slot for SSD storage. For industrial integration the ACS-ALUC offers four front RS-232 (DB9) COM ports, six rear USB 3.2 Gen1 ports, DP++ and HDMI display, and dual Ethernet via Intel I226-V 2.5GbE and Intel I219-V Gigabit controllers. A 12V DC input and validated vibration, shock and drop testing make it a dependable mid-performance node for machine control, vision, and edge workloads on Windows 10/11 or Linux.

Key Features & Benefits

12th/13th Gen Intel Core i3/i5 (15W) processor, fanless
1 x DDR4 3200MHz SO-DIMM, up to 32GB
Triple M.2 expansion: Key-E 2230, Key-B 2242/3052, Key-M 2280
4 x front RS-232 (DB9), 6 x rear USB 3.2 Gen1
DP++ and HDMI display output
Intel I226-V 2.5GbE + Intel I219-V Gigabit Ethernet
12V DC input
Vibration / shock / drop tested
180 x 136 x 40 mm, Windows 10/11 / Linux

Applications & Use Cases

The ACS-ALUC is ideal for various industrial automation applications:

Rugged industrial applications with high durability requirements
Dust-sensitive environments and silent operation requirements
DC-powered industrial installations and mobile applications
Legacy equipment integration and serial communication
High-performance computing and data processing tasks
Networked industrial systems and data communication
Peripheral device connectivity and data transfer
Memory-intensive applications and multitasking

Frequently Asked Questions

A Compact Computing System (CCS) is a small form factor computer designed for industrial and commercial applications with limited space. These systems feature reduced physical dimensions while maintaining essential computing capabilities, I/O connectivity, and industrial-grade reliability. CCS units are ideal for edge computing, IoT gateways, digital signage, automation control, and various embedded applications where space efficiency is crucial.

Compact Computing Systems offer numerous advantages including smaller physical footprint for space-constrained deployments, lower power consumption, fanless cooling for dusty environments, wide temperature operation, industrial-grade components for 24/7 reliability, extended product lifecycles, multiple mounting options, extensive I/O capabilities in a small package, and resistance to shock and vibration for challenging environments.

Compact Computing Systems utilize a range of processors including Intel Celeron, Pentium, Core, and Atom series; AMD Ryzen Embedded processors; and ARM-based SoCs. The selection depends on the performance requirements, with options ranging from low-power, efficient processors for basic tasks to high-performance multi-core CPUs for demanding applications like AI inference, machine vision, and multi-display control systems.

Compact Computing Systems achieve fanless cooling through advanced thermal design including extruded aluminum chassis that act as heat sinks, internal heat pipes that transfer heat from components to the chassis, strategic component layout to optimize heat dissipation, thermal interface materials to improve heat transfer, and specially designed fins or ridges on external surfaces to increase the cooling area. This passive cooling approach eliminates noise, prevents dust ingress, and improves system reliability.

Compact Computing Systems offer versatile mounting options including DIN rail mounting for industrial control cabinets, VESA mounting for attachment to monitors or walls (typically using 75mm or 100mm patterns), wall mounting with specific brackets, desktop placement with rubber feet, rack shelf mounting, and specialized vehicle or machinery mounts. This flexibility allows CCS units to be installed in virtually any environment where space is limited.

Compact Computing Systems typically support a wide range of operating systems including Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, Windows 11 Pro/Enterprise, various Linux distributions (Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, Yocto), real-time operating systems (VxWorks, QNX, RTX), and specialized industrial distributions. Most models provide driver support for both 64-bit and 32-bit operating systems, and many include pre-activation options for Windows or pre-installation services. The specific BIOS/UEFI configurations and driver packages are optimized for industrial applications with long-term deployment requirements and enhanced stability.

Compact Computing Systems typically feature robust networking capabilities including dual Intel Gigabit Ethernet ports supporting teaming and redundancy, Wake-on-LAN functionality, PXE boot support, jumbo frames up to 9KB, IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol support, specialized industrial Ethernet protocol support (EtherCAT, Profinet, EtherNet/IP), optional fiber network interfaces for extended distance or high EMI environments, Wi-Fi 6/6E options supporting 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, Bluetooth 5.x for peripheral connectivity, 4G/5G cellular options for remote deployments, and advanced packet handling capabilities supporting Quality of Service (QoS) and network segregation through VLANs.

