The University of Birmingham x4

The X4 is the latest Generation wearable computing platform from the University of Birmingham. It is based around an Intel 745 (2GHz Pentium-M) core. Its primary use if aimed at field support for military network enabled capabilities, but if the troops get bored, it runs solitaire and msn messenger too.

The x4 wearable computer has been developed from the earlier sucessful x3 wearable computer based on a Pentium 3 - 700Mhz core.

With new machining facilities, the complexity and surface finish of the new wearable computer system has enhanced dramatically, and using many of the lessons learned from previous systems, many improvements were made over the orignal design.

Thermal issues were always a consideration and a primary concern with the Pentium-3 system. The newer Pentium-M system offers very low power drain and improved thermal characteristics. However, its much higher clock speeds still lends to significant thermal challenges in the design.

The new lid has been machined to increase its surface area by 800% and the unit includes a interferance slot cut into the back. This allows air to enter the large heatsink from the sides and be drawn into the enclosure. The compound curve, prevents the top form becoming easily blocked by clothing that may otherwise result in over heating.

Finally the system exhausts hot air via a temperature controlled fan on the connector plate of the unit. This cannot easily be blocked by virtue of the connectors wither side of it. The convoluted route the air takes and the large surface area results in a very much improved reliability and stability of the resulting system.