Product category:
Embedded Computing and Control
News Release from: Kontron UK | Subject: MicroETXexpress-SP
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 17 April 2008
Atom-based module is graphically
superior
Module based on the Intel Atom processor offers full COM Express Pinout Type 2 compliance including SDVO graphics.
New from Kontron, the microETXexpress-SP computer-on-module is based on the Intel Atom processor and offers full COM Express Pinout Type 2 compliance including SDVO graphics The Kontron microETXexpress-SP is designed to extend the COM Express specification to include a small module format (95 x 95mm) with the commonly used COM Express Type 2 connector
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 8 Nov 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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This will enable the development of energy-saving, high-end graphics devices based on the Intel Atom processor without having to stray from the secure development path of using the established and future-proof COM Express specification and its PICMG-defined Type 2 pinout.
Compared with the very compact Kontron nanoETXexpress-SP computer-on-module, the microETXexpress-SP also incorporates PCI as well as more sophisticated graphics support with SDVO.
Via the PEG pinout, SDVO delivers additional video signals for VGA and DVI monitor outputs, SDTV and HDTV television outputs and TV tuner inputs that greatly simplify system graphics design.
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This special feature makes this 95 x 95mm computer-on-module ideal for small mobile and extremely energy-efficient multimedia devices as well as for mobile test and measurement applications.
Solar-powered distributed devices and stationary devices used in medical, POS/POI and kiosk applications as well as automation applications will also benefit from the graphics performance and extended, sophisticated feature set.
The Kontron microETXexpress-SP computer-on-module comes with the Intel Atom processor Z5XX series from 1.1 to 1.6GHz and Intel System Controller Hub US15W and offers a 533MHz FSB and a socket for up to 1Gbyte of DDR2 400/533 RAM.
An impressive array of interfaces are available via the COM Express Type 2 connector including Gigabit Ethernet, two SerialATA, PATA, seven USB 2.0s (one of which is client capable) as well as two PCI-Express x1 lanes and one PCI lane for application-specific expansions.
In order to support small format SD/SDIO interfaces, the Kontron microETXexpress-SP offers a socket for SD/MMC media.
The SDVO port for HDMI and DVI as well as the 18/24bit LVDS single or dual-channel graphic performance with 256Mbyte of graphics memory, HDTV support and integrated MPG2 decoder as well as H.264 offer more than mini devices require.
Intel HD audio round off the feature set.
The microETXexpress-SP supports Linux and VxWorks as well as Windows XP, XPe and CE.
This extensive support underlines the one-for-all approach of this Computer-on-Module for a wide range of different markets.
Thanks to its especially small and energy efficient design, the Intel Atom processor (13 x 14mm) and System Controller Hub (22 x 22mm) have a TDP of less than 5W.
This makes the Kontron microETXexpress-SP computer-on-module ideal for ultramobile applications that require energy saving x86 processor performance, high-end graphics, PCI Express, USB 2.0 and Serial ATA combined with longer battery power availability.
These include handheld devices for medical or multimedia applications, small mobile data systems and a host of new applications that prior to now have not been possible due to size or power consumption limitations.
The Kontron microETXexpress-SP is 100% compatible with the COM Express COM.0 Type 2 connector.
The placement and assignment of the pins also conforms 100% to COM.0.
For example, compared with card edge connectors, the COM Express connector is significantly more future-proof.
As it has less electronic attenuation, it enables longer pathways on the carrier board.
This is important since green IT trends will reduce the possible pathway length in the long term.
In addition, it offers greater shock and vibration resistance as well as a clear advantage when it comes to EMC certification.
This is also important since the demands on shielding are increasing due to factors such as second generation PCIe, for example, that doubles the wire speed and thereby the frequency, resulting in the need for greater shielding.
Therefore, it makes the most sense to use this computer-on-module design that clearly offers the longest lifecycle.
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