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Product category: Embedded Computing and Control
News Release from: Ampro Computers | Subject: ETX 802
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 27 February 2006

Frugal ETX module targets portable
applications

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Ampro Computers has developed the world's first rugged ETX module with full notebook-style ACPI 2.0 power management.

Ampro Computers has developed the world's first rugged ETX module with full notebook-style ACPI 2.0 power management The rugged ETX 802 computer-on-module (COM) enables a new class of battery-powered portable embedded computers for commercial, industrial and military applications

Featuring performance up to 1.4GHz with operation to 85C, the module enables OEMs and integrators to create handheld and vehicle-mounted computers with long production life, small size, vibration resistance, and long battery life.

"Ampro brings its proven expertise with rugged modular electronics to a market that demands reliability and durability beyond what 0-60C desktop-class modules can achieve with fans and heat pipes", said Joanne Mumola Williams, President and CEO of Ampro.

"The ETX 802 module sets a new standard in the ETX market by providing both ruggedness and ACPI S3 suspend-to-RAM technology for very fast wake-up from a low power state".

"Next generation embedded applications can't tolerate the longer resume-from-disk times that competing modules offer".

The ETX 802 COM offers a rich feature set, including the Intel 855GME chipset, ECC or non-ECC DDR RAM to 1Gbyte, four USB 2.0 ports, dual EIDE interfaces, 10/100 Ethernet, PCI expansion and RoHS compliance.

ETX modules plug into a baseboard to allow customisation of board size and shape, I/O circuitry, connector locations, and easy migration to higher performance modules in the future.

Full ACPI 2.0 support is provided, even the S3 state (suspend-to-RAM) that extends battery life and has a fast wake-up time.

This is in addition to the S4 state (suspend-to-disk) provided by alternative solutions that takes longer to reload the contents of RAM from a hard disk or CompactFlash device before resuming normal operation.

In contrast, the S3 state keeps the RAM powered when the CPU's power is removed so the ETX 802 wakes up quickly in the same way that notebook PCs resume operation when the lid is re-opened.

The AMI BIOS provides full support for wake-up devices including LAN, keyboard, mouse, power button and PCI or SMBus activity.

While other recently introduced modules do not support legacy bus and peripheral support, the ETX 802 embraces legacy with ISAbus expansion, two serial ports, PS/2 keyboard and mouse, parallel port and floppy-over-parallel support.

The ISAbus provides an easy interface for low-speed analogue-to-digital conversion for data acquisition, digital I/O, additional RS232 ports for barcode readers and other peripheral devices as well as custom I/O circuitry.

The ETX 802 is exceptionally resistant to shock and vibration and is unique in the industry with a 3-year warranty that covers -40 to +85C operation.

Optional conformal coating protects against moisture and corrosion.

The ETX 802 quick start kits include drivers and board support packages (BSPs) for Windows XP, Windows XP Embedded, Windows CE 5.0, VxWorks and QNX operating systems, and a full Linux 2.6 distribution (Fedora Core 3).

RoHS-compliant production ETX 802 modules will be available in April 2006.

Initial samples of non-RoHS-compliant ETX 802 modules will be available for qualification in early March.

Prices start at under $600 in moderate quantities.

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