Contec has developed and started selling fanless touch panel computers equipped with Intel Atom x6425E (Elkhart Lake) processors, adopting an analog resistive film method, with two models in the "PT-M series" and four models in the "PT-F series," beginning on September 12, 2023. The new products include the panel mount type "PT-M07WA-310" featuring a 7-inch touch panel display, and the open frame types "PT-F10SA-320" and "PT-F12SA-320" featuring 10.4-inch and 12.1-inch displays, respectively. For installation on devices, users can choose between the panel mount type and the open frame type according to their needs. The panel mount type is easy to install as it is embedded from the front and is IP65 compliant, preventing the ingress of dust and water droplets. The open frame type, utilizing a robust frame, does not require a housing and can accommodate a wide range of devices, with the feature that the installation surface is flush with the screen of the panel computer as it is integrated from the back.

Contec has developed an embedded computer with the embedded OS Microsoft Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, which has the endpoint security product Trellix Application Control, a whitelist-type antivirus software from Trellix, pre-installed. Orders for this new model of the "Box Computer® BX-220 Series," which is currently on sale, began in August 2023.

Contec Co., Ltd. has developed 24 models of the industrial edge AI computer "DX-U2000 Series" equipped with NVIDIA(R) Jetson Orin(TM), and began sales in July 2023. The new product is a fanless industrial computer suitable for AI inference processing, equipped with either the NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX or Jetson Orin Nano module. It can be applied to image inspection and predictive maintenance in production sites, as well as for industrial edge AI computers mounted on AGVs/AMRs. It features 4 Gigabit LAN ports, HDMI, 4 USB ports, general-purpose I/O, serial ports, CAN ports, and RTC, achieving flexible installation and environmental resistance. Additionally, it comes standard with large-capacity NVMe storage, making it reliable for practical applications. The software environment is pre-installed with Ubuntu, similar to the developer kit, and the JetPack SDK is available, allowing applications created with the developer kit to be executed directly. The wireless model is equipped with an LTE SIM-free communication module, enabling 4G LTE communication.

Contec has developed a PCI Express bus-compliant interface board equipped with high-speed, high-precision multi-channel analog input capabilities, and has begun selling it as part of the PC measurement and control PC-HELPER series, specifically the Analog G series "AI-1664UG-PE." Our company has launched four models of the "Analog G series," which features high-speed, high-precision multi-channel analog input capabilities that enable compact and cost-effective measurement and control systems requiring diverse signal input and output. The newly released product is a multifunctional interface board that includes 64-channel analog input with 16-bit resolution and a conversion speed of 1 MSPS, as well as 8 digital input/output points and 1 channel of 32-bit counter functionality. With this addition, the lineup of the Analog G series now totals five models. 【Main Features】 ● High-speed continuous sampling through DMA bus master transfer capability ● Advanced synchronization control via event controller ● Synchronous operation of up to 16 devices (with synchronization control connector connection) ● Jumperless and trimmerless design (software configuration)

Contec has developed a highly expandable industrial computer that can accommodate up to seven expansion boards compatible with the 10th generation Intel(R) Core(TM) processor (Comet Lake), and will begin accepting orders for the Solution-ePC(R) series "MR4100" starting in July 2023. The new product features a 4U type chassis for 19-inch rack mounting and adopts a BTO (Build-To-Order) method that allows users to freely configure components such as CPU, memory, storage, and optical drives from a menu. It supports the 10th generation (Comet Lake) Intel Core processor and can implement up to seven expansion boards (PCI Express 4 slots, PCI 3 slots), enabling the installation of high-performance graphics cards and a variety of measurement and control boards produced by our company. The operating system options include Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, as well as the domestic Linux "MIRACLE LINUX 9.0," which is compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux and serves as a successor to CentOS.

