View Full Version : Suggestions for SBC w/ room for 4 pcmcia cards?
bobbyc
11-05-2002, 12:25 AM
Is this possible? Most I've seen is 2 pcmcia slots...
I suppose 2 pcmcia slots and 2 pci slots would work, any you've seen? Preferably with a processor like a celeron that would be decent enough for the starlink protocols... and no moving parts like fans.
And for hard drive, what kind of storage product do you recommend? Nothing fancy, won't be running any caching.
Oh yeah and built in ethernet.
As for power, can it run on low voltage?
You've probably guessed by now, we're looking for something we can mount in a nema box (possibly temp controlled in the summer, we'd worry about that then) on the tower.
Thanks! Bob C
georgew
11-05-2002, 12:10 PM
There are a couple things you can do.
First, use PC104, and use two of the dual-slot boards.
For 4 radios here is what *I* will be doing... Soekris engineering 4521, with 2 PC cards for radios, 1 mini PCI slot for a radio, and a spare ethernet port for either a radio client adapter, or a cheap AP.
I can run this load as long as I don't run two Dmarc/Zcom PC boards at the same time. The Zcom 200mw boards really use a lot of power and produce a lot of heat (needs cooling). Every watt that is not emitted as RF radiation comes off as heat. And here in Texas with 113 ambients on the hottest days, a metal can with two zcom heaters isn't going to keep running very long. With 4 radios in one box, you will need to make allowances for cooling the electronics without exposing them to wet weather.
George
lonnie
11-05-2002, 03:22 PM
Please double check before you use the Soekris to do this 4 port thing. It is my understanding that the miniPCI causes problems with the PCMCIA, so you either have PCMCIA or miniPCI.
I hope I am wrong, but please should make sure before you commit to the boards. Also make sure he has the power problems worked out. The first two units we saw cratered when two cards were inserted. I hear from guys that the system seems to be a bit unstable with two cards, whereas with one it is fine.
Some cards show a higher noise when 2 cards are in use. That means you have to choose your cards based on their shielding if you want to run multiple cards.
bobbyc
11-05-2002, 04:49 PM
Like the agere OEM card w/out integrated antennas? Got em...
So there aren't any SBCs with what I need? I really don't want to go the miniPCI route, but if it has to be done it has to be done...
Bob C
Steve
11-05-2002, 09:33 PM
Mind sharing where you came across OEM's without the integrated antennas?
Thanks
Yes.. please do share where you find agere without integrated antenna, something like that would make life so much easier :)
bobbyc
11-06-2002, 07:03 AM
YDI, they want you to buy them in quantities of 10, but plead with them and they'll sell them to you individually.
They have diversity antenna ports, use the one towards the middle of the card.
Bob C
TheBarron
11-06-2002, 08:54 AM
I don't know if you're talking about the Diamond cards or the Sapphire cards, but wirelesscentral.net (they seem to have good prices on things I've been pricing lately) has the Ruby chipset cards (identical to Sapphire) for $49 (http://www.wirelesscentral.net/aprod/700024274.html) and the Orinoco Gold cards (identical to Diamond I think?) for $79 (http://www.wirelesscentral.net/aprod/848441556.html).
They don't mind selling you only one I imagine.