S&T Kontron KBox A-203-sXAL4 User manual


USER GUIDE
www.kontron.com // 1
KBox A-203-sXAL4
User Guide Preliminary Rev. 0.2
Doc. ID: 1068-7209

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
KBOX A
-203-SXAL4 - USER GUIDE
Disclaimer
Kontron would like to point out that the information contained in this user guide may be subject to alteration,
particularly as a result of the constant upgrading of Kontron products. This document does not entail any guarantee on
the part of Kontron with respect to technical processes described in the user guide or any product characteristics set
out in the user guide. Kontron assumes no responsibility or liability for the use of the described product(s), conveys no
license or title under any patent, copyright or mask work rights to these products and makes no representations or
warranties that these products are free from patent, copyright or mask work right infringement unless otherwise
specified. Applications that are described in this user guide are for illustration purposes only. Kontron makes no
representation or warranty that such application will be suitable for the specified use without further testing or
modification. Kontron expressly informs the user that this user guide only contains a general description of processes
and instructions which may not be applicable in every individual case. In cases of doubt, please contact Kontron.
This user guide is protected by copyright. All rights are reserved by Kontron. No part of this document may be
reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language or computer
language, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the
express written permission of Kontron. Kontron points out that the information contained in this user guide is
constantly being updated in line with the technical alterations and improvements made by Kontron to the products and
thus this user guide only reflects the technical status of the products by Kontron at the time of publishing.
Brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
©2021 by Kontron Europe GmbH
Kontron Europe GmbH
Gutenbergstraße 2
85737 Ismaning
Germany
www.kontron.com

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Intended Use
THIS DEVICE AND ASSOCIATED SOFTWARE ARE NOT DESIGNED, MANUFACTURED OR INTENDED FOR USE
OR RESALE FOR THE OPERATION OF NUCLEAR FACILITIES, THE NAVIGATION, CONTROL OR
COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS FOR AIRCRAFT OR OTHER TRANSPORTATION, AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL, LIFE
SUPPORT OR LIFE SUSTAINING APPLICATIONS, WEAPONS SYSTEMS, OR ANY OTHER APPLICATION IN A
HAZARDOUS ENVIRONMENT, OR REQUIRING FAIL-SAFE PERFORMANCE, OR IN WHICH THE FAILURE OF
PRODUCTS COULD LEAD DIRECTLY TO DEATH, PERSONAL INJURY, OR SEVERE PHYSICAL OR
ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE (COLLECTIVELY, "HIGH RISK APPLICATIONS").
You understand and agree that your use of Kontron devices as a component in High Risk Applications is entirely at
your risk. To minimize the risks associated with your products and applications, you should provide adequate design
and operating safeguards. You are solely responsible for compliance with all legal, regulatory, safety, and security
related requirements concerning your products. You are responsible to ensure that your systems (and any Kontron
hardware or software components incorporated in your systems) meet all applicable requirements. Unless otherwise
stated in the product documentation, the Kontron device is not provided with error-tolerance capabilities and cannot
therefore be deemed as being engineered, manufactured or setup to be compliant for implementation or for resale as
device in High Risk Applications. All application and safety related information in this document (including application
descriptions, suggested safety measures, suggested Kontron products, and other materials) is provided for reference
only.
Handling and operation of the product is permitted only for trained personnel within a work
place that is access controlled. Please follow the “General Safety Instructions” supplied with
the system.
You find the most recent version of the “General Safety Instructions“ online in the download
area of this product.

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Revision History
Revision Brief Description of Changes Date of Issue Author/
Editor
0.1 Preliminary Version 2021-Jun-18 MK
0.2 Bluetooth information added, power cabling
description corrected
2021-Jul-28 MK
Terms and Conditions
Kontron warrants products in accordance with defined regional warranty periods. For more information about
warranty compliance and conformity, and the warranty period in your region, visit http://www.kontron.com/terms-
and-conditions.
Kontron sells products worldwide and declares regional General Terms & Conditions of Sale, and Purchase Order Terms
& Conditions. Visit http://www.kontron.com/terms-and-conditions.
For contact information, refer to the corporate offices contact information on the last page of this user guide or visit
our website CONTACT US.
Customer Support
Find Kontron contacts by visiting: https://www.kontron.de/support-and-services.
Customer Service
As a trusted technology innovator and global solutions provider, Kontron extends its embedded market strengths into
a services portfolio allowing companies to break the barriers of traditional product lifecycles. Proven product
expertise coupled with collaborative and highly-experienced support enables Kontron to provide exceptional peace of
mind to build and maintain successful products.
For more details on Kontron’s service offerings such as: enhanced repair services, extended warranty, Kontron
training academy, and more visit https://www.kontron.de/support-and-services.
Customer Comments
If you have any difficulties using this user guide, discover an error, or just want to provide some feedback, contact
Kontron support. Detail any errors you find. We will correct the errors or problems as soon as possible and post the
revised user guide on our website.

