HX401
This page also applies to the TM130 ThinManager Ready platform.
1- Product Overview
1.1- Introduction
The Helix 401 (HX401) harnesses the enhanced power and capabilities of Intel “Alder Lake P” Core and Celeron processors in a low profile fanless system built for the challenges of the IoT edge. The systems also feature compliance testing for IT Equipment EMC and Safety and pre-compliance testing for IEC 60601-1-2 (4th edition) medical immunity.

For more information on accessories and additional features, visit the HX401 product page:
1.2- Safety
1.3- Box Contents & Accessories
If you purchased additional items such as mounting brackets, power supplies or terminal block connectors, they will be located in the system box or within the outer shipping carton.
For more information on accessories and additional features, visit the Helix Product pages.
Helix 401 Product Page: https://www.onlogic.com/hx401/
1.4- Product Specifications


2- Technical Specifications
2.1- External Features
Front I/O
The HX401 is pictured with the optional DIO module installed.

Back I/O
The HX401 is pictured with the optional CAN module and optional terminal block connector shown alongside the DC Barrel.

2.2- I/O Definitions
Front I/O Definition
Power Button / Power LED
The front power button can be used to turn on and off the Helix system. The power button is a momentary contact button with a blue LED backlight used to display the status of the system. A single press while the system is on will initiate a graceful shutdown operation from the OS. Pressing and holding the button for 4 seconds while the system is running will cause a hard reset of the system. The system can be woken by a single press of the power button from any state.
The LED backlight will indicate the system status. A solid blue light indicates that the system is powered in the S0 state. A flashing blue light indicates the system is in the sleep state. The LED is off in S5 and deep sleep states.
SIM Card
A 3FF Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card slot is present on the front panel of the HX401 allowing native support for OnLogic 4G LTE modules. The SIM signals are connected to the M.2 B-Key internal expansion slot.
The SIM slot is a Push-Push type receptacle. To insert or remove the SIM card from the front panel of the Helix platform, please use a small implement to push the card into the slot until it clicks. To remove the card, push with a small implement until the card clicks, then pull on the free end of the card to remove it.
Thunderbolt 4 (Type C USB port)
There are two Thunderbolt 4 ports on the front panel of the HX401 that support total power up to 22.5 Watts. This port is capable of linking up to 40Gb/s transfer rates.
USB Type C connector
Power output up to 5V/3A for the first port and 5V/1.5A for the second port. Power will be allocated on a first-come first-serve basis between the first and second ports.
Up to 40 Gbps data transfer rate
DisplayPort 1.4 compliant in DisplayPort Alt Mode
Supports SuperSpeed USB 10 Gbps; backwards compatible with SuperSpeed USB 5 Gbps and USB 2.0.
Note: Type-C power sink mode is not supported on Helix 401.
USB 3.2
There are two dual stack USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports on the front panel of the Helix mainboard. Each port is capable of linking at 10Gb/s transfer rates.
USB 2.0
There are two USB 2.0 headers on the Helix 401 mainboard. This port is capable of linking at 480 Mb/s transfer rates.
DIO option
The Helix platform supports an optional Isolated Digital I/O add-in card (OnLogic ADP120). This option allows for integration of the Helix platform with existing PLC integrations or other digital logic applications. For a complete explanation of features, operating voltages, and safety information, please refer to the DIO expansion manual on the OnLogic support site.
ADP120/ADP102 Isolated DIO module
Rear I/O Definition
The HX401 with optional CAN installed. Additionally, the DC power barrel and terminal block power input options are both shown.

Barrel Jack Power Connector
Mainboard power is applied to the Helix platform by way of a female barrel jack connector (OD: 5.5mm ID: 2.5mm. 12mm length ). The system is operational from 19V~24V. The maximum rated current of the connector is 7A. Use a wire gauge that is rated for the operational current. See below for on-board connector pinout.

