Ampro Corporation LITTLE BOARD 5001451A - Manual (Page 13)

Little Board P6d Module
1-5
Enhanced Reliability
Reliability is especially important in embedded computer systems. Ampro, specializing in
embedded system computers and peripherals, knows that embedded systems must be able to run
reliably in rugged, hostile, and mission-critical environments without operator intervention. Over
the years, Ampro has evolved system designs and a comprehensive testing program to ensure a
reliable and stable system for harsh and demanding applications. These include:
ISO 9001 Manufacturing. Ampro is a certified ISO 9001 vendor. Knowing that many embedded
systems must qualify under EMC emissions and susceptibility testing, Ampro designs boards with
careful attention to EMI issues.
Wide-range temperature testing. Ampro Engineering qualifies all of its designs by extensive
thermal and voltage margin testing.
Shock and Vibration Testing. Ampro products are intended for use in harsh environments and
are designed for shock and vibration durability to MIL-STD 202F, Method 213-I, Condition A
(three 50G shocks in each axis) and MIL-STD 202F, Method 214A, Table 214-I, Condition D (11.95B
random vibration, 100 Hz to 1000 Hz).
Software
The vast array of commercial and public-domain software for the IBM PC and PC/AT is usable in
LB/P6d-based systems. You can use the most popular software development tools (editors,
compilers, debuggers, etc.) for developing code for your application. With this software and the
standard Ampro-supplied utilities and drivers, you can quickly tailor a system to your needs.
Use the board's Setup function for all system configurations. Setup information is stored in both
the battery-backed CMOS RAM-portion of the real-time clock, and in a configuration EEPROM.
Setup information is retained in the EEPROM even if the real-time clock battery loses power,
ensuring reliable start-up.
Setup can be invoked by pressing the DEL key during the Power-On Self Test (POST). The
contents of the EEPROM can be written and read from the DOS command line using a utility
program, SETCMOS.EXE, available on the Little Board P6d Utilities diskette.
Designing Little Board Systems
The board affords a great deal of flexibility in system design. You can build a system using only the
Little Board, serial or parallel devices for input/output, and a solid-state disk drive.
On-board MiniModule Expansion
The simplest way to expand a Little Board system is with self-stacking Ampro MiniModules.
MiniModules are available for a wide variety of functions. You can stack the MiniModules on the
Little Board and avoid the need for bus cables, card cages, and backplanes. For detailed
information, see page 2-43.