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Symbols
The following symbols may be used in this user guide
DANGER indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
will result in death or serious injury.
WARNING indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
could result in death or serious injury.
NOTICE indicates a property damage message.
CAUTION indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
may result in minor or moderate injury.
Electric Shock!
This symbol and title warn of hazards due to electrical shocks (> 60
V) when touching
products or parts of products. Failure to observe the precautions indicated and/or prescribed
by the law may endanger your life/health and/or result in damage to your material.
ESD Sensitive Device!
This symbol and title inform that the electronic boards and their components are sensitive to
static electricity. Care must therefore be taken during all handling operations and inspections
of this product in order to ensure product integrity at all times.
HOT Surface!
Do NOT touch! Allow to cool before servicing.
Laser!
This symbol inform of the risk of exposure to laser beam and light emitting devices (LEDs)
from an electrical device. Eye protection per manufacturer notice shall review before
servicing.
This symbol indicates general information about the product and the user guide.
This symbol also indicates detail information about the specific product configuration.
This symbol precedes helpful hints and tips for daily use.

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For Your Safety
Your new Kontron product was developed and tested carefully to provide all features necessary to ensure its
compliance with electrical safety requirements. It was also designed for a long fault-free life. However, the life
expectancy of your product can be drastically reduced by improper treatment during unpacking and installation.
Therefore, in the interest of your own safety and of the correct operation of your new Kontron product, you are
requested to conform with the following guidelines.
High Voltage Safety Instructions
As a precaution and in case of danger, the power connector must be easily accessible. The power connector is the
product’s main disconnect device.
Warning
All operations on this product must be carried out by sufficiently skilled personnel only.
Electric Shock!
Before installing a non hot-swappable Kontron product into a system always ensure that
your mains power is switched off. This also applies to the installation of piggybacks. Serious
electrical shock hazards can exist during all installation, repair, and maintenance operations
on this product. Therefore, always unplug the power cable and any other cables which
provide external voltages before performing any work on this product.
Earth ground connection to vehicle’s chassis or a central grounding point shall remain
connected. The earth ground cable shall be the last cable to be disconnected or the first
cable to be connected when performing installation or removal procedures on this product.
Special Handling and Unpacking Instruction
ESD Sensitive Device!
Electronic boards and their components are sensitive to static electricity. Therefore, care
must be taken during all handling operations and inspections of this product, in order to
ensure product integrity at all times.
Do not handle this product out of its protective enclosure while it is not used for operational purposes unless it is
otherwise protected.
Whenever possible, unpack or pack this product only at EOS/ESD safe work stations. Where a safe work station is not
guaranteed, it is important for the user to be electrically discharged before touching the product with his/her hands
or tools. This is most easily done by touching a metal part of your system housing.
It is particularly important to observe standard anti-static precautions when changing piggybacks, ROM devices,
jumper settings etc. If the product contains batteries for RTC or memory backup, ensure that the product is not placed
on conductive surfaces, including anti-static plastics or sponges. They can cause short circuits and damage the
batteries or conductive circuits on the product.

