Product Name: CEC 24-1M3

Manufacturer: MPL AG

Product Category: Computing Hardware, Software and Systems

Supporting Documentation (if available)

The CEC 24-1M3 is a rugged, fanless embedded computer platform derived from the MPL AG Compact Embedded Computer (CEC) family, engineered for high reliability in demanding industrial, transportation, and defense environments. The system follows MPL’s design philosophy of delivering ultra-compact, low-power, and long-life computing solutions, featuring a fully passive cooling concept without internal wiring, which significantly enhances robustness and reduces maintenance requirements.

At its core, the CEC 24-1M3 integrates modern computing performance with deterministic behavior, making it suitable for mission-critical and real-time applications. It is equipped with 8 GB DDR4 memory, providing sufficient bandwidth and capacity for data-intensive workloads, industrial control tasks, and embedded software stacks. Storage is implemented through a dual architecture, combining a 120 GB NVMe flash module for high-speed system and application access with an additional 256 GB SATA flash drive for reliable mass storage. This hybrid storage approach enables both fast boot times and high endurance for continuous operation scenarios.
The system offers a well-balanced set of I/O interfaces tailored for embedded and avionics applications. A DVI output enables direct connection to displays for visualization, diagnostics, or human-machine interface (HMI) systems. Two Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports provide robust network connectivity, supporting redundant network architectures, secure communication, or data acquisition systems. In addition, two USB ports allow integration of peripherals such as storage devices, input systems, or service interfaces. For legacy and industrial communication, the platform includes two RS232 serial ports, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of existing equipment and protocols.

The system further includes HD audio functionality, enabling high-quality sound output for applications such as operator feedback, multimedia interfaces, or specialized acoustic processing tasks. While not typically a primary requirement in rugged systems, this feature enhances versatility in mixed-use environments where both control and interaction capabilities are required.

Designed for harsh environmental conditions, the CEC 24-1M3 operates reliably within an extended temperature range from −20 °C to +70 °C. The fanless thermal design ensures silent operation and eliminates moving parts, which are often a point of failure in conventional systems. MPL’s rugged housing concept—typically based on robust aluminum construction with protective coatings—provides mechanical durability, resistance to vibration and shock, and suitability for deployment in mobile or exposed installations.

Power management is another critical aspect of the system. The CEC 24-1M3 is designed for a 28 VDC input and incorporates a DC/DC filter compliant with MIL-STD-704 and MIL-STD-1275. These standards define stringent requirements for power quality and transient protection in military and vehicle-based electrical systems. Compliance ensures stable operation even under fluctuating supply conditions, load dumps, or electromagnetic disturbances, which are common in aircraft, ground vehicles, and industrial power environments.

The architecture of the CEC 24-1M3 emphasizes long-term availability and lifecycle stability, which are essential for industrial and defense deployments. MPL systems are typically designed with consistent form factors and extended product lifecycles, allowing system integrators to maintain and scale their solutions over many years without redesign. This makes the platform particularly attractive for applications where certification, validation, or qualification processes are costly and time-consuming.

In addition to its hardware capabilities, the system supports a wide range of operating systems and software environments, including real-time operating systems and embedded Linux distributions. This flexibility allows developers to tailor the platform to specific application requirements, whether in automation, data acquisition, communication gateways, or mission systems.

Overall, the CEC 24-1M3 combines high-performance embedded computing with rugged design and specialized interfaces, creating a versatile solution for demanding applications. Its combination of modern memory and storage technologies, industrial and legacy connectivity, FPGA-based avionics communication, and compliance with military power standards positions it as a reliable and future-proof platform. Whether deployed in transportation systems, defense electronics, or industrial automation, the system delivers consistent performance, durability, and integration flexibility in environments where reliability is critical.

MPL AG is located in Switzerland and was founded in 1985. Since the beginning, MPL stands for robust designs, long-term availability, low power consumption, and fanless concepts. The products are designed from scratch to succeed in extended temperature and meeting the high demands of rugged environments.