SLP-WHG-EtherCAT

*Price on request. Contact us for a quote.

Manufacturer: Avalue

8th Gen Intel Core SoC i7/i5/i3 & Celeron BGA Processor
2 x 260-pin DDR4 2133 MHz SO-DIMM Socket, up to 32GB Max (Non ECC Only)
Rich I/O, 3-USB3.1, 3-HDMI, 4-COM, 3-LAN, 1-EtherCAT Port
1 x Key A M.2 2230 supports Wi-Fi & BT Module, 1 x M.2 Key-B 3042/2242/2260/2280 with
internal SIM slot
Fanless operation temperature from 5°C ~ 50°C
CE/FCC Class A
Wide range DC power input from +12~24V
Up to 128-axis motion control & 11200 I/O point control
EtherCAT cycle times up to 125μs
Wide range of compatible EtherCAT slaves

Product Description

The Avalue SLP-WHG-EtherCAT is an expandable industrial computing system that supports EtherCAT communication protocols, making it suitable for real-time control applications.

It features a fanless design and operates within wide temperature ranges, providing reliable performance in harsh industrial environments.

The system's modular design allows for flexibility and scalability, making it ideal for automation, robotics, and other industrial applications requiring precise communication and control

Technical Specifications

System Information

Processor

Intel® Core™ i7-8665UE Processor (15W, 8M Cache, up to 2.0 GHz)

Intel® Core™ i5-8365UE Processor (15W, 8M Cache, up to 1.8 GHz)

Intel® Core™ i3-8145UE Processor (15W, 4M Cache, up to 1.6 GHz)

Intel® Celeron® Processor 4305UE (15W, 2M Cache)

System Memory

2 x 260-pin SODIMM socket Max. up to 32GB DDR4 2133MT/s

BIOS Information

AMI uEFI BIOS 256 Mbit SPI Flash ROM

Watchdog Timer

H/W Reset, 1sec. ~ 65535sec.

H/W Status Monitor

Monitoring CPU & System Temperature and Voltage

SBC

EMX-WHLGP

TPM

Onboard TPM 2.0

Mechanical & Environmental

Operating Temperature

5~50°C (41˚F ~ 122˚F) w/Industrial SSD, ambient w/ 0.5m/s air flow

Storage Temperature

-30°C ~ 70°C (-22°F ~ 158°F)

Operating Humidity

40°C @ 95% Relative Humidity, Non-condensing

Dimension (W x L x H)

217 mm x 115 mm x 220 mm

Weight

2.6 kg (System)

3.4 kg (w_Package)

Vibration Test

With SSD : 5Grms, IEC 60068-2-64, Random, 5 ~ 500Hz, 1hr/axis

Shock Test

With SSD : 10Grms, IEC 60068-2-29, Half Sine, 11ms

Drop Test

Complied with ISTA 2A

Expansion

M.2

1 x M.2 Key-A 2230 for Wi-Fi & BT Module

1 x M.2 Key-B 3042/2242/2260/2280, supports SATA 3/PCIe lll x 1/USB 2.0 and internal SIM slot 1

PCIe

1 x PCIe*1 slot

1 x PCIe*4 slot

w/EtherCAT Master Card: Compliant with PCI Express 2.0 Single-lane (X1) PCI Express (Connector: RJ45 x1)

Storage

M.2

1 x M.2 Key-B 3042/2242/2260/2280, support SSD(share with expansion slot)

2.5 Drive Bay

1 x 2.5" Drive Bay (internal)

Rear I/O

USB

3 x USB3.1 Gen1

1 x USB Type C w/o ALT mode

LAN Port

3 x RJ-45 GbE

1 x RJ45 for EtherCAT

Power Button

1 x Power On/Off

COM Port

4 x RS-232

LED Indicator

1 x Power LED

1 x HDD LED

SIM Slot

1 x Internal SIM slot

Wire-Control Power On/Off

2-Pin Terminal Block

Antenna

2 x Antenna with dust cover

AC/DC Input

3-Pin Terminal Block (V+. V-, GND)

Display

Graphic Chipset

Intel® Processor Graphics

Resolution

3 x HDMI 1.4b: 3840 x 2160 @ 30 Hz

Certifications

Certification Information

CE/FCC Class A

Ethernet

LAN Chipset

1 x Intel® I219-LM

2 x Intel® I210-IT

Power Requirement

Power Mode

AT/ATX (ATX is default setting)

Software Support

OS

Win 10 64bit

Linux

Ordering Information

8th Gen Intel® Core™ Processor Core™ SoC i7/i5/i3 & Celeron® BGA Processor

Fanless Expandable Slot PC with EtherCAT Master Controller

SLP-WHG-86-A1-3R (i7-8665UE)

SLP-WHG-83-A1-3R (i5-8365UE)

SLP-WHG-81-A1-3R (i3-8145UE)

What is SLP-WHG-EtherCAT?