Barrel Jack power pinout
Note: Located above the power barrel is a sheet metal punch-out for the plastic cable retention clamp. To use this feature the sheet metal tab needs to be removed with the backplate uninstalled to ensure the tab does not break off into the system.
DisplayPort 1.4a
Helix utilizes Intel’s Integrated Gen 12 processor graphics that power the onboard DisplayPorts 1.4a. This means resolutions up to 4096x2160 @ 60Hz are supported on both outputs simultaneously. All ports support Multi-Stream Transport (MST).
LAN1(vPRO) - Intel I219-LM
The Intel I219 LAN Port on Helix supports up to 1Gbps link speeds over standard shielded CAT5e or CAT6 cables. The connector is the industry standard RJ45 connector. This port also features Intel’s vPro(R) technology enabling remote out-of-band management and security features (requires Intel Core i5 or higher). The LAN link state is shown by the two LEDs enclosed in the port. The description is included below.
LAN2 - Intel I210-IT
The second LAN Port on Helix supports up to 1Gbps link speeds over standard shielded CAT5e or CAT6 cables. The connector is the industry standard RJ45 connector. The LAN link state is shown by the two LEDs enclosed in the port. The description is included below.

COM DB9 Option
The serial port mode and voltage between Off/5V on Pin 9 on Helix can be selected in the BIOS configuration. The serial ports support RS-232, RS-422, and RS-485 configurations. Refer to the BIOS manual for configuration instructions.

CAN DB9 option
The CAN port on Helix 401 supports CAN2.0 A/B at baud rates from 100-1000 kbaud. The system CAN port is not internally terminated, and a properly terminated (120 Ohms, typical) cable should be used. The communication protocol used to send and receive messages is detailed in the CAN Add-in Card section.

Terminal block power option
If the terminal block power option is selected, mainboard power is applied to the Helix platform through a 4-pin terminal block connector (Mating part: Dinkle #2ESDVM-04P-BK or equivalent).
The system is operational from 12V~24V (HX401) [see section 4.3 for input voltage qualifications]. The maximum rated current of the connector is 15A per pin. Use a wire gauge that is rated for the operational current. Cables should be properly terminated with wire ferrules. Do not use the terminal block with tinned wire ends or solid core wire. See below for the connector pinout which is also indicated on the terminal block mounting panel adjacent to the connector. Installation of DC Mains connection shall only be performed by skilled personnel and in accordance with your local and national electrical code (Example: NEC, CEC).
When using the remote switch connections with the terminal block option, mating power switch cables should be a twisted-pair wire with floating shield to assure proper immunity to EMI/RFI. It is recommended to keep wires at less than 3 meters in length. Switches should be momentary contact type only.

Expansion Port Pinout
M.2 B-Key


M.2 E-Key


M.2 M-Key


2.3- Motherboard Connectors
The motherboard top and bottom view for HX401 is as below.


M.2 B-Key
An M.2 B-Key port is present on the Helix motherboard to allow support for B-Key form-factor expansion cards. Supported cards include 3042, 2242, 3052, 2280 form-factors. The B-Key connector on the Helix platform supports PCIe Gen 3 x2, USB 3.2 10Gb/s, USB 2.0, SATA Gen I (1.5Gbps), SATA Gen II (3.0Gbps), and SATA Gen III (6.0Gbps) devices.
The 3FF Micro SIM card slot is available for OnLogic 4G Extrovert modules.
A full pinout table for this expansion slot is provided in Expansion Port Pinout
M.2 E-Key
An M.2 E-Key port is present on the Helix motherboard to allow support for E-Key form-factor wireless expansion cards. Only 2230 form-factor cards are supported. The E-Key connector on the Helix platform supports PCIe Gen 3 x1 and USB 2.0.
A full pinout table for this expansion slot is provided in Expansion Port Pinout
M.2 M-Key
An M.2 M-Key port is present on the Helix motherboard to allow support for M-Key form-factor expansion cards. Only 2280 form-factor cards are supported. The M-Key connector on the Helix platform includes support for PCIe Gen4x4 or Gen 3 x4.
A full pinout table for this expansion slot is provided in Expansion Port Pinout
SO-DIMM1 & SO-DIMM2
The Helix platform has two onboard DDR5 SO-DIMM Slots. Below find the specifications of the two SO-DIMM Slots:
Maximum Capacity: DDR5-4800 64GB with two 32GB SO-DIMM Modules
Channel configuration: 1DIMM Per Channel (DPC) - 2 Channels
No ECC Support
COM1
The two on-board COM headers utilize standard 9-pin 2.00mm pitch male pin headers with the pin configuration in the chart below. These serial ports support RS-232, RS-422 Full-Duplex, and RS-485 half-Duplex configurations. The serial port communication mode can be selected in the BIOS configuration. In addition, 5V power can be enabled on pin 9 in the same BIOS menu. Pin 9 is rated to provide 150mA of current. Refer to the BIOS manual for configuration instructions.