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Lithium Battery Precautions
If your product is equipped with a lithium battery, take the following precautions when replacing the battery.
Danger of explosion if the battery is incorrectly replaced. Examples that shall be considered
include:
Replacement of a battery with an incorrect type that can defeat a safeguard (e.g., in the
case of some lithium battery types);
Disposal of a battery into fire or a hot oven, or mechanically crushing or cutting of a
battery, that can result in an explosion;
Leaving a battery in an extremely high temperature surrounding environment that can
result in an explosion or the leakage of flammable liquid or gas;
A battery subjected to extremely low air pressure that may result in an explosion or the
leakage of flammable liquid or gas.
In case of using an optional Lithium battery, please consider limited operating temperature
to maximum 40°C.
General Instructions on Usage
In order to maintain Kontron’s product warranty, this product must not be altered or modified in any way. Changes or
modifications to the product, that are not explicitly approved by Kontron and described in this user guide or received
from Kontron Support as a special handling instruction, will void your warranty.
This product should only be installed in or connected to systems that fulfill all necessary technical and specific
environmental requirements. This also applies to the operational temperature range of the specific board version
that must not be exceeded. If batteries are present, their temperature restrictions must be taken into account.
In performing all necessary installation and application operations, only follow the instructions supplied by the
present user guide.
Keep all the original packaging material for future storage or warranty shipments. If it is necessary to store or ship
the product then re-pack it in the same manner as it was delivered. Special care is necessary when handling or
unpacking the product. See Special Handling and Unpacking Instruction.
Quality and Environmental Management
Kontron aims to deliver reliable high-end products designed and built for quality, and aims to complying with
environmental laws, regulations, and other environmentally oriented requirements. For more information regarding
Kontron’s quality and environmental responsibilities, visit http://www.kontron.com/about-kontron/corporate-
responsibility/quality-management.
Disposal and Recycling
Kontron’s products are manufactured to satisfy environmental protection requirements where possible. Many of the
components used are capable of being recycled. Final disposal of this product after its service life must be
accomplished in accordance with applicable country, state, or local laws or regulations.

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WEEE Compliance
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive aims to:
Reduce waste arising from electrical and electronic equipment (EEE)
Make producers of EEE responsible for the environmental impact of their products, especially when the product
become waste
Encourage separate collection and subsequent treatment, reuse, recovery, recycling and sound environmental
disposal of EEE
Improve the environmental performance of all those involved during the lifecycle of EEE
Environmental protection is a high priority with Kontron.
Kontron follows the WEEE directive
You are encouraged to return our products for proper disposal.

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Table of Contents
Symbols.................................................................................................................................................................................................................6
For Your Safety ...................................................................................................................................................................................................7
High Voltage Safety Instructions ..................................................................................................................................................................7
Lithium Battery Precautions.......................................................................................................................................................................... 8
General Instructions on Usage..................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Quality and Environmental Management................................................................................................................................................ 8
Disposal and Recycling.................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
WEEE Compliance...............................................................................................................................................................................................9
Table of Contents.............................................................................................................................................................................................10
List of Tables ......................................................................................................................................................................................................11
List of Figures....................................................................................................................................................................................................12
1/ General Safety Instructions ...........................................................................................................................................................13
1.1. Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)................................................................................................................................................................15
1.1.1. Grounding Methods................................................................................................................................................................................15
2/ Electromagnetic Compatibility .....................................................................................................................................................16
2.1. Electromagnetic Compatibility (EU)....................................................................................................................................................16
2.2. FCC Statement (USA)...............................................................................................................................................................................16
2.3. EMC Compliance (Canada) ....................................................................................................................................................................16
3/ Shipment and Unpacking ................................................................................................................................................................17
3.1. Unpacking ....................................................................................................................................................................................................17
3.2. Scope of Delivery......................................................................................................................................................................................17
3.2.1. Standard ...................................................................................................................................................................................................17
3.2.2. Optional Parts ........................................................................................................................................................................................17
3.3. Type Label and Product Identification...............................................................................................................................................18
4/ System Overview ...............................................................................................................................................................................19
4.1. RTC................................................................................................................................................................................................................20
4.1.1. RTC Buffer Time.....................................................................................................................................................................................20
4.2. System Expansion Capabilities...........................................................................................................................................................20
4.3. Block Diagram of the KBox A-203-sXAL4........................................................................................................................................21
4.4. Front Side...................................................................................................................................................................................................22
4.5. Front Interfaces of the KBox A-203-sXAL4.................................................................................................................................... 23
4.5.1. X101 - Power Input Connector ..........................................................................................................................................................23
4.5.2. Controls and LED Indicators.............................................................................................................................................................23
4.5.3. X106/X107 - Ethernet Connectors (ETH)......................................................................................................................................24
4.5.4. X104/X105 - USB 3.0...........................................................................................................................................................................24
4.5.5. X103 - DisplayPort ...............................................................................................................................................................................24
4.5.6. X102 - Serial Port COM 1 ....................................................................................................................................................................24
4.5.7. X202 - Serial Port COM 2 (Option)..................................................................................................................................................24
4.5.8. X203 - Fieldbus Interface (Option) ................................................................................................................................................24
4.6. Left and Right Side View ....................................................................................................................................................................... 25
4.7. Top and Bottom Side View ................................................................................................................................................................... 25
4.8. Rear Side View..........................................................................................................................................................................................26
4.8.1. Rear Side View of the KBox A-203-sXAL4 with Vertical Mounting Bracket ..................................................................... 26
4.8.2. Rear Side View of the KBox A-203-sXAL4 as Desktop with Rubber Feet......................................................................... 27
4.8.3. Rear Side View of the KBox A-203-sXAL4 with Wallmount Bracket ................................................................................. 27
4.9. Optional Parts...........................................................................................................................................................................................28
4.9.1. DIN Rail Clip (Option)...........................................................................................................................................................................28
4.9.1.1. Mounting the DIN Rail Clip to the Access Cover ......................................................................................................................28
4.9.1.2. Mounting the DIN Rail Clip to the Rear Plate ...........................................................................................................................28
4.9.2. WLAN/Bluetooth (Option) ................................................................................................................................................................28
4.9.2.1. WLAN Antenna...................................................................................................................................................................................29
5/ Power and Thermal Considerations...........................................................................................................................................30
5.1. System Power Portfolio .........................................................................................................................................................................30
5.2. Tuning CPU Power and Performance................................................................................................................................................30

