MSI MS-98M3 3.5-inch SBC is made for autonomous mobile robots

MSI is better known for its consumer-grade motherboard and mini PCs, but they also have a division called MSI IPC (industrial PC) that makes embedded hardware such as the MS-98M3 3.5-inch single board computer (SBC) powered by an Intel Tiger Lake UP3 processor and designed for autonomous mobile robots (AMR).

The SBC supports up to 64GB DDR4 RAM, SATA and NVMe storage, offers two 2.5 Gbps Ethernet ports, up to four display interfaces with HDMI, DisplayPort, LVDS and/or eDP,  four USB 3.2 ports, M.2 expansion sockets for storage and wireless connectivity, as well as various other internal headers.

MSI MS-98M3 specifications:

• Tiger Lake UP3 “IoTG” SoC (one or the other) @ 1.5GHz to 4.4GHz depending on SKU
  • Embedded
    • Intel Core i7-1185G7E/i5-1145G7E quad-core processor with Iris Xe graphics; TDP: 28W
    • Intel Core i3-1115G4E dual-core processor with Intel UHD graphics; TDP: 28W
    • Intel Celeron 6305E dual-core processor with Intel UHD graphics; TDP: 15W
  • Industrial-grade
    • Intel Core i7-1185GRE/i5-1145GRE quad-core processor with Iris Xe graphics; TDP: 28W
    • Intel Core i3-1115GRE dual-core processor with Intel UHD graphics; TDP: 28W
• System Memory – Up to 64 GB dual-channel DDR4 3200MHz via 2x 260-pin SO-DIMM sockets
• Storage – 1x SATA 3.0 port, M.2 NVMe socket (See Expansion section)
• Display I/F
  • 2x dual-channel 18/24-bit LVDS (shared with eDP) up to 1920 x 1200 @ 60 Hz
  • 2 x eDP (shared with LVDS) up to 4096 x 2160 @ 60 Hz
  • 1x HDMI up to 4096 x 2160 @ 30Hz
  • 1x DisplayPort up to 7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz (8K)
  • Up to 4x independent displays
• Audio – Realtek ALC888-VD2-GR HD Audio Codec
• Networking
  • 2x 2.5GbE RJ45 ports via Intel I225-LM controllers (Note the speed is limited to 1,000 Mbps when the operating temperature is over 70°C)
  • Optional WiFi and/or cellular connectivity via M.2 module, SIM card holder (See Expansion)
• USB – 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports,  4x internal USB 2.0 interfaces
• Serial – 4x internal COM ports with support for RS-232/422/485, 0V/5V/12V, auto flow control
• Expansion
  • 1x M.2 M key socket (PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe), 2280
  • 1x M.2 B key socket (SATA 3.0, PCIe x1, USB 2.0, w/NANO SIM-Holder), 2242/3042
  • 1x M.2 E key socket (PCIe x1, USB 2.0), 2230
  • 16x GPIOs (8x GPI; 8x GPO), 5V
• I/O controller – Fintek F81966AB-I
• Security – Infineon SLB9670VQ2.0 TPM 2.0
• Misc –  256-level Watchdog Timer, Smart Fan controller
• Power Supply – 12~24V via DC jack with OCP & OVP (overcurrent and overvoltage protection)
• Dimensions – 146 x 102 mm (3.5-inch SBC)
• Weight – 650 grams
• Temperature Range
  • Embedded SKUs – Operating: -10 ~ 60°C; storage: -20 ~ 80°C
  • Industrial SKUs – Operating: -40 ~ 70°C (with Turbo disabled); optional support for -40 ~ 85°C; storage: -40 ~ 85°C
• Humidity – 10 ~ 90%, non-condensing
• Certifications – FCC, CE, RCM, VCCI, BSMI, UKCA, IC

MSI MS-98M3 SBC is apparently made for robots running Windows, as by default, the company offers support for Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2019 LTSC (64-bit, RS5),  Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2021 LTSC (64-bit, 21H2), and Windows 11 IoT Enterprise (64-bit, 21H2, Pre-scan), although customers can also request support for Ubuntu 22.04 64-bit and custom Linux 64-bit images built with the Yocto Project 3.1.

One example of a robot based on the board is the AMR-AI-PJ-UVGI, a complete AMR smart hospital robot that can eliminate germs in the environment at close range, and move autonomously to specific fields such as surgery rooms or wards. MSI claims the robot can inactivate the SARS-COV2 virus within seconds “under research conditions” thanks to the integrated 253.7nm wavelength UVGI ultraviolet germicidal irradiation light.

The company did not provide availability and pricing information. More details about MSI MS-98M3 3.5-inch SBC, such as the user manual and datasheet, can be found on the product page, and the MSI AMR robot also has its own dedicated page. Further information may also be found on the press release.

Thanks to TLS for the tip.

Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)

Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.

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