Product category:
Embedded Computing and Control
News Release from: MEN Mikro Elektronik | Subject: Embedded Systems Modules
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 26 February 2003
Mezzanine modules aid embedded systems
builders
The ESM is an all-new concept in mezzanine cards.
Boards that can be plugged on suitable carriers, so-called mezzanine cards, have been in use for many years because of their modularity and flexibility Now, MEN is introducing an all-new mezzanine concept - the ESM "system on module"
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 21 May 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
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PXI Systems feature flexible I/O configuration
MEN Mikro Elektronik is launching a complete new range of PXI systems incorporating highly reliable system controllers, I/O boards and mezzanines.
Modules embed industrial I/O
Two new M-Modules are suitable for a wide range of applications requiring digital I/O or analogue switching.
Each ESM is a complete computer system, and an ESM carrier card can provide additional I/O.
MEN's ESM specification defines the mechanical, electrical and environmental characteristics of the mezzanine card and of possible carriers.
An ESM mezzanine module consists of a CPU/chipset, main memory, mass storage connection and essential I/O functions directly on the module.
Further reading
cPCI board can act as PXI controller
The D4 is a double-Eurocard CompactPCI SBC designed with performance and onboard functionality for applications in the upper end of industrial control, instrumentation and communications.
Board puts full PC functionality into VME systems
The A13 is a complete PC in double-Eurocard format for VMEbus applications that need graphics, and therefore Windows or Linux.
The CPU itself can be an x86 or PowerPC, or an ARM, XScale or MIPS processor.
ESM is electrically compatible with all PCI standards from 32bit/33MHz to 64bit/66MHz up to PCI-X.
There are no functional limits to the ESM carrier board - anything is possible from a simple passive carrier for the PSU up to a complex modular carrier combined with other mezzanine modules (PMC, PCMIP, M-Modules).
There are multiple system environments for ESMs, for instance on a 3 or 6U carrier with additional I/O in a CompactPCI or VME system.
The ESM can even occupy the system slot here.
An ESM can be combined with any carrier to form a complete embedded control.
It can also be stacked via PC/104-Plus or operate as a stand-alone card-without any carrier.
What all ESM modules have in common is their mechanics, ie the format, system connectors and mounting features.
The size of 71 x 149mm makes the ESM format similar to a PMC module.
149 mm makes use of the maximum depth of a Eurocard, and 71mm width allows designers to accommodate an additional two PMC modules next to the ESM on a 6U carrier.
63mm is reserved for I/O connectors at the front.
Connector types are not fixed, but there is enough space for four RJ45 or two D-sub connectors, for instance.
The electrical bus interface of ESM modules is based on PCI.
The two system connectors J1 and J2 are 2mm "hard metric" connector types as used for PC/104-Plus, among others.
They can be optionally assembled.
J1 has a fixed signal assignment, while J2 is partly fixed, partly variable, depending on the final application-specific configuration of the ESM and/or the carrier board.
Connector J1 supports PCI 32bit/33MHz, 32bit/66MHz and PCI-104 with 3.3V.
Extensions include a fourth master (for PC/104-Plus) or a dynamic 32bit/64bit databus comparable with CompactPCI.
If the application does not use PCI, it is not necessary to connect J1.
Connector J2 is also optional.
Signals for PCI64, IDE or I2C bus may be led to this connector, for example.
An ESM with the ULV/ULP Tualatin Pentium III (400 and 933MHz) and an ESM with the Kahlua II PowerPC (266 to 400MHz) with support for Windows, Linux and various real-time operating systems are already available.
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