PPC-A9-121-C

Version 1.1

Product Overview

The Cortex®-A9 series PPC-A9-121-C (PN: CS10768F121) is a rugged, high-quality industrial panel PC. It features a 12” multi-point capacitive touch screen with a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels.

The PPC-A9-121-C Industrial Panel PC is based around the powerful CS-SOM-iMX6Q System on Module (SoM), powered by the i.MX6Q Arm® Cortex®-A9 quad-core Application Processor (APU). The i.MX6Q APU represents the latest achievement in integrated multimedia applications processors, delivering high-performance computing, an abundance of integrated peripherals, and high power efficiency.

This product also features a broad range of connectivity options, providing a high level of scalability for various use cases. It is the perfect solution for power-constrained applications on the Edge, acting as a robust control unit for collecting, processing, and aggregating field data. The i.MX6Q APU is part of NXP’s EdgeVerse™ edge computing platform.

The NXP i.MX6UL APU does not generate extensive heat, so even the thin aluminum housing on PPC version delivers sufficient thermal dissipation. With its junction temperature from -40 to +125°C, the APU itself is well suited for extended temperature range in both automotive and factory environments.

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-A9-121-C 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.

  • Chipsee Linux*

  • Android 4.3

  • Android 6.0

  • Android 8.0

  • Ubuntu 12.04

  • Ubuntu 14.04

  • Debian


*

Chipsee Linux is based on NXP Yocto framework 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 how to install different OS 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-A9-121-C 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-A9-121-C Industrial Panel PC offers a board range of performance and connectivity options for scalable integration, providing expandability according to future needs. Some of the key features are listed in the table below.

Table 16 Key Features

PPC-A9-121-C

CPU

iMX6Q, Arm® Cortex®-A9, 1GHz

RAM

2GB DDR3

eMMC

8GB

Storage

TF Card, Supports up to 32GB SDHC

Display

12” LCD, 1024 x 768, High Brightness: 500cd/m2

Touch

Capacitive Multi-Point Touch Screen

USB

4 x USB 2.0 HOST, 1 x USB OTG

LAN

1 x Channel 1000Mbps LAN

Audio

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

Buzzer

Yes

RTC

Yes, Powered by CR2032 Button Battery

RS232

4 x RS232

RS485

Optional 2 x RS4851

CAN

Optional 2 x CAN

GPIO

Optional 4 x Channels Input and 4 x Channels Output

WiFi/BT

Integrated WiFi/BT Module

HDMI

1 x HDMI

SATA

1 x SATA II

Expansion Port

10-pin expansion connector

4G/LTE

Optional, Not mounted by default

Power Input

From 15V to 36V

Current at 15V

2000mA Max

Power Consumption

10W Typical

Working Temperature

From -20°C to +70°C

OS

Multiple Choices (Operating System)

Dimensions

320 x 260 x 52mm

Weight

2800g

Mounting

Panel & VESA


1

This product has 5 x UART channels in total. The default configuration is 4 x RS232 and 1 x UART for WiFi/BT module. UART can be swapped between RS232 and RS485 modes easily, so if you need different RS232/RS485 configuration, please get in touch with the Chipsee Technical Support at support@chipsee.com

Power Input

The PPC-A9-121-C Industrial Panel PC can be powered by a wide range of input voltages: From 15V to 36V DC. The power input connector is a 3-pin, 3.81mm terminal. The polarity and the pinout is clearly marked on the housing of the product as shown on the figure below.

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Figure 53: 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 17 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-A9-121-C Industrial Panel PC uses a 10-point capacitive touch screen.

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-A9-121-C 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 problem 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-A9-121-C industrial PC. It has 4 x USB 2.0 HOST, 1 x USB OTG (can be customized to Host or OTG), 1 x Channel 1000Mbps LAN (RJ45) Ethernet connector supporting up to 1 Gbps, and 4 x DB9 connectors.

