Rugged Computer Information
A rugged (or ruggedized, but also ruggedised) computer is a computer specifically designed to reliably operate in harsh usage environments and conditions, such as strong vibrations, extreme temperatures and wet or dusty conditions. They are designed from inception for the type of rough use typified by these conditions; commercial units upgraded for this purpose make poor substitutes. In general, ruggedized and hardened computers share the same design robustness and frequently these terms are interchangeable.
Rugged laptops, tablet PCs and PDAs are used by construction workers, emergency services, and military personnel.
Contents |
Construction
Virtually all rugged computers share an underlying design philosophy of providing a controlled environment for the installed electronics. The electronic components themselves may be selected for their ability to withstand higher and lower operating temperatures than typical commercial components.
Standards
- MIL-STD-810 (also known as Mil-Spec): a military standard, issued in 1962, which establishes a set of tests for determining equipment suitability to military operations. Often used as a reference in the commercial laptop industry.
- MIL-S-901: a military standard for shock which applies to equipment mounted on ships. Two levels apply. Grade A items are items which are essential to the safety and continued combat capability of the ship. Grade B items are items whose operation is not essential to the safety and combat capability of the ship but which could become a hazard to personnel, to Grade A items, or to the ship as a whole as a result of exposure to shock.[1]. Qualification testing is performed on a barge floating in a pond where TNT is detonated at various distances and depths in the pond to impart shock to the barges. See Barge Test .
- IEEE 1613 Computers in electrical substations used to concentrate data or communicate with SCADA systems follow IEEE 1613 "Standard Environmental and Testing Requirements for Communications Networking Devices in Electric Power Substations."
- IP (Ingress Protection): see IP Code
- IS (Intrinsic Safety): see Intrinsic safety
- ATEX (Potentially Explosive Atmospheres): see Equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres
- NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association): see National Electrical Manufacturers Association
- IK Code (Also known as EN50102) see EN 50102
- European railway standard EN50155, “Railway Applications—Electronic Equipment Used On Rolling Stock”, provides an example of a tough non-military specification. It extends operating temperature range (-25/+70 degrees C), resistance to humidity, shocks, vibrations, radiation - encountered in vehicle or airborne installations.
See also
- Category:Avionics computers
- List of emerging technologies
- Industrial PC
- Military computers
- Mobile computer
- Portable computer
- 19-inch rack
References
External links
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Rugged laptops |
Categories: Classes of computers
|