VDX3-PCI-7S5E
With a standard operating range of −20 °C to +70 °C (extendable to −40 °C to +85 °C in the optional extended-temperature variant) and sub-zero cold-start capability, the VDX3-PCI-7S5E maintains operation across the temperature extremes encountered in manufacturing, outdoor infrastructure and transportation equipment. Dual simultaneous display output via VGA and LVDS, triple storage interface support (CompactFlash, SATA DOM, IDE DOM) and a broad OS compatibility list spanning Windows XP through Linux, DOS, QNX, VxWorks and FreeBSD make it a practical drop-in replacement board for established embedded systems requiring extended availability without platform migration.
Key Features
- Half-Size PCI Form Factor for Legacy System Compatibility: Conforms to the half-size PCI SBC standard, fitting directly into existing PCI backplane chassis; the PCI bus interface enables communication with installed PCI I/O cards — data acquisition modules, serial port expanders, motion control cards and fieldbus adapters — without chassis replacement or card re-qualification, extending the service life of deployed systems at minimal upgrade cost
- DM&P Vortex86DX3 — x86 with Low-Power Industrial Design: Single-core x86 processor at 1 GHz with 32 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 cache; the Vortex86DX3 architecture is optimised for long-term embedded availability, consistent x86 binary compatibility with existing application software and a low thermal envelope suited to fanless industrial enclosures; 5 V DC supply at 1,100 mA (5.5 W max) for integration into existing backplane power rails
- Dual Simultaneous Display — VGA and LVDS: Integrated 2D VGA controller drives both a D-Sub VGA output (up to 1920×1080@60Hz) and an LVDS panel connector (1.25mm 30-pin, single-channel 24-bit, up to 1024×768@60Hz) simultaneously — supporting operator console plus embedded panel configurations without additional display hardware in the chassis
- Triple Storage Interface — CompactFlash, SATA DOM, IDE DOM: CompactFlash Type I/II slot for rugged solid-state media; 7-pin SATA connector for SATA DOM (disk-on-module) solid-state storage; 2.54mm 40-pin IDE header for IDE DOM modules — covering the full range of solid-state storage standards found in legacy embedded systems and allowing storage media selection to match existing procurement and maintenance processes
- Extended and Ultra-Low Temperature Options: Standard variant operates from −20 °C to +70 °C with sub-zero cold-start (power-up below 0 °C without pre-heating); optional extended-temperature build supports −40 °C to +85 °C for Arctic, Alpine and high-ambient industrial environments; single-core variants achieve wider thermal range than dual-core configurations in the same chassis
- Broad Legacy and Real-Time OS Support: Validated operating system support covers Windows XP, Windows Embedded 2009, Windows Embedded Standard 7, Windows Embedded Compact 7, Windows CE 6.0, Windows Embedded for Point of Service (WePOS), Linux, DOS, QNX, VxWorks and FreeBSD — enabling the VDX3-PCI-7S5E to inherit existing application software, drivers and SCADA configurations from the boards it replaces without OS or software migration
- Gigabit Ethernet, RS-232 Serial and USB 2.0: RTL8111F-based GbE LAN port for network connectivity and remote management; two RS-232 COM ports (2.54mm 10-pin headers) for serial device communication and legacy instrument integration; two USB 2.0 ports for peripheral connection; PS/2 connector for legacy keyboard and mouse; AMI BIOS for familiar configuration and boot control
Application Use Cases
Legacy PCI Industrial System Upgrade and Life Extension
The primary design intent of the VDX3-PCI-7S5E is direct replacement of ageing half-size PCI SBCs in existing industrial chassis. When the original compute board reaches end-of-life or fails, the chassis, backplane, power supply and all installed PCI I/O cards can be retained; only the SBC is exchanged. The Vortex86DX3's x86 binary compatibility allows existing Windows XP, DOS or Linux application software to run without recompilation, and the triple storage interface options cover whatever media format the original system used — preserving operational continuity without a full system replacement project.
Manufacturing Automation with PCI I/O Expansion
Production machines equipped with PCI-bus data acquisition, motion control or fieldbus cards require a compute board that communicates over the same PCI backplane. The VDX3-PCI-7S5E occupies one half-size PCI slot and communicates natively with co-installed PCI cards — digital I/O modules, analogue acquisition boards, Profibus or CANopen interface cards — through the shared backplane bus. This preserves tested and certified automation configurations whilst replacing the ageing processor board, avoiding re-qualification of the entire machine control system.
Harsh Environment Embedded Computing (−40 °C Option)
The optional −40 °C to +85 °C extended temperature variant and sub-zero cold-start capability address installations in unheated outdoor enclosures, cold storage facilities, oil and gas field equipment and Arctic climate deployments. At 5.5 W maximum power consumption, the board generates minimal self-heating at low ambient temperatures, making it practical for applications where the chassis enclosure itself is small and power dissipation must be kept low to avoid condensation and thermal cycling damage to other installed components.
