FCU3501 Industrial-grade Edge Control Unit: High-reliability and Robust Design Based on RK3588
In today's rapidly evolving landscape of industrial automation and edge computing, equipment reliability has become a crucial factor inassessing its value. The FCU3501 embedded control unit, developed by Forlinx Embedded, is based on the Rockchip RK3588J processor. From the very beginning, it has been designed with the principle of "creating industrial-grade reliability." Through rigorous testing standards and precise engineering, it has become an edge AI product that genuinely meets industrial-grade requirements.
1. Wide-temperature Design and Adaptability to High-and Low-temperature Environments
The industrial environment is often extremely harsh. Factory workshops may experience high temperatures for prolonged periods, while outdoor devices must withstand temperature variations throughout the four seasons. The FCU3501 embedded control unit features a fanless, passive heat dissipation design. It utilizes a triple-layer heat conduction structure that includes a metal shell, a heat sink, and thermal grease. This design allows heat generated by the processor to be quickly conducted to the shell, achieving silent heat dissipation.
This design not only eliminates the failures associated with traditional fan-based heat dissipation systems, which are often caused by dust accumulation, but also guarantees that the device can operate reliably in a wide temperature range, from -40°C to +85°C. During the research and development phase, rigorous high and low temperature cycle tests were conducted on the FCU3501 embedded control unit. This testing method simulates the performance of products in extreme temperature environments. By repeatedly exposing the unit to high and low temperature conditions, its reliability and durability are evaluated.
The high-and low-temperature cycle tests include multiple parameters such as temperature range setting, number of cycles, heating/cooling rate, and holding time. The FCU3501 embedded control unit has successfully passed rigorous tests, ensuring stable operation in both high-temperature workshops and cold outdoor stations during northern winters.
2. Excellent Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)
The industrial environment is often filled with electromagnetic interference, which can originate from high-power equipment, frequency converters, and other electrical devices. The FCU3501 embedded control unit has successfully passed rigorous electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) tests to ensure reliable operation in complex industrial electromagnetic environments.
These EMC tests encompass various assessments, including electrostatic discharge tests, electrical fast transient/burst immunity tests, and surge immunity tests. The FCU3501 is specifically designed to comply with the IEC 61000 series of standards and can effectively withstand common electromagnetic interference found in industrial settings.
| Results of the electrostaticdischarge test | ||||
| Contact discharge points | Discharge voltage (kV) | Discharge polarity | Test phenomena | Test results |
| Debug | 6 | +/- | Normal | A |
| Network Port | 6 | +/- | Normal | A |
| DI Interface | 6 | +/- | Normal | A |
| DO Interface | 6 | +/- | Normal | A |
| 485 | 6 | +/- | Normal | A |
| 232 | 6 | +/- | Normal | A |
| USB | 6 | +/- | Normal | A |
| HDMI | 6 | +/- | Normal | B |
| Antenna | 6 | +/- | Normal | A |
| Electrical Fast Transient/Burst Immunity Test | ||||
| Interference coupling points | Test voltage (kV) | Coupling mode | Test phenomena | Test results |
| NET | ±1 | Coupling via capacitive couplingclamp | Normal | A |
| 485 | ±1 | Coupling via capacitive couplingclamp | Normal | A |
| 232 | ±1 | Coupling via capacitive couplingclamp | Normal | B |
| DI | ±1 | Coupling via capacitive couplingclamp | Normal | A |
| DO | ±1 | Coupling via capacitive couplingclamp | Normal | A |
| Power | ±2 | Coupling Network | Normal | B |
| Results of Lightning (Surge) Immunity Test | ||||
| Interference coupling points | Test voltage (kV) | Coupling mode | Test phenomena | Test results |
| 485 interface | ±1 | Line to line | Normal | B |
| 485 interface | ±2 | Line to ground | Normal | A |
| DI/DO interface | ±1 | Line to line | Normal | A |
| DI/DO interface | ±2 | Line to ground | Normal | A |
| 232 interface | ±1 | Line to line | Normal | A |
| 232 interface | ±2 | Line to ground | Normal | A |
| NET Interface | ±2 | Block line to ground | Normal | A |
| Power interface | ±1 | Line to line | Normal | A |
| Power interface | ±2 | Line to ground | Normal | A |
3. Cold-hot Restart and Power Supply Adaptability
In the industrial environment, power fluctuations and frequent power-on/off operations are common. The power supply design for Forlinx Embedded's FCU3501 embedded control unit has been optimized for reliable startup and operation in various abnormal conditions.