BIOS EEPROM
If the BIOS needs to be updated, please refer to the BIOS manual for reflashing instructions.
CMOS Jumper Header
A 2.54mm pin header and jumpers are used to clear the CMOS settings of the Helix platform.
The system CMOS settings can be cleared with the pin jumper. To clear the CMOS the following steps shall be followed:
Disconnect system power.
Place jumper in the “clear” position.
Wait 10 seconds.
Remove jumper from the “clear” position and return to default position

RTC battery header
The RTC battery on the Helix platform is used to retain BIOS CMOS settings and maintain the real-time clock for the system. If the RTC battery is low, CMOS settings will not be retained and you may receive an alert in the operating system. The cabled RTC battery should be replaced with a Maxell CR2032-WK11 (or UL listed equivalent). An equivalent battery shall use a Hirose DF13-2S-1.25c connector to mate with the on-board connector.
USB 2.0 Header
The on-board USB 2.0 header provides a single USB 2.0 signal. It utilizes a WR-WTB 4-pin 1.25mm pitch male pin connector with the pin configuration in the chart below. The 5V power pin (Pin 1) can provide up to 1A of current.

Power Input Header
Mainboard power can be applied to the Helix platform by way of OnLogic ADP124 Power Terminal Card. The system is operational from 12V~24V. The maximum rated current of the connector is 3A per pin with a pitch of 2.54mm. Use the OnLogic ADP124 Power Terminal Card with validated functionality and the operational current. See below for connector pinout.

2.4- Processor
Four Gen12 CPU options are available for the HX401.

2.5- Power Management
Power Consumption
The power consumption of the HX401 system was measured for various system configurations, workloads, and power states at both 12V and 24V system input voltages. Tests were performed using BurnInTest v9.0 build 1012 to stress system components with and without graphics enabled. The build configurations and power consumption are listed in the tables below.
*The configurations below are using representative samples of internal devices, the specific components mentioned below may vary from the devices provided by OnLogic. The power consumption for each system configuration is record below






Protection Circuitry

These DC levels specified are the absolute max values for the pins for function and safety of the system. The protection circuitry allows for brief transient voltages above these levels without the system turning off or being damaged. A transient voltage suppressor on the power input allows momentary excursions above stated limits. For input power consumption and current see Power Consumption
Wake-Up Events
The Helix platform supports multiple power states. The wake-up events can be configured in the BIOS. This section describes the supported power management functions and gives information on protection circuitry for power adapters. Low power shutdown is an additional option in the BIOS. See BIOS Manual for more information.

Auto Power On
How do I Enable/Disable auto power on?
Enter the BIOS by pressing Delete while the system is booting, then navigate to Advanced > PCH-IO Configuration > State After G3 Select S0 to enable auto power on Select S5 to disable auto power on
2.6- Add-in Modules
CAN Add-in Card
An optional CAN add-in card is available. The add-in card has an NXP i.MX1050-series microcontroller that can communicate with the host processor over USB. The card provides an interactive shell for configuration on a virtual COM port, and two CAN interfaces accessible through two additional virtual COM ports.
Configuring the Add-in Card
The add-in card is configured interactively through its shell using a serial terminal emulator program. The shell is accessed differently depending on operating system.
To access the shell on Windows:

