ECM-APL
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Manufacturer: Avalue
Product Features
- Top Layer Soldered
- Intel® Pentium®/Celeron®/Atom™ BGA Processor
- Intel® HD Graphics 500/505 Graphic Engine
- Single DRAM Socket, Max. Up to 8GB DDR3L 1600&1333MHz
- Triple Display (Dual HDMI, LVDS)
- Dual Expansion Slot, M.2 & mPCIe
- DC +12V ~ +24V
Product Description
The Avalue ECM-APL is a 3.5-inch Single Board Computer designed for industrial and embedded applications. It integrates Intel® Apollo Lake SoC processors, supporting up to 8GB DDR3L 1600/1333MHz SO-DIMM memory.
Key features include triple display outputs (2 x HDMI, 1 x LVDS), dual Gigabit LAN ports, multiple USB ports (4 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 2.0), serial interfaces (5 x RS-232, 1 x RS-232/422/485), GPIOs, and expansion options through M.2 Key-B and Mini PCIe slots.
With a compact form factor of 146mm x 101mm and support for Windows 10 and Linux operating systems, the ECM-APL offers a robust solution for space-constrained environments.
Technical Specifications
System Information
Processor
Intel Atom® x7-E3950 Processor (2M Cache, up to 2.00 GHz)
Intel Atom® x5-E3940 Processor (2M Cache, up to 1.80 GHz)
Intel Atom® x5-E3930 Processor (2M Cache, up to 1.80 GHz)
Intel® Pentium® Processor N4200 (2M Cache, up to 2.50 GHz)
Intel® Celeron® Processor N3350 (2M Cache, up to 2.40 GHz)
Intel® Celeron® Processor J3455 (2M Cache, up to 2.30 GHz)
System Memory
1 x 204-Pin DDR3L 1600&1333MHz SO-DIMM, Supports Up to 8GB Max. (Non-ECC)
I/O Chipset
EC ITE iT8528E, I-series CPU use EC iT8528I for WT
Watchdog Timer
H/W Reset: 1Sec. ~ 65535Sec./Min. and1 Sec. or 1Min./Step
BIOS
AMI BIOS, 128Mbit SPI Flash ROM
H/W Status Monitor
Monitoring System Temperature, Voltage and FAN Status with Auto Throttling Control
Board
3.5"
Storage
Storage
1 x M.2 Key B support SATA/USB interface & with Micro SIM card connector for SSD/3G/4G
Display
Multiple Display
Triple Display
Graphic Chipset
Intel® SoC Integrated Graphics
Spec. & Resolution
2 x HDMI: Max. Resolution 3840 x 2160@30Hz
1 x LVDS: Max. Resolution 1920 x 1080@60Hz
LVDS
1 x LVDS: 1920 x 1080 Dual channel 18/24-bits LVDS
Expansion
Expansion
1 x Mini PCIe (for PCIe & USB2.0)
1 x M.2 Key B (2242)
Audio
Audio Codec
Realtek ALC888S HD Audio Decoding Controller
Audio Interface
Line-in, Mic-in, Line-out
Ethernet
LAN Chipset
2 x Intel® I210AT
Intel I210IT for WT
Ethernet Interface
10/100/1000 Base-Tx GbE compatible
LAN Port
2 x RJ-45
Power Requirement
Power Mode
AT/ATX (Default Setting: AT)
Software Support
OS
Windows 10, Linux
Certification
Certification Information
CE, FCC, RoHS Compliant
I/O
USB
4 x USB 3.0
1 x USB 2.0
COM Port
5 x RS-232
1 x RS-232/422/485
SATA
1 x SATA III
DIO
1 x 8-bit GPIO
MIO
1 x LPC
1 x SPI
1 x SIM Card Slot
Mechanical & Environmental
Operating Temp.
0°C ~ 60°C (32°F ~ 140°F) (J3455/N4200/N3350/E 3900 series)
-40°C ~ 85°C (-40°F ~ 185°F)(E3900 Series)(Optional for Wide Temperature Model)
Storage Temp.