Contec has released the highly anticipated new product "GMB-IEHL210" in its Mini-ITX series of industrial motherboards. This state-of-the-art motherboard, featuring a powerful Intel(R) Elkhart Lake platform, is specially designed for fanless, slim, and low-power applications, and has started accepting orders from June 29, 2023. The new product is an industrial motherboard that adopts the Mini-ITX form factor. It is designed for edge computing with a focus on slimness for IoT applications. This system is equipped with an Intel Elkhart Lake platform Celeron J6413 quad-core CPU, providing reliable performance for embedded applications. **Key Features** - Equipped with dual 2.5 Gbps LAN ports and supports M.2 - Supports triple display output The new product is suitable for applications that require low power consumption and a compact form factor, such as kiosk terminals, industrial automation, and medical devices.

Contec has developed an expansion box for PC expansion slots (6 models) and will begin accepting orders for the new series of PC measurement and control I/O expansion chassis, "Bus Extension Method PCI Bus Expansion Chassis ECH-PCI-BE3 Series" (hereinafter referred to as the new product) starting in August 2023. The new product is an expansion chassis that allows for the addition of PCI bus (5V/32bit 33MHz) slots to a PC. The PC and this expansion chassis are connected via a separately sold expansion bus adapter (EAD(PCI), EAD(LPCI)BE, EAD-BE-LPE). There are two types of chassis available: one for short size and one for long size. The short size chassis can accommodate up to 7 PCI boards, while the long size chassis can accommodate up to 13 PCI boards. Additionally, it can turn the power ON/OFF in conjunction with the PC, and it features a steel chassis with a built-in cooling fan, making it suitable for use in the field.

The article "Controlling Model Trains with Raspberry Pi," published in the Fall 2022 issue of the electronic hobby magazine issued by Denpa Shimbunsha, is available for free download. This article introduces the process of creating a model train controller that can be remotely operated via smartphone using Raspberry Pi.

Contec has developed the analog waveform output software "C-WaveformGenerator" and started offering a free download service from May 30, 2023. The new product is software that allows easy output of basic waveforms using our analog output devices on Windows 11/10. It is compatible with the rich measurement and control device PC-HELPER series (PCIe/PCI, USB). The new product features a GUI similar to a benchtop signal generator, allowing voltage output of up to ±10V or current output of 0-20mA with just one click. No complicated programming is required. Basic operations involve selecting the output waveform and device from six pre-registered basic waveforms (DC, sine wave, triangle wave, square wave, sawtooth wave, noise) and simply clicking the "OUTPUT button." By using it as a substitute for a benchtop signal generator (function generator), you can build a more space-efficient and flexible system for processing rotary encoder signals with pseudo signals for custom circuits or input waveform signals for bipolar power supplies in electronic component testing on a PC-based platform.

Thank you for waiting! The CPI series of HAT-sized boards for Raspberry Pi(R) (Raspi) is now compatible with the latest Raspberry Pi OS February 2023. Under the motto "Making PC convenience available for FA!", Contec is quick to adapt to the current PC platform and will continue to contribute to the use of PCs in industrial applications. Our USB I/O units, Ethernet I/O units, sub-gigahertz wireless I/O units, and remote I/O (CONPROSYS nano) are also compatible with Raspberry Pi CPU boards. The device driver API-TOOL for Linux abstracts the differences in buses, allowing programming to remain the same regardless of the connected bus. This enables free selection of devices according to applications and purposes. Supported Raspberry Pi CPU boards: - Raspberry Pi 4 Model B - Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+

Contec has developed the "LPC-1700 series," a compact slim tower computer with excellent expandability that can be equipped with an 8th generation Intel® Core™ processor or Celeron® processor. Orders began on May 25, 2023. The new product is an industrial computer with a compact design that can be installed in limited spaces while ensuring high expandability through the adoption of a high-performance Intel Q370 chipset. It is equipped with various expansion interfaces, including four expansion slots (three PCI Express 3 slots and one PCI slot), three Gigabit LAN ports, one serial port, and six USB 3.2 Gen1 ports. To allow customers to choose the optimal specifications based on their applications and budgets, we have started offering a BTO (Build To Order) system where components such as CPU, memory capacity, and storage can be freely configured from a menu. This product is suitable not only for real-time high-speed computing and advanced graphic processing required for embedded applications but also for terminals used in analytical equipment and business terminals.