Open Device Manager by pressing Win+X M. Open the “Ports (COM & LPT)” menu.
Note the “COM#” numbers on each port listed. The shell is typically the lowest-numbered “USB Serial Device” port. The first and second CAN interfaces typically have higher port numbers.
Download and install PuTTY from the link above.
Open PuTTY. When prompted, enter the COM port number in the “Serial line” text box, then click “Open”.
If the port number was correct, a “uart:~$” prompt should appear. If not, try a different port.
To access the shell on Linux:
Install picocom, e.g. “sudo apt install picocom” on Ubuntu.
Open the shell’s virtual COM port with picocom by running “picocom /dev/serial/by-id/usb-OnLogic_USB-CAN-*-if00”.
Some Linux distributions may not configure udev to produce by-id links. If those links are missing, try /dev/ttyACM0 and similar devices.
Once the shell is open, type “help” for usage information.
Using slcand in Linux
On Linux, the slcand utility can configure the add-in card’s interfaces as a regular SocketCAN network interface. Make sure the interface is configured for slcan usage by entering “set can-mode VCAN1 slcan” (and similar for “VCAN2”) in the shell.
On most Linux distributions, slcand is part of a package called can-utils; on Ubuntu, it can be installed with “sudo apt install can-utils”. Once installed, start the utility by running e.g. “slcand -oc -s6 /dev/serial/by-id/usb-OnLogic_USB-CAN-*-if02 slcan0” to create a SocketCAN interface named slcan0 running at 500k (“-s6”) from the first CAN interface’s virtual COM port.
The slcan Message Format
The slcan message format is widely supported. High-quality libraries are available for most programming languages that handle the details of the protocol. It can also be implemented manually if needed.
The slcan protocol is stateful; each interface needs to be configured and opened before it can be used, and must be closed before it can be reconfigured. Make sure the interface is configured for slcan usage by entering “set can-mode VCAN1 slcan” (and similar for “VCAN2”) in the shell.
Each CAN interface has a corresponding virtual COM port. Commands are sent on that port to configure the interface and send frames. Each command consists of an ASCII letter, optionally followed by other ASCII text, ending with a newline (“\n”) character.
The interface baudrate is set with the “S” command. Nine baudrates are supported:

Once the baudrate is set, the interface should be opened by sending the open command (“O\n”). Once open, frames can be sent to the microcontoller in the format documented in a comment in the Linux kernel source code. As frames arrive, the microcontroller will send messages back on the virtual COM port. To stop it, close the interface with the close (“C\n”) command.
Alternate CAN Format
The legacy “std” message format is supported for backwards compatibility with other devices, but is not recommended for new development. The standard slcan format should be used instead due to the availability of high-quality tools and libraries for working with that message format in most programming languages.
2.7- Thermal Results
Test Conditions
Temperature Range: 0ºC to 50°C
Step size: 10°C
i7 Processor, 1TB PCIe Gen3 x4 SSD, and 64GB RAM loaded @ 80% with BurnInTest 9.2
Test Results

Test Result Summary
The HX401 with i7-1270PE operated upwards of 80% of its rated base clock speeds on performance and efficiency cores while sustaining significant processor, memory and storage stress loads in an ambient temperature of 50ºC.
2.8- Block Diagram

3- Installation & Mechanial
3.1- Dimensions

3.2- Mounting
Wall Mount & DIN Rail Mounting

Step 1: Align the four screw holes on the bottom of the system with the respective holes on the mounting brackets.
Step 2: Attach wall mounting brackets (MTW101) or DIN mount Bracket (MTW101-K), to the system using the supplied M3 screws (M3X0.5 Flathead Screw, 4mm Long)
Step 3 (Wall Mount only): Install system to surface using keyhole slots on wall mount brackets and appropriate hardware for the surface (not provided).
Step 4 (DIN Bracket only): Align the mounting holes of the din clip bracket to the three mounting holes on the wall mount bracket.
Step 5 (DIN Bracket only): Install the din clips to the wall mount brackets using supplied screws and a Phillips head screwdriver.
Step 6 (DIN Bracket): Mount system onto the DIN rail.
Note: The mounting brackets are required to support 4x the hanging weight of the system. The mating surface and hardware must be capable of supporting the same load.
VESA Mounting

Step 1: Align the four screw holes on the bottom of the system with the respective holes on the mounting bracket.
Step 2: Attach VESA Mount Plate, to the system using the supplied M3 screws (M3X0.5 Flathead Screw, 4mm Long)
Step 3: Install the system to VESA 75 or VESA 100 mounting pattern using provided VESA Mount screws.

3.3- Internal Access
Properly opening OnLogic systems does not void the warranty in most cases, however, some precautions are necessary to avoid damaging the system.
Perform this disassembly in an area free of static discharge.
Disconnect power, video, and any other connections to the system. It should be fully unplugged.
Ideally, wear a grounding strap. If that is not available, regularly touch a grounded metal surface to discharge your body of static electricity.