Point-of-Sale, Kiosk and Retail Embedded Terminal
WePOS (Windows Embedded for Point of Service) compatibility and the GbE plus dual USB 2.0 connectivity make the VDX3-PCI-7S5E a suitable compute module for PCI-based POS terminal and self-service kiosk architectures. The dual display output — VGA for the customer-facing screen and LVDS for an embedded operator display or receipt printer LCD — serves the two-screen requirements common in attended and semi-attended POS configurations without additional display controller hardware in the chassis.
Real-Time and RTOS-Based Industrial Controllers
QNX, VxWorks and FreeBSD OS support enables the VDX3-PCI-7S5E to serve as the compute module in real-time industrial controllers and instrumentation systems where a POSIX or proprietary RTOS is required by the application software. The deterministic x86 architecture of the Vortex86DX3 and the availability of long-lifecycle industrial-grade SSD storage (CompactFlash and SATA/IDE DOM) support the extended service life expectations of RTOS-based embedded systems, which frequently remain in service for 10–15 years after initial deployment.
Why Choose the VDX3-PCI-7S5E
PCI Bus Compatibility — The Replacement Option Fewer Suppliers Offer
As the embedded computing industry has migrated to PCIe, Mini-ITX and proprietary form factors, the availability of new half-size PCI SBCs from mainstream suppliers has contracted significantly. The VDX3-PCI-7S5E addresses the installed base of industrial systems that cannot be migrated — because the chassis design is fixed, because installed PCI cards are certified for specific applications, or because the engineering cost of a full redesign exceeds the budget of a maintenance programme. For engineers maintaining these systems, a currently manufactured, warrantied and supported PCI SBC is not a legacy product: it is the correct engineering choice for the application.
Sub-Zero Cold Start Without Pre-Heating
Many embedded systems in outdoor, transport and unheated facility applications are required to start from cold without a warm-up period — a requirement that eliminates boards which specify a minimum operating temperature as a power-on constraint rather than a sustained-operation limit. The VDX3-PCI-7S5E's sub-zero power-up capability allows cold-start from below 0 °C, removing the need for heater elements, thermostatic power sequencing or warm-up delays in the application power-on sequence. For vehicle-mounted, trackside and outdoor kiosk deployments, this simplifies the system power architecture and eliminates a component category from the BOM.
One Board, Eight Operating Systems
The breadth of validated OS support — Windows XP, Embedded Standard 7, CE 6.0, WePOS, Linux, DOS, QNX, VxWorks and FreeBSD — reflects the VDX3-PCI-7S5E's role as a replacement board for diverse embedded system types rather than a platform for new developments running a single modern OS. When an original SBC manufacturer discontinues a product, the replacement must often run the same OS version as the original board to avoid recertification of the application software. The VDX3-PCI-7S5E's OS coverage addresses this requirement across the range of operating systems most commonly found in ageing industrial and POS embedded systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What processor does the VDX3-PCI-7S5E use?
The VDX3-PCI-7S5E uses the DM&P Vortex86DX3 single-core x86 processor running at 1 GHz, with 32 KB L1 cache (instruction + data) and 512 KB L2 cache, and 2 GB of onboard DDR3 memory. The processor provides x86 binary compatibility for existing embedded application software without recompilation.
What storage interfaces does the VDX3-PCI-7S5E support?
The VDX3-PCI-7S5E supports three simultaneous storage interfaces: a CompactFlash Type I/II slot for CF solid-state media, a 7-pin SATA connector for SATA DOM (disk-on-module) storage, and a 2.54mm 40-pin IDE header for IDE DOM modules. Storage media must be sourced separately and is not included with the board.
What is the operating temperature range of the VDX3-PCI-7S5E?
The standard VDX3-PCI-7S5E operates from −20 °C to +70 °C with sub-zero cold-start capability. An extended-temperature build option supports −40 °C to +85 °C for extreme-environment deployments. Dual-core variants (7D4E/7D5E) have a narrower standard range of −10 °C to +60 °C.
What operating systems are compatible with the VDX3-PCI-7S5E?
The VDX3-PCI-7S5E supports Windows XP Professional, Windows Embedded 2009, Windows Embedded Standard 7, Windows Embedded Compact 7, Windows CE 6.0, Windows Embedded for Point of Service (WePOS), Linux, DOS, QNX, VxWorks and FreeBSD.
What is the power requirement for the VDX3-PCI-7S5E?
The VDX3-PCI-7S5E operates from a DC +5 V supply at 1,100 mA maximum (5.5 W), supplied via the PCI backplane connector. No additional power input connector is required. This low power consumption makes it compatible with existing PCI backplane power supplies in legacy chassis without power budget recalculation.