During the testing process, the regulated power supply control software automatically manages the power supply status, ensuring consistent and accurate test conditions. In the test initialization phase, technicians first verify the power interface connection of the device under test. They confirm that the device operates normally during both power-on and power-off processes, and they monitor real-time current to ensure that no overload occurs.
The cold-restart test set a standard of 10,000 power-on/off cycle tests, and the hot-restart test set a standard of 2,083 power-on/off cycle tests. This strict test standard far exceeds the requirements of conventional industrial equipment.
| Test Description | ||||
| Ambient temperature/humidity: | 25℃/55%RH | Performance criterion requirement: | A | |
| Product working mode: | Normal useconfiguration | Number of samples: | 2 sets | |
| Test voltage: | DC12V | Number of tests | 10000 | |
| Power-on time: | 60 seconds | Power-off time: | 10 seconds | |
| Function test list: | tf emmc sound 5G eth | |||
| Cold-restart Test Data | ||||
| Start time: | 30/40/2025 | End time: | 08/05/2025 | |
| Serial number of the device undertest | Number of normal times | Number of abnormal times | Description of abnormal phenomena | Test results |
| 1 | 10000 | 0 | Normal | A |
| 2 | 10000 | 0 | Normal | A |
| Test Description | ||||
| Ambient temperature/humidity: | 25℃/55%RH | Performance criterion requirement: | A | |
| Product working mode: | Normal useconfiguration | Number of samples: | 2 sets | |
| Test voltage: | DC12V | Number of tests | 1500 | |
| Power-on time: | 30 seconds | Power-off time: | - | |
| Function test list: | tf emmc sound 5G eth | |||
| Hot-restart test data | ||||
| Start time: | 27/04/2025 | End time: | 30/40/2025 | |
| Serial number of the device undertest | Number of normal times | Number of abnormal times | Description of abnormal phenomena | Test results |
| 1 | 2083 | 0 | Normal | A |
| 2 | 2055 | 0 | Normal | A |
4. International Certifications and Quality Assurance
The FCU3501 embedded control unit has received multiple international certifications, including CE and FCC, ensuring that it meets the essential access requirements of major global markets in terms of safety, electromagnetic compatibility, and environmental protection. These certifications are not just symbols of compliance; they are strong evidence of the product's high quality and reliability.
The CE mark indicates that the FCU3501 complies with European safety, health, and environmental protection standards, while the FCC certification ensures that the device does not interfere with radio frequencies. Together, these certifications provide a passport for the FCU3501 to enter the global market.
CE certification certificate
FCC certification certificate
In summary, the industrial-grade quality of Forlinx Embedded's FCU3501 embedded control unit is not accidental but the result of strict design standards and testing processes. From its wide-temperature working ability from-40°C to 85°C, to its stability in resisting various electromagnetic interferences, and then to comprehensive international certifications, the FCU3501 embedded control unit is truly designed for harsh industrial environments.
Combining the high-performance computing power, industrial-grade reliability, flexible expansion ability, and wide-range scenario applicability of the FCU3501 embedded control unit, it can set a new performance benchmark for edge-computing devices. For industrial users pursuing high reliability and high computing-power density, the FCU3501 embedded control unit is undoubtedly a worthy AI edge-computing product.