3.4- CAD & Drawings
HX401 Mounting Dimensional Drawings
4- Software & Firmware
4.1- BIOS
BIOS manual
Reference the full BIOS Manual here: click here.
4.2- Drivers & Downloads
(Follow our guide for Installing Drivers via Device Manager)
BIOS Updates
Z01-P006A055 – Performance
Performance BIOS is tuned for maximum CPU clock speeds. Systems built and shipped prior to 6/20/24 would have defaulted to our Performance BIOS.
Z01-E006A055 – Efficiency
Efficiency BIOS is tuned for lower touch-temperature at a lower CPU-junction-temperature configuration, resulting in internal thermal controls reducing power and temperature. Systems built and shipped after 6/20/24 default to our new Efficiency BIOS. Performance can still be manually installed if preferred for your use case
Update the BIOS with the file(s) above. You can follow this how-to guide for installation instructions.
Microcontroller Updates
v1.3.1.3
– CANbus fixes: Fully reset CAN peripheral when bus is opened, fixes unresponsive interfaces
Download the .BIN firmware file for your system above. Follow this guide to update the Microcontroller on your system.
4.3- Features & Configuration
How to configure Serial port for RS232/422/485
The BIOS controls the serial port configurations. Go to the following BIOS settings to adjust the power options and communication types. Access the BIOS by repeatedly pressing DEL at boot up.
To select the communication type you want, navigate to: Setup Utility–> Advanced –> NCT5525D –> UART Port 1 configuration –> Peripheral Type
If you require power on the PWR pin (#9), you can enable or change the voltage here: Setup Utility–> Advanced –> NCT5525D –> UART Port 1 configuration –> PWR_EN (Option to have active high naturally at 5V or 12 V).
Make sure to save any changes by pressing F10 to Save and Exit.
Enabling RAID
Go to the Advanced tab in BIOS and enable Expert Mode.
Move up and select System Agent (SA) Configuration.
Select VHD setup menu.
Enable VHD controller
Save & Exit
On start-up, press DEL to enter front page and select Device Management.
Select Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology.
Set appropriate RAID level. Ensure both drives are selected

Select Create Volume.
Ensure both drives are present, then select Create RAID Volume.
Ensure the RAID volume was created. Restart computer.
5- Support & Compliance
5.1- Troubleshooting & FAQ
Clear CMOS
If the system fails to power on or otherwise function, clearing the CMOS may help restore it to a working state.
Unplug the system completely from power and all peripherals, and open the system (Internal Access).
Now that you have access to the motherboard, locate the CMOS jumper (labeled “CMOS CLR”) in one corner of the motherboard, between the DisplayPort and RAM slots:

The jumper’s default position closes pins 1 & 2 (pin 1 indicated by the arrow on the motherboard). Move the jumper to the Clear position, closing pins 2 & 3.
Wait at least 30 seconds
Move the jumper back to the default position, and then reassemble the system. Reconnect and retest the system. It is normal for the system to reboot several times, and may take up to 5 minutes for the unit to reinitialize.
5.2- Regulatory
CE
This device has been tested to the relevant EMC and Safety standards. Modifications by the user may invalidate certifications. Testing included EN 55032, EN 55035, EN 60601-1-2, EN 62368-1, and IEC 60945 Ed. 4.
FCC Statement
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules as a Class A device. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
ISED (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada)
This device complies with Industry Canada license-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.
Le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR d'Industrie Canada applicables aux appareils radio exempts de licence. L'exploitation est autorisée aux deux conditions suivantes : (1) l'appareil ne doit pas produire de brouillage, et (2) l'utilisateur de l'appareil doit accepter tout brouillage radioélectrique subi, même si le brouillage est susceptible d'en compromettre le fonctionnement.
CAN ICES-003(A) / NMB-003(A)
UKCA
The computer system was evaluated for medical, IT equipment, automotive, maritime and railway EMC standards as a class A device. The computer complies with the relevant IT equipment directives for the UKCA mark.
VCCI
This is a Class A product based on the standard of the Voluntary Control Council for Interference (VCCI). If this equipment is used in a domestic environment, radio interference may occur, in which case the user may be required to take corrective actions.
Download Documents
5.3- Security Advisory
For the latest security advisories concerning OnLogic products, including vulnerability disclosures and necessary updates, please refer to our official Security Advisories page. It is recommended to regularly check this resource for critical security information. Access Security Advisories
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