NEW! The Owl is a newly released product. Product is currently available. See ordering information below.
A compact 95 x 95 x 29 mm embedded computer featuring error-correcting memory, and a power-saving dual- or quad-core “Apollo Lake” processor. It includes TPM 2.0 security, latching I/O connectors, high performance video, and full -40° to +85°C operating range.
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Error-Correcting Memory
Up to 8 GB soldered-on ECC RAM
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TPM 2.0 Security Chip
Hardware-based security
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COMe Compact size (95 x 95mm), low power (8W typ.)
Ideal for SWaP applications




Specifications
See datasheet for more details
Mechanical | Size: 95 x 95 x 29 mm (3.74 x 3.74 x 1.14") |
Mechanical | Weight: 200g (7.05 oz) |
Processor | Intel Apollo Lake (E39xx) Atom (dual & quad core) |
Input Voltage | 8V-30V DC |
Power (typical) | 8.1 - 10.1W depending on model |
Bus Expansion | Two Full-length Mini PCIe sockets |
Operating Temperature | -40° to +85°C |
Shock and Vibration | MIL-STD-202H |
Memory (RAM) | Up to 8 GB error-correcting soldered-down RAM |
Display | Intel HD Graphics 500 or 505 depending on model |
Display | Mini DisplayPort++ output (DisplayPort and HDMI signaling) |
Display | Single-channel LVDS interface |
Storage | One SATA III port |
Storage | microSD socket, bootable |
Storage | Mini PCIe socket with mSATA support |
Network | Two 1GbE ports (10/100/1000 autodetect) |
USB | One USB 3.0 / 2.0 port |
USB | Four USB 2.0 host ports |
Serial I/O | Four COM ports |
Digital I/O | Eight TTL I/O lines (3.3V), independently configurable |
Audio | No on-board audio. Use optional VL-ADR-01 audio interface |
Other I/O | Single I2C |
Other I/O | Three 8254 compatible Programmable Interval Timers (PITs) |
Operating System Compatibility | 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 Owl is a small, rugged board-level embedded computer. Approximately four inches square and one inch thick, the Owl is a member of VersaLogic's ultra-rugged x86 computer family. Equipped with a powerful dual- or quad-core Intel "Apollo Lake" processor, and soldered-on ECC RAM, the Owl is designed to withstand extreme temperature, impact, and vibration.
Up to 8 GB of soldered-on Error Correcting Code (ECC) memory is available for high-reliability applications. ECC memory is beneficial in environments where single bit memory errors may occur, such as cosmic ray interactions which increase dramatically with altitude.
A TPM 2.0 chip supports hardware-based security.
On-board I/O includes dual Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports, serial ports, and analog inputs. SATA interface, eMMC Flash options, and a microSD socket provide a range of data storage options. Dual Mini PCIe sockets accommodate a wide range of plug-in accessory cards.
The on-board power conditioning supports an input of 8 to 30 volts to simplify system power supply requirements. The Owl is fully compatible with 12 or 24V vehicle applications. Over Voltage Protection and Reverse Voltage Protection are included to enhance reliability in the field.
For hostile environments, the Owl is designed and tested for full industrial temperature operation (-40º to +85ºC) and meets MIL-STD-202H specifications for shock and vibration.
VersaLogic's 10+ year product life support programs ensure long-term availability. This avoids expensive upgrades, redesigns, and migrations that come from shorter lifecycle products.
Resources
Product Reference
- Owl VL-EPU-4012 Datasheet 07/08/20 PDF 2.6 MB DOWNLOAD
- Owl EPU-4012 Hardware Reference Manual 06/17/20 PDF 2.66 MB DOWNLOAD
- Owl EPU-4012 Programmer's Reference Manual 04/29/20 PDF 403 KB DOWNLOAD
- Product Lifecycle Chart 07/31/20 PDF 194 KB DOWNLOAD
Software Support Packages
- Linux Ubuntu and CentOS VersaAPI 1.6.1 64-bit 07/28/20 TGZ 1.33 MB DOWNLOAD
- Linux Ubuntu and CentOS VersaAPI 1.6.0 64-bit 03/25/20 TGZ 1.31 MB DOWNLOAD
- Windows 10 VersaAPI 1.6.1 32-bit/64-bit 08/31/20 ZIP 6.26 MB DOWNLOAD
Additional Reference Materials
- White Paper: "Securing Embedded Systems - Trusted Platform Module" 09/11/17 PDF 818 KB DOWNLOAD
- White Paper: "Designing for Harsh Environments Using COTS Products" 09/24/08 PDF 749 KB DOWNLOAD
- White Paper: "The Myth: Extended Temperature Embedded Computers" 08/18/14 PDF 1.84 MB DOWNLOAD
- White Paper: "Ultra Reliable Embedded Computing" 02/20/14 PDF 1.01 MB DOWNLOAD
- White Paper: "The Invisible Foe - Understanding and Controlling ESD Damage" 07/09/13 PDF 453 KB DOWNLOAD
Accessories




