Contec has developed the 4G LTE module "CPSN-COM-1GM1" as a new product in the CONPROSYS nano series, a remote I/O system that pursues cost performance and ease of use for the IoT era, and has started accepting orders from May 18, 2023. The new product is an I/O module that adds 4G LTE communication functionality to the programmable remote I/O coupler unit (CPSN-PCB271-S1-041) of the CONPROSYS nano series, which is equipped with a CODESYS runtime compliant with IEC 61131-3. By adopting the wireless communication standard Cat. M1 for IoT devices and implementing it in the expansion slot of the coupler unit, it enables the transmission of collected data from remote locations for applications such as equipment monitoring. It is also easy to connect with our web HMI/SCADA software, CONPROSYS HMI System (CHS), which allows for the easy construction and operation of monitoring and management systems for plants and production processes. Additionally, for integration with cloud services such as AWS and Azure, it is possible to use the HTTP request functions provided by Contec, which are available in the CODESYS integrated development environment.

Contec exhibited at Japan IT Week "26th Embedded/Edge Computing Expo Spring" held from April 5 to 7, 2023. We sincerely thank everyone who visited our booth. To provide a simulated experience of visiting our exhibition booth, we have prepared report videos of each section by our staff and a 3D virtual booth. Please take a look.

Contec has developed a model equipped with an 8th generation Intel Celeron processor for its fanless embedded computer "Box Computer® BX-T3000 Series." A total of 10 new models have been added to the lineup, and sales began on May 9, 2023. We have been offering 25 models of the "BX-T3000 Series," which features the 8th generation Intel Core processor (Whiskey Lake-U) and contributes to compact device design with a thickness of about 30mm and a footprint nearly the size of A5. The newly released products are 10 models equipped with the Celeron 4305UE, focusing more on cost performance. With the addition of these models, the total lineup now consists of 35 models.

Contec Co., Ltd. has developed a PCI Express bus-compliant interface board equipped with high-speed, high-precision multi-channel analog input functions and has begun selling it as part of the PC measurement and control PC-HELPER series, specifically the "Analog G Series." The new product is a multifunctional interface board that, in addition to analog input, features 2 channels of analog output, 16 points of digital input/output, and 2 channels of 32-bit counters. It enables the realization of measurement and control systems that require diverse signal input and output in a compact and reasonably priced manner. The DMA bus master transfer function included in the new product allows for long-duration continuous sampling while maintaining the device's maximum conversion speed. The event controller integrated into the new product manages the trigger/clock/status of each signal input/output in a unified manner, enabling synchronization control of signal input/output at the hardware level, which is difficult to achieve at the software level. Additionally, up to 16 devices can be connected to the synchronization connector on the board using a dedicated cable, allowing for synchronized operation via the event controller. This makes it ideal for applications requiring low latency and real-time performance, such as factory automation and mixed signal testing.

Contec Co., Ltd. has developed an industrial edge AI computer equipped with a GPU board optimized for edge AI/HPC, named the "EPC-C5000A series." Starting from late April 2023, it will be available for order in a BTO (Build-To-Order) format, allowing customers to select components based on their specific applications. The new product features a model equipped with the NVIDIA GPU board RTX A2000 12GB included in the BTO menu. Customers can choose from options such as the 10th generation Intel(R) Xeon W-1290TE, Core i7-10700TE, or Core i5-10500TE, and the operating system is Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2021 LTSC, which will receive Microsoft extended support until January 2032. Additionally, the design of the chassis takes into account the routing of the AC cable to prevent interference with walls and equipment, making it suitable for installation in confined spaces or within devices.