The SLP-WHG-EtherCAT is a computing system manufactured by Avalue, designed specifically for expandable-computing-system applications. The Avalue SLP-WHG-EtherCAT is an expandable industrial computing system that supports EtherCAT communication protocols, making it suitable for real-time control applications. It features a fanless design and operates within wide temperature ranges, providing reliable performance in harsh industrial environments. The system's modular design allows for flexibility and scalability, making it ideal for automation, robotics, and other industrial applications requiring precise communication and control

Key Features & Benefits

8th Gen Intel Core SoC i7/i5/i3 & Celeron BGA Processor
2 x 260-pin DDR4 2133 MHz SO-DIMM Socket, up to 32GB Max (Non ECC Only)
Rich I/O, 3-USB3.1, 3-HDMI, 4-COM, 3-LAN, 1-EtherCAT Port
1 x Key A M.2 2230 supports Wi-Fi & BT Module, 1 x M.2 Key-B 3042/2242/2260/2280 with
internal SIM slot
Fanless operation temperature from 5°C ~ 50°C
CE/FCC Class A
Wide range DC power input from +12~24V
Up to 128-axis motion control & 11200 I/O point control
EtherCAT cycle times up to 125μs
Wide range of compatible EtherCAT slaves

Applications & Use Cases

The SLP-WHG-EtherCAT is ideal for various industrial automation applications:

Dust-sensitive environments and silent operation requirements
DC-powered industrial installations and mobile applications
Extreme temperature environments and outdoor installations
Wireless connectivity and remote monitoring applications
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

The SLP-WHG-EtherCAT is an advanced industrial computing system featuring 8th Gen Intel Core processors (i7/i5/i3 or Celeron), up to 32GB DDR4 memory, dedicated EtherCAT port for real-time automation control, rich I/O (3 USB 3.1, 3 HDMI, 4 COM, 3 LAN), PCIe expansion slots, fanless design, wide temperature operation (5°C to 50°C), and wide voltage input (12-24V). It's specifically designed for industrial automation applications requiring precise motion control and deterministic communication.

EtherCAT (Ethernet for Control Automation Technology) is a high-performance industrial Ethernet fieldbus system designed for real-time automation applications. The SLP-WHG-EtherCAT includes a dedicated EtherCAT master controller card that enables control of up to 128 axes of motion and 11,200 I/O points with cycle times as fast as 125μs. This allows for precise synchronization and deterministic communication with a wide range of compatible EtherCAT slave devices, making it ideal for sophisticated motion control, robotics, and automation systems.

The SLP-WHG-EtherCAT offers versatile expansion options with 1 PCIe x1 slot, 1 PCIe x4 slot (used for the EtherCAT master card), M.2 Key-A 2230 slot for Wi-Fi/Bluetooth modules, and M.2 Key-B 3042/2242/2260/2280 slot supporting SATA 3/PCIe x1/USB 2.0 with an internal SIM slot. It also includes a 2.5" internal drive bay. These expansion capabilities allow the system to be tailored for specific industrial automation requirements while providing EtherCAT connectivity.

The SLP-WHG-EtherCAT is particularly well-suited for advanced industrial automation applications requiring precise motion control and deterministic real-time communication, such as CNC machinery, robotics, packaging equipment, semiconductor manufacturing, assembly lines, and other automated production systems. Its combination of powerful processing, EtherCAT connectivity with support for up to 128 motion axes, rugged design, and flexible expansion options makes it ideal for sophisticated control applications where precision and reliability are critical.

An Expandable Computing System is an industrial-grade computer designed with modular expansion capabilities through slots like PCIe, allowing it to be customized for specific industrial applications. These systems typically feature rugged design elements like fanless cooling, wide temperature operation, and extensive I/O options, while providing flexibility to add specialized functionality through expansion cards for industrial communication protocols, additional I/O, graphics capabilities, or application-specific requirements.

Expandable Computing Systems provide greater flexibility and future-proofing compared to fixed-configuration industrial computers. Their modular design allows customization through expansion cards to meet specific application requirements without replacing the entire system. They can be adapted to changing industrial protocols, upgraded with new capabilities, and scaled to match evolving needs. This modularity extends their useful lifecycle and helps protect the investment as technology and requirements change over time.

