High performance in a compact 95 x 125 x 37 mm footprint. Featuring the Intel “Skylake” CPU, the EPU-4562 series provides high performance video processing on-board and a TPM security chip that can lock out unauthorized hardware and software access and provide a secure “Root of Trust.” Additional security is provided through built-in AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) instructions.
Intel Core "Skylake" Processor
Quad- and dual-core, up to 2.6 GHz clock rate.
On-board Power Management
Accepts 8 to 30 volts DC, provides OVP, reverse polarity protection, RF noise filtering, and transient voltage suppression.
On-board and Expansions I/O Options
2.5x mini PCIe sockets, 2x USB 3.0, 4 USB 2.0, 8 AI, 4 AO, 24 DIO, 3 counter/timers and 4 serial COM ports (232/422/485).
Specifications
See datasheet for more details
Mechanical | Size: COM Basic standard. 95 x 125 x 37 mm (3.74 x 4.92 x 1.45") |
Mechanical | Weight: 378g (13.3 oz.) |
Processor | Intel Core i7-6822 or i5-6442 |
Input Voltage | 8V–30VDC |
Power (typical) | 15.3 - 22.2W |
Bus Expansion | Two Full-length Mini PCIe sockets |
Bus Expansion | One Half-size socket |
Operating Temperature | -40° to +85°C and -20° to +70°C models |
Shock and Vibration | MIL-STD-202G |
Memory (RAM) | Up to 32 GB DDR4 SDRAM |
Display | Intel HD 520 and 530 - Gen-9 compute architecture |
Display | Dual Mini DisplayPort outputs |
Storage | Two SATA 6 Gb/s ports |
Storage | Mini PCIe socket with mSATA support |
Network | Two 1GbE ports (10/100/1000 autodetect) |
USB | Two USB 3.0 / 2.0 ports |
USB | Four USB 2.0 host ports |
Serial I/O | Four COM ports |
Digital I/O | Twenty four TTL I/O Lines 3.3V |
Audio | Line Input/output |
Other I/O | I2C interface |
Analog I/O | Analog Input - Eight channels, 12-bit single-ended. 500 ksps |
Analog I/O | Analog Output - Four channels, 12-bit single-ended. 100 ksps |
Operating System Compatibility | Compatible with most x86 operating systems including Windows, Windows Embedded, Linux and VxWorks. |
Export Info | ECCN: 5A992.c |
Export Info | Schedule B: 8471.60.7000 |
See datasheet for full specifications
Description
The Blackbird is a compact, high performance x86 type board-level embedded computer. It has been engineered and tested to meet the military and medical industries’ evolving requirements to develop smaller, lighter, and lower power embedded systems while adhering to stringent regulatory standards. The Blackbird is a member of the VersaLogic family of ultra-rugged EPU embedded computers. Using fully integrated COM components, the Blackbird is supplied fully assembled and tested, including heat plate, ready to install in a system. In addition to providing a very compact footprint, it is designed to withstand extreme temperature, impact, and vibration.
The Skylake processor options feature quad- and dual-core CPUs along with Hyper-Threading logic allowing up to 8 simultaneous threads to be executed. The Blackbird provides great performance and I/O features, moderate power consumption (15 to 22 W typical depending on model), and a compact package. The Blackbird provides compatibility with a broad range of standard x86 application development tools for reduced development time.
The on-board power conditioning greatly simplifies system power supply requirements. It features an input voltage range of 8 to 30 volts and is fully compatible with 12 or 24V vehicle applications. It also includes reverse voltage protection, over voltage protection, RF noise filtering, and transient voltage protection, to provide enhanced durability and reliability in the field.
Designed and tested for industrial temperature (-40° to +85°C) operation, the rugged Blackbird also meets MIL-STD-202G specifications for shock and vibration. Latching SATA, Ethernet, power, and main I/O connectors provide additional ruggedization for use in harsh environments.
Blackbird is compatible with a variety of popular x86 operating systems including Windows, Linux, and VxWorks.
COT's modifications are available, even in low OEM quantities. Modifications include conformal coating, BIOS / splash screen configuration, application specific testing, BOM revision locks, custom labeling, etc.
VersaLogic products are designed for use by OEMs working in a variety of market applications: Aerospace, Defense, Energy, Industrial, Security, Medical, Military, Robotics, and Transportation. VersaLogic delivers extremely reliable standard and customized embedded computers backed with unsurpassed service and the highest availability in the market.