With a standard operating range of −20 °C to +70 °C (extendable to −40 °C to +85 °C in the optional extended-temperature variant) and sub-zero cold-start capability, the VDX3-PCI-7S5E maintains operation across the temperature extremes encountered in manufacturing, outdoor infrastructure and transportation equipment. Dual simultaneous display output via VGA and LVDS, triple storage interface support (CompactFlash, SATA DOM, IDE DOM) and a broad OS compatibility list spanning Windows XP through Linux, DOS, QNX, VxWorks and FreeBSD make it a practical drop-in replacement board for established embedded systems requiring extended availability without platform migration.
Key Features
- Half-Size PCI Form Factor for Legacy System Compatibility: Conforms to the half-size PCI SBC standard, fitting directly into existing PCI backplane chassis; the PCI bus interface enables communication with installed PCI I/O cards — data acquisition modules, serial port expanders, motion control cards and fieldbus adapters — without chassis replacement or card re-qualification, extending the service life of deployed systems at minimal upgrade cost
- DM&P Vortex86DX3 — x86 with Low-Power Industrial Design: Single-core x86 processor at 1 GHz with 32 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 cache; the Vortex86DX3 architecture is optimised for long-term embedded availability, consistent x86 binary compatibility with existing application software and a low thermal envelope suited to fanless industrial enclosures; 5 V DC supply at 1,100 mA (5.5 W max) for integration into existing backplane power rails
- Dual Simultaneous Display — VGA and LVDS: Integrated 2D VGA controller drives both a D-Sub VGA output (up to 1920×1080@60Hz) and an LVDS panel connector (1.25mm 30-pin, single-channel 24-bit, up to 1024×768@60Hz) simultaneously — supporting operator console plus embedded panel configurations without additional display hardware in the chassis
- Triple Storage Interface — CompactFlash, SATA DOM, IDE DOM: CompactFlash Type I/II slot for rugged solid-state media; 7-pin SATA connector for SATA DOM (disk-on-module) solid-state storage; 2.54mm 40-pin IDE header for IDE DOM modules — covering the full range of solid-state storage standards found in legacy embedded systems and allowing storage media selection to match existing procurement and maintenance processes
- Extended and Ultra-Low Temperature Options: Standard variant operates from −20 °C to +70 °C with sub-zero cold-start (power-up below 0 °C without pre-heating); optional extended-temperature build supports −40 °C to +85 °C for Arctic, Alpine and high-ambient industrial environments; single-core variants achieve wider thermal range than dual-core configurations in the same chassis
- Broad Legacy and Real-Time OS Support: Validated operating system support covers Windows XP, Windows Embedded 2009, Windows Embedded Standard 7, Windows Embedded Compact 7, Windows CE 6.0, Windows Embedded for Point of Service (WePOS), Linux, DOS, QNX, VxWorks and FreeBSD — enabling the VDX3-PCI-7S5E to inherit existing application software, drivers and SCADA configurations from the boards it replaces without OS or software migration
- Gigabit Ethernet, RS-232 Serial and USB 2.0: RTL8111F-based GbE LAN port for network connectivity and remote management; two RS-232 COM ports (2.54mm 10-pin headers) for serial device communication and legacy instrument integration; two USB 2.0 ports for peripheral connection; PS/2 connector for legacy keyboard and mouse; AMI BIOS for familiar configuration and boot control
Application Use Cases
Legacy PCI Industrial System Upgrade and Life Extension
The primary design intent of the VDX3-PCI-7S5E is direct replacement of ageing half-size PCI SBCs in existing industrial chassis. When the original compute board reaches end-of-life or fails, the chassis, backplane, power supply and all installed PCI I/O cards can be retained; only the SBC is exchanged. The Vortex86DX3's x86 binary compatibility allows existing Windows XP, DOS or Linux application software to run without recompilation, and the triple storage interface options cover whatever media format the original system used — preserving operational continuity without a full system replacement project.
Manufacturing Automation with PCI I/O Expansion
Production machines equipped with PCI-bus data acquisition, motion control or fieldbus cards require a compute board that communicates over the same PCI backplane. The VDX3-PCI-7S5E occupies one half-size PCI slot and communicates natively with co-installed PCI cards — digital I/O modules, analogue acquisition boards, Profibus or CANopen interface cards — through the shared backplane bus. This preserves tested and certified automation configurations whilst replacing the ageing processor board, avoiding re-qualification of the entire machine control system.
Harsh Environment Embedded Computing (−40 °C Option)
The optional −40 °C to +85 °C extended temperature variant and sub-zero cold-start capability address installations in unheated outdoor enclosures, cold storage facilities, oil and gas field equipment and Arctic climate deployments. At 5.5 W maximum power consumption, the board generates minimal self-heating at low ambient temperatures, making it practical for applications where the chassis enclosure itself is small and power dissipation must be kept low to avoid condensation and thermal cycling damage to other installed components.
