ASRock Industrial today released the iEP-7030E Series Industrial IoT Controller. The series is enabled by Intel Core Ultra 7/5 Processors (Meteor Lake-U/H) and is enhanced with AI-capable CPU, GPU, and NPU upgrades for edge computing.
These enable the system to integrate supercharged AI and graphics with up to 16 cores and 22 threads (6P+8E+2LPE), for advanced AI computing at the edge.
Core features of the series include integrated Intel ARC graphics, with up to eight Xe cores, for captivating visuals and Intel AI Boost for high-speed AI workloads at the edge. These improve AI performance by .5 times, graphics performance by 1.81 times, and power efficiency compared with AI performance by 2.56 times. Additionally, with support of dual DDR5 5600 MHz SO-DIMM memory up to 96GB and In-Band ECC, the Series offers supreme AI computing capability at low power efficiency at the edge.
The system also includes Intel In-Band ECC support to control critical edge processes. The iEP-7030E Series also unravels optimal flexibility in I/O and expansion design, as well as robust RF capabilities such as 4G LTE, 5G, Wi-Fi 7/6E, and BT 5.3 / 5.4.
The Taipei, Taiwan-based company was established in July 2018 and focuses on developing motherboards, edge computers, and other products for the manufacturing, business, and retail industries. ASRock Industrial says all of its products can be bought off-the-shelf or customized.
iEP-7030E Series includes a multitude of configurations
The iEP-7030E Series is available in compact, fan-less sizes. These sizes include 55 x 170 x 134 mm (W x H x D) for the Basic and 8DIO SKUs, and 68 x 170 x 134 mm (W x H x D) for the PoE, 5LAN, and 5G SKUs.
ASRock says this series of controllers also features a wide array of I/O extensions. These include four RS232/422/485 serial ports, support for eight digital inputs/eight digital outputs with sink/source isolation 3KV (exclusive to the 8DIO SKU), three USB 3.2 Gen 2×1 ports, one USB 2.0 port, and one line out/mic in port for connecting to various factory equipment.
The series also features three 2.5GbE Intel i226-IT LAN ports, two 1GbE Intel i210-AT LAN ports (available in PoE and 5LAN SKUs), along with two optional Intel i210-AT ports supporting IEEE 802.3AF PoE (exclusively in PoE SKU). Additionally, the company offers support for one DP++ 1.4a port and one VGA port for high-quality computer vision processing. With a flexible I/O design, the company says the series caters to diverse and simultaneous AI application demands.
ASRock offers various connection options
The iEP-7030E Series offers a variety of connectivity options. It supports 4G LTE, 5G (in 5LAN-5G, 5G-WIFI SKUs), Wi-Fi 7/6E (available in Basic, PoE, 5LAN-WIFI, 5G-WIFI, 8DIO SKUs), and BT 5.3/5.4 RF capabilities. It also has optional RF and Antenna configurations that support seven SMA connectors (Basic, 5G SKUs) and five SMA connectors (PoE, 5LAN SKUs) to ensure high-speed data collection and transmission for IoT communication.
The systems feature multiple expansion slots, including one M.2 Key B socket (compatible with 3042/3052/2280) for 4G LTE/5G modules, one M.2 Key E socket (supporting 2230/2260) for Wi-Fi/BT modules, and an additional Nano SIM card slot. ASRock provides storage support through one M.2 2280 Key M slot and one micro SD card slot.
The system is equipped with Intel In-Band Manageability, which enables reliable remote management, over-the-air (OTA) updates for firmware, software, and applications, and facilitates seamless integration between IT and OT systems.
Power-efficient controllers for demanding conditions
ASRock says a focus on long-term durability and power efficiency is embedded within the iEP-7030E Series. The series has a robust design and extensive operating temperature range spanning from -25°C to 70°C (applicable to Basic/5LAN-WIFI SKUs with 15W CPU) and -25°C to 50°C (for either PoE SKU with 15W CPU or all SKUs with 28W CPU).
The controller series features various power protection mechanisms, including OVP, UVP, OCP, and 80V Surge Protection. The power supply ranges from 9-36V DC (for Basic/5LAN/5G/8DIO SKUs) and 19-36V DC (for the PoE SKU), supporting industrial applications with 2 x 3-pin phoenix type connectors.
ASRock integrated TPM 2.0 for industrial security. The system also includes features like storage/one user-defined/two debug/two DC-IN LEDs. These facilitate debugging functions and reduce machine downtime.
The Series offers various mounting options such as wall mount, VESA mount, and DIN rail, providing flexibility for diverse application requirements. With AI-focused CPU, GPU, and NPU enhancements, the iEP-7030E Series enables AI inference at the edge while simplifying system complexity and reducing costs, supporting customers’ next-level deployment of edge solutions.