Contec Inc. has developed an embedded PC equipped with a secure BIOS compliant with NIST SP800 and pre-installed with the security software Trellix Application Control as a countermeasure against ransomware, and began accepting orders for the "Box Computer® BX-M2500 Trellix Model" on March 23, 2023. The Box Computer® BX-M2500 Trellix Model is an embedded computer featuring an Intel® Xeon® Processor E-2278GEL, large-capacity memory, and large-capacity storage. It is a high-spec and secure model that includes a tamper-proof BIOS compliant with the security standards set by U.S. government agencies (NIST SP800-147), a TCG TPM 2.0 module, and the embedded OS Microsoft Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, along with the installation of Trellix's endpoint security product, the whitelisting antivirus software Trellix Application Control.

Contec has developed 10 models of embedded PCs compatible with the embedded device OS license Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2021 LTSC 64-bit, and began accepting orders for the "Box Computer® BX-T3000 Series" on February 28, 2023. Our company has been offering a thin and compact embedded PC, approximately 30mm thick and about the size of A5 paper, equipped with an 8th generation Intel Core processor (Whiskey Lake-U). The new product is a model equipped with Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2021 LTSC, which can be supplied for the long term until November 2031. Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2021 LTSC offers version stability for 10 years after release and long-term support, making it an embedded OS suitable for specific application devices that require long-term stable operation. Since there are no feature updates once a year, it reduces the burden of verification and updates due to service packs or patches. It also includes various lockdown features required for specific application devices, enabling a reliable system design for embedded users.

Contec is pleased to announce that the M2M Gateway series, part of its comprehensive industrial IoT brand CONPROSYS®, now supports the international standard communication protocol for building networks, BACnet. The M2M Gateway series is a device that converts information from field devices such as PLCs and sensors into IoT communication protocols. With this firmware update, it now supports both server functionality to convert and transmit PLC and sensor information via BACnet communication, and client functionality to monitor and control BACnet-compatible devices such as air conditioning and lighting. The latest firmware can be downloaded for free from our website. The M2M Gateway series is a gateway device product that comes standard with the necessary functions for building IoT applications, based on the concepts of "easy," "convenient," and "user-friendly." It allows for easy integration with upper systems by converting information from various sensors, PLCs/CNCs, and Modbus devices into communication protocols such as OPC UA, MTConnect, HTTPS, and MQTT.

Contec has added 15 new models to its lineup, featuring the "Power Cut Protect®" function that supports power-off operation without the need for shutdown processing, in its fanless embedded PC "Box Computer®" and all-in-one industrial PC "Panel Computer" with a touchscreen display. The release began sequentially on January 24, 2023. The new products are industrial computers that achieve fanless and spindle-less operation by adopting SSDs (TLC) with robust protection features for the boot drive, pre-installed with Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSB 2019. They can protect data being written even during sudden power outages, and by using the Windows lockdown (disk write suppression) feature in conjunction, the "Power Cut Protect®" function allows for safe power-off without OS shutdown processing. When a voltage drop occurs, the system immediately stops accepting new write operations to the SSD, performs the final write operation before power is lost, and prevents data loss. Additionally, the write protection feature for the SSD can be easily enabled through BIOS settings.

Contec Corporation has developed a compact Wi-Fi module that conforms to Wi-Fi 6E, featuring new functions for mesh Wi-Fi and smart roaming, under the concept of "pursuing uninterrupted wireless LAN." Orders for the FLEXLAN(R) FX series "FXE5000" will begin in February 2023. The new product is a business card-sized module that enables Wi-Fi connectivity for devices with Ethernet communication capabilities. It is an intelligent type that implements the necessary wireless LAN drivers, TCP/IP protocol stack, and encryption/authentication security functions on a board computer with an embedded CPU. By simply connecting via cable, it allows for easy Wi-Fi integration of Ethernet communication devices, significantly reducing development costs. The new product complies with the new wireless LAN standard Wi-Fi 6E (IEEE 802.11ax), which was approved on September 2, 2022. It incorporates new technologies such as OFDMA, MU-MIMO, and Spatial Reuse, resulting in a communication speed that is 2.8 times faster than conventional products compliant with Wi-Fi 5 (IEEE 802.11ac).