Compact Computing Systems offer diverse storage options including high-speed NVMe SSDs in M.2 form factors (2242/2280), SATA SSDs in both M.2 and 2.5" formats, industrial-grade eMMC embedded storage, mSATA modules, optional CFast or SD card slots for removable storage, RAID configurations (0/1/5) on models with multiple storage interfaces, enterprise-grade SSD options with enhanced write endurance (up to 30 DWPD), MLC or 3D TLC NAND technology optimized for industrial temperature ranges, storage devices with power loss protection for data integrity, and conformal-coated storage components for humidity and contaminant resistance in harsh environments.

Compact Computing Systems address security through multiple layers including TPM 2.0 modules for hardware-based security and encryption, UEFI Secure Boot preventing unauthorized boot loaders and operating systems, configurable I/O port disabling capability, optional intrusion detection switches, secure firmware update mechanisms with cryptographic verification, write-protected system partitions, storage device encryption support, optional removable storage with physical security features, support for advanced authentication including biometrics when paired with appropriate peripherals, AMT remote management with secured communication, and compliance with various security standards including NIST guidelines for industrial control systems.

Compact Computing Systems implement comprehensive power management including wide-range DC input supporting industrial power sources (typically 9-36V DC), reverse polarity protection preventing damage from incorrect connections, power surge and transient voltage protection, advanced power states (S0-S5) with configurable wake events, intelligent hibernate capabilities for power failure scenarios, programmable power-on scheduling, watchdog timers ensuring system recovery from software failures, remote power control options via network, GPIO-triggered power modes, graceful shutdown sequencing, battery backup options on select models, and compliance with Energy Star and similar efficiency standards while maintaining industrial-grade reliability and performance.

When mounting Compact Computing Systems, key considerations include ensuring adequate clearance around all sides for proper air circulation (typically 5-10cm minimum), selecting appropriate mounting location away from direct heat sources or extreme vibration, using all designated mounting points with proper hardware to ensure stability, maintaining accessibility to I/O ports and power connections for future maintenance, considering cable management to prevent strain on connectors, ensuring proper orientation as specified in the manual (some units have preferred mounting direction for optimal cooling), verifying weight support capacity of mounting surfaces, providing proper grounding connection, and following industry-specific regulations for equipment installation in specialized environments like transportation or hazardous locations.

For reliable power connection to Compact Computing Systems, several practices are recommended: using the manufacturer-specified power supply or ensuring third-party supplies meet all voltage/current requirements, implementing proper wire gauge selection based on distance and current requirements, adding ferrules to stranded wire ends for secure terminal connections, installing surge protection devices for installations in electrically noisy environments, applying proper torque to terminal screws preventing both loose connections and hardware damage, adding strain relief to prevent cable movement from affecting connections, considering redundant power sources for critical applications, incorporating a buffer/isolation transformer in environments with unstable power, and implementing proper labeling and documentation of power connections for future maintenance.

Critical environmental factors for Compact Computing System installation include ambient temperature ranges (ensuring deployment within the specified operating temperature limits), relative humidity levels (typically 5-95% non-condensing), altitude considerations affecting thermal performance, air quality assessment including dust, corrosive gases, or conductive particulates requiring additional protection, vibration and shock profiles in the installation location, electromagnetic interference sources that may require additional shielding, adequate ventilation ensuring passive cooling can function effectively, protection from direct sunlight or water exposure, consideration of acoustic requirements in noise-sensitive environments, and potential for temperature cycling that may affect component reliability over time.

Best practices for cable management with Compact Computing Systems include using appropriate length cables to minimize excess loops and clutter, implementing proper cable routing to avoid sharp bends exceeding minimum bend radius, applying strain relief to prevent connector damage from cable weight or movement, separating power and signal cables to reduce interference, using shielded cables in high-EMI environments, labeling all connections clearly for future maintenance, securing cables with proper ties or channels without overly compressing them, maintaining accessibility for future changes or troubleshooting, ensuring airflow isn't blocked by cable bundles, using locking connectors where available to prevent accidental disconnection, and considering environmental factors like temperature, UV exposure, or chemical presence when selecting cable types.

