PPC-A72-121-P

Version 1.0

Product Overview

The Cortex®-A72/53 series PPC-A72-121-P (PN: CS10768R121P) is a high-quality industrial panel PC. It features a 12.1” ten-point capacitive touch screen with a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels and brightness of 400 cd/m2.

It is available both as an embedded solution and as a device hosed in an aluminum casing with bezels, thus facilitating different installation options:

  • Installation on an industrial cabinet

  • Integration with the existing equipment

The PPC-A72-121-P Industrial Panel PC is based around the powerful CS-SOM-RK3399 System on Module (SoM), powered by the Rockchip RK3399 low-power processor which integrates a dual-core Cortex®-A72 and a quad-core Cortex®-A53 with a separate NEON coprocessor.

The RK3399 supports multi-format video decoders and has a high-performance dual-channel external memory interface (DDR3/DDR3L/LPDDR3/LPDDR4) capable of sustaining demanding memory bandwidths. It also provides a complete set of peripheral interfaces.

Ordering Options

Chipsee products can be customized during the ordering process. The product will be shipped with the pre-installed factory defaults if no extra requirements are specified. The table in the Hardware Features section provides information about the default options bundled with the product.

Note

You can order PPC-A72-121-P from the official Chipsee Store or from your nearest distributor.

Operating System

This product comes with a pre-installed OS of your choice. Please see the list below for the supported OSes, which can be also obtained from the Software Documentation section, along with the detailed installation instructions.

  • Buildroot Linux Qt5.14*

  • Android 7.1

  • Android 11

  • Debian 10


*

(Formerly Chipsee Linux) Based on buildroot that has been integrated with:

  1. Chipsee Hardware Test Application

  2. An initialization script for GPIO/Buzzer/Audio

  3. Multiple libraries, such as the libQt5Sql to develop Qt application with SQL

  4. Various packages, such as the ntfs-3g to use NTFS file system

Warning

The Software Documentation section provides a detailed instruction on how to install different OSes on your own. However, bear in mind that Chipsee can’t take the responsibility of inadequate installation procedure. If you “brick” your device, please contact Chipsee Technical Support at support@chipsee.com for further assistance

Optional Features

The PPC-A72-121-P Industrial Panel PC does not include 4G/LTE module by default. The module is optional and can be selected at the Chipsee store during the ordering process.

Warning

Installation, repair, and maintenance tasks should be performed by trained personnel only.
Chipsee does not bear any responsibility for damage caused by inadequate handling of the product.

Hardware Features

The PPC-A72-121-P Industrial Panel PC offers a broad range of performance and connectivity options for scalable integration, providing expandability to meet future needs. Some of the key features are listed in the table below.

Table 135 Key Features

PPC-A72-121-P

CPU

Rockchip RK3399, Dual-core Cortex-A72 (1.8GHz), Quad-core Cortex-A53 (1.4GHz)

RAM

4GB DDR3

eMMC

16GB

Storage

TF Card, Supports up to 128GB SDHC

Display

12.1” LCD, 1024 x 768, High Brightness: 400 cd/m2

Touch

10-point capacitive touch screen

USB

1 x USB 2.0 HOST, 1 x USB 3.0 HOST, 1 x USB Type-C

LAN

1 x RJ45, GbE

Audio

3.5mm Audio In/Out Connector, 2W Internal Speaker

Buzzer

Yes

RTC

Yes

RS232

3 x RS232 (Optional 5 x RS232 at most, 1 debug port)1

RS485

2 x RS4851

GPIO

8 Channels

WiFi/BT

Integrated WiFi/BT Module

4G/LTE

Supported, Optional

Power Input

From 12V to 36V

Current

1500mA Max(15V)

Power Consumption

18W Typical

Working Temperature

From 0°C to +60°C

OS

Android 7.1, Android 11, Buildroot Linux Qt5.14, Debian 10

Dimensions

PPC-A72-121-P (PN: CS10768R121P): 320 * 260 * 55.5mm

Weight

PPC-A72-121-P (PN: CS10768R121P): 3100g

Mounting

PPC-A72-121-P (PN: CS10768R121P): Panel, VESA


1(1,2)

This product has 5 x UART channels in total. The default configuration is 3 x RS232 and 2 x RS485, including 1 debug port. UART can be swapped between RS232 and RS485 modes easily, so if you need a different RS232/RS485 configuration, please get in touch with the Chipsee Technical Support at support@chipsee.com

Power Input

The PPC-A72-121-P Industrial Panel PC can be powered by a wide range of input voltages: From 12V to 36V DC. The power input connector is a 3-pin, 3.81mm terminal.

power_img

Power Input

Note that the “+” sign represents the positive power input, and it is printed both at the casing and as a silk-screen on a PCB of the embedded version. The “-” terminal is shorted to the ground.