Point-of-Sale, Kiosk and Retail Embedded Terminal
WePOS (Windows Embedded for Point of Service) compatibility and the GbE plus dual USB 2.0 connectivity make the VDX3-PCI-7S5E a suitable compute module for PCI-based POS terminal and self-service kiosk architectures. The dual display output — VGA for the customer-facing screen and LVDS for an embedded operator display or receipt printer LCD — serves the two-screen requirements common in attended and semi-attended POS configurations without additional display controller hardware in the chassis.
Real-Time and RTOS-Based Industrial Controllers
QNX, VxWorks and FreeBSD OS support enables the VDX3-PCI-7S5E to serve as the compute module in real-time industrial controllers and instrumentation systems where a POSIX or proprietary RTOS is required by the application software. The deterministic x86 architecture of the Vortex86DX3 and the availability of long-lifecycle industrial-grade SSD storage (CompactFlash and SATA/IDE DOM) support the extended service life expectations of RTOS-based embedded systems, which frequently remain in service for 10–15 years after initial deployment.
Why Choose the VDX3-PCI-7S5E
PCI Bus Compatibility — The Replacement Option Fewer Suppliers Offer
As the embedded computing industry has migrated to PCIe, Mini-ITX and proprietary form factors, the availability of new half-size PCI SBCs from mainstream suppliers has contracted significantly. The VDX3-PCI-7S5E addresses the installed base of industrial systems that cannot be migrated — because the chassis design is fixed, because installed PCI cards are certified for specific applications, or because the engineering cost of a full redesign exceeds the budget of a maintenance programme. For engineers maintaining these systems, a currently manufactured, warrantied and supported PCI SBC is not a legacy product: it is the correct engineering choice for the application.
Sub-Zero Cold Start Without Pre-Heating
Many embedded systems in outdoor, transport and unheated facility applications are required to start from cold without a warm-up period — a requirement that eliminates boards which specify a minimum operating temperature as a power-on constraint rather than a sustained-operation limit. The VDX3-PCI-7S5E's sub-zero power-up capability allows cold-start from below 0 °C, removing the need for heater elements, thermostatic power sequencing or warm-up delays in the application power-on sequence. For vehicle-mounted, trackside and outdoor kiosk deployments, this simplifies the system power architecture and eliminates a component category from the BOM.
One Board, Eight Operating Systems
The breadth of validated OS support — Windows XP, Embedded Standard 7, CE 6.0, WePOS, Linux, DOS, QNX, VxWorks and FreeBSD — reflects the VDX3-PCI-7S5E's role as a replacement board for diverse embedded system types rather than a platform for new developments running a single modern OS. When an original SBC manufacturer discontinues a product, the replacement must often run the same OS version as the original board to avoid recertification of the application software. The VDX3-PCI-7S5E's OS coverage addresses this requirement across the range of operating systems most commonly found in ageing industrial and POS embedded systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What processor does the VDX3-PCI-7S5E use?
The VDX3-PCI-7S5E uses the DM&P Vortex86DX3 single-core x86 processor running at 1 GHz, with 32 KB L1 cache (instruction + data) and 512 KB L2 cache, and 2 GB of onboard DDR3 memory. The processor provides x86 binary compatibility for existing embedded application software without recompilation.
What storage interfaces does the VDX3-PCI-7S5E support?
The VDX3-PCI-7S5E supports three simultaneous storage interfaces: a CompactFlash Type I/II slot for CF solid-state media, a 7-pin SATA connector for SATA DOM (disk-on-module) storage, and a 2.54mm 40-pin IDE header for IDE DOM modules. Storage media must be sourced separately and is not included with the board.
What is the operating temperature range of the VDX3-PCI-7S5E?
The standard VDX3-PCI-7S5E operates from −20 °C to +70 °C with sub-zero cold-start capability. An extended-temperature build option supports −40 °C to +85 °C for extreme-environment deployments. Dual-core variants (7D4E/7D5E) have a narrower standard range of −10 °C to +60 °C.
What operating systems are compatible with the VDX3-PCI-7S5E?
The VDX3-PCI-7S5E supports Windows XP Professional, Windows Embedded 2009, Windows Embedded Standard 7, Windows Embedded Compact 7, Windows CE 6.0, Windows Embedded for Point of Service (WePOS), Linux, DOS, QNX, VxWorks and FreeBSD.
What is the power requirement for the VDX3-PCI-7S5E?
The VDX3-PCI-7S5E operates from a DC +5 V supply at 1,100 mA maximum (5.5 W), supplied via the PCI backplane connector. No additional power input connector is required. This low power consumption makes it compatible with existing PCI backplane power supplies in legacy chassis without power budget recalculation.
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