Embedded Technology
Exploring the capabilities of the ultra compact UC-1222A and
UC-2222A-T RISC devices By Louisa Rochford, content marketing executive, Impulse Embedded Limited E
very nanosecond matters when it comes to embedded systems, where efficiency and optimal resource utilisation are a necessity. With reduced hardware complexity that allows for effective resource optimisation, compact RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing) computers are essential tools for fast data-acquisition applications. These devices prioritise precise, real-time processing, offering high performance in a small package. There are many practical advantages of compact RISC computers in the context of data acquisition, prime examples of which are Moxa’s UC-1222A and UC-2222A-T, the latest models in their UC-1200 and UC-2200 series. They are compact, fanless industrial computers built for space-critical automation applications. Featuring super- efficient RISC architecture, these miniature computers are optimised for efficient processing for IIoT applications and more.
RISC architecture in a minute form factor
RISC is a computer architecture philosophy that uses a small, highly optimised set of instructions, or commands, to perform operations. The idea is to streamline the instruction set to include only the most frequently used and essential instructions, aiming for simplicity and, therefore, efficiency.
In a RISC architecture, each instruction typically performs a single, well-defined operation, and the instructions are executed in a single clock cycle. This results in faster and more efficient processing of instructions compared to Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC) architectures, which have a larger and more diverse set of instructions. RISC architectures are known for their ability to deliver high performance, especially
36 July/August 2024
in specific computing tasks, by optimising the execution of instructions and minimising the overhead associated with complex instruction decoding. The UC-1222A and UC-2222A-T, being compact RISC computers, utilise these principles to provide efficient computing capabilities in a smaller form factor.
The Armv8 Cortex-A53 is a 64-bit processor architecture designed by ARM Holdings. The Cortex-A53 is part of the ARM Cortex-A family, which is commonly used in various devices such as smartphones, tablets, embedded systems, and more.
The Cortex-A53 is designed with a 64-bit Components in Electronics
instruction set architecture, allowing it to handle larger amounts of data and address more memory than 32-bit architectures. It has a dual-core processor, meaning two individual processing cores are on the chip. Having multiple cores allows for better multitasking and parallel processing. The Cortex-A53 is designed to run at a clock speed of 1 gigahertz (1 billion cycles per second).
The Armv8 Cortex-A53 dual-core 1GHz configuration is suitable for applications where power efficiency and moderate performance are important, such as in embedded systems, single-board computers and low-power devices that require low energy consumption.
UC-1222A and UC-2222A-T
The core difference between the two models is that the UC-2222A-T has the addition of LTE cellular, a GPS antenna connector, and an extended temperature range. This means it can operate at temperatures as high as 75°C, 15 degrees hotter than the UC-1222A that is operable up to 60°C.
Another difference between the two models is the size and weight. While both have an impressively small form factor, the UC-1222A has the dimensions 27mm x 101mm x 128mm with a weight of
www.cieonline.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64