Contec has developed a high-power fanless embedded PC that expands the operating temperature range by up to 40% with a new heat dissipation technology, and began accepting orders for it as "Box Computer® BX-M2510" from January 2023. The new product is an embedded computer compatible with the 9th generation Intel® Core™ desktop processors. The top model is equipped with the Xeon® processor E-2278GEL. With the newly developed heat dissipation technology, the operating temperature range has been expanded from 0-50°C to -10-60°C (+20%) while maintaining the same width and depth dimensions as previous products, and by attaching an optional fan unit, it can be further expanded from 0-50°C to -10-70°C (+40%). There is a growing demand to process high-load tasks such as AI, AR, and image recognition on edge devices, leading to a need for high-spec computers for embedded applications. However, challenges have arisen, such as failures caused by heat when embedded in devices, or costs incurred for special thermal countermeasures to prevent such issues. This product allows for the integration of the necessary computer functions for advanced edge processing into devices without the need for special thermal measures.

Contec has developed a new product in the VPC-7000 series of server-grade high-end FA computers, compatible with the 3rd generation Intel(R) Xeon(R) Scalable processors (Ice Lake), which comes pre-installed with "MIRACLE LINUX 8.6." Orders began on November 29, 2022. MIRACLE LINUX 8 is well-regarded as a domestic Linux OS that addresses the end of CentOS. The latest version 8.6 of MIRACLE LINUX 8 is now available for selection on the high-end FA computer VPC-7000, which is compatible with Intel Xeon Scalable processors. Contec's MIRACLE LINUX pre-installed model offers the "MIRACLE LINUX Standard Support OEM version" as a special offer. It provides services that are usually charged (with a separate contract), such as technical inquiries, update support (notification of update information, provision of version upgrades, correction modules, and errata information), and 12 years of extended support (normally 10 years) without the need for additional contracts, ensuring long-term peace of mind for users.

Contec has developed the "DX-U1220" (hereafter referred to as the new product), an industrial edge AI computer equipped with NVIDIA(R) Jetson Xavier NX(TM), featuring a large-capacity SSD and additional expansion interfaces. A total of two models will be newly added to the lineup, with sales starting in November 2022. The new product comes standard with a large-capacity NVMe 256GB storage, allowing for the storage of extensive learning libraries and data, as well as enabling long-term data logging. Additionally, it is equipped with USB3.2 Gen2 x4 ports to connect multiple USB cameras simultaneously, which are used for visual inspection on manufacturing lines, and a convenient serial port (RS-232C/422A/485 1 port) for connecting peripherals and sensors. With the addition of this new product, the DX series equipped with NVIDIA(R) Jetson now has a total of seven models in its lineup.

This is an industrial computer suitable for AI inference processing equipped with the NVIDIA(R) Jetson Xavier NX(TM) module. The NVIDIA(R) Jetson Xavier NX(TM) features 384 Volta cores as a GPU and includes two NVDLA (NVIDIA Deep Learning Accelerator) units, enhancing deep learning performance. In comparisons of ResNet-50 inference execution, it can perform approximately 5.5 times faster at FP16 precision and about 21.5 times faster at INT8 precision, which is advantageous for inference execution, thereby accelerating edge inference for high-performance AI applications. With the standard inclusion of a large-capacity NVMe 256GB storage, it can store large training libraries and data, as well as enable long-term data logging. Additionally, it is equipped with USB 3.2 Gen2 x4 ports to connect multiple USB cameras simultaneously for applications such as visual inspection on manufacturing lines, and it also includes a serial port (RS-232C/422A/485 1 port) for convenient connection of peripherals and sensors.

