Product category:
Embedded Computing and Control
News Release from: Kontron UK | Subject: EPIC/CE
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 30 November 2004
European debut for new embedded format
The EPIC/CE SBC range markes the European debut of the EPIC (Embedded Platform for Industrial Computing) form factor.
The EPIC/CE SBC range markes the European debut of the EPIC (Embedded Platform for Industrial Computing) form factor The mini-motherboard form factor, introduced in America at the start of 2004, with measurements of 114.3 x 165.1mm (4.5 x 6.5in), sits between the smaller PC/104 and 3.5in and the larger EBX and Mini-ITX
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 30 Jun 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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As the only EPIC board on the market, the EPIC/CE SBC from Kontron supports both PC/104 and PC/104plus expansion assemblies thanks to Kontron's PCI-to-ISA bridge.
Furthermore, on its own boards Kontron standardises the physical interfaces for the connection of internal and external peripherals.
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Alongside full PC/104plus support with ISA and PCI buses and a standard physical form for all relevant internal and external connections, the EPIC/CE from Kontron is equipped with a 1GHz, 733MHz or 400MHz ULV Intel Celeron processor that is ideal for price-sensitive applications.
The 400MHz version also requires no active cooling.
Furthermore, the board is configured with up to 512Mbyte SDRAM-SODIMM.
The EPIC/CE offers an unequalled number of connections on the front for external peripherals - and with four USB 2.0 interfaces, the EPIC/CE is the first EPIC-SBC based on the Intel Celeron that supports full 320Mbit/s.
Communication with peripheral devices is thus up to 40 times faster than with USB 1.1.
Connectivity is provided for two 10/100Base-T Ethernet interfaces, keyboard, mouse, CRT, sound, LPT and a serial interface.
All these functions correspond to those of a desktop PC, but come in a low-cost embedded package.
A CompactFlash socket is also provided.
Other interfaces that can be integrated in a customised solution are two additional USB 2.0 interfaces, three additional COM ports, 25 GPIO interfaces as well as the traditional interfaces for EIDE hard drives, removable storage media and power supply.
CRT and LCD support with dual 24bit LVDS interfaces are provided by Intel graphics integrated in the chipset with up to 32Mbyte of graphics memory.
DVO support and interfaces are also offered, and the panel interface is further standardised with JILI.
JILI is a universally functional adapter that is available off-the-shelf for all current panels.
This allows OEMs to choose a display that best fits the application without concern for the compatibility of the panel interface.
Watchdog, real-time clock, LanBoot and DarkBoot round out the feature set.
The EPIC form factor sits between PC/104 and EBX.
PC/104 can no longer accommodate the latest processors, whereas 5.25in EBX and Mini-ITX are too large for many designs.
Because of the PC/104 interface, all past and future PC/104 expansion assemblies with state-of-the-art processor performance can be accommodated.
At the same time, additional room is available on the motherboard, which is also useful for the latest technologies like PCI-Express.
EPIC is an ideal concept for broadening established technologies and, at the same time, connecting with the latest technologies.
Motherboard-specific EPIC PC/104 I/O assemblies can only be plugged onto (and not under) the CPU board.
In addition to Kontron, this new form factor is currently supported by Ampro, Micro/sys, Octagon Systems, VersaLogic and WinSystems. Request a free brochure from Kontron UK ...
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