-40°C ~ 75°C (-40°F ~ 167°F)
Dimension (L x W)
5.7" x 4." (146mm x 101mm)
Weight
0.44lbs (0.2kg)
Operating Humidity
40°C @ 95% Relative Humidity, Non-condensing
Power Requirement
DC +12V ~ +24V
Ordering Information
Ordering Information
ECM-APL-N4200-C2R
3.5" W/N4200/5USB/6COM/2LAN/C2
ECM-APL-N3350-C2R
3.5" W/N3350/5USB/6COM/2LAN/C2
ECM-APL-J3455-C2R
3.5" W/J3455/5USB/6COM/2LAN/C2
ECM-APL-E50-C1R(0~+60C)
3.5" W/E3950/5USB/6COM/2LAN/C1
ECM-APL-E40-C1R(0~+60C)
3.5" W/E3940/5USB/6COM/2LAN/C1
ECM-APL-E30-C1R(0~+60C)
3.5" W/E3930/5USB/6COM/2LAN/C1
ECM-APL-E50W-C1R(Wide temp.-40~+85C)
3.5" W/E3950/5USB/6COM/2LAN/C1
ECM-APL-E40W-C1R(Wide temp.-40~+85C)
3.5" W/E3940/5USB/6COM/2LAN/C1
ECM-APL-E30W-C1R(Wide temp.-40~+85C)
3.5" W/E3930/5USB/6COM/2LAN/C1
What is ECM-APL?
The ECM-APL is a industrial & embedded motherboard manufactured by Avalue, designed specifically for 3.5inch-sbc applications. The Avalue ECM-APL is a 3.5-inch Single Board Computer designed for industrial and embedded applications. It integrates Intel® Apollo Lake SoC processors, supporting up to 8GB DDR3L 1600/1333MHz SO-DIMM memory. Key features include triple display outputs (2 x HDMI, 1 x LVDS), dual Gigabit LAN ports, multiple USB ports (4 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 2.0), serial interfaces (5 x RS-232, 1 x RS-232/422/485), GPIOs, and expansion options through M.2 Key-B and Mini PCIe slots. With a compact form factor of 146mm x 101mm and support for Windows 10 and Linux operating systems, the ECM-APL offers a robust solution for space-constrained environments.
Key Features & Benefits
- Top Layer Soldered
- Intel® Pentium®/Celeron®/Atom™ BGA Processor
- Intel® HD Graphics 500/505 Graphic Engine
- Single DRAM Socket, Max. Up to 8GB DDR3L 1600&1333MHz
- Triple Display (Dual HDMI, LVDS)
- Dual Expansion Slot, M.2 & mPCIe
- DC +12V ~ +24V
Applications & Use Cases
The ECM-APL is ideal for various industrial automation applications:
- DC-powered industrial installations and mobile applications
- High-performance computing and data processing tasks
- Memory-intensive applications and multitasking
- Visual monitoring and data display systems
- Custom industrial computing solutions
- Industrial and embedded applications
- Industrial automation platforms
- Embedded system development
Frequently Asked Questions
The Avalue ECM-APL features Intel® Apollo Lake processors (Atom® x7/x5-E3900 series, Pentium® N4200, Celeron® N3350/J3455), 1x DDR3L 1600/1333MHz SO-DIMM socket supporting up to 8GB, triple display support via dual HDMI and LVDS, dual Intel® I210AT Gigabit LAN ports, expansion via Mini PCIe and M.2 Key-B slots, multiple USB ports (4x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0), 6 COM ports (5x RS-232, 1x RS-232/422/485), and operates with +12V to +24V DC input in a compact 146mm x 101mm form factor.
The ECM-APL offers two temperature range options depending on the processor variant: standard temperature models with Intel® Celeron® J3455, Pentium® N4200, or Celeron® N3350 processors operate from 0°C to 60°C (32°F to 140°F); while extended temperature models with Intel® Atom® E3900 series processors (E3950, E3940, E3930) can operate from -40°C to 85°C (-40°F to 185°F). This wide temperature range option makes E3900 series-equipped models particularly suitable for deployment in harsh industrial environments like outdoor installations, vehicles, or factory floors with extreme temperature conditions.
The ECM-APL supports triple display outputs through two HDMI ports (up to 3840x2160@30Hz each) and one LVDS interface (up to 1920x1080@60Hz with dual channel 18/24-bits). It features Intel® HD Graphics 500 (for E3930, E3940, J3455, N3350) or Intel® HD Graphics 505 (for E3950, N4200), providing good graphical performance for industrial HMI applications, control systems, and digital signage solutions requiring multiple displays.
Apollo Lake processors in the ECM-APL provide several advantages for industrial applications: improved CPU and GPU performance compared to previous Bay Trail/Braswell generations; excellent power efficiency enabling fanless designs; support for Intel® Time Coordinated Computing for time-sensitive applications; hardware-based security features; graphics capabilities supporting 4K displays; wide operating temperature range options (especially with E3900 series); and long product lifecycle support. These features make the ECM-APL suitable for industrial IoT, edge computing, and applications requiring reliable operation in challenging environments.
