Chipsee EPC/PPC-A9-097-C User manual

Industrial PC
EPC/PPC-A9-097-C
PN: CS10768F097
Content can change at anytime, check documentation website for latest information.
www.chipsee.com

Contents
31. EPC/PPC-A9-097-C
41.1. Product Overview
51.2. Ordering Options
61.2.1. Operating System
61.2.2. Optional Features
61.3. Hardware Features
81.4. Power Input
81.5. Touch Screen
91.6. Connectivity
91.6.1. RS232/RS485/CAN
111.6.2. USB Connectors
121.6.3. LAN Connectors
121.6.4. WiFi & BT Module
131.6.5. 4G/LTE Module
141.6.6. GPIO Connector
161.7. TF Card Slot
161.8. Audio Connectors
171.9. HDMI Connector
171.10. Boot DIP Switch
181.11. Mounting Procedure
181.12. Mechanical Specications
181.12.1. EPC-A9-097-C
181.12.2. PPC-A9-097-C
201.13. Disclaimer
201.14. Technical Support
Chipsee IPC Page 2 of 20

EPC/PPC-A9-097-C
Front View
Rear View
EPC/PPC-A9-097-C
Chipsee IPC Page 3 of 20

Front View (Embedded Variant)
Rear View (Embedded Variant)
Product Overview
The Cortex -A9 series EPC/PPC-A9-097-C (PN: CS10768F097) is a rugged, high-quality
industrial panel PC. It features a 9.7” multi-point capacitive touch screen with a resolution of
1024 x 768 pixels.
Key Applications
Human Machine Interface HMI
Process Control
Process Monitoring
®
•
•
•
EPC/PPC-A9-097-C Product Overview
Chipsee IPC Page 4 of 20

HMI
Infotainment
Predictive Maintenance
Machine Learning
Machine Vision
Automotive applications
ATM…
It is available both as an embedded solution and as a device hosed in an aluminum casing
with bezels, thus facilitating dierent installation options:
Installation on an industrial cabinet
Integration with the existing equipment
The EPC/PPC-A9-097-C Industrial Panel PC is based around the powerful CS-SOM-iMX6Q
System on Module (SoM), powered by the i.MX6Q Arm Cortex -A9 quad-core Application
Processor (APU). The i.MX6Q APU represents the latest achievement in integrated
multimedia applications processors, delivering high-performance computing, an abundance
of integrated peripherals, and high power eciency.
This product also features a broad range of connectivity options, providing a high level of
scalability for various use cases. It is the perfect solution for power-constrained applications
on the Edge, acting as a robust control unit for collecting, processing, and aggregating eld
data. The i.MX6Q APU is part of NXP’s EdgeVerse™ edge computing platform.
The NXP i.MX6UL APU does not generate extensive heat, so even the thin aluminum
housing on PPC version delivers sucient thermal dissipation. With its junction temperature
from -40 to +125°C, the APU itself is well suited for extended temperature range in both
automotive and factory environments.
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 specied. The
table in the Hardware Features section provides information about the default options
bundled with the product.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
® ®
Note
You can order The EPC/PPC-A9-097-C Industrial Panel PC from the ocial Chipsee Store or from your nearest
distributor.

EPC/PPC-A9-097-C Ordering Options
Chipsee IPC Page 5 of 20

*
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 4.3
Android 6.0
Android 8.0
Ubuntu 12.04
Ubuntu 14.04
Debian
Chipsee Linux is based on NXP Yocto framework 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 le system
Optional Features
The EPC/PPC-A9-097-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.
Hardware Features
The EPC/PPC-A9-097-C Industrial Panel PC oers 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.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
1.
2.
3.
4.
Warning
The Software Documentation section provides a detailed instruction how to install dierent 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 [email protected] for further assistance

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.

