The exhibition of Korea World IT Show(WIS 2018) 

With the theme of ‘IT’s SMART’, WIS2018 exhibition presents various domestic and international fields such as ICT product and service. Key Exhibits are IT Device, SW/Computing, Smart media, AI, IoT, 5G, AR/VR, O4O(Online for Offline), Big data and Blockchain etc., WIS2018 exhibited various latest technologies and a smart world to be implemented based on these technologies. In particular, in 2018, ‘ICT Future Leaders Forum’ and ‘ICT Tech Commercialization Festival’ are held, they have confirmed the achievements of government R&D and expanded business overseas.

[Source] WIS Website – www.worlditshow.co.kr

• Meeting : UNiLUX
• Date : May 24, 2018 10:00~10:30
• Participants : UNiLUX President Jung Ho, Kim
• Agenda : UNiLUX has focused on developing of better lighting solutions. They invented CPLC(Closed Circuit Power Line Communication), which is a state of art technology that reduces construction costs by individually controlling lighting equipment connected to power lines. SyncusTech had a technical meeting with UNiLUX for discussing Specifications requirements and motherboard. Particularly, it is important to secure a competitive unit price in construction industry so that we discussed about the direction to lower the unit price with custom specification.

[Source] Unilux Exhibition Booth

• Meeting : ElimNet
• Date : May 24, 2018 11:00~11:30
• Participants : ElimNet Deputy general manager Jae Ho, Cha
• Agenda : ElimNet has leading the construction of many domestic IT infrastructures. In the Internet service, they are collaborating with multiple IT companies as Total Solution Provider, from network construction and maintenance to integrated security. At the meeting, SyncusTech and ElimNet discussed about technical collaboration. For specific, ElimNet can provide their own technology, Total Solution, with SyncusTech HW including portable server and industrial controller.

[Source] Vidyo hompage gallery

Client’s Challenge

To create an integrated motherboard, an additional design of the PCIe 4 lane was required to add video encorder functionality to the standard motherboard standard specification. We also had to solve CPU and Chipset on motherboards and additional video encoder chip and the heat generated by the FPGA chip. The board design was required to accommodate the system mechanical constraints of the rackmount system, and the height limitation of the 1U system was also considered.

Solution & Implementation

SyncusTech selected the fanless-type Mini ITX EMB-QM87 reference based on Intel® QM87 chipset to enable high performance power in fanless configuration. To design an onboard-type motherboard, including I7-4700EQ CPU, Video Encoder Chip, and FPGA chip, we expanded the reference board of 170*170mm mini-ITX to 280*200mm ODM F/F. To effectively discharge heat generated from I7 CPUs, the Memory Socket, which blocks the part where the system fan is mounted, was changed from the vertically mounted STD to the horizontal RVS type to solve heat-related problems. We eliminated unnecessary Rear Ports in all systems, except HDMI 1port, Ethernet 2port, and configured SDI 4 port and ASI 1 port interface for video equipment.

Conclusion & Benefits

Company C has been able to successfully localize the broadcasting equipment market, which had been dependent on foreign products, through the newly developed 4K Video Encoder Controller, and is preparing to apply the 4K UHD broadcasting service to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Client’s Challenge

To develop a board system using the Intel® Xeon® E5 2600 V3/V4 Series Processor and Platform, which is widely used in the domestic industrial server board market, we have established a research consortium with Korea Testing Certification. The final goal of the development is PCB layout, BMC Controller Circuit, BIOS S/ W, BMC F/W software, and lastly PCB Simulation Data, which was launched in 2016.

Solution & Implementation

The main specifications of the final Xeon server board are as follows: To implement the performance of the remote control, the core of a server board, ASPEED AST2400 has been designed to support the IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface) function.

• Dual sockets for Intel® Xeon® processor E5-2600 v3/v4 product family
• Wellsburg Platform Intel® C612
• ECC DDR4 Memory Technology up to 256GB
• BMC/IPMI System Management
• 10 x SATA III
• 4 x PCIe*16 , 2 x PCIe*8, 1 x PCIe*4

Conclusion & Benefits

SynchTech has succeeded in localizing the Xeon Server motherboard and secured server system development technology, IPMI/BMC controller design and F/W technology. We paved our foundation by expanding our ODM business using the Xeon board as a reference in the future. In addition to reducing product costs by replacing imported products, which account for most of the demand in the domestic server market, we were able to build partnerships with various companies involved in server board production and testing. In particular, our ambition is to supply Korean Xeon system to the G2B market, which accounts for most of the domestic server market.

Client’s Challenge

In existing equipment, controllers are installed separately in the cabinet and separated in the cabinet and equipment. However, to design a compact system, the cabinet was integrated into the equipment housing. The previous controller of company B had frequent breakdowns and was also difficult to fit in housing of different sizes and shapes, requiring controller customization.

