Putting a 486 computer in a car


This project is based on the Pro-Face PL-3700 industrial computer. I recently acquired a few brand new units from a major OEM because they looked like a good starting point for an automotive monitor & control system. The units consist of a VGA resolution flat panel, touch sensitive screen, a modular 486 processor module, a DC/DC converter, a PC/104 expansion bus, and very enigmatic floppy disk connector. Since then, I have acquired several ICOP-1500 10baseT PC/104 modules, and I am looking for a low-cost IDE interface. Somewhere, I have a PC/104 GPS reciever with differential input.

The system should be able to support FreeBSD and XFree86.

Possible applications include GPS mapping system, CPDP terminal, engine monitor, alarm, remote stereo control, heating and ventilation control, etc.


The PL-3700S industrial computer (updated version of the 3700)

ICOP-1500 10baseT Ethernet interface

Possible FDD connector pin-out
PinSignal  PinSignal
1+5V  14/FSTEP
2/IDX  15NC
3/FDS1  16/FWD
4+5V  17GND
5NC  18/FWE
6/DCHG  19GND
7NC  20/FTK0
8NC  21GND
9GND  22/FWP
10/MO1  23GND
11NC  24/FRDD
12/FDIRC  25GND
13NC  26/FHS