Expandable Computing Systems typically support multiple mounting options including wall mounting, DIN rail mounting (common in industrial control cabinets), VESA mounting (for attachment to compatible brackets, arms, or panels), desktop operation (with rubber feet), and in some cases rack mounting with appropriate adapters. This mounting flexibility allows them to be installed in various industrial environments according to space constraints and accessibility requirements.

Fanless industrial computing systems use passive cooling techniques with heat sinks and thermal design to dissipate heat without moving parts. This eliminates a common point of failure, prevents dust ingress, enables sealed enclosures for harsh environments, reduces maintenance, and improves reliability in high-vibration conditions. Fan-cooled systems can typically support higher-performance processors but are more vulnerable to dust contamination, mechanical failure, and require maintenance, making them less suitable for harsh industrial environments.

Most industrial Expandable Computing Systems support Windows 10 IoT Enterprise and various Linux distributions such as Ubuntu, Debian, or specialized real-time operating systems depending on the application requirements. Many industrial applications use Windows due to software compatibility, while Linux is often preferred for embedded applications, IoT gateways, or when real-time performance is critical. The specific OS support depends on the hardware configuration and intended use case.

Wide temperature operation (typically -20°C to 60°C or similar range) ensures reliable functioning in non-climate-controlled industrial environments like factory floors, outdoor installations, vehicles, and remote locations. This capability is achieved through careful component selection, thermal design, and elimination of moving parts like fans. Systems with wide temperature ranges can be deployed in harsh conditions without requiring expensive climate control systems, reducing installation and operating costs while improving reliability.

Wide voltage input (typically 9-36VDC or similar range) allows industrial computers to operate reliably with varying power sources common in industrial environments. This feature protects against voltage fluctuations, accommodates different international power standards, enables direct connection to vehicle electrical systems (12V/24V), and provides resilience against power quality issues. The wide input range also eliminates the need for precise voltage regulation, simplifying installation and improving reliability in challenging power environments.

TPM (Trusted Platform Module) 2.0 is a specialized security chip that provides hardware-based encryption capabilities, secure storage for authentication credentials, and system integrity verification. In industrial systems, TPM helps protect sensitive data, secure communication channels, prevent unauthorized access or tampering, and ensure the integrity of control systems. As industrial systems become more connected, TPM provides essential security features to protect against cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure and manufacturing systems.

Vibration and shock resistance are critical for industrial computing systems operating in environments with mechanical disturbances from machinery, vehicles, or handling. Systems are tested to standards like IEC 60068-2-64 (vibration) and IEC 60068-2-27 (shock) to ensure they can withstand these forces without component failure or connection issues. This resilience is achieved through solid-state storage, elimination of moving parts, reinforced component mounting, specialized chassis design, and industrial-grade components, ensuring reliable operation in mechanically challenging environments.

Multiple display outputs (such as HDMI, DisplayPort, or VGA) on industrial computing systems enable simultaneous connection to various monitoring and control interfaces. This capability supports control room setups with multiple screens showing different aspects of operations, operator interfaces combined with process visualization displays, redundant displays for critical applications, digital signage applications requiring multiple screens, and flexible configuration options for different industrial visualization needs without requiring additional graphics adapters.

A watchdog timer is a hardware-based timer that triggers a system reset if the software becomes unresponsive. This critical reliability feature ensures that industrial systems recover automatically from software freezes, crashes, or other unexpected conditions without human intervention. For 24/7 industrial applications where downtime is costly and systems may be remotely located, the watchdog timer provides an essential fail-safe mechanism that helps maintain continuous operation even when software issues occur.

When installing expandable computing systems in industrial environments, consider proper thermal management (ensuring adequate airflow around the unit), environmental protection (enclosures appropriate for dust/moisture levels), power quality (stable power source, possibly with UPS), EMI/RFI isolation (distance from high-interference sources), physical security, accessibility for maintenance, proper grounding, cable management (strain relief and protection), and compliance with local regulations and industry standards. Proper planning of these factors ensures reliable operation and longevity of the system.

While fanless systems don't require active cooling, they still need proper thermal management. Ensure adequate clearance around all sides of the unit (typically at least 5-10cm), avoid enclosing in sealed cabinets without ventilation, mount vertically if possible for better convection cooling, keep away from other heat-generating equipment, consider ambient temperature fluctuations, use the mounting method recommended by the manufacturer (often including heat-dissipating brackets), and for high-temperature environments, consider additional passive heat sinks or cabinet cooling if available.