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5.3. Available Processors..............................................................................................................................................................................30
5.4. Convection Cooling .................................................................................................................................................................................30
5.5. Minimum System Clearance ................................................................................................................................................................30
5.6. Maximum Temperatures .......................................................................................................................................................................31
5.7. Processor Thermal Monitoring............................................................................................................................................................31
5.8. Processor Thermal Trip Feature.........................................................................................................................................................31
6/ Installation Instructions.................................................................................................................................................................32
6.1. System Mounting .....................................................................................................................................................................................33
6.2. DC Power Connection............................................................................................................................................................................. 35
6.2.1. Cabling......................................................................................................................................................................................................35
7/ Starting Up...........................................................................................................................................................................................36
7.1. Connecting to DC Main Power Supply ...............................................................................................................................................36
7.2. Operating System and Hardware Component Drivers................................................................................................................ 37
8/ Maintenance and Cleaning ............................................................................................................................................................38
9/ Technical Specifications.................................................................................................................................................................39
9.1. Mechanical Specifications.....................................................................................................................................................................40
9.1.1. Mechanical Specifications of the KBox A-203-sXAL4 as Desktop .......................................................................................40
9.1.2. Mechanical Specifications of the KBox A-203-sXAL4 with Vertical Mounting Plate .....................................................41
9.1.3. Mechanical Specifications of the KBox A-203-sXAL4 with Wallmount Bracket ............................................................42
9.2. Environmental Specifications .............................................................................................................................................................43
9.3. CE Directives and Standards................................................................................................................................................................44
9.4. KBox A-203-sXAL4 Shunt Jumper Information ............................................................................................................................45
10/ Standard Interfaces – Pin Assignments ...................................................................................................................................46
10.1. External interfaces ................................................................................................................................................................................46
10.1.1. (X101) Power Input Connector .........................................................................................................................................................46
10.1.2. (X106 as ETH 1 and X107 as ETH 2) Ethernet Connectors ......................................................................................................46
10.1.3. (X104, X105) USB 3.0 Ports............................................................................................................................................................... 47
10.1.4. (X103) DisplayPort..............................................................................................................................................................................47
10.1.5. (X102) Serial Interface COM 1 (RS232/485/422) .....................................................................................................................48
10.1.6. (X202) Serial Interface COM 2 (RS232)........................................................................................................................................48
10.2. Internal interfaces.................................................................................................................................................................................49
10.2.1. (J7) mPCIe ..............................................................................................................................................................................................49
10.2.2. (J8) mSATA/mPCIe.............................................................................................................................................................................50
10.2.3. (J16) microSD ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 52
10.2.4. (J17) SIM................................................................................................................................................................................................. 52
10.2.5. (J19) SATA Power Connector........................................................................................................................................................... 53
10.2.6. (J18) SATA (Serial ATA) Disk Interfaces....................................................................................................................................... 53
10.2.7. (J11) RS232.............................................................................................................................................................................................53
10.2.8. (J12) Battery Connector....................................................................................................................................................................54
10.2.9. (J14) Feature Connector...................................................................................................................................................................54
10.2.10. (J20) SPI Debug Connector............................................................................................................................................................ 55
10.2.11. (J1) SMARC 2.0 Connector............................................................................................................................................................... 55
11/ Technical Support.............................................................................................................................................................................60
11.1. Warranty ....................................................................................................................................................................................................60
11.2. Returning Defective Merchandise ....................................................................................................................................................60
12/ uEFI BIOS (T.B.D.)...............................................................................................................................................................................62
12.1. Starting the uEFI BIOS ...........................................................................................................................................................................62
Appendix A: List of Acronyms.....................................................................................................................................................................63
About Kontron – Member of the S&T Group..........................................................................................................................................64
List of Tables
Table 1: Power Consumption .......................................................................................................................................................................30
Table 2: Overview of some of the features of the used CPU versions in KBOX A-203-sXAL4.............................................. 30
Table 3: Technical Specifications...............................................................................................................................................................39
Table 4: Mechanical Specifications...........................................................................................................................................................40