- Part Number Description
- Audio
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VL-ADR-01S
USB to Audio Adapter -25° to +85°C
- Cable Kit
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VL-CBR-4005
System I/O paddleboard
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VL-CBR-0702
SATA cable, latching, 20"
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VL-CBR-1604
Dual Ethernet adapter cable, latching, 12"
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VL-CKR-BB12
EPU-3312 Raven/EPU-4012 Owl Eval. Cable Kit. Includes VL-CBR-0702, 1014x2, 1604, 2004, 2032, 0809, 4005, HDW-401, and 108.
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VL-CBR-2004
Analog I/O cable and paddleboard, 1mm 20-pin, 12"
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VL-CBR-2032
miniDisplayPort to VGA adapter, 6"
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VL-CBR-0809
Power adapter cable, 12V medium-power. ATX12 to Osprey/Raven. 12"
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VL-CBR-1014
RS232 two channel cable 2xDsub (9-pin), latching, 12"
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VL-HDW-108
Mini PCIe card / mSATA 10x hold-down screws for use with 2.5 mm standoffs, Metric thread, Nylon
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VL-HDW-401
Thermal compound paste. For attaching heat plates and sinks.
- Cables
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VL-CBR-0203
Battery module, 2-pin latching, 6"
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VL-CBR-0401
Power cable, ATX to SATA, 6.25"
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VL-CBR-0503
USB 2.0 Male A to Male Micro-B cable, 0.5 m
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VL-CBR-0701
SATA cable, 19.75"
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VL-CBR-1015
USB 3.0 Micro A plug to 3.0 Micro B plug, 1 m
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VL-CBR-2014
LVDS to VGA adapter board
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VL-CBR-2015
LVDS / flat panel cable, 24-bit (Hirose), 20"
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VL-CBR-2016
LVDS / flat panel cable, 18-bit (JAE), 20"
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VL-CBR-2017
LVDS / flat panel cable, 24-bit 20-pin 1mm (Hirose) to 1.25mm (Hirose), 20"
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VL-CBR-0404
LED back light, 3-pin Pico-Clasp / 4-pin IDE power to 6-pin 12V, 0.5 m
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VL-CBR-2031
miniDisplayPort to miniDisplayPort, 36"
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VL-CBR-2033
miniDisplayPort to HDMI active adapter, requires DP port, 6"
- Hardware
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VL-PS-ATX12-300A
300W ATX-style development power supply (24+8-pin ATX connector)
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VL-HDW-111
Half- to Full-Size MiniPCIe Adapter Kit. Metal adapter and 2x screws.
- Solid-State Storage (Flash Memory)
- VL-F41-xxxx microSD card (SDIO), SLC, industrial temperature
- Thermal Options
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VL-HDW-416
Passive Heat Sink. Mounts to heat plate on standard product 95 x 95 x 10.5 mm
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VL-HDW-415
Cooling fan for HDW-416/ 417 passive heatsinks, 12V
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VL-HDW-408
Heat Pipe system. Mounts to product’s heat plate. 55 x 84 x 8.2mm
Expansion Modules
- Part Number Description Form Factor
- Adapters
- VL-MPEs-S3E SATA Adapter, industrial temperature (SATA signaling) MSATA
- 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
- 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-E3E Gigabit Ethernet Adapter, industrial temperature (PCIe signaling) Mini PCIe
- 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-E6E Gigabit Ethernet (PCIe signaling) Mini PCIe
- VL-MPEe-E6E-P Gigabit Ethernet with POE+ (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-F1Exx mSATA Module (4/16/32 GB) (SATA), industrial temperature (SATA signaling) MSATA
- Video
- VL-MPEe-V5E VGA and LVDS Interface, industrial temperature (PCIe signaling) Mini PCIe
Models
Model: VL-EPU-4012-EAP-02X-08 Processor: Atom E3930 Cores: 2 Speed: 1.3 GHz RAM: 2 GB ECC eMMC Flash: 8 GB Cooling: Heat Plate OEM Pricing:

Model: VL-EPU-4012-EDP-08X-32 Processor: Atom E3950 Cores: 4 Speed: 1.6 GHz RAM: 8 GB ECC eMMC Flash: 32 GB Cooling: Heat Plate OEM Pricing:

