PPC-A72-173-C¶

Version 1.0

Product Overview¶

The Cortex^®-A72/53 series PPC-A72-173-C (PN: CS19108R173) is a high-quality industrial panel PC. It features a 17.3” ten-point capacitive touch screen with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and brightness of 250 cd/m².

It is available both as an embedded solution and as a device hosed in an aluminum casing with bezels, thus facilitating different installation options:

Installation on an industrial cabinet
Integration with the existing equipment

The PPC-A72-173-C Industrial Panel PC is based around the powerful CS-SOM-RK3399 System on Module (SoM), powered by the Rokchip RK3399 low-power processor which integrates a dual-core Cortex^®-A72 and a quad-core Cortex^®-A53 with a separate NEON coprocessor.

The RK3399 supports multi-format video decoders and has a high-performance dual-channel external memory interface (DDR3/DDR3L/LPDDR3/LPDDR4) capable of sustaining demanding memory bandwidths. It also provides a complete set of peripheral interfaces.

Ordering Options¶

Chipsee products can be customized during the ordering process. The product will be shipped with the pre-installed factory defaults if no extra requirements are specified. The table in the Hardware Features section provides information about the default options bundled with the product.

Note

You can order The PPC-A72-173-C Industrial Panel PC from the official Chipsee Store or from your nearest distributor.

Operating System¶

This product comes with a pre-installed OS of your choice. Please see the list below for the supported OSes, which can be also obtained from the Software Documentation section, along with the detailed installation instructions.

Chipsee Linux*
Android 7.1
Debian 10

*

Chipsee Linux is based on buildroot that has been integrated with:

Chipsee Hardware Test Application
An initialization script for GPIO/Buzzer/Audio
Multiple libraries, such as the libQt5Sql to develop Qt application with SQL
Various packages, such as the ntfs-3g to use NTFS file system

Warning

The Software Documentation section provides a detailed instruction how to install different OS on your own. However, bear in mind that Chipsee can’t take the responsibility of inadequate installation procedure. If you “brick” your device, please contact Chipsee Technical Support at service@chipsee.com for further assistance

Optional Features¶

The PPC-A72-173-C Industrial Panel PC does not include 4G/LTE module by default. The module is optional and can be selected at the Chipsee store during the ordering process.

Warning

Installation, repair, and maintenance tasks should be performed by trained personnel only.

Chipsee does not bear any responsibility for damage caused by inadequate handling of the product.

Hardware Features¶

The PPC-A72-173-C Industrial Panel PC offers a board range of performance and connectivity options for scalable integration, providing expandability according to future needs. Some of the key features are listed in the table below.

Table 104 Key Features¶
PPC-A72-173-C
CPU	Rokchip RK3399, Dual-core Cortex-A72 (1.8GHz), Quad-core Cortex-A53 (1.4GHz)
RAM	4GB DDR3
eMMC	16GB
Storage	TF Card, Supports up to 32GB SDHC
Display	17.3” LCD, 1920 x 1080, High Brightness: 250 cd/m²
Touch	10-point capacitive touch screen
USB	4 x USB 2.0 HOST, 1 x USB 3.0 HOST, 1 x USB Type-C
LAN	1 x RJ45, GbE
Audio	3.5mm Audio Out Connector, 2W Internal Speaker
Buzzer	Yes
RTC	Yes
RS232	5 x RS2321
RS485	2 x RS485 (4 at most, 1 debug port)1
GPIO	8 Channels
WiFi/BT	Integrated WiFi/BT Module
HDMI	1 x HDMI
4G/LTE	Supported, Optional
Power Input	From 15V to 36V
Current at 15V	1000mA Max
Power Consumption	15W Typical
Working Temperature	From 0°C to +70°C
OS	Android 7.1
Dimensions	442 x 277 x 41mm
Weight	3600g
Mounting	VESA & Panel methods

1(1,2): This product has 7 x UART channels in total. The default configuration is 5 x RS232 and 2 x RS485. UART can be swapped between RS232 and RS485 modes easily, so if you need different RS232/RS485 configuration, please get in touch with the Chipsee Technical Support at service@chipsee.com

Power Input¶

The PPC-A72-173-C Industrial Panel PC can be powered by a wide range of input voltages: From 15V to 36V DC. The power input connector is a 3-pin, 3.81mm terminal. The polarity and the pinout is clearly marked on the housing of the product as shown on the figure below.

../../../../../_images/Power1.jpeg — Figure 513: *Power Input*¶

Note that the “+” sign represents the positive power input, and it is printed both at the casing and as a silk-screen on a PCB of the embedded version. The “-” terminal is shorted to the ground.

Table 105 Power Connector¶
Power Input Definition
Pin Number	Definition	Description
Pin 1	Positive Input	DC Power Positive Terminal
Pin 2	Negative Input	DC Power Negative Terminal
Pin 3	Ground	Power System Ground

Note

The system ground “G” is connected to power negative “-” on board.

Touch Screen¶

The PPC-A72-173-C Industrial Panel PC uses a 10-point capacitive touch screen.

Attention

A capacitive touch screen is susceptible to power noise and Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR). It may cause LCD ripples or even capacitive touch malfunction. If using a capacitive multi-touch test application, you might notice the touch points float erratically across the display. There are several solutions to this problem:

Use a high-quality Power Adapter Unit (PSU) with low EMR. You can also provide power from a battery.
Make sure that the PPC-A72-173-C Power Input connector (pin 3) is properly connected to the Power System Ground to provide sufficient EMI shielding and eliminate the problem entirely.
Bad GND problem can also be confirmed by touching pin 3 of the Power Input connector with one hand while operating the capacitive touch screen with the other hand. In this case, the operator’s body acts as the Power System Ground.

Connectivity¶

There are many connectivity options available on the PPC-A72-173-C industrial PC. It has 4 x USB 2.0 HOST, 1 x USB 3.0 HOST, 1 x USB Type-C, 1 x RJ45, GbE Ethernet connector, and 6 x DB9 connectors.

DB9 Connectors¶

The PPC-A72-173-C Industrial Panel PC has 6 x DB9 connectors that are configured as RS232 by default as shown on the figure below. You can configure COM3/COM4/COM5/COM6 as RS485. If you need different RS232/RS485 configuration, contact the Chipsee Technical Support at service@chipsee.com.

../../../../../_images/DB91.jpeg — Figure 514: DB9 Connectors¶

USB Connectors¶

There are 4 x dual USB 2.0 HOST connectors onboard, as shown on the figure below.

../../../../../_images/USB1.jpeg — Figure 515: *USB 2.0 HOST Connectors*¶

There is also 1 x USB 3.0 HOST connector and 1 x USB Type-C connector, as shown below.

../../../../../_images/USB3.jpeg — Figure 516: *USB 3.0 HOST Connector*¶

../../../../../_images/USB-C1.jpeg — Figure 517: *USB Type-C Connector*¶

LAN Connectors¶

LAN (RJ45) connector provides Ethernet connectivity over standardized Ethernet cables as shown the figure below. The integrated Ethernet interface supports up to 1 Gbps data throughput.

../../../../../_images/LAN2.jpeg — Figure 518: *RJ45 LAN Connector*¶

Note

Use CAT5 or better cables to achieve full data throughput over maximum distance defined by the 1000BASE-T standard (100m).

WiFi & BT Module¶

The PPC-A72-173-C Industrial Panel PC is equipped with the popular Realtek RTL8723 WiFi/BT module that supports BT/BLE 4.0 (with backward compatibility), as well as 802.11bgn 2.4 GHz Wireless LAN (WLAN).

The product includes an SMA connector for an external WiFi/BT antenna, as illustrated in the figure below.

../../../../../_images/Antenna2.jpeg — Figure 519: *WiFi+BT Antenna*¶

4G/LTE Module¶

The PPC-A72-173-C Industrial Panel PC is equipped with a mini-PCIe connector that can connect to a 4G/LTE module. The customer will also need a SIM Card Holder and a 4G/LTE Antenna Connector to ensure 4G/LTE works on the PPC-A72-173-C.

../../../../../_images/SIM.jpeg — Figure 520: *SIM Card Holder*¶

Attention

The product does not come shipped with the 4G/LTE module by default.

Expansion Connector¶

The PPC-A72-173-C Industrial Panel PC has 1 x Expansion Connector (closed by default), as shown on the figure below. This connector has connected to isolated GPIO signals.
The table below gives details about the definition of every Pin.

../../../../../_images/GP_IO2.jpeg — Figure 521: *Expansion Connector*¶

Table 106 Expansion Connector Pinout¶
Expansion Connector Pinout
PIN	Function	PIN	Function
1	VDD, Isolated Power Input (+5V – +24V)	2	GND_ISO
3	OUT1	4	OUT2
5	OUT3	6	OUT4
7	IN1	8	IN2
9	IN3	10	IN4

Warning

Since the PCB traces of the port are connected to the processor directly, be careful not to cause electrostatic discharge or over voltage on the pins, as it may damage the processor. Take all the necessary precautions while working with electrostatic-sensitive equipment.

TF Card Slot¶

The PPC-A72-173-C Industrial Panel PC features 1 x TF Card (micro SD) slot. It can address up to 32GB of memory.

../../../../../_images/TF_Card2.jpeg — Figure 522: *TF (micro SD) Card Slot*¶

Note

The product does not come shipped with the TF Card by default.

Audio Connectors¶

The PPC-A72-173-C Industrial Panel PC features some audio peripherals, as well. It has 1 x 3.5mm audio output jack.

../../../../../_images/Audio2.jpeg — Figure 523: *Audio Out Connector*¶

HDMI Connector¶

The PPC-A72-173-C Industrial Panel PC is equipped with 1 x HDMI connector. The HDMI connector allows connecting an additional (external) monitor. HDMI output resolution can be configured by the software.

../../../../../_images/HDMI1.jpeg — Figure 524: *HDMI Connector*¶

Power Button¶

The PPC-A72-173-C Industrial Panel PC has a power button, as shown on the figure below. You can use the button to power ON or OFF the industrial PC.

../../../../../_images/Power_Btn1.jpeg — Figure 525: *Power button*¶

Measurements and Mounting Procedure¶

The outer mechanical dimensions of PPC-A72-173-C are 442 x 277 x 41mm (W x L x H).

The PPC-A72-173-C Industrial Panel PC can be mounted with 8 x M4 screws or 4 x M4 screws using the VESA (100x100cm or 75x75cm) and Panel mounting methods, enabling simplified installation onto any standard mounting fixture.

../../../../../_images/PPC-A72-173-C-TD.jpeg — Figure 526: *Mounting Method*¶

Note

Please make sure the display is not exposed to high pressure when mounting into an enclosure.

You can find detailed information about mounting in the Mount IPC Guide.

Technical Support¶

Please feel free to contact us with any questions, queries or suggestions.

If your question is related to technical support or troubleshooting for one of our products, we kindly ask you to check our documentation for a possible solution first.

If you still cannot find the solution you are looking for, please write to Chipsee Technical Support at service@chipsee.com, providing all relevant information.

Disclaimer:

^{Chipsee assumes no responsibility for any errors that may occur in this manual. Furthermore, Chipsee reserves the right to alter hardware, software,
and/or specifications set forth herein at any time without prior notice, and undertakes no obligation to update the information contained in this document.
Chipsee products are not authorized for use as critical components in life support devices or systems.}