EPC/PPC-A9-097-C Operating System
Chipsee IPC Page 6 of 20

EPC/PPC-A9-097-C
CPU iMX6Q, Arm Cortex -A9, 1GHz
RAM 2GB DDR3
eMMC 8GB
Storage TF Card, Supports up to 32GB SDHC
Display 9.7” LCD, 1024 x 768, High Brightness: 500cd/m
Touch Capacitive Multi-Point Touch Screen
USB 2 x USB 2.0 HOST, 1 x USB OTG
LAN 2 x RJ45: 1 x GbE, Optional PoE Support; 1 x 100Mbps, Optional
Audio 3.5mm Audio In/Out Connector, Internal 2W Speaker
Buzzer Yes
RTC Yes, Powered by CR2032 Button Battery
RS232 2 x RS232
RS485 3 x RS4851
CAN 2 x CAN
GPIO 8 x General Purpose I/O (GPIO) channels
WiFi/BT Integrated WiFi/BT Module
HDMI 1 x HDMI
SATA 1 x SATA II
Expansion Port N/A
4G/LTE Optional, Not mounted by default
Power Input From 12V to 36V
Current at 15V 600mA Max (w/o 4G Module)
Power Consumption 7W Typical
Working Temperature From -20°C to +70°C
OS Multiple Choices (Operating System)
Dimensions
EPC-A9-097-C (PN: CS10768F097E): 226 x 172 x 26mm
PPC-A9-097-C (PN: CS10768F097P): 256 x 207 x 29mm
Weight
EPC-A9-097-C (PN: CS10768F097E): 550g
PPC-A9-097-C (PN: CS10768F097P): 1370g
Mounting
EPC-A9-097-C (PN: CS10768F097E): Embedded
PPC-A9-097-C (PN: CS10768F097P): Panel
Table 6 Key Features
® ®
2
EPC/PPC-A9-097-C Hardware Features
Chipsee IPC Page 7 of 20

1This product has 5 x UART channels in total. The default conguration is 2 x RS232, 2 x RS485, and 1 x UART for
WiFi/BT module. UART can be swapped between RS232 and RS485 modes easily, so if you need dierent
RS232/RS485 conguration, please get in touch with the Chipsee Technical Support at [email protected]
Power Input
The EPC/PPC-A9-097-C Industrial Panel PC can be powered by a wide range of input
voltages: From 12V 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 PPC version, as well as on
the PCB itself of the EPC version, as shown in the gure below.
Figure 17: Power Input Section (embedded/enclosed version)
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.
Touch Screen
The EPC/PPC-A9-097-C Industrial Panel PC uses a ten-point multitouch capacitive screen.
Figure 2 shows the capacitive screen connected to the motherboard via the FPC connector.
Power Input Denition
Pin Number Denition Description
Pin 1 Positive Input DC Power Positive Terminal
Pin 2 Negative Input DC Power Negative Terminal
Pin 3 Ground Power System Ground
Table 7 Power Connector
Note
The system ground “G” is connected to power negative “-” on board.

EPC/PPC-A9-097-C Power Input
Chipsee IPC Page 8 of 20

Figure 18: Figure 2: Capacitive Screen Connector
Connectivity
There are many connectivity options available on the EPC/PPC-A9-097-C industrial PC. It has
2 x HOST USB Type A connectors, 1 x USB OTG Type Mini B, 2 x network connector (RJ45)
supporting up to 1 Gbps, and 5 x UART terminals (RS232/485). This device also features two
CAN interfaces.
RS232/RS485/CAN
The serial communication interfaces (RS485, RS482, and CAN) are routed to a 16-pin
3.81mm terminal, as illustrated in the gure below. Serial communication on both RS485
and RS422 interfaces can reach up to 115200 kbps.
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 multitouch test application, you might notice the touch
points oat 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 EPC/PPC-A9-097-C Power Input connector (pin 3) is properly connected to the Power System
Ground to provide sucient EMI shielding and eliminate the problem entirely.
Bad GND problem can also be conrmed 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.

1.
2.
3.
EPC/PPC-A9-097-C Connectivity
Chipsee IPC Page 9 of 20

Figure 19: Serial pins connector
The table below oers more detailed description of every pin and its denition:
RS232 / RS485 / CAN Pin Denition:
Pin Number Denition Description
Pin 16 CAN2_H CPU CAN Channel 2 H signal
Pin 15 CAN2_L CPU CAN Channel 2 L signal
Pin 14 CAN1_H CPU CAN Channel 1 H signal
Pin 13 CAN1_L CPU CAN Channel 1 L signal
Pin 12 RS485_2- CPU UART2, RS485 –(B) signal 2
Pin 11 RS485_2+ CPU UART2, RS485 +(A) signal 2
Pin 10 RS485_5- CPU UART5, RS485 –(B) signal
Pin 9 RS485_5+ CPU UART5, RS485 +(A) signal
Pin 8 RS485_4- CPU UART4, RS485 –(B) signal
Pin 7 RS485_4+ CPU UART4, RS485 +(A) signal
Pin 6 RS232_3_RXD CPU UART3, RS232 RXD signal
Pin 5 RS232_3_TXD CPU UART3, RS232 TXD signal
Pin 4 RS232_1_RXD CPU UART1, RS232 RXD signal
EPC/PPC-A9-097-C RS232/RS485/CAN
Chipsee IPC Page 10 of 20