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Table 5: Environmental Specifications.....................................................................................................................................................43
Table 6: CE Directives and Standards.......................................................................................................................................................44
Table 7: (X101) Power Input Connector ....................................................................................................................................................46
Table 8: (X106, X107) Ethernet Connectors.............................................................................................................................................46
Table 9: (X104, X105) USB 3.0 Port............................................................................................................................................................. 47
Table 10: (X103) DisplayPort........................................................................................................................................................................47
Table 11: (X102) Serial Interface COM 1 (RS232)....................................................................................................................................48
Table 12: (X202) Serial Interface COM 2 (RS232)..................................................................................................................................48
Table 13: (J7) mPCIe.........................................................................................................................................................................................49
Table 14: (J8) mSATA/mPCIe .......................................................................................................................................................................50
Table 15: (J16) microSD................................................................................................................................................................................... 52
Table 16: (J17) SIM............................................................................................................................................................................................ 52
Table 17: (J19) SATA Power Connector...................................................................................................................................................... 53
Table 18: (J18) SATA (Serial ATA) Disk Interfaces ................................................................................................................................. 53
Table 19: (J11) RS232 ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 53
Table 20: (J12) Battery Connector..............................................................................................................................................................54
Table 21: (J14) Feature Connector ..............................................................................................................................................................54
Table 22: (J20) SPI Debug Connector ........................................................................................................................................................ 55
Table 23: (J1) SMARC 2.0 Connector .......................................................................................................................................................... 55
Table 24: Navigation Hot Keys Available in the Legend Bar ............................................................................................................. 62
Table 25: List of Acronyms (Example)......................................................................................................................................................63
List of Figures
Figure 1: Type Label (consisting of two stickers)...................................................................................................................................18
Figure 2: RTC buffer time ..............................................................................................................................................................................20
Figure 3: Block Diagram of the KBox A-203-sXAL4 ..............................................................................................................................21
Figure 4: KBox A-203-sXAL4 – Front View.............................................................................................................................................22
Figure 5: X101 - 24VDC power input connector ..................................................................................................................................... 23
Figure 6: Detail - Power button and LED indicators............................................................................................................................. 23
Figure 7: X203 - Optional FIELDBUS interface .......................................................................................................................................24
Figure 8: Right side of the KBox A-203-sXAL4 system ...................................................................................................................... 25
Figure 9: Left side of the KBox A-203-sXAL4 system......................................................................................................................... 25
Figure 10: Top side of the KBox A-203-sXAL4 system ....................................................................................................................... 25
Figure 11: Bottom side of the KBox A-203-sXAL4 system................................................................................................................. 25
Figure 12: Rear side of the KBox A-203-sXAL4 system with vertical mounting plate............................................................. 26
Figure 13: Rear side of the KBox A-203-sXAL4 (shown as desktop unit)..................................................................................... 27
Figure 14: Rear side of the KBox A-203-sXAL4 (shown with vertical/horizontal mounting brackets) ............................. 27
Figure 15: DIN rail clip mounted to the access cover...........................................................................................................................28
Figure 16: DIN rail clip mounted to the rear plate.................................................................................................................................28
Figure 17: WLAN (WiFi) antenna .................................................................................................................................................................29
Figure 18: Restricted area for mounting around KBox A-203-sXAL4 (desktop side view with antenna) ......................... 33
Figure 19: Restricted area for mounting around KBox A-203-sXAL4 (front view with mounting brackets)....................34
Figure 20: Power plug terminal .................................................................................................................................................................. 35
Figure 21: Dimensions: Front as desktop.................................................................................................................................................40
Figure 22: Dimensions: Front side with antennas and wall/table mounting brackets ...........................................................40
Figure 23: Dimensions: Left side..................................................................................................................................................................41
Figure 24: Dimensions: Rear side with vertical mounting plate......................................................................................................41
Figure 25: Dimensions: Detail key hole .....................................................................................................................................................41
Figure 26: Dimensions: Top side (with wall/table mounting brackets)........................................................................................42
Figure 27: Dimensions: front side (with wall/table mounting brackets) .....................................................................................42
Figure 28: Detail mounting slide hole (wall/table mounting brackets) .......................................................................................42
Figure 29: Jumper Locations on the Baseboard ....................................................................................................................................45

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1/ General Safety Instructions
Please read this chapter carefully and take careful note of the instructions, which have been
compiled for your safety and to ensure to apply in accordance with intended regulations. If
the following general safety instructions are not observed, it could lead to injuries to the
operator and/or damage of the product; in cases of nonobservance of the instructions
Kontron is exempt from accident liability, this also applies during the warranty period.
The product has been built and tested according to the basic safety requirements for low voltage (LVD) applications
and has left the manufacturer in safety-related, flawless condition. To maintain this condition and to also ensure safe
operation, the operator must not only observe the correct operating conditions for the product but also the following
general safety instructions:
The product must be used as specified in the product documentation, in which the instructions for safety for the
product and for the operator are described. These contain guidelines for setting up, installation and assembly,
maintenance, transport or storage.
The on-site electrical installation must meet the requirements of the country's specific local regulations.
If a power cable comes with the product, only this cable should be used. Do not use an extension cable to connect
the product.
To guarantee that sufficient air circulation is available to cool the product, please ensure that the ventilation
openings are not covered or blocked. If a filter mat is provided, this should be cleaned regularly. Do not place the
product close to heat sources or damp places. Make sure the product is well ventilated.
Only connect the product to an external power supply providing the voltage type (AC or DC) and the input power
(max. current) specified on the Kontron Product Label and meeting the requirements of the Limited Power Source
(LPS) and Power Source (PS2) of UL/IEC 62368-1 .
Only products or parts that meet the requirements for Power Source (PS1) of UL/IEC 62368-1 may be connected
to the product’s available interfaces (I/O).
Before opening the product, make sure that the product is disconnected from the mains.
Switching off the product by its power button does not disconnect it from the mains. Complete disconnection is
only possible if the power cable is removed from the wall plug or from the product. Ensure that there is free and
easy access to enable disconnection.
The product may only be opened for the insertion or removal of add-on cards (depending on the configuration of
the product). This may only be carried out by qualified operators.
If extensions are being carried out, the following must be observed:
all effective legal regulations and all technical data are adhered to
the power consumption of any add-on card does not exceed the specified limitations
the current consumption of the product does not exceed the value stated on the product label
Only original accessories that have been approved by Kontron Europe can be used.
Please note: safe operation is no longer possible when any of the following applies:
the product has visible damages or
the product is no longer functioning
In this case the product must be switched off and it must be ensured that the product can no longer be
operated.
Handling and operation of the product is permitted only for trained personnel within a work place that is access
controlled.
CAUTION: Risk of explosion if the battery is replaced incorrectly (short-circuited, reverse-poled, wrong battery
type). Dispose of used batteries according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
This product is not suitable for use in locations where children are likely to be present