Table 136 Power Connector

Power Input Definition

Pin Number

Definition

Description

Pin 1

Positive Input

DC Power Positive Terminal

Pin 2

Negative Input

DC Power Negative Terminal

Pin 3

Ground

Power System Ground

Note

The system ground “G” is connected to power negative “-” on board.

Touch Screen

The PPC-A72-121-P Industrial Panel PC uses a 10-point capacitive touch screen.

../../../../../_images/USB_Touch-A72-133.jpg

Figure 439: Capacitive Touch Screen Connector

Attention

A capacitive touch screen is susceptible to power noise and Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR). It may cause LCD ripples or even capacitive touch malfunction. If using a capacitive multi-touch test application, you might notice the touch points float erratically across the display. There are several solutions to this problem:

  1. Use a high-quality Power Adapter Unit (PSU) with low EMR. You can also provide power from a battery.

  2. Make sure that the PPC-A72-121-P Power Input connector (pin 3) is properly connected to the Power System Ground to provide sufficient EMI shielding and eliminate the problem entirely.

  3. Bad GND problems can also be confirmed by touching pin 3 of the Power Input connector with one hand while operating the capacitive touch screen with the other hand. In this case, the operator’s body acts as the Power System Ground.

Connectivity

There are many connectivity options available on the PPC-A72-121-P industrial PC. It has 1 x USB 2.0 HOST, 1 x USB 3.0 HOST, 1 x USB Type-C, 1 x network connector (RJ45) supporting up to 1 Gbps, 8 x GPIO and 5 x UART terminals (RS232/485).

RS232+RS485+CAN+GPIO Connector

The serial communication interfaces (RS485, RS232, and CAN) are routed to a 12-pin 3.81mm terminal, as illustrated in the figure below. Serial communication on both RS485 and RS232 interfaces can reach up to 115200 kbps.

../../../../../_images/GPIO_Schema.png

Isolated GPIO reduced schematic

io_pin_img

The table below offers more detailed description of every pin and its definition:

Table 137 Connectivity Section

RS232 / RS485 / CAN / GPIO Pin Definition:

Pin Number

Definition

Description

Pin 1

CAN1_H

CAN H signal

Pin 2

CPU_RS232_2_RXD

CPU UART2, CPU RS232 RXD signal

Pin 3

CAN1_L

CAN L signal

Pin 4

CPU_RS232_2_TXD

CPU UART2, CPU RS232 TXD signal

Pin 5

RS485_4-

USB UART4, RS485 -(B) signal

Pin 6

IN4

Isolated Input 4

Pin 7

RS485_4+

USB UART4, RS485 +(A) signal

Pin 8

IN3

Isolated Input 3

Pin 9

RS485_3-

USB UART3, RS485 -(B) signal

Pin 10

IN2

Isolated Input 2

Pin 11

RS485_3+

USB UART3, RS485 +(A) signal

Pin 12

IN1

Isolated Input 1

Pin 13

RS232_2_RXD

USB UART2, RS232 RXD signal

Pin 14

OUT4

Isolated Output 4

Pin 15

RS232_2_TXD

USB UART2, RS232 TXD signal

Pin 16

OUT3

Isolated Output 3

Pin 17

RS232_1_RXD

USB UART1, RS232 RXD signal

Pin 18

OUT2

Isolated Output 2

Pin 19

RS232_1_TXD

USB UART1, RS232 TXD signal

Pin 20

OUT1

Isolated Output 1

Pin 21

GND

System Ground

Pin 22

GND_ISO

Isolated Ground

Pin 23

VCC5V

System 5V output, up to 1A

Pin 24

VDD_ISO

Isolated Power Input,support 5V~24V

Attention

  • The 120Ω match resistor for CAN bus is NOT mounted by default.

  • The 120Ω match resistor for RS485 is already mounted by default.

  • This product supports changing 2 x RS485 to 2 x RS232 and supports up to 5 x RS232 (include one debug port).

  • The GPIO has been opt-isolated, you can use an external isolated power input but the power input range should be from 5V to 24V DC.

  • The 4 output channels can drive at most 500mA current on each channel.

USB Connectors

There are 2 x USB HOST connectors onboard which includes 1 x USB 2.0 HOST, 1 x USB 3.0 HOST, 1 x USB Type-C , as shown in the figures below.