Recommended initial setup and BIOS configuration steps include updating to the latest stable BIOS version before deployment, configuring boot device priority and secure boot settings according to security requirements, adjusting power management settings for the specific application needs, enabling or disabling unused I/O ports for security and resource optimization, configuring watchdog timer parameters for appropriate application monitoring, setting correct date/time and configuring NTP synchronization if available, adjusting fan control settings on models with active cooling, configuring remote management features if applicable, saving BIOS settings to profile for quick recovery if needed, documenting all custom BIOS settings for future reference, and performing a controlled power cycle to verify all settings are properly applied and retained.

To diagnose power-related issues, follow these steps: verify input power is within the specified range using a multimeter, check power adapter or supply functionality with known working equipment if possible, inspect power connectors for damage or loose connections, look for status LEDs indicating power state (many units have power good indicators), disconnect all peripherals to eliminate potential short circuits, verify internal CMOS battery if system loses settings, test with alternative power source if available, check for overheating that might trigger thermal protection shutdown, inspect for physical damage that could affect power circuits, and consult system logs through BIOS or operating system for power event errors. If the system has redundant power, verify each power input independently.

If a Compact Computing System fails to boot, follow this systematic approach: verify power supply and connections are functioning correctly, check for any status LEDs or beep codes indicating specific errors, disconnect all external devices except display and essential input devices, try resetting BIOS to default settings using the clear CMOS jumper or button, test with alternative known-working memory if applicable, verify boot device is functioning and properly connected, check for physical damage to components, try booting from recovery media or USB if supported, check display connection and try alternative display or output port, inspect for signs of moisture or corrosion that could cause electrical issues, and review recent changes to hardware or firmware that might have precipitated the issue.

To resolve network connectivity issues: verify physical connection with working ethernet cable and check port LEDs for link status, confirm network interface is enabled in BIOS and not disabled by operating system, check IP configuration settings including possible IP conflicts, verify switch/router port functionality, test with alternative network if available, update network interface drivers to latest stable version, check for MAC address filtering on the network that might block the device, inspect system logs for network-related errors, try disabling and re-enabling the interface, test with static IP instead of DHCP to eliminate addressing issues, and verify no hardware security features are blocking network traffic. For wireless connectivity, also check antenna connections and potential interference sources.

For thermal issues or unexpected shutdowns: check ambient temperature is within specified operating range, ensure all chassis vents are clear of dust and obstructions, verify proper mounting orientation allowing for designed airflow patterns, inspect heat sinks for dust accumulation or detachment from thermal pads, monitor internal temperature using BIOS or operating system utilities, reduce computational load temporarily to see if stability improves, check for processes consuming excessive CPU resources, ensure BIOS and hardware drivers are updated to latest stable versions, verify power supply is adequate for the configuration, inspect logs for thermal events or critical errors preceding shutdowns, and consider adding auxiliary cooling for extreme environments if compatible with the system's environmental rating.

To troubleshoot storage issues or data corruption: run diagnostic utilities provided by the operating system or storage manufacturer to check device health, verify proper connection of storage devices including seating of M.2 or other modular storage, check SMART attributes for early failure indicators, scan for file system errors using appropriate utilities, test with known-good storage device if possible, verify stable power supply as fluctuations can cause corruption, check for excessive vibration that might affect mechanical drives, update storage controller drivers and firmware, inspect logs for I/O errors or unusual patterns, consider potential security issues like malware causing corruption, backup data immediately if possible when corruption is detected, and for critical systems, consider implementing RAID configurations to provide redundancy against single device failure.

ACS-ALUC

Highlights

Product Description

Technical Specifications

System Information

Processor

System Memory

Expansion

M.2

Storage

M.2

Front I/O

COM Port

Rear I/O

USB

Audio

DP

HDMI

AC/DC Input

Ethernet

LAN Chipset

Software Support

OS

Mechanical & Environmental

Operating Temp.

Dimension (W x L x H)

Vibration Test

Shock Test

Drop Test

Ordering Information

Ordering Information

What is ACS-ALUC?

Key Features & Benefits

Applications & Use Cases

Frequently Asked Questions