2(1,2)UART2 signal is used by the onboard WiFi/BT module, so the I/O port function is disabled by default. If you
need the I/O port function instead, please contact Chipsee Technical Support at [email protected] for
assistance.
USB Connectors
There are 2 x Type A USB HOST connectors onboard, as shown on the gure below.
Figure 20: USB HOST Connectors (embedded/enclosed PC version)
There is also 1 x Type Mini B USB OTG connector, congured as slave by default.
Figure 21: USB OTG Connector (embedded/enclosed PC version)
Pin 3 RS232_1_TXD CPU UART1, RS232 TXD signal
Pin 2 GND System Ground
Pin 1 +5V System 5V output, up to 1A
Table 8 Connectivity Section
Note
120Ω termination resistors are not mounted or included with the device.

Warning
Be careful not to touch surrounding electronic components accidentally while plugging in USB devices into the
embedded IPC version.

EPC/PPC-A9-097-C USB Connectors
Chipsee IPC Page 11 of 20

LAN Connectors
LAN (RJ45) connector provides Ethernet connectivity over standardized Ethernet cables.
The integrated Ethernet interface supports up to 1 Gbps data throughput. Power over
Ethernet (PoE) is not supported.
Figure 22: RJ45 LAN Connectors (embedded/enclosed PC version)
WiFi & BT Module
The EPC/PPC-A9-097-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).
Figure 23: RTL8273 WiFi/BT Module
The enclosed (PPC) variant of the product also includes an SMA connector for an external
WiFi/BT antenna, as illustrated in the gure below.
Note
Use CAT5 or better cables to achieve full data throughput over maximum distance dened by the 1000BASE-T
standard (100m).

EPC/PPC-A9-097-C LAN Connectors
Chipsee IPC Page 12 of 20

Figure 24: WiFi+BT Antenna
4G/LTE Module
The EPC/PPC-A9-097-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 EPC/PPC-A9-097-C. SIM card does NOT
support hot plug. Power o before inserting or removing SIM card.
Figure 25: 4G/LTE Module
Figure 26: SIM Card Holder and 4G/LTE Antenna Connector
EPC/PPC-A9-097-C 4G/LTE Module
Chipsee IPC Page 13 of 20

SIM Card Direction
GPIO Connector
The EPC/PPC-A9-097-C Industrial Panel PC has a 10 Pin 3.81mm GPIO Connector, as shown
in the gure below, that is labeled as P28 on the PCB. The table below gives details about
the denition of every Pin.
GPIO Connector
Attention
The product does not come shipped with the 4G/LTE module by default.

EPC/PPC-A9-097-C GPIO Connector
Chipsee IPC Page 14 of 20

Isolated GPIO reduced schematic
GPIO Connector Pin Denition:
Pin Number Denition Description
Pin 1 VCC Isolated Power +5V Output
Pin 2 GND Isolated Ground
Pin 3 OUT1 Isolated Output 1
Pin 4 OUT2 Isolated Output 2
Pin 5 OUT3 Isolated Output 3
Pin 6 OUT4 Isolated Output 4
Pin 7 IN1 Isolated Input 1
Pin 8 IN2 Isolated Input 2
Pin 9 IN3 Isolated Input 3
Pin 10 IN4 Isolated Input 4
Table 9 GPIO Connector Pin-out
EPC/PPC-A9-097-C GPIO Connector
Chipsee IPC Page 15 of 20

TF Card Slot
The EPC/PPC-A9-097-C Industrial Panel PC features 1 x TF Card (micro SD) slot. It can
address up to 32GB of memory.
Figure 27: TF (micro SD) Card Slot
Audio Connectors
The EPC/PPC-A9-097-C Industrial Panel PC features some audio peripherals, as well. It has 1
x 3.5mm audio input jack and 1 x 3.5mm audio output jack.
On the embedded panel PC version, the pink connector is the audio input jack (line-in) and
the blue connector is the audio output jack (line-out, typically around -10 dBV). On the
enclosed panel PC version, both audio input and audio output are clearly marked.
Figure 28: Audio I/O (embedded/enclosed PC version)
In addition, EPC/PPC-A9-097-C features a miniature 2W embedded speaker for audio
reproduction, as well as a small buzzer for alarm/notication sounds.
Attention
The GPIO has been Opt-Isolated and it uses the 5V Logic by default. The GPIO is driven by the on board VDD, you
do not need an external isolated power input.
The 4 output channels can drive at most 500mA current on each channel.