USB2_3_img

USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 HOST Connectors (enclosed PC version)

USBC_img

USB Type-C Connector (enclosed PC version)

Warning

Be careful not to touch surrounding electronic components accidentally while plugging in USB devices into the embedded IPC version.

LAN Connectors

LAN (RJ45) connector provides Ethernet connectivity over standardized Ethernet cables as shown in the figure below. The integrated Ethernet interface supports up to 1 Gbps data throughput.

LAN_img

RJ45 LAN Connector

Note

Use CAT5 or better cables to achieve full data throughput over maximum distance defined by the 1000BASE-T standard (100m).

WiFi & BT Module

The PPC-A72-121-P Industrial Panel PC is equipped with the popular Realtek RTL8723 WiFi/BT module that supports BT/BLE 4.0 (with backward compatibility), as well as 802.11bgn 2.4 GHz Wireless LAN (WLAN).

../../../../../_images/WiFi_BT1.jpeg

Figure 440: RTL8273 WiFi/BT Module

The product includes an SMA connector for an external WiFi/BT antenna, as illustrated in the figure below.

wifi_bt_img

WiFi+BT Antenna SMA

4G/LTE Module

The PPC-A72-121-P Industrial Panel PC is equipped with a mini-PCIe connector that can connect to a 4G/LTE module. The customer will also need a SIM Card Holder and a 4G/LTE Antenna Connector to ensure 4G/LTE works on the PPC-A72-121-P. SIM card does NOT support hot plug. Power off before inserting or removing SIM card.

../../../../../_images/4G_module1.jpeg

Figure 441: mini-PCIe Connector & 4G Module

../../../../../_images/4G_com1.jpeg

Figure 442: SIM Card Holder & 4G Antenna

SIM_img

SIM Card Holder

sim-card-direction

SIM Card Direction

Attention

The product does not come shipped with the 4G/LTE module by default.

TF Card Slot

The PPC-A72-121-P Industrial Panel PC features 1 x TF Card (micro SD) slot. It can address up to 128GB of memory.

TF_img

TF (micro SD) Card Slot

Note

The product does not come shipped with the TF Card by default.

Audio Connectors

The PPC-A72-121-P Industrial Panel PC features some audio peripherals. It has a 3.5mm audio input/output jack, an internal speaker, as well as a small buzzer.

audio_img

Audio Connector (enclosed PC version)

Attention

By plugging in the headphone cable, the internal speaker will be disabled automatically.

The miniature 2W embedded speaker is handy for audio reproduction, the small buzzer can play alarm/notification sounds.

../../../../../_images/Speaker_Buzzer.jpeg

Figure 443: 2W Micro Speaker and Buzzer

Power Button

The PPC-A72-121-P Industrial Panel PC has a power button, as shown on the figure below. You can use the button to power ON or OFF the industrial PC.

Power_btn_img

Power Button

Mounting Procedure

The PPC-A72-121-P Industrial Panel PC can be mounted with 4 x M4 (6mm) screws using the VESA (100x100mm or 75x75mm).

The PPC-A72-121-P Industrial Panel PC can be mounted with panel mounting method, enabling simplified installation onto any standard mounting fixture.

Attention

Please make sure the display is not exposed to high pressure when mounting into an enclosure.

You can find detailed information about mounting in the Mount IPC Guide.

Mechanical Specifications

For PPC-A72-121-P, the outer mechanical dimensions are 320 * 260 * 55.5mm (W x L x H).

Please refer to the technical drawing in the figure below for details related to the specific product measurements.

../../../../../_images/CS10768R121P-TD.jpg

Figure 444: PPC-A72-121-P Technical Drawing

Disclaimer

This document is provided strictly for informational purposes. Its contents are subject to change without notice. Chipsee assumes no responsibility for any errors that may occur in this document. Furthermore, Chipsee reserves the right to alter the hardware, software, and/or specifications set forth herein at any time without prior notice and undertakes no obligation to update the information contained in this document.

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, this document is not guaranteed to be error-free. Further, it does not offer any warranties or conditions, whether expressed orally or implied in law, including implied warranties and conditions of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. We specifically disclaim any liability with respect to this document, and no contractual obligations are formed either directly or indirectly by this document.

Despite our best efforts to maintain the accuracy of the information in this document, we assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, nor for damages resulting from the use of the information herein. Please note that Chipsee products are not authorized for use as critical components in life support devices or systems.

Technical Support

If you encounter any difficulties or have questions related to this document, we encourage you to refer to our other documentation for potential solutions. If you cannot find the solution you’re looking for, feel free to contact us. Please email Chipsee Technical Support at support@chipsee.com, providing all relevant information. We value your queries and suggestions and are committed to providing you with the assistance you require.