Digital World Mapping adopts Small PC rugged vehicle computer for helicopter mapping system
CLEARWATER, Fla., 19 March 2013. Digital World Mapping Inc. engineers sought a rugged computer for use in its LiDAR mapping and imaging system. They found their solution, the SC240ML rugged vehicle computer, from Small PC in Clearwater, Fla.
The computer hosts the mapping system with data connections to the global positioning system (GPS), Inertial Navigation System (INS), and Scanning Laser through Ethernet ports. The SC240ML computer also connects to a sunlight readable display for the operator interface and control functions.
The SC240ML designed for vehicle computer applications that require reliability under the extremes of high shock and vibration. The SC240ML computer is mounted in the cockpit of the helicopter behind the pilot's seat. A high-precision GPS antenna is mounted on the tail of the helicopter with the Scanning Laser and inertial measurement unit (IMU) mounted under the aircraft.
The SC240ML Vehicle Computer is completely sealed and operates with no moving parts using a unique passive cooling system. The computer system includes ruggedized solid-state drives (SSD), which are removable allowing the convenient transfer and management of the mapping data as well as simplified system maintenance and upgrades.
The SC240ML for Digital World Mapping's helicopter mapping system is configured with an Intel i5 2.5GHz CPU and dual hot swap drive shuttles with optional upgrades of one RS422 Serial port and three RS232 Serial ports.
The SC240ML computer is available in standard off-the-shelf configurations with Intel's Atom and i-series processors, including the high-performance 3rd Generation Core i7 processor. Configuration options include flash drives to 512G, memory to 16G, and Linux or Windows operating systems installed and tested.
Courtney E. Howard | Chief Editor, Intelligent Aerospace
Courtney enjoys writing about all things high-tech in PennWell’s burgeoning Aerospace and Defense Group, which encompasses Intelligent Aerospace and Military & Aerospace Electronics. She’s also a self-proclaimed social-media maven, mil-aero nerd, and avid avionics and space geek. Connect with Courtney at [email protected], @coho on Twitter, on LinkedIn, and on Google+.