computer science

Rugged computer

Rugged computer is a computer science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Rugged computer rather than just read about it. In short: A rugged computer or ruggedized computer is a computer specifically designed to operate reliably in harsh usage environments and conditions, such as strong vibrations, extreme temperatures and wet or dusty conditions. They are designed and engineered for rough use conditions, not just in the external housing but in the internal components and cooling arrangements as well.

Key takeaways

Rugged computer belongs to computer science; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect Rugged computer to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of Rugged computer from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

A rugged computer or ruggedized computer is a computer specifically designed to operate reliably in harsh usage environments and conditions, such as strong vibrations, extreme temperatures and wet or dusty conditions. They are designed and engineered for rough use conditions, not just in the external housing but in the internal components and cooling arrangements as well. Typical environments for rugged laptops, tablet PCs and PDAs are public safety, field sales, field service, manufacturing, retail, healthcare, construction, transportation/distribution and the military. They are used in the agricultural industries, and by individuals for outdoor recreation activities.

Construction Virtually all rugged computers share an underlying design philosophy of providing a controlled environment for the installed electronics. Rugged computers are engineered to operate in the face of multiple challenges including:

Shock and vibration Temperature and humidity Corrosion and abrasion Minimal size, weight, and power (SWaP) Acoustic noise reduction Low pressure/altitude Ingress protection Electromagnetic interference Optimizations on performance

Electronic components themselves may be selected for their ability to withstand higher and lower operating temperatures than typical commercial components. Design engineering decisions such as reduction of cabling, addition of liquid cooling and heat sinks, and rugged materials, are made to ensure performance in harsh environments. Features include fully sealed keyboards to protect against intrusion by dust or liquids, and scratch-resistant screens that are readable in direct sunlight. Rugged units have higher prices. However, one research study found that in environments where rugged computers are commonly used, total cost of ownership was 36% lower for rugged notebooks and 33% less for handhelds and PDAs, compared to conventional non-rugged versions. The lower overall cost is due to lower failure rates, the related impact on productivity, and other factors.

Desktops

Laptops A ruggedized or rugged laptop is built to operate reliably in dusty or wet environments and conditions. These computers have a thicker and stronger housing than a regular laptop, and are mainly used for industrial, construction and military purposes. Engineered to be mobile, they are vibration, shock, drop, and dust resistant, and waterproof, yet are able to comply with other important requirements such as high performance and governmental grade security. They are equipped with both current and legacy I/O ports including serial, ExpressCard, PCMCIA, VGA, and others that are commonly used in outdoor environments. The levels of ruggedization are not standardized, but they are measured by various certifications such as MIL-STD-810, IP, or ATEX.

Tablets

A rugged tablet may be semi-rugged or fully rugged. The semi-rugged might have a protective case, rain-resistant body. Fully rugged tablets are engineered from the inside-out to work in extreme temperatures and other harsh conditions. They are designed to resist drops, shocks and vibrations while maintaining strength to be dust- and waterproof. A tablet has internally a solid-state drive and no moving parts. Unlike many laptops, most tablets do not require a fan, improving their dust and water resistance. Many rugged ones have options such as a barcode scanner because they serve in the logistics and transport sector. Levels of ruggedization are measured by various certifications such as IP, MIL-STD-810 or ATEX.

Smartphones

A rugged smartphone has a thicker and completely sealed housing which protects it against all kinds of elements such as water, dust, shock and vibration. This kind of smartphone can be left out in a sandstorm, frozen in a blizzard or go underwater. A true fully rugged smartphone is substantially less susceptible to damage than a non-rugged smartphone. Like a rugged tablet, it typically meets IP certification and military standard specifications for dust, shock, vibration, rain, humidity, solar radiation, altitude and temperature extremes. Only a few manufacturers make a rugged smartphone due to its complicated structure, different use of material and high level of quality expectation. Some rugged smartphones have Push-to-Talk (PTT) capabilities, NFC and barcode reader functions which suit their use for industrial and construction logistics.

Standards MIL-STD-810: Specifically MIL-STD-810G CN1 (2014), a military standard, issued in 1962, which establishes a set of tests for determining equipment suitability to military operations. Often used as a reference in the commercial laptop industry. MIL-STD-461: A United States Military Standard that describes how to test equipment for electromagnetic compatibility. MIL-S-901: a military standard for shock which applies to equipment mounted on ships. Two levels apply. Grade A items are items which are essential to the safety and continued combat capability of the ship. Grade B items are items whose operation is not essential to the safety and combat capability of the ship but which could become a hazard to personnel, to Grade A items, or to the ship as a whole as a result of exposure to shock. Qualification testing is performed on a barge floating in a pond where TNT is detonated at various distances and depths in the pond to impart shock to the barges. IEEE 1156.1-1993 IEEE Standard Microcomputer Environmental Specifications for Computer Modules[link removed] IEEE 1613: Computers in electrical substations used to concentrate data or communicate with SCADA systems follow IEEE 1613 "Standard Environmental and Testing Requirements for Communications Networking Devices in Electric Power Substations." IP (Ingress Protection): see: IP code IS (Intrinsic Safety): see: Intrinsic safety TEMPEST: see: Tempest (codename) ATEX (Potentially Explosive Atmospheres): see: Equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) IK code (also known as EN50102) see: EN 50102 European standard EN 50155, "Railway Applications—Electronic Equipment Used On Rolling Stock", provides an example of a tough non-military specification. It extends operating temperature range (−25 – +70 °C), resistance to humidity, shocks, vibrations, radiation – encountered in vehicle or airborne installations.

… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.

Illustrations

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Rugged computer

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Rugged computer claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In computer science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Rugged computer before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Rugged computer ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Rugged computer

In research: Rugged computer appears in computer science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Rugged computer in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Rugged computer is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Classes of computers, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Rugged computer outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Rugged computer in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what Rugged computer means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain Rugged computer out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Rugged computer in simple terms?

Why does Rugged computer matter?

Because it connects several computer science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Rugged computer?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Rugged computer.