VMEbus SBCs exploit Pentium M power

The PENTXM range of PC-compatible high-performance high-functionality VMEbus single-board computers (SBCs) is based on Intel Pentium M processors running at 1.6GHz and above.

The PENTXM range of PC-compatible high-performance high-functionality VMEbus single-board computers (SBCs) is based on Intel Pentium M processors running at 1.6GHz and above.

Resulting from the use of the Pentium M processor and the up-to-date low power dissipating Intel hub controllers, the PENTXM draws a very low 30W of power for the entire board running at 1.6GHz.

Furthermore, the PENTXM allows the user to optimise the power dissipation, thereby improving the mean time between failure (MTBF) to fit the end application.

The PENTXM is, thus, an excellent choice for embedded system applications such as those in the military, aerospace, radar data processing, telemetry and scientific markets.

Alain Albarello, President of Thales Computers, remarked: "We are amazed by the large number of customers' requests the early announcement of the PENTXM has generated".

"Our customers' feedback is very positive and has motivated us to quickly qualify the associated features from the extensive Thales Computers library they like to use in embedded applications, such as the comprehensive built in tests (xBIT)".

The PENTXM is based on the Pentium M processor operating at 1.6GHz and above.

The processor has a 400MHz front side bus (FSB) as well as 64Kbyte of primary cache and 1Mbyte of secondary cache.

Using the low-power 64bit 855GME Intel graphics and memory controller hub (GMCH) host bridge, the Pentium M supports a 400MHz bus frequency.

The graphics interface is accessed via a 26-pin high-density front-panel connector or at the rear.

The PENTXM provides resolutions up to 2048 x 1536 at 75Hz and up to 16M colours.

The graphics controller is integrated into the host hub, allowing direct memory access.

This leads to better performance relative to memory-to-display commands.

The PENTXM has dual 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports - one available as a build option on the rear in compliance with the VITA 31 recommendation and the other available either on the front or on the rear via software configuration.

The single-slot PENTXM board features 1Gbyte of 266MHz DDR ECC SDRAM soldered onboard, accessible from the VMEbus processor.

It has 64Mbyte of application Flash EPROM and 512Kbyte of BIOS Flash EPROM.

The PENTXM provides two independent PCIbuses.

One supports a dual PCI mezzanine (PMC) expansion sites (32/64bit and 33/66MHz featuring 3.3/5V tolerance).

Front panel I/O is available for both sites, rear panel I/O via P2 for PMC 1 and optionally via P0 for PMC 2.

The secondary PCIbus allows the customer to expand the number of PMC slots using an optional PMC carrier board.

P2 and P0 connection options offer extensive functionality including analogue graphics, keyboard, mouse, Ethernet channels, up to three 16550-compatible UART serial ports, one or two USBs, EIDE interfaces and more.

The PENTXM series supports embedded Linux, VxWorks, Windows XP and Embedded XP operating systems and is offered in four environmental variations.

Currently, the standard (SA) convection-cooled version (0 to +55C) is available starting at $4188 one-off.

Rugged versions, including a conduction-cooled (-40 to +85C) version will be available later this year.

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