Advantech Launches ECU-479 IEC 61850-3 Certified Fanless Platform for Smart Substations

Taipei, Taiwan, March 5th, 2024 – Advantech (TWSE: 2395), a global leader in Industrial IoT, is excited to announce the launch of ECU-479, an IEC-61850-3 Certified Power Automation Computer for smart substation digitalization and virtualization. Specifically designed for next-generation smart substations and harsh environments, the fanless computer can operate in wide temperature ranges (-25 to 70°C). Additionally, it features the latest 13th generation Intel® Core™ processors, supporting up to 8+8 cores, making it suitable for high computational demands and virtualization applications. With four built-in display outputs and expandability via PCIe slots, the ECU-479 is well-suited for multi-screen applications such as SCADA systems. Overall, with its high ruggedness, reliability, and scalability, the ECU-479 provides a significant solution for substation applications.

IEC 61850-3 Compliant Based on 13th Generation Intel® Core™ Processors

The ECU-479 complies with the IEC 61850-3 Level 4, Class 2 standard and underwent rigorous testing to ensure stable operation in a variety of harsh environments. Continuing the fanless design concept from the ECU-4784, it supports wide temperature operation up to 70°C/158°F and possesses a longer mean time between failures (MTBF). Featuring support for 13th generation Intel® Core™ processors with up to sixteen cores (8 performance-cores and eight efficient-cores). With significant computing power and core count enhancement, it serves as the optimal solution for digitization and virtualization applications in substations.

Redundant Design Suitable for Long-Term Stable Operation Requirements

Uninterrupted long-term operation is a non-negotiable requirement for infrastructure. The ECU-479 features a hot-swappable redundant power supply design, instantly switching to another power source in case of power failure or unexpected outage to maintain system stability. Equipped with four hot-swappable 2.5" SATA ports and one M.2 SSD slot, it supports RAID configurations for data redundancy. By using additional HSR/PRP network cards such as the ECU-P1524 series, all data transmission/reception is assured, achieving communication redundancy.

Versatility Connectivity and Expandability for Diverse Applications

The ECU-479 boasts extensive connectivity options including LAN, USB, DP, and COM ports, catering to SCADA and diverse usage scenarios. With support for four PCIe devices (up to PCIe Gen. 4 x16), it enables expansion of functionalities such as RAID, Fiber, COM, PTP, IRIG-B, and GPS clock, tailored to specific requirements. Furthermore, its proprietary PCI/PCIe slot, compatible with ECU-P series expansion cards, facilitates the addition of up to eight RJ-45, SFP, COM ports, or other interface types, ensuring versatility for communication and expansion needs.

Support the Latest OS and Remote Technology on Virtual Machine

As a strategic industrial partner of Microsoft, Advantech incorporates Microsoft’s direct support to provide our partners with headache-free services. ECU-479 supports the latest operating systems such as Windows 10/11, Windows Server 2022, and Linux (e.g., Ubuntu 22.04). With its multi-core processors, it can deliver excellent real-time performance, making it ideal for virtual machine management programs. Furthermore, it supports remote management technologies such as iBMC (Intelligent board management controller), Intel® AMT, and SNMP, enabling users to conduct out-of-band (OOB) remote management to eliminate onsite maintenance and reduce system downtime and operational costs.

ECU-479 Key Features

ECU-479 is now available at Advantech. For more information, please contact your local sales support team or visit the Advantech website at www.advantech.com. For more IEC 61850 certified servers, please visit the Advantech Substation Platform.