ETX 3.0 standard gathers support

Evalue has joined Kontron in adopting the new ETX 3.0 standard for computers-on-modules.

Evalue has joined Kontron in adopting the new ETX 3.0 standard for computers-on-modules (COMs).

The first ETX 3.0-compliant product sample from Evalue is expected to be released at the Computex fair in June 2006.

The rapid adoption of the ETX 3.0 standard by numerous leading vendors of computers-on-modules demonstrates how important this new specification is becoming.

ETX 3.0 introduces 2x Serial ATA without changing any of the ETX pins, making new modules 100% pin-compatible with previous versions and ensuring long-term support for the vast number of embedded application solutions based on these already highly integrated COMs, in applications from medical, gaming and entertainment, to military and aerospace.

ETX 3.0 modules, such as Kontron's ETX-LX, integrate 2x Serial ATA via two slimline connectors that are designed onto the top-side of the CPU module itself, thereby avoiding the need to modify the ETX-connectors of the module and carrier board so that existing solutions can take advantage of faster Serial ATA hard drives.

ETX 3.0 also includes USB 2.0 to be used via the existing ETX connectors.

Kontron, along with Evalue, Adlink, MSC and other members of the ETX Industrial Group have adopted ETX 3.0 with the intention of keeping the standard viable until at least 2010.

Additional modules built around dual-core processors and others from Intel, AMD and VIA are planned for release over the course of this year, with more to follow in future.

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