•
•
Note
The product does not come shipped with the TF Card by default

EPC/PPC-A9-097-C TF Card Slot
Chipsee IPC Page 16 of 20

Figure 29: 2W Micro Speaker and Buzzer
HDMI Connector
The EPC/PPC-A9-097-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 congured by the software.
Figure 30: HDMI Connector
Boot DIP Switch
The EPC/PPC-A9-097-C Industrial Panel PC supports boot from SD card. If you want to re-
ash the Operating System (OS), you can use the TF card for that purpose, combined with
the DIP switch settings.
There is no need to alter the DIP switch settings during regular operation. However, if you
need to reinstall the OS, please refer to the table below. Detailed information on how to re-
ash the OS can be found in the Software Documentation.
Figure 31: Boot DIP Switch
EPC/PPC-A9-097-C HDMI Connector
Chipsee IPC Page 17 of 20

Mounting Procedure
The EPC/PPC-A9-097-C Industrial Panel PC can be mounted with 8 x M4 screws, enabling
simplied installation onto any standard mounting xture. Other mounting options might
also be supported according to the table in the Hardware Features section.
You can nd detailed information about mounting in the Mount IPC Guide.
Mechanical Specifications
EPC-A9-097-C
The outer mechanical dimensions of EPC-A9-097-C are 226 x 172 x 26mm (W x L x H).
PPC-A9-097-C
For PPC-A9-097-C, the outer mechanical dimensions are 256 x 207 x 29mm (W x L x H).
Panel Mounting
Boot Cong Select
DIP SW 1 2 3 4
SD 1 0 0 0
eMMC 1 1 0 1
Download 0 1 1 0
Table 10 Boot Conguration Selection
EPC/PPC-A9-097-C Mounting Procedure
Chipsee IPC Page 18 of 20

Figure 32: Fixing PPC-A9-097-C industrial PC into panel
Note
With the PPC-A9-097-C industrial PC, the operator can x the PC into the panel by pushing it from the front inside the
panel as described in the gure above. The recommended maximum thickness of the panel material is 8mm.
Make sure the Panel PC is congured correctly. The Boot Switch is sitting inside the housing. To use it, the Panel
PC has to be unmounted from the panel.
Push the Panel PC straight into the Panel Hole until the unit sits at on the panel as shown in the gure above.
Use the mounting xtures to lock the Panel PC into it’s place.

1.
2.
3.
Caution
When you use product EPC-A9-097-C, you should not touch the circuit board on the back of the product if the
product is powered ON.
Also, when the product is powered OFF, please take anti-static measures before touching the circuit board.

•
•
EPC/PPC-A9-097-C PPC-A9-097-C
Chipsee IPC Page 19 of 20

Disclaimer
This document is provided strictly for informational purposes. Its contents are
subject to change without notice. Chipsee assumes no responsibility for any errors
that may occur in this document. Furthermore, Chipsee reserves the right to alter the
hardware, software, and/or specications set forth herein at any time without prior
notice and undertakes no obligation to update the information contained in this
document.
While every eort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information
contained herein, this document is not guaranteed to be error-free. Further, it does
not oer any warranties or conditions, whether expressed orally or implied in law,
including implied warranties and conditions of merchantability or tness for a
particular purpose. We specically disclaim any liability with respect to this
document, and no contractual obligations are formed either directly or indirectly by
this document.
Despite our best eorts to maintain the accuracy of the information in this
document, we assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, nor for damages
resulting from the use of the information herein. Please note that Chipsee products
are not authorized for use as critical components in life support devices or systems.
Technical Support
If you encounter any diculties or have questions related to this document, we encourage
you to refer to our other documentation for potential solutions. If you cannot nd the
solution you’re looking for, feel free to contact us. Please email Chipsee Technical Support at
[email protected], providing all relevant information. We value your queries and
suggestions and are committed to providing you with the assistance you require.
EPC/PPC-A9-097-C Disclaimer
Chipsee IPC Page 20 of 20