Designed for use in naval, airborne, and ground-based command and control facilities, BarcoView Corp''s high performance DS 251 Display Station must be both reliable and compact. VersaLogic''s VSBC-8 EBX board has been selected by BarcoView as the onboard embedded computer in its graphics display system, which incorporates a rugged LCD with a Pentium III VSBC-8 and custom BarcoView daughtercard into one space-conserving standalone unit.
Important standard features of the DS-251 include network radar broadcasting, LCD display capabilities, an application-specific expansion slot (ASES), and "thin client" and "thick client" functionality. The unique radar broadcasting feature allows a signal to be sent over a network, either to other units or other computers, which may be viewed by technicians at any networked location. The color display capabilities increase the machine''s range of applications. The ASES modular approach allows for mission-specific customization, future functionality expansion, and technology upgrades. The "thin client" and "thick client" functionality means that it will work as a standalone unit, and can also connect to a network.
An optional smart card reader in the Display Station allows each person on the ship to have his or her own security clearance level, permitting access only to certain information. The smart card also automatically returns the user to the screen last viewed, even from other workstations.
"The standard PC interface and rugged, EBX-format of VersaLogic''s VSBC-8 is perfect for our DS251 Display Station," said Tom Vickers, lead engineer, BarcoView Corp. "It integrated easily into our system while maintaining the compact reliability required by our primary market (military ship command centers). Furthermore, VersaLogic''s outstanding customer service and product availability made it easy to get our product to market on time and will enable us to keep up with customer demand."
"I am very impressed with the display station and pleased that we were able to contribute to its reliability and ruggedness," said Tom Barnum, VersaLogic''s vice president of sales and marketing. "The display station from BarcoView is a perfect example of how COTS technology provides the basis for developing products for customers that want to take their embedded systems to a new level."