Resources
Product Reference
- Blackbird VL-EPU-4562 Datasheet 10/2/2020 PDF 1.6 MB DOWNLOAD
- Blackbird VL-EPU-4462/4562 Reference Manual 4/27/2021 PDF 4.1 MB DOWNLOAD
- Blackbird VL-EPU-4462/4562 Programmer's Reference Manual 8/2/2023 PDF 1.1 MB DOWNLOAD
- Blackbird VL-EPU-4462/4562 BIOS Reference Manual 10/22/2019 PDF 340 KB DOWNLOAD
- Product Family: Embedded Processing Units (EPUs) EPU INFO
- Product Lifecycle Chart 2/13/2024 PDF 330 KB DOWNLOAD
- OS Compatibility 4/5/2023 PDF 271 KB DOWNLOAD
Software Support Packages
- Windows 10 VersaAPI 1.6.1 32-bit/64-bit 8/31/2020 ZIP 6.26 MB DOWNLOAD
- Windows 10 VersaAPI 1.4.7 64-bit (EPUs) 5/16/2019 ZIP 2.44 MB DOWNLOAD
- Windows 10 DRV-WIN10-SKYLAKE-KABYLAKE 2.00 1/26/2024 ZIP 280 MB DOWNLOAD
- Windows 7 DRV-WIN7-SKYLAKE-KABYLAKE 1.0.0 2/8/2017 ZIP 280 MB DOWNLOAD
- Linux Ubuntu and CentOS VersaAPI 1.8.2 64-bit 1/11/2023 TGZ 1.5 MB DOWNLOAD
- Linux Ubuntu and CentOS VersaAPI 1.7.2 64-bit 8/13/2021 TGZ 1.61 MB DOWNLOAD
- Linux Ubuntu and CentOS VersaAPI 1.7.0 64-bit 5/27/2021 TGZ 1.47 MB DOWNLOAD
- Linux Ubuntu and CentOS VersaAPI 1.6.1 64-bit 7/28/2020 TGZ 1.34 MB DOWNLOAD
- Linux Ubuntu and CentOS VersaAPI 1.6.0 64-bit 3/25/2020 TGZ 1.32 MB DOWNLOAD
- Linux Ubuntu 16.04 VersaAPI 1.5.0 64-bit 6/25/2019 ZIP 159 KB DOWNLOAD
- Linux Ubuntu VersaAPI 1.4.5 64-bit 4/10/2017 ZIP 108.5 KB DOWNLOAD
- BIOS Release 1.03 5/13/2019 ZIP 12.4 MB DOWNLOAD
- BIOS Release 1.02 8/24/2017 ZIP 12.3 MB DOWNLOAD
Additional Reference Materials
- Component Info: 6th Gen Intel Processor for U-Platforms VISIT SITE
- Component Info: 6th Gen Intel Processor for H-Platforms VISIT SITE
- Component Info: Intel I210-IT Gigabit Ethernet Controller Datasheet 2/10/2019 PDF 9.82 MB DOWNLOAD
- Component Info: Intel I219-LM Gigabit Ethernet Phy Datasheet VISIT SITE
- Component Info: Texas Instruments ADS8668 A/D Converter Datasheet VISIT SITE
- White Paper: "Securing Embedded Systems - Trusted Platform Module" 9/11/2017 PDF 818 KB DOWNLOAD
- White Paper: "Designing for Harsh Environments Using COTS Products" 9/24/2008 PDF 749 KB DOWNLOAD
- White Paper: "The Myth: Extended Temperature Embedded Computers" 8/18/2014 PDF 1.84 MB DOWNLOAD
- White Paper: "Ultra Reliable Embedded Computing" 2/20/2014 PDF 1.01 MB DOWNLOAD
- White Paper: "The Invisible Foe - Understanding and Controlling ESD Damage" 7/9/2013 PDF 453 KB DOWNLOAD
Accessories
- Part Number Description
- Cable Kit
- VL-CKR-BLACKBIRD EPU-4562/4462 Blackbird Eval. Cable Kit. Includes VL-CBR-4005, 0702, 1014 (x2), 1604, 2004, 2005, 2032, 0809, 0810, HDW-401, and 108.
- VL-CBR-4005 System I/O paddleboard
- VL-CBR-0702 SATA cable, latching, 20"
- VL-CBR-1604 Dual Ethernet adapter cable, latching, 12"
- VL-CBR-2004 Analog I/O cable and paddleboard, 1mm 20-pin, 12"
- VL-CBR-2005 Digital I/O cable and paddleboard, 1mm 20-pin, 12"
- VL-CBR-2032 miniDisplayPort to VGA adapter, 6"
- VL-CBR-0809 Power adapter cable, 12V medium-power. ATX12 to Osprey/Raven. 12"
- VL-CBR-0810 Stereo audio, 8-pin Pico-Clasp to 3.5mm jacks, 0.5m
- VL-CBR-1014 RS232 two channel cable 2xDsub (9-pin), latching, 12"
- VL-HDW-401 Thermal compound paste. For attaching heat plates and sinks.
