Rugged computer 1

Rugged computer
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 (e.g. Panasonic's
Toughbook CF-30), and frequently
these terms are interchangeable. The
difference between the two terms is Panasonic CF-U1 Toughbook rugged computer in used for surveying, cartography or
field-data collection. CF-U1 is used for example for forest inventories (Field-Map
that hardened generally refers to
technology).
computers that can withstand a bit
more shock and/or more adverse
environmental conditions.

Rugged computers can be of many forms including stand-alone bench or desktop units, rack-mount systems, laptops,
PDAs, wearable systems, and designs specific to the intended installation. The common theme is that rugged
computers incorporate design features to provide additional protection against harsh environmental conditions that
would immediately or over time render a non-rugged office grade system non-functional.
Vehicle mounted environments (e.g. public safety vehicles or utility trucks) are well suited for rugged computers as
the vibration and jolts inherent there would cause failures in typical portable computers. Ruggedized laptops, rugged
notebooks, rugged tablets and rugged Ultra-Mobile PCs are made of magnesium alloy materials made to be 20 times
stronger than standard plastic found on commercial laptops. Hard disk drives are shock mounted with foam or
reinforcing material to withstand vibrations of daily use.
Rugged laptops, tablet PCs and PDAs are used by construction workers, emergency services, and military personnel.

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.
In the case of rugged laptop computers, these enhancements can include but are not limited to:
• Metal cases or strategic incorporation of metal case materials
• Vibration-resistant LCD displays
• Shock mounted hard drives or solid-state disks
• Spill resistant keyboards and pointing devices
• Sealed LCD displays
Rugged computer 2

• Sealed I/O ports and PC Card slots

In the case of Ultra Mobile Devices such as PDAs
• Low power operation
• Sealed construction including the ability to withstand complete liquid immersion
• Sealed keyboards and LCD displays
• Crack resistant cases to protect against drops
In the case of board level computers such as rackmount equipment:
• Heavier metal construction as compared to the typical office non-rugged computer
• Enclosure form factor that includes provision for mounting into the surrounding environment (vehicle, rack, etc.)
• Low-power processors and components to minimize heat dissipation
• Additional cooling with air filtering
• Alternative cooling methods such as forced air, liquid, and conduction
• Plug-in card retention and support
• On-board component supports and treatments (component staking, wedge locks, conformal coating)
• Enhanced EMI filtering and gasketing
• Enhanced environmental protection such as dust proof, water spray or immersion proof, etc.
• Sealed Mil-Spec or Circular-MIL connectors
• More robust controls and features
For example, the typical office tower computer is constructed from 20Ga (.033-inch) or thinner pre-plated steel. A
rugged rackmount computer will be constructed from 18Ga (.047-inch) or 16Ga (.055-inch) steel that is then zinc
plated (for corrosion protection) after fabrication. Many rugged computers are fabricated using aluminum for lighter
weight.

Mounting
Non-rugged computers typically provide no provision for securing the computer to the surrounding structure, be it a
vehicle, boat or ship, aircraft, or industrial site. Rugged computers will generally provide a mechanism to secure the
computer enclosure to prevent motion. Many applications such as industrial sites and ship board mounting provide
19-inch racks. Other mounting schemes are available with the common function of securing the computer against
movement. Companies provide mounting arms allowing rugged laptop computers to be mounted in vehicles. Not all
rugged computers are provided with hard mounting. A stand alone bench top computer may be ruggedized for the
environment and be used simply sitting on the floor or on a bench where motion protection is not an issue.
Many ruggedized computers are used an a wide array of vehicles across many professions. A variety of options are
available for installing a rugged PC or tablet in a vehicle. Usually a dock (which provides additional connectivity
and/or power) or a cradle (no connectivity) is used to hold the computer in place. The dock or cradle attaches to a
tilt/swivel device, which allows the unit to pivot up and down and side-to-side. The tilt/swivel attaches to a top plate,
which provides a sturdy mounting surface for the unit. The top plate fits into a pole, which provides the necessary
height to hold the mounting solution. Finally, the base mount (either a dedicated base mount, which is designed
exclusively for a specific vehicle, or a universal base mount, which mounts to any flat surface, is used). The Base
Mount secures the entire mounting solution to the vehicle floor or console.
Rugged computer 3

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-STD-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 [2].
• 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.

Uses
In addition to human-portable systems like handheld, wearable and laptop/notebook computers, commercial off the
shelf computers may be vehicle mounted. Vehicle computers perform navigation, communications, or even control
functions in various orbital and combat vehicles. These systems are also used in unmanned vehicles, ranging from
missiles to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Other rugged computer systems are stationary or industrial
computers, designed to HAZLOC standards to withstand specific environmental challenges.
Many rugged computers are used by military and public safety users, and there are unique systems for specialized
use.
Rugged computers have been found to be more effective devices to be used by field workers for field service
management in the field because of the varying field conditions they must undergo in the field. Rugged mobile
computers are used in the field by varied industries including break and fix, security, logistics, postal, courier, route
accounting, surveying, forest management planning, forest inventories or local council. They are also used in mining
and petroleum drilling operations where vibration, heat, and dust would destroy ordinary computers.
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See also
• Category:Avionics computers
• List of emerging technologies
• Industrial PC
• Military computers
• Mobile computer
• Portable computer
• 19-inch rack

References
[1] http:/ / www. 901d. com/ assets/ MIL-S-901D. pdf
[2] http:/ / video. google. com/ videoplay?docid=-5792069545817995838

External links
• Choices and specs for a rugged laptop (http://www.linux-on-laptops.com/rugged-laptop.html)
Article Sources and Contributors 5

Article Sources and Contributors

Rugged computer  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=394633044  Contributors: Adamantios, Ahunt, AllGloryToTheHypnotoad, Alphadog111, Armando82, Aspects, Avarma,
Bonadea, Boncnie, Brian hsieh, Canspam, Chabonor, Chassisplans, Chris814, Cremepuff222, Crispmuncher, Crossmr, DBombardier, Dicklyon, Dv82matt, Editsnow, Edwardkwt, Eustrop,
FordGT90Concept, Frap, GWS EE, Gabriel1907, Gennaro Prota, Geologyguy, Group Mobile, Hairy Dude, Hniemoth, Hu12, Hulagutten, IMS91319, IndustrialReview, Ioeth, Isaacx3, Jack
Moffett, Jchandlerhall, Jclemens, Jeffrey O. Gustafson, Jmceachron, Jmurday, JonHarder, Kcomstock, LCNicholls, LilHelpa, Lookoutmama, Mairketeer, Markdl58, Marrowmonkey, Matt Lewis,
Mauliknk, Michael liu99, MichaelReda, Mindmatrix, Mobilepcc, MrOllie, Myscrnnm, Nagle, NerdyNSK, Nudecline, Pcb21, Pixelpan, Pluto88, Q Chris, R'n'B, Rackmount-guy, RapidSkis,
Rattify, Requestion, Rjwilmsi, RoySmith, RuggedTabletPC, Ruggeddepot, Rwwww, Slackermonkey, Ssggmm, Systel123, Television rules the nation, TerriersFan, Tommy1808, Torchman2000,
Toughbook, Trekker54, Trevor GH5, Tyetanic, Veinor, Vpgagnon, YUL89YYZ, Zerokarma, Zivz, Zyr, 73 anonymous edits

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