Rugged vehicle-mount computer
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

Laporte, Indiana based Data Ltd Inc. was founded in the early 1990s as a manufacturer and reseller of wireless data collection devices. They carry mobile computers, rugged ultra-mobile tablets, handhelds, scanners and vehicle mounted computers like the DLI 8500 shown here.

While the DLI 8500 looks like a standard Tablet PC slate, it was really designed as a vehicle-mount computer that can be used inside squad cars, ambulances, semi-trucks and bulldozers, but also on loading docks, warehouse floor, or factory floor settings. Measuring 11 x 10.3 inches with a thickness of under two inches and a weight of just five pounds, the DLI 8500 is easy to mount almost anywhere.

The device is powered by an efficient Intel Celeron M processor running at 1.06GHz. Depending on its intended application, the DLI 8500 can be configured with Windows XP, Embedded XP, Vista Business, or Debian Linux, and run on either a 60 or 80GB shock-mounted hard disk or an 8 to 32GB industrial SSD. The machine is primarily designed to run on 6-60V vehicle power, but also has a backup battery good for about an hour.

The DLI 8500 has an indoor/outdoor viewable 10.4-inch display with a strong 400 nit backlight, a touch screen, and XGA (1024 x 768 pixel) resolution. The six physical buttons below the display are fully programmable and can be used for custom applications.

There are two USB 2.0 ports with locking connectors, two DB9 RS232 serial ports, gigabit Ethernet, three GPIO ports, three analog-to-digital ports, and video-out. The device uses the SiRFstarIII GPS chipset, has 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi, Class 2 Bluetooth, a 2-megapixel camera with autofocus, VoIP, and supports various WWAN radios by Verzon, AT&T and T-Mobile.

The impact-resistant ABS+PC polymer housing provides IP64 sealing and a 4-foot drop spec. The operating temperature range is a very wide -4 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, and you can even use the mahine down to -22 degrees Fahrenheit with an optional screen heater. DLI has also built and tested the 8500 to stringent shock, vibration and EMI/EMC requirements.

Data Ltd targets their rugged vehicle-mount computer at applications in logistics, public safety, transportation and field service and other areas where a versatile, rugged computingdevice is needed.