- VL-HDW-108 Mini PCIe card / mSATA 10x hold-down screws for use with 2.5 mm standoffs, Metric thread, Nylon
- Cables
- VL-CBR-0203 Battery module, 2-pin latching, 6"
- VL-CBR-0401 Power cable, ATX to SATA, 6.25"
- VL-CBR-0404 LED back light, 3-pin Pico-Clasp / 4-pin IDE power to 6-pin 12V, 0.5 m
- VL-CBR-0503 USB 2.0 Male A to Male Micro-B cable, 0.5 m
- VL-CBR-0901 Pico-Clasp to two SPX cables, 9-pin. 9"
- VL-CBR-2014 LVDS to VGA adapter board
- VL-CBR-2031 miniDisplayPort to miniDisplayPort, 36"
- VL-CBR-2033 miniDisplayPort to HDMI active adapter, requires DP port, 6"
- VL-CBR-3001 2-Ch LVDS 30-pin JAE to 30-pin JAE, 20"
- VL-CBR-3002 1-Ch LVDS 30-pin JAE to 20-pin Hirose, 20"
- VL-CBR-3003 1-Ch LVDS 30-pin JAE to 20-pin JAE, 20"
- Development
- VL-PS-ATX12-300A 300W ATX-style development power supply (24+8-pin ATX connector)
- VL-HDW-111 Half- to Full-Size MiniPCIe Adapter Kit. Metal adapter and 2x screws.
- VL-DEV-USB-VV1 VersaViewer: A real-time viewer for embedded hardware developers.
- Thermal Options
- VL-HDW-417 Passive Heat Sink. Mounts to heat plate on standard product 95 x 125 x 15 mm
- VL-HDW-418 Cooling fan for use with HDW-417 passive heat sinks, 12V
- VL-HDW-423 Heat Pipe Adapter Plate
Expansion Modules
- Part Number Description Form Factor
- Adapters
- VL-MPEs-S3E SATA Adapter, industrial temperature (SATA signaling) Mini PCIe
- Analog & Digital I/O
- VL-MPEe-A1E Analog Input Module, x8 channels single ended (12-bit resolution), industrial temperature (PCIe signaling) Mini PCIe
- VL-MPEe-A2E Analog Input Module, x8 channels single ended (16-bit resolution), industrial temperature (PCIe signaling) Mini PCIe
- VL-SPX-1 Analog Input Module, x8 Channels, industrial temperature SPX
- VL-SPX-2 Digital I/O Module, x16 lines, industrial temperature SPX
- VL-SPX-4 Analog Output Module, x4 single channels 12-bit, industrial temperature SPX
- VL-SPX-5 Solid State Switch Module, x8 channels, industrial temperature SPX
- GPS
- VL-MPEu-G2E GPS Receiver, industrial temperature (USB signaling) Mini PCIe
- VL-MPEu-G3E Precision GPS Receiver, industrial temperature (USB signaling) Mini PCIe
- Network
- VL-MPEe-E4E Gigabit Ethernet Over Fiber Optic media (PCIe signaling) Mini PCIe
- VL-MPEe-E5E Two Channel Gigabit Ethernet Adapter (PCIe signaling) Mini PCIe
- VL-MPEe-FW1E 1394 Firewire Module, industrial temperature (PCIe signaling) Mini PCIe
- VL-MPEu-C1E Dual Channel CAN Bus Module (USB signaling) Mini PCIe
- Serial I/O
- VL-MPEe-U2E RS-232/422/485 x4 + GPIO x12 Module, industrial temperature (PCIe signaling) Mini PCIe
- Solid-State Storage (Flash memory)
- VL-MPEs-F1E32 32 GB mSATA drive, industrial temperature (SATA signaling) Mini PCIe
- VL-MPEs-F1E16 16 GB mSATA drive, industrial temperature (SATA signaling) Mini PCIe
- VL-MPEs-F1E4 4 GB mSATA drive, industrial temperature (SATA signaling) Mini PCIe
- Video
- VL-MPEe-V5E VGA and LVDS Interface, industrial temperature (PCIe signaling) Mini PCIe
Models
Model: VL-EPU-4462-EAP-08 Operating Temp. †: -40° to +85°C Processor: i3-6100U Cores: 2 Hyper-Threading/Threads: Yes / 4 CPU Clock /
Turbo Speed: 2.3 GHz / NA Graphics Core: HD 520 Graphics Base Clock /
Max Dynamic Speed: 300 MHz / 1.0 GHz Memory: 8 GB Cooling: Heat Plate Pricing/Sample: Pricing/Sample