Solution & Implementation

Since the controller should be mounted inside the housing, SyncusTech designed a custom controller based on the EMB-QM87 motherboard, which is a highly-reliable fanless-type reference board. In order to expand the various functions required by the equipment, PCIe 16x 1 slot and PCI 2 slot interfaces were implemented. It is designed as a 19 “Rackmount type and equipped with Din Rail for flexible installation in the housing. Through basic expansion of the motherboard by bypassing the backplane-type used in off-the-shelf products, it is now possible to use the maximum PCIe 3 slot and PCI 2 slot to ensure Toyoda has flexibility for installation even in small space. By applying the keyboard boot function, the system can be operated with only the keyboard, without pressing the power button installed in the housing, to enhance user convenience. The controller design is simple and the Toyoda logo is mounted on the front part so that the design can be delivered to the end user through the unified design of the whole equipment.

Conclusion & Benefits

Toyoda is a professional equipment company, but for the main equipment controller, they depended on off-the-shelf products. By applying SyncusTech’s customized controller to this project, we were able to overcome limitations of existing products, upgrade existing equipment to an integrated type, and solve complaints in external ready-made products.

Client’s Challenge

Company I, a venture company in the CCTV industry, said that most systems on the market are NVR-based products that can connect only 1 or 2 channels for simple recording, or they are based on computer boards for OA with log durability, where the company was concerned about building reliable systems due to short lifespan of certain hardware elements, such as motherboard. In order to reliably operate intelligent VMS, the company requested SyncusTech develop hardware capable of accommodating at least 36 channels, and capable of raiding at level 6 or higher to quickly and securely store platform and image information of i5 level or higher CPU.

Solution & Implementation

Our EMB-QM87 i5 board is low-temperature industrial motherboard based on Intel’s Embedded Solution. It is easy to secure reliability of the whole system and is the best alternative for long-term stable supply. The problem was to have at least four SATA ports and a NAS control board with level 6 or higher RAID functionality. On a temporary basis, we utilized overseas off-the-shelf products considering the launch date of the product, but we plan to apply the NAS control board optimized for CCTV systems soon after development of the ARM board is completed.

Conclusion & Benefits

In the future, NVR demand for small simple recording monitoring mainly for small stores will be led by existing low-end products. However, the large-scale video surveillance market, which is expected to grow rapidly, will be led by a new CCTV system that combines high-performance computers, based on i series or Xeon and NAS that can mount innovative intelligent VMS. Company I and SyncusTech are in active business featuring new systems jointly developed, targeting large domestic corporations and public institutions

Client’s Challenge

Among the company’s semiconductor equipment range, the Gas Cabinet is a core facility with various PLC devices that operate 24/7. Company K plans to develop a backup PLC for uninterrupted systems as PLC devices require backup controllers in case of problems with the device. This project requires the development of an extremely compact system with all necessary functions, since an auxiliary PLC must be installed in a very limited space, outside of the space of PLC devices installed in the existing gas cabinet.

Solution & Implementation

SyncusTech has developed a fanless type high-reliability uninterrupted module with Raspberry Pi for low-power low-temperature systems in order to meet the requirements of installation in cabinets with extremely limited space. The chassis is designed in 55 x 77 x 150 mm and can be mounted on existing cabinets by Din Rail. A variety of interface functions have been actualized, such as DIO (Digital Input/Output), designed for DI 32 channel and DO 32 channel, 8 channels for ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) and 6 channel for temperature sensor. I/O port of each interface is configured through four types of PCB design inside. The advantage of this structure is that it can be flexibly applied by adding PCB modules when new functions are expanded. RS232/RS485 and Ethernet are configured to support various industrial communication methods.

Conclusion & Benefits

SyncusTech has developed modular PCBs to flexibly accommodate needs in the field. We consider not only the needs of one project, but also cases requiring more channels for DIO, ADC, and temperature sensor. Additional consideration was also given to applying the CAN communication method. We have developed a gas cabinet, which is already installed on production lines so that we can respond more flexibly in the field.

Client’s Challenge

B company wanted a fan-less type hardware platform with better performance but low power. The motherboard was connectable with various peripherals such as a magnetic card reader, printer, bill counter, touch screen, and audio device. The form-factor needed to be EPIC (115×165) because the mechanical parts have to be applicable. A high level of reliability and security was a priority.

Solution & Implementation

SyncusTech developed the fan-less type main board (EMB-N270B), which demonstrated higher performance by adapting the Intel ATOM Processor. The board supported six serial ports and eight USB ports for connecting many peripherals. The 2 watt amp was mounted on the board in order to strengthen the function of the speaker. The figure of the main board was carefully designed to ensure the compatibility with other mechanical parts. Finally, the reliability was improved by unifying input power as a single DC 12V.