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Additional Safety Instructions for DC Power Supply Circuits
To guarantee safe operation, please observe that:
the external DC power supply must meet the criteria for LPS and PS2 (UL/IEC 62368-1)
no cables or parts without insulation in electrical circuits with dangerous voltage or power should be
touched directly or indirectly
a reliable protective earthing connection is provided
a suitable, easily accessible disconnecting device is used in the application (e.g. overcurrent protective
device), if the product itself is not disconnect able
a disconnect device, if provided in or as part of the product, shall disconnect both poles simultaneously
interconnecting power circuits of different products cause no electrical hazards
A sufficient dimensioning of the power cable wires must be selected – according to the maximum electrical
specifications on the product label – as stipulated by EN62368-1 or VDE0100 or EN60204 or UL61010-1
regulations.

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1.1. Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)
A sudden discharge of electrostatic electricity can destroy static-sensitive devices or micro-
circuitry.
Therefore proper packaging and grounding techniques are necessary precautions to prevent damage. Always take the
following precautions:
1. Transport boards in ESD-safe containers such as boxes or bags.
2. Keep electrostatic sensitive parts in their containers until they arrive at the ESD-safe workplace.
3. Always be properly grounded when touching a sensitive board, component, or assembly.
4. Store electrostatic-sensitive boards in protective packaging or on antistatic mats.
1.1.1. Grounding Methods
By adhering to the guidelines below, electrostatic damage to the device can be avoided:
1. Cover workstations with approved antistatic material. Always wear a wrist strap connected to workplace. Always
use properly grounded tools and equipment.
2. Use antistatic mats, heel straps, or air ionizers for more protection.
3. Always handle electrostatically sensitive components by their edge or by their casing.
4. Avoid contact with pins, leads, or circuitry.
5. Turn off power and input signals before inserting and removing connectors or connecting test equipment.
6. Keep work area free of non-conductive materials such as ordinary plastic assembly aids and Styrofoam.
7. Use only field service tools which are conductive, such as cutters, screwdrivers, and vacuum cleaners.
8. Always place drives and boards PCB-assembly-side down on the foam.

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2/ Electromagnetic Compatibility
For detailed information refer to section 9.3 “CE Directives and Standards”.
2.1. Electromagnetic Compatibility (EU)
This product is intended only for use in industrial areas. The most recent version of the EMC guidelines (EMC Directive
2014/30/EU) and/or the German EMC laws apply. If the user modifies and/or adds to the equipment (e.g. installation
of add-on cards) the prerequisites for the CE conformity declaration (safety requirements) may no longer apply.
2.2. FCC Statement (USA)
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of
the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the
equipment is operated in commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to
radio communications. Operation of this equipment in residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which
case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.
2.3. EMC Compliance (Canada)
The method of compliance is self-declaration to Canadian standard ICES-003:
(English): This Class A digital apparatus complies with the Canadian ICES-003.
(French): Cet appareil numérique de la Class A est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.

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3/ Shipment and Unpacking
Please check that your package is complete, and contains the items below (according to the ordered unit
configuration). If you discover damaged or missing items, please contact your dealer.
3.1. Unpacking
Proceed as follows to unpack the unit:
1. Remove packaging.
2. Do not discard the original packaging. Keep it for future relocation.
3. Check the delivery for completeness by comparing it with your order.
4. Please keep the associated paperwork. It contains important information for handling the unit.
5. Check the contents for visible shipping damage.
6. If you notice any shipping damage or inconsistencies between the contents and your order, please contact
Kontron for help and information.
3.2. Scope of Delivery
3.2.1. Standard
KBox A-203-sXAL4 (corresponding to the ordered system configuration)
Power connector, 2-pin plug (TE Connectivity 796859-2)
General Safety Instructions for IT Equipment
3.2.2. Optional Parts
DIN rail mounting clip
Mini PCIe WLAN (WiFi) card (always factory-installed if orderd) with two antennas (enclosed)
KBox A-203-sXAL4 can optionally be ordered with a factory-installed SSD Kit
SD card
Bracket for wall/table mounting
Vertical mounting plate for control cabinet mounting
Rubber feet (self-adhesive)
AC/DC Adapter 24V/60W

