PhyGrid solutions run on a device connected to a screen, and some of them use peripherals such as printers, scanners, sensors and cameras. The device decides which solutions you can run and which peripherals you can connect. It also affects how the installation looks and sounds in the store. This page describes the three types of device PhyGrid solutions run on and the peripherals each solution uses.
For the full list of hardware the platform supports, including edge AI devices and virtual machines, see supported hardware platforms.
x86-64 mini PCs and all-in-ones
A mini PC, such as an Intel NUC, or an all-in-one (AIO) runs every PhyGrid solution with good performance. It has an Intel or AMD processor (x86-64, also called amd64). It is the right choice for interactive kiosks, solutions with peripherals, and anything with a camera.
- Mini PC: a small separate box behind or near the screen. You can pick the screen and the computer independently, and replace one without the other
- All-in-one: the computer is built into the screen, often a touchscreen. There is one unit to mount and fewer cables. A good fit for kiosks, Endless Aisle, Lift & Learn and Self-Checkout
PhyOS, the PhyStack operating system for devices, supports PCs with Intel and AMD processors in general. You are not tied to one model or manufacturer. You install PhyOS from a USB flash drive, with a keyboard connected. See Install PhyOS on an x86-64 device.
The PhyGrid Marketplace listings give this minimum for an Intel device, mini PC or all-in-one:
- Intel Celeron N3350 processor with Intel HD Graphics 500, or better
- 4 GB RAM
- 64 GB storage
Some solutions add their own requirements. Selfie Mirror needs a 4K webcam. Lift & Learn and Smart Fitting Room need a 1080p or 4K screen. A more powerful processor than the minimum gives smoother video and animations, especially on 4K screens.
Giada DN74
The Giada DN74 is a compact ARM-based (arm64) media player that runs PhyOS. PhyGrid uses it for its own demo devices. It suits installations where the device has to be silent and hidden away, such as behind a display or in a ceiling.
- Fanless: passive cooling in a metal case, so it makes no noise and draws in no dust
- Small: 116.6 x 107.4 x 30 mm, for desk or VESA mounting behind a screen
- Low power: runs from a 12 V, 2 A DC supply
- One screen: with PhyOS, only the HDMI port next to the Ethernet port outputs video. The second HDMI port doesn’t work with PhyOS (a known issue)
Its specifications, from Giada’s DN74 user manual:
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | Rockchip RK3399: dual-core ARM Cortex-A72 and quad-core ARM Cortex-A53, up to 1.5 GHz |
| Graphics | Mali-T860MP4, 4K H.264/H.265 video decoding |
| Memory | 4 GB LPDDR4 |
| Storage | 32 GB eMMC, microSD (TF) card reader |
| Display | 1 x HDMI (up to 4K at 60 Hz), 1 x HDMI (up to 2K at 30 Hz); with PhyOS, only the port next to the Ethernet port outputs video |
| Network | Gigabit Ethernet, onboard Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, Mini-PCIe slot with SIM slot for 3G/4G |
| Ports | 1 x USB 3.0 (OTG), 3 x USB 2.0, 1 x RS232, microphone in, audio out |
| Power | 12 V, 2 A DC |
Giada ships the DN74 with Android. To use it with PhyGrid, you replace Android with PhyOS from a microSD card. See Install PhyOS on Giada DN74.
The DN74 has less processing power than an x86-64 mini PC or all-in-one. It is a good fit for signage and other screen apps. For solutions that use cameras, several peripherals, or demanding 4K content, choose an x86-64 device or ask PhyGrid before you order.
Samsung Tizen displays
Samsung displays and TVs running Tizen can show PhyGrid content without a separate media player. The PhyGrid Screen app runs on the display itself. Tizen versions 4, 6.5, 7 and 8 are supported.
Tizen displays support signage apps only. They don’t run PhyOS, so they can’t run edge apps and can’t connect peripherals. In the PhyGrid Console, you can connect a Samsung Tizen TV only to screen apps. These solutions work on a Tizen display:
- Signage Playlist
- Queue Ticket Signage, Counter Display Signage and Occupancy Signage from Queue Management
Interactive and peripheral-based solutions, such as Queue Kiosk, Endless Aisle, Lift & Learn, Self-Checkout, Smart Fitting Room and Selfie Mirror, need a PhyOS device. See Peripherals for what each one connects to.
You set up a Tizen display through the TV’s own settings and the URL Launcher. See Connect a Tizen device to an installation.
Comparison
| x86-64 mini PC or all-in-one | Giada DN74 | Samsung Tizen display | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Runs PhyOS | Yes | Yes | No |
| Signage Playlist and queue signage | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Interactive kiosks (Queue Kiosk, Endless Aisle, Self-Checkout) | Yes | Ask PhyGrid | No |
| Peripherals (Lift & Learn, Smart Fitting Room) | Yes | Ask PhyGrid | No |
| Camera (Selfie Mirror) | Yes | Ask PhyGrid | No |
| Fan | Depends on the model | No, fanless | Not applicable |
| Size | Small separate box (mini PC) or built into the screen (all-in-one) | Very small (separate box) | No separate box |
| Performance | High | Moderate | Enough for signage |
Whichever device you choose, check that your network allows the addresses PhyGrid needs. See network infrastructure requirements.
Peripherals
Each peripheral that plugs into a device has an edge app. Install it from the Marketplace and connect it to the same device as the solution. The peripheral then appears under Operations → Peripherals. For how edge apps and peripherals work, see the peripherals overview.
| Peripheral | Used by | Supported devices | Connection | Edge app |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermal printer | Queue Kiosk (tickets), Endless Aisle (receipts) | Thermal printers from Epson, Star, Bixolon, Posiflex, Seiko, CITAQ and ICOD. 80 mm paper for Endless Aisle receipts | USB | Thermal printer app |
| Barcode scanner | Endless Aisle, Self-Checkout | Scanners that read EAN and UPC barcodes | USB, or another connection to the device | Barcode scanner app |
| RFID reader | Smart Fitting Room, Self-Checkout | Zebra FX9600; Keonn AdvanReader 10 and Gigatek UM800L | Network (Zebra), USB (Keonn, Gigatek) | RFID app |
| Nexmosphere sensors | Lift & Learn | Nexmosphere XN-185 controller, XR-DR1 drivers and XR-C10 antennas | USB, through the controller | Nexmosphere app |
| Camera and microphone | Selfie Mirror | A 4K webcam and a microphone | USB | Camera app and microphone app |
| People counting sensors | Occupancy Control | Xovis PC2SE, or PC2SE-UL for a very wide entrance | Network (Power over Ethernet), not through a device | None |
| Payment terminal | Self-Checkout | Set up by PhyGrid | Next to the kiosk | None |
To check whether a specific model or another peripheral is supported, contact PhyGrid Support.
Plan the device’s ports
Count the USB peripherals a device needs before you choose it. For example, an Endless Aisle kiosk may need a barcode scanner and a receipt printer. A Self-Checkout kiosk may need a USB RFID reader and a barcode scanner. They all connect to the device that runs the solution, so choose one with enough free USB ports.
Need help choosing?
If you aren’t sure which hardware fits your stores and solutions, contact PhyGrid or email [email protected].