DB9 Connectors

The PPC-A9-121-C Industrial Panel PC has 4 x DB9 connectors that are configured as RS232 by default as shown on the figure below. You can configure COM3/COM4 as RS485. If you need different RS232/RS485 configuration, contact the Chipsee Technical Support at support@chipsee.com.

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Figure 54: DB9 Connectors

USB Connectors

There are 4 x Type A USB HOST connectors onboard, as shown on the figure below.

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Figure 55: USB HOST Connectors

There is also 1 x Type Mini B USB OTG connector, configured as slave by default.

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Figure 56: USB OTG Connector

LAN Connectors

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

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Figure 57: 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-A9-121-C 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).

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Figure 58: RTL8273 WiFi/BT Module

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

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Figure 59: WiFi+BT Antenna

4G/LTE Module

The PPC-A9-121-C 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-A9-121-C. SIM card does NOT support hot plug. Power off before inserting or removing SIM card.

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Figure 60: SIM Card Holder

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SIM Card Direction

Attention

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

  2. Also, there is no software driver for any kind of 4G/LTE module on Chipsee store.

Expansion Port

The PPC-A9-121-C Industrial Panel PC has 1 x Expansion Port as shown on the figure below. It is an optional 10 Pin 3.81mm GPIO Connector. This connector has connected to isolated GPIO signals.

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Figure 61: Expansion Port

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

Isolated GPIO reduced schematic

Table 18 GPIO Connector Pin-out

GPIO Connector Pin Definition:

Pin Number

Definition

Description

Pin 1

VCC_ISO

Isolated Power Input (+5V – +24V)

Pin 2

GND_ISO

Isolated Ground

Pin 3

OUT1

Isolated Output 1

Pin 4

OUT2

Isolated Output 2

Pin 5

OUT3

Isolated Output 3

Pin 6

OUT4

Isolated Output 4

Pin 7

IN1

Isolated Input 1

Pin 8

IN2

Isolated Input 2

Pin 9

IN3

Isolated Input 3

Pin 10

IN4

Isolated Input 4

Attention

  • The GPIO has been Opt-Isolated and it uses the 24V Logic by default. 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.

Audio Connectors

The PPC-A9-121-C Industrial Panel PC features some audio peripherals, as well. It has 1 x 3.5mm audio input jack and 1 x 3.5mm audio output jack.

The pink connector is the audio input jack (line-in) and the blue connector is the audio output jack (line-out, typically around -10 dBV) as shown on the figure below.

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Figure 62: Audio I/O Connectors

HDMI Connector

The PPC-A9-121-C Industrial Panel PC is equipped with 1 x HDMI connector. The HDMI connector allows connecting an additional (external) monitor. HDMI output resolution can be configured by the software.

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Figure 63: HDMI Connector

Boot DIP Switch

The PPC-A9-121-C Industrial Panel PC supports boot from SD card. If you want to re-flash the Operating System (OS), you can use the TF card for that purpose, combined with the DIP switch settings as illustrated in the figure below.

There is no need to alter the DIP switch settings during regular operation. However, if you need to reinstall the OS, please refer to the table below. Detailed information on how to re-flash the OS can be found in the Software Documentation.

../../../../../_images/Boot_SW.jpeg

Figure 64: Boot DIP Switch

Table 19 Boot Configuration Selection

Boot Config Select

DIP SW

1

2

3

4

SD

1

0

0

0

eMMC

1

1

0

1

Download

0

1

1

0

Measurements and Mounting Procedure

The outer mechanical dimensions of PPC-A9-121-C are 320 x 260 x 52mm (W x L x H).

The PPC-A9-121-C Industrial Panel PC can be mounted with 8 x M4 screws or 4 x M4 screws using the VESA (100x100cm or 75x75cm) and Panel mounting methods, enabling simplified installation onto any standard mounting fixture.

Note

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.

3D Model

PPC-A9-121-C 3D model can be viewed in the online doc in a web browser, if you are reading from the PDF version, please visit the online doc PPC-A9-121-C, select hardware documentation, drag the navigation bar to the 3D Model section.

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.