Development of a PC/104-plus based CPU module with power over ethernet capability

We developed a PC/104-Plus based CPU module with Power over Ethernet (PoE, IEEE 802.3af) capability. It is based on RENESAS Technology SH-4 CPU that is used for embedded applications requiring both high performance and low power consumption. We ported Linux 2.6 kernel to the CPU module and set up to run on diskless environment of NFS root. By stacking a dedicated PoE low power module onto the CPU module, it runs without a direct DC power supply. The PoE capability has advantages of power cable saving and power management by remote operation via a power sourcing equipment such as a switching hub. We can choose stackable PC/104 or PC/104-Plus peripheral I/O modules from a variety of commercial products such as analog inputs and outputs or digital inputs/outputs. Therefore, we can assemble a compact, flexible and low-cost embedded-measurement instrument. As a first application, we have a plan to apply the CPU module to an analog-signal measurement such as a digital multi mater. We will report the influence of the PoE power sourcing on the measurement. (author)