The ECM-APL offers multiple expansion and connectivity options: one Mini PCIe slot supporting PCIe and USB 2.0 signals for wireless modules or custom expansion cards; one M.2 Key-B (2242) slot supporting SATA/USB with a Micro SIM card connector for storage or cellular connectivity; dual Intel® I210AT Gigabit Ethernet ports for reliable network connectivity; six serial ports (5x RS-232, 1x RS-232/422/485) for connecting legacy industrial equipment; multiple USB ports (4x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0); and general-purpose I/O (8-bit GPIO) for custom control applications. These options make the board highly adaptable to various industrial integration scenarios.
3.5-inch SBCs (Single Board Computers) are compact embedded computers measuring approximately 146mm x 101mm (5.75" x 4"). Their versatile form factor makes them ideal for applications requiring a balance of performance, I/O options, and size constraints, including industrial automation, IoT gateways, edge computing, digital signage, medical devices, transportation systems, robotics, and industrial control systems. These boards offer significant processing capabilities, multiple I/O options, and industrial-grade reliability for demanding environments.
3.5-inch SBCs offer several advantages including: a balanced form factor between size and functionality (smaller than Mini-ITX but with more features than smaller form factors); rich I/O options without requiring expansion cards; better thermal management than smaller boards due to larger surface area; good performance-to-size ratio; flexibility with both soldered and socketed CPU options depending on model; simplified integration into mid-sized enclosures; good scalability for industrial applications; and long lifecycle support typical of industrial-grade components.
Different Intel processor generations provide varied capabilities to 3.5-inch SBCs: newer generations (Meteor Lake, Raptor Lake, Alder Lake) offer hybrid architecture with enhanced multi-core performance, AI acceleration, and support for DDR5 memory; mid-range options (Elkhart Lake) balance performance and power efficiency for IoT and edge applications; while entry-level processors (Atom series) optimize for low power consumption and extended temperature ranges. The choice between processor generations involves balancing processing requirements, power constraints, thermal considerations, and specific features needed (like AI acceleration, TSN support, or extended lifecycle) for the target application.
When selecting a 3.5-inch SBC for industrial applications, consider: processing requirements for your workload; memory and storage configurations; specific I/O interface requirements (COM ports, USB, display outputs); networking needs (number of ports, speed, reliability); temperature operating range for the deployment environment; power constraints; expansion capabilities through M.2 or other slots; long-term availability guarantees; operating system support and driver availability; ruggedness including shock and vibration resistance; certifications required for your industry; and total cost of ownership including maintenance and support.
For cooling 3.5-inch SBCs in enclosed systems: ensure at least 0.5 m/s airflow as specified in thermal requirements; use conduction cooling with thermal pads connecting the processor to the enclosure acting as a heat sink; implement passive cooling solutions like aluminum enclosures with external fins to increase surface area; maintain adequate clearance around heat-generating components; arrange components to create a natural convection path; position the board away from other heat sources; implement thermal monitoring through the hardware monitoring features; and for extreme environments, use specialized cooling techniques like heat pipes or forced air cooling while maintaining the board's environmental ratings.
For 3.5-inch SBCs, power considerations include: providing stable DC input within the specified voltage range (typically 9-36V) with proper regulation and adequate current capacity; understanding the difference between AT and ATX power modes (with AT being the default for most industrial applications); implementing proper power sequencing during boot and shutdown; adding surge protection for industrial environments; considering power filtering to eliminate electrical noise; implementing brownout protection; calculating total power budget including peripherals; planning for power management; using high-quality power connectors; and potentially implementing backup power solutions for critical applications requiring high availability.
To expand 3.5-inch SBC functionality: utilize M.2 slots for adding WiFi/Bluetooth, cellular connectivity, or high-speed storage; leverage multiple display outputs for multi-screen applications; use USB expansion for additional peripherals; implement I2C, SPI, or GPIO-based sensor networks; utilize the multiple Ethernet ports for network segregation or redundancy; develop custom carrier boards for application-specific needs; implement software-based capabilities through virtualization if supported by the processor; utilize COM port expansion if more serial interfaces are needed; and consider network-based resources for functions that cannot be implemented locally.
Common 3.5-inch SBC performance bottlenecks include: thermal limitations (addressed through proper cooling solutions); memory bandwidth constraints (mitigated by utilizing the fastest supported memory, like DDR5); storage I/O (improved by using NVMe over PCIe rather than SATA); network congestion (overcome by using 2.5G interfaces and implementing proper network design); USB bus saturation (resolved by distributing devices across controllers and using USB 3.2 for high-bandwidth devices); processor limitations in multi-threaded workloads (addressed through workload optimization); and display performance with multiple screens (managed by understanding the display bandwidth limitations of each interface).
