What Is a Fanless Computer?
A fanless computer is a PC that does not have an attached fan for cooling.
Also known as an embedded PC, FAPC (Factory Automation PC), embedded computer, industrial PC, or IPC. Compared to consumer PCs, fanless PCs are more reliable and environmentally resistant, and have the ability to analyze and respond to failures.
Uses of Fanless Computers
A fanless computer is mainly used for industrial applications. Specific applications include factory automation control systems that are exposed to vibration and dust, signage systems that require constant operation, and reception terminals. The operating system (OS) is flexible, and the hardware configuration must be selected and customized according to the characteristics of the installation environment and control destination.
Principle of Fanless Computers
A fanless computer is based on x86, the architecture of a normal PC. Its greatest feature is that it does not have a fan for cooling the power supply unit or other components. A fanless computer is often designed to cool the PC by natural heat dissipation, as the bearings of the cooling fan may deteriorate over time, resulting in inactivity and thermal failure. In addition, the quality and long-term availability of component parts is improved.
Other Information on Fanless Computers
1. Operating System of Fanless Computers
Since a fanless computer is based on x86 architecture, you can choose an operating system for each application.
Windows 10 IoT Enterprise
Based on Windows, which is highly scalable, it is equipped with functions that allow detailed control of its behavior. For example, it has functions such as limiting the software that can be started and restricting access to USB devices. Since it is based on the widely used Windows, it has the advantage of being easy to maintain and manage.
Linux
Linux offers flexible customizability and can be used free of charge for commercial purposes as long as it is used in accordance with licensing regulations. Linux for embedded applications has a wide variety of middleware and device drivers, allowing for flexible system construction. Since the file system can be selected, it is possible to place emphasis on write performance and fault tolerance depending on the application. Another major advantage is that the development environment necessary for embedded system development is provided free of charge.
PMC T-Kernel
PMC T-Kernel is a real-time OS that is often used in industrial robots, etc., which requires detailed control, and can be used on the architecture of a fanless computer.
2. Fanless Notebook PC
Notebook PCs are convenient and portable.
Conventionally, cooling the heat generated by the CPU, power supply, and other components of a notebook PC is generally achieved by dissipating the heat with a cooling fan. This was one of the factors that made it difficult to reduce the size and thickness of notebook PCs, and it was also a source of noise. In recent years, as component heat generation has been reduced and heat dissipation technology has advanced, many fanless notebook PCs have appeared on the market that are compact, thin, lightweight, and have excellent design features.
Power-saving technologies such as miniaturization of the manufacturing process for CPUs have led to power-saving types that balance performance and are now available for mobile devices and notebook PCs. Storage devices are replacing HDDs with SSDs, which contribute to silent operation. Heat dissipation (cooling) technology that replaces fans is generally natural air-cooling by means of ingenious chassis design or heat sinks. As for advanced technologies, the use of space-developed technologies such as liquid cooling using heat pipes is being considered.
3. Industrial PC Market
Industrial PCs, which require durability and stability, have a long support period and long life, so the market has seen little change. In recent years, factories have become increasingly automated amid the trend toward greater production efficiency and labor-saving. Factories and production sites are considering the introduction of data collection and analysis through IoT linkage and the use of AI by utilizing industrial PCs.
Industrial PCs are also becoming more powerful as well as more reliable and durable. Servers are expected to play a role in edge computing, where information from equipment can be collected, analyzed, and processed in real time at production sites.