For expandable computing systems, select a power supply with sufficient wattage for the base system plus all expansion cards (with 20-30% headroom for future expansion), ensure voltage matching the system's input range, consider efficiency ratings for power consumption, evaluate connector compatibility, implement surge protection for industrial environments with electrical noise, consider redundant power options for critical applications, use proper wire gauge for current requirements, and potentially include an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for protection against power outages.

When setting up networking for expandable computing systems, consider network security (VLANs, firewalls, access controls), redundancy options for critical applications, cable quality and shielding appropriate for the industrial environment, proper grounding to prevent ground loops, cable length limitations, network segregation between IT and OT (operational technology) if applicable, bandwidth requirements for the application, latency sensitivities, management of MAC/IP addresses, and compliance with any industry-specific networking standards or protocols.

When installing expansion cards, first ensure system power is completely off and disconnected, follow ESD (electrostatic discharge) precautions including wrist straps, carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions for chassis access, identify the correct expansion slot type (PCIe x1, x4, etc.), align the card carefully with the slot, apply even pressure until fully seated, secure with mounting screws if provided, connect any additional power cables if required, and avoid forcing connections. After installation, ensure proper driver installation and check for device recognition in the operating system.

If the system fails to power on, check that the power supply is properly connected and functioning (verify with a multimeter if possible), confirm the power cable is securely connected at both ends, ensure the input voltage matches the system's requirements, check for tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses, verify the power button functionality, check internal power connections if accessible, inspect for any visible damage to power components, and try an alternative known-good power supply if available. If using an ATX power mode, check if the system requires a specific power-on sequence.

For expansion card connectivity issues, verify the card is properly seated in its slot, check if appropriate drivers are installed and updated, confirm BIOS/UEFI settings have the slot enabled, inspect for physical damage to the card or slot, try the card in an alternative slot if available, test with a known-working card to verify slot functionality, check for resource conflicts in Device Manager (Windows) or system logs (Linux), ensure sufficient power for the card, and consider BIOS updates that might address compatibility issues. For specialized cards, consult the card manufacturer's troubleshooting guides.

For overheating issues, check that the system has adequate clearance for passive cooling (at least 5-10cm on all sides), clean any dust buildup on heat sinks or chassis using compressed air (when powered off), verify the ambient temperature is within the system's specified operating range, ensure the system is mounted properly for optimal heat dissipation (often vertically), check if thermal paste needs replacement on CPU/GPU if accessible, monitor CPU usage for runaway processes causing excessive load, and consider adding auxiliary passive cooling or relocating the system to a cooler environment if persistent.

For network issues, check physical connections (cables and ports for damage), verify link lights are active, test with alternative known-good cables, check IP configuration (static vs DHCP), ping the gateway and other network devices, examine firewall settings that might block connectivity, verify network services are running, check for IP address conflicts, inspect routing tables, try disabling and re-enabling the network interface, update network drivers, check for MAC address filtering on the network, and use diagnostic tools like ipconfig/ifconfig, traceroute, and network monitoring utilities to identify where communication fails.

For boot failures, observe any error messages or beep codes during startup, verify boot device priority in BIOS/UEFI, check if the boot drive is detected in BIOS, try booting in safe mode, use recovery tools from the OS installation media, check for corrupt boot files, verify storage connections are secure, run hardware diagnostics if available, check for BIOS/UEFI updates that might resolve compatibility issues, reset BIOS to defaults if appropriate, and examine the system event log for clues. For systems with removable storage, try booting from a known-good OS installation on external media.

Product Features

Product Description

Technical Specifications

System Information

Processor

System Memory

BIOS Information

Watchdog Timer

H/W Status Monitor

SBC

TPM

Mechanical & Environmental

Operating Temperature

Storage Temperature

Operating Humidity

Dimension (W x L x H)

Weight

Vibration Test

Shock Test

Drop Test

Expansion

M.2

PCIe

Storage

M.2

2.5 Drive Bay

Rear I/O

USB

LAN Port

Power Button

COM Port

LED Indicator

SIM Slot

Wire-Control Power On/Off

Antenna

AC/DC Input

Display

Graphic Chipset

Resolution

Certifications

Certification Information

Ethernet

LAN Chipset

Power Requirement

Power Mode

Software Support

OS

Ordering Information

Ordering Information

What is SLP-WHG-EtherCAT?

Key Features & Benefits

Applications & Use Cases

Frequently Asked Questions