For mounting 3.5-inch SBCs: use the four corner mounting holes with appropriate standoffs (typically M3); maintain minimum clearances specified in the manual, especially above heat-generating components; ensure proper thermal contact if using conduction cooling; consider orientation effects on natural convection cooling; use vibration-resistant fasteners with thread-locking compound for applications with vibration; implement strain relief for all cables connected to the board; avoid mounting near sources of electro-magnetic interference; ensure accessibility for maintenance if needed; and verify that the enclosure's thermal design is compatible with the board's cooling requirements and airflow specifications.
When handling 3.5-inch SBCs: always use proper ESD protection including wrist straps and ESD mats; hold the board by its edges to avoid touching components or contacts; avoid flexing the PCB during installation; ensure power is off when connecting/disconnecting components; use appropriate torque when securing mounting screws (typically 0.5-0.7 Nm); apply thermal compounds correctly if required for thermal management; connect cables with proper orientation and avoid forcing connectors; ensure all expansion cards and memory modules are properly seated; avoid exposing the board to moisture or contaminants; and follow proper packaging procedures for transportation to prevent physical damage.
When connecting peripherals to 3.5-inch SBCs: use high-quality, properly shielded cables to minimize EMI/RFI; implement strain relief to prevent connector damage; connect power supplies before connecting signal cables; use locking connectors where available for industrial applications; avoid exceeding the maximum cable lengths specified for each interface; balance loads across multiple USB ports rather than concentrating on one port; verify peripheral power requirements against available supply; properly configure serial port parameters (baud rate, parity, etc.) before connecting serial devices; test peripherals individually before connecting multiple devices; and label all connections for easier maintenance.
For OS setup on 3.5-inch SBCs: obtain the manufacturer-recommended OS image or validated distribution for your specific model; configure BIOS/UEFI settings appropriately before installation, paying attention to boot order and storage controller modes; during installation, optimize partition layouts considering available storage; install essential drivers provided by the manufacturer, particularly chipset, network, and display drivers; disable unnecessary services to reduce resource usage; configure appropriate power management settings based on your application needs; implement a backup strategy for the system image; establish a procedure for OS updates that includes proper testing in a non-production environment first; and document the entire configuration process for future reference.
If a 3.5-inch SBC fails to power on: verify power supply voltage is within specified range (typically 9-36V DC) and current capability (typically 3-5A minimum); check for reverse polarity connection which can damage the board; examine power cables for damage or loose connections; inspect the board for physical damage or burnt components; test with a known-good power supply; verify that the board is configured for the correct power mode (AT or ATX as specified in the documentation); check any power switches or jumpers; measure voltage at test points if available; inspect for short circuits or improperly seated components; and check status LEDs for error codes if present.
For display output issues: check cable connections and integrity; verify monitor power and input selection; confirm the monitor supports the resolution being used; try alternative display interfaces if available (switch between DisplayPort, HDMI, or LVDS/eDP); update display drivers; reset BIOS/UEFI display settings to defaults; test with a known-working display; check BIOS settings for primary display selection; verify multi-display configuration is properly set up; inspect system logs for graphics initialization errors; ensure correct display output is enabled in BIOS if multiple are available; try booting in safe mode; and for persistent issues, try reinstalling graphics drivers or updating the BIOS.
Common network issues include: physical connection problems (check cables and connectors); driver-related issues (update or reinstall network drivers); incorrect IP configuration (verify static/DHCP settings); firewall or security software blocking communication; conflicting IP addresses on the network; switch or router configuration issues; network interface hardware failure; incorrect gateway or DNS settings; specific protocol not enabled or configured; packet filtering rules blocking traffic; VLAN configuration mismatches; and network congestion or bandwidth limitations. Systematic troubleshooting should include link status verification, ping tests to various targets, checking system logs, and testing with alternative cables and network equipment.
For M.2 device issues: verify the card is properly inserted and secured; check that the M.2 card type matches the slot (Key-B, Key-E, Key-M, etc.); confirm the BIOS recognizes the device during POST; verify BIOS storage controller settings (NVMe, SATA, or PCIe mode); update BIOS to the latest version that may include improved device compatibility; check for driver requirements for the specific device; test the M.2 device in another system if possible; verify power management settings aren't affecting device operation; check thermal conditions as M.2 devices can throttle or fail under excessive heat; and for storage devices, run diagnostic tools to verify device health.