Conclusion and Benefits

The annual demand of B company was around 3,000 pieces of main boards. Such volume didn’t seem to be sufficient in attracting technical support, such as board modification and good delivery from the major board makers, whose main business is mass production and stock sale through distribution channels. However, SyncusTech provided efficient technical supports and delivery at a reasonable price. Once the project was started, we had only one buyer in the U.S., but now we have two more buyers continuing to purchase our EMB-N270B. Today, the accumulated quantity of exports is over 30,000 main board pieces.

Dual Socket platform based on Intel® Xeon® processor E5-2600 v3 / v4 product family. It is a high-reliability, high-reliability product that can collect various data. It is designed as an artificial intelligence product that can support running machine and learning machine while supporting specification of general server product. Read More

A Industrial Gateway is the most important device for building factory automation. It connects field devices and sensors to enhance data collection and remote control functions, so gateway product specifications need to reflect the needs of the factory site. Read More

The Peripheral Box is a device for physically connecting smart controllers with other hardware of various types that may already be installed in the factory. As the peripheral box needs to be developed for universal use on-site, it is designed to be installed inside a smart controller according to the factory site conditions. Read More

Client’s Challenge

The gateway is a device that collects a large amount of data generated from sensors installed in various factory facilities and transmits to aimBOX (Host Server) which can store and analyze data in the long-term. A range of interfaces are necessary to connect the site equipment, i.e. ADC, DIO, Temperature Sensor, and Serial Communication, and a compact product design was required since the interfaces require installation in limited space.

Solution & Implementation

SyncusTech has already developed the EMB-BYT1000 reference motherboard with Intel Atom® BayTrail CPU and has been producing and supplying to various customers. EMB-BYT1000 board is a SoC CPU with the strengths of low power and low heat. Designed as a fanless type 115 * 165mm EPIC F/F, it is a motherboard suitable for small systems. Taking these advantages, the gateway can be installed in a small space of W300 * D210 * H64mm. RS232 3ports, USB 4ports, VGA 3ports, and Ethernet 2ports are provided to support various interfaces required in the field, and SMPS DC12V/50W is built in, with a power supply also designed to be supported by the system itself.

Conclusion & Benefits

AimSystem can connect AGV (Automated Guide Vehicles) equipment of semiconductor production line with upper host servers through customized gateway development. The system can be implemented so that the administrator can remotely control the equipment, i.e. the port status management of AGV, communication, monitoring, log inquiry, and parameter settings. Currently, more than 130 gateways are being supplied and pilot tested, and 1300 systems are wet to be operated. In addition, re-design is being carried out on customized BlueNet products, which have been developed in other production sites with the request of a similar demand.

Q. Business performance in 2017

A. EMB-QM87 Com Express, developed by SyncusTech, was employed last year for several of its customers’ products and achieved the benefits of both ready-made products and ODM products, while significantly reducing initial investment requirements. A variety of custom ODM projects have been developed based on reference boards lineups, such as EMB-QM87 mini-ITX and EMB-BYT1000 EPIC, securing sales in the domestic market through development and mass production. We also achieved results from overseas market entry. SyncusTech is a registered supplier of industrial computers to Toyoda, a developer of US industrial equipment, to which it is constantly delivering products. SyncusTech is going through a sample test with FireKing, a specialized financial equipment maker, and is expected to commence mass production. We have also successfully completed ‘Reliability Technology Expansion Project’, a field test jointly conducted with Korea Testing Certification and Suwon University. we started mass production from this year following a successful field test at a overseas factory last year utilizing the achievements of this project of industrial servers.

Q. Key business and strategy in 2018

A. We are working with our software vendors who have been collaborating with us for a long time to plan cloud servers, factory gateways, and artificial intelligence systems. We are planning to release new products related to Smart Factory, which is based on various hardware platforms i.e. Intel 6th generation Skylake, Xeon, and ARM developed last year, including system and software solutions.

Q. Automation World Booth operation plan

A. SyncusTech’s various solutions will be organized into three themes for customers to check on-site. First, we will present robust development methods related to ODM development of industrial motherboards and various developed ODM cases to ensure customers fully understand the main business of SyncusTech: customized motherboard development. Second, we plan to display promotional videos and products to identify various solutions related to Smart Factory. Lastly, SyncusTech will promote Xeon server system products on Intel Xeon-based platform boards that were developed last year. Most Xeon servers currently distributed in Korea are assembled and distributed based on foreign server boards. SyncusTech is one of the few motherboard developers and manufacturers in Korea, and succeeded in localizing server Xeon boards in 2017 as a government support project.

Q. Mid- and long-term business plan

A. First, we will continue to expand the board ODM sector, which is the core of our business. In addition, we plan to develop an Intel Apollo Lake-based platform as our next entry level product this year and focus on developing low-power Intel U series platform at a higher level.

There will also be good opportunities to enter overseas markets. At the beginning of the year, SyncusTech was selected as a US Federal Government Procurement Vendor Registered Support Company and the SAM vendor registration process is underway. After the registration is completed, we will participate in bidding with our products which have various lineups in the US government procurement market.