Contec will conduct a limited-time campaign offering a 35% discount on the "Web HMI/SCADA software CONPROSYS HMI System (hereinafter CHS)" that allows for the creation of graphical screens without coding, from October 1, 2022 (Saturday) to March 31, 2023 (Friday). CHS is a SCADA software that enables data collection, control, alarm detection, and notification through various IoT gateway devices compatible with our industrial IoT solution CONPROSYS(R) series and MQTT communication, allowing for the construction and operation of remote monitoring and management systems without programming, displaying process charts, trend graphs, and reports on the HMI monitoring screen for various applications. Campaign Details Eligible Products: All packages 35% OFF Period October 1, 2022 (Saturday) to March 31, 2023 (Friday) *Japan time How to Apply By entering the 35% OFF campaign price coupon code "CPS2022-0331" on the EC site MyCommerce screen, the price of eligible products will be reduced by 35%.

Contec has developed the "LPC-1700 series," a high-performance slim tower computer equipped with an 8th generation Intel® Core™ processor, featuring excellent expandability. Orders will begin in October 2022. The new product is an industrial computer with a compact design (height 96mm, width 330mm, depth 399mm) that can be installed in limited spaces while ensuring high expandability through the adoption of the high-performance Intel® Q370 chipset. It is equipped with four expansion slots, three Gigabit LAN ports, one serial port (compatible with RS-232C/RS-422A/485), and six USB 3.2 Gen1 ports, among various other expansion interfaces. The built-in GPU HD630 supports 4K (3840×2160 pixels) resolution, enabling high-definition image display and smooth video playback. It features a rich array of display interfaces, including DVI-I, HDMI, and DisplayPort. It is ideal for embedded applications requiring real-time high-speed computing and advanced graphics processing, as well as for terminals used in analytical instruments and business applications.

We are pleased to announce that Contec's industrial edge AI computer "DX-U1100" has been certified as a FORXAI Edge Device of the image IoT platform "FORXAI" provided by Konica Minolta, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as Konica Minolta). FORXAI is an image IoT platform that accelerates digital transformation (DX) in society together with customers and partners by integrating the latest IoT and AI technologies based on Konica Minolta's strength in imaging technology. Our DX-U1100 has been confirmed to be able to connect and collaborate with FORXAI through the "FORXAI Device Certification Program" promoted by Konica Minolta, and has been officially certified as a FORXAI Edge Device. By utilizing the FORXAI Edge Device, solution partners will be able to rapidly develop FORXAI solutions.

On May 9, 2022, a new experiential attraction called the "Tower Slider" was born at Tsutenkaku, a registered tangible cultural property in Osaka Prefecture and a long-loved symbol of Shinsekai. The Tower Slider allows visitors to drop from the intermediate observation deck on the 3rd floor, 22 meters above ground, down to the basement level in one swift motion while circling around the exterior of the elevator tower. The latest video service technology used for this attraction employs Contec's VPC-5000. The video service for the Tsutenkaku Tower Slider provides videos to everyone instantly, rather than just photos. Upon arriving at the exit, videos are generated within about 30 seconds, including footage taken at the entrance, the default sliding scene, and footage at the exit, which are then uploaded to a monitor at the exit in full HD 2K quality. Visitors can download their videos by scanning the QR code on the monitor using a dedicated Wi-Fi connection, making it easy to view and save the video data. The video processing system, which accurately and stably processes high-quality video data exceeding 30MB in size in real-time as riders enter and exit the slider, is powered by Contec's industrial high-end FA computer, the VPC-5000.

Contec has released the latest firmware that implements router functionality in its comprehensive industrial IoT brand, CONPROSYS(R). By updating to the latest firmware, users can utilize the router function, contributing to the simplification of device configuration and enhanced security in IoT systems. The router features supported in this update include DHCP server, static routing, port forwarding, and IP filtering. The models affected are 11 models of the compact type M2M controller, 5 models of the stack type M2M controller, and 5 models of the M2M Gateway series. The latest firmware can be downloaded for free from our website.