Model: VL-EPU-4462-EBP-16 Operating Temp. †: -40° to +85°C Processor: i5-6300U Cores: 2 Hyper-Threading/
Threads: Yes / 4 CPU Clock /
Turbo Speed: 2.4 GHz / 3.0 GHz Graphics Core: HD 520 Graphics Base Clock /
Max Dynamic Speed: 300 MHz / 1.0 GHz Memory: 16 GB Cooling: Heat Plate Pricing/Sample: Pricing/Sample
Model: VL-EPU-4562-EBP-16 Operating Temp. †: -40° to +85°C Processor: i5-6442EQ Cores: 4 Hyper-Threading/
Threads: No / 4 CPU Clock /
Turbo Speed: 1.9 GHz / 2.7 GHz Graphics Core: HD 530 Graphics Base Clock /
Max Dynamic Speed: 350 MHz / 1.0 GHz Memory: 16 GB Cooling: Heat Plate Pricing/Sample: Pricing/Sample
Model: VL-EPU-4562-ECP-16 Operating Temp. †: -40° to +85°C Processor: i7-6822EQ Cores: 4 Hyper-Threading/
Threads: Yes / 8 CPU Clock /
Turbo Speed: 2.0 GHz / 2.8 GHz Graphics Core: HD 530 Graphics Base Clock /
Max Dynamic Speed: 350 MHz / 1.0 GHz Memory: 16 GB Cooling: Heat Plate Pricing/Sample: Pricing/Sample
Model: VL-EPU-4562-ECP-32 Operating Temp. †: -40° to +85°C Processor: i7-6822EQ Cores: 4 Hyper-Threading/
Threads: Yes / 8 CPU Clock /
Turbo Speed: 2.0 GHz / 2.8 GHz Graphics Core: HD 530 Graphics Base Clock /
Max Dynamic Speed: 350 MHz / 1.0 GHz Memory: 32 GB Cooling: Heat Plate Pricing/Sample: Pricing/Sample
Model: VL-EPU-4562-WCP-16 Operating Temp. †: -20° to +70°C Processor: i7-6822EQ Cores: 4 Hyper-Threading/
Threads: Yes / 8 CPU Clock /
Turbo Speed: 2.0 GHz / 2.8 GHz Graphics Core: HD 530 Graphics Base Clock /
Max Dynamic Speed: 350 MHz / 1.0 GHz Memory: 16 GB Cooling: Heat Plate Pricing/Sample: Pricing/Sample
Model: VL-EPU-4562-WCP-32 Operating Temp. †: -20° to +70°C Processor: i7-6822EQ Cores: 4 Hyper-Threading/
Threads: Yes / 8 CPU Clock /
Turbo Speed: 2.0 GHz / 2.8 GHz Graphics Core: HD 530 Graphics Base Clock /
Max Dynamic Speed: 350 MHz / 1.0 GHz Memory: 32 GB Cooling: Heat Plate Pricing/Sample: Pricing/Sample
† Final operating temperature is dependent on the customer thermal solution
Models
Turnkey Evaluation Systems
Speed up product testing and quickly show proof of concept.
Turnkey Blackbird evaluation systems let you load your application immediately.
Click here for more information.
Evaluation System Info- Model Operating Temp. † Processor Cores Hyper-Threading/
Threads CPU Clock /
Turbo Speed Graphics Core Graphics Base Clock /
Max Dynamic Speed Memory Cooling Pricing/Sample - VL-EPU-4462-EAP-08 -40° to +85°C i3-6100U 2 Yes / 4 2.3 GHz / NA HD 520 300 MHz / 1.0 GHz 8 GB Heat Plate Pricing/Sample
- VL-EPU-4462-EBP-16 -40° to +85°C i5-6300U 2 Yes / 4 2.4 GHz / 3.0 GHz HD 520 300 MHz / 1.0 GHz 16 GB Heat Plate Pricing/Sample
- VL-EPU-4562-EBP-16 -40° to +85°C i5-6442EQ 4 No / 4 1.9 GHz / 2.7 GHz HD 530 350 MHz / 1.0 GHz 16 GB Heat Plate Pricing/Sample
- VL-EPU-4562-ECP-16 -40° to +85°C i7-6822EQ 4 Yes / 8 2.0 GHz / 2.8 GHz HD 530 350 MHz / 1.0 GHz 16 GB Heat Plate Pricing/Sample
- VL-EPU-4562-ECP-32 -40° to +85°C i7-6822EQ 4 Yes / 8 2.0 GHz / 2.8 GHz HD 530 350 MHz / 1.0 GHz 32 GB Heat Plate Pricing/Sample
- VL-EPU-4562-WCP-16 -20° to +70°C i7-6822EQ 4 Yes / 8 2.0 GHz / 2.8 GHz HD 530 350 MHz / 1.0 GHz 16 GB Heat Plate Pricing/Sample
- VL-EPU-4562-WCP-32 -20° to +70°C i7-6822EQ 4 Yes / 8 2.0 GHz / 2.8 GHz HD 530 350 MHz / 1.0 GHz 32 GB Heat Plate Pricing/Sample † Final operating temperature is dependent on the customer thermal solution