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3.3. Type Label and Product Identification
The type label (product name, serial number) of your KBox A-203-sXAL4 system are located on the bottom side of the
device (refer to Figure 1 and Figure 8 pos. 1).
Figure 1: Type Label (consisting of two stickers)
Image for illustration only!
Space for certification markings

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4/ System Overview
The KBox A-203-sXAL4 expands the Kontron line of computers - KBox Series. It is a highly scalable and flexible
industrial computer. Based on the latest Intel Atom® processor of the E3900 series the new maintenance-free,
fanless and battery-free KBox A-203-sXAL4 was developed as an intelligent gateway for data-intensive IoT edge
applications.
Refer to the information and technical data in the user manual of the installed SMARC sXAL
Module.
The user’s manual of the installed SMARC module can be downloaded from our web page
http://www.kontron.com . Search for the name of the installed module.
The compact KBox A-203-sXAL4 shows a broad range of interfaces which allow a connection on various
communication levels. For local data collection, e.g. link to sensor and machine level, it offers up to two serial ports
(RS232/485) and an optional fieldbus (e.g. Profi Bus).
The KBox A-203-sXAL4 supports Security Solution Kontron APPROTECT. It combines a software framework with an
integrated security chip in addition to the TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) chip to provide comprehensive
protection for the application software.
The KBox A-203-sXAL4 hardware system configuration and the robust construction with excellent mechanical
stability offer the superior qualities of a computer designed for operation in harsh industrial environment. It is a
fanless system based on a compact U-shaped aluminum chassis with cooling fins.
The rated voltage of the mains (+24 V DC) can be found on the type label. The type label is located at the bottom side
of the device. The KBox A-203-sXAL4 may be optionally factory-equipped with an mPCIe WLAN/Bluetooth card for
two antennas.
The following interfaces are available with the KBox A-203-sXAL4:
Standard:
24 V DC input power (X101)
DisplayPort (X103)
2x USB 3.0 (X104, X105)
2x Ethernet (X106, X107) : Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000)
COM 1 (X102), RS232 (optional: RS422/485)
Reset button
Power LED, SSD LED and GP LED
Optional:
COM 2 (X202), RS232
Fieldbus Connector (X203)
The device is designed to be operated in:
Vertical position: (KBox A-203-sXAL4 configuration with vertical mounting plate) mounted inside a control
cabinet or
Vertical/horizontal: wall mounted (KBox A-203-sXAL4 configuration with wall mounting bracket) or
Horizontal position: KBox A-203-sXAL4 as desktop unit (equipped with the supplied rubber feet) or
Vertical/horizontal: KBox A-203-sXAL4 DIN Rail mounting (with DIN Rail mounting clip)

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When powering on the KBox A-203-sXAL4, make sure that the cooling fins of the chassis
(Figure 9, Figure 10 and Figure 11, pos. 6) are not obstructed (covered) by any objects.
To provide sufficient heat dissipation by the cooling of the device, do not cover the cooling
fins of the KBox A-203-sXAL4. Do not place any objects on the device. When installing the
system, please note the clearance recommendation in the section 6.1 “System Mounting”.
4.1. RTC
The KBox A-203-sXAL4 comprises a chipset external RTC. This RTC is connected to the SMBus of the processor
module. A RTC of type RV-8564 or compatible is used. To provide a valid date and time when no power is connected to
the KBox A-203-sXAL4, the RTC is equipped with a goldcap buffer.
4.1.1. RTC Buffer Time
Figure 2: RTC buffer time
If the time is not valid this is indicated by a status bit in the RTC registers. For details see the RV-8564 application
manual.
To get the maximum buffer time it is necessary to have the system a certain time powered
on. This ensures that the buffer capacitors are fully loaded.
The buffer time depends on the ambient temperature and on how long the box is connected
to its power supply.
4.2. System Expansion Capabilities
The KBox A-203-sXAL4 is available in the configurations described in this manual.
If you are interested in a different, customer-specific configuration, feel free to contact Kontron and ask for your
requirements. Contact information can be found on our web site www.kontron.com.
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