Desktop Engineering - Kontron Offers Computer-On-Module for PCI Express-based Computing

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Kontron Offers Computer-On-Module for PCI Express-based Computing

nanoETXexpress-VX8 is credit-card sized and offers low-power mobile computing.

by DE Editors | Published December 23, 2007

Kontron (San Diego, CA) introduced the first nanoETXexpress computer-on-module at a show in Nuremberg, Germany. Sized to fit in the palm of your hand, it packs low power processing performance and high-end graphics capabilities as well as PCI Express and Serial ATA interfaces on a footprint 55 mm x 84 mm, the size of a credit card.

The Kontron nanoETXexpress-VX8 is the first member of a new scalable family of nanoETXexpress computer-on-modules. Future members will include nanoETXexpress COMs based on processors and chipsets from other manufacturers. This new form factor standard is the logical addition to the existing PCI and/or ISA based computer-on-modules standards, X-board, and DIMM-PC.

Designed according to the pin definitions of the COM Express specification, the new Kontron nanoETXexpress computer-on-modules are ideal for the emerging generation of mobile embedded applications that require low power performance and the latest interfaces on the smallest form factor. These include handheld units for the medical sector, mobile data solutions, and other emerging applications that have not been possible as of yet due to size restrictions.

The nanoETXexpress computer-on-module offers processor performance up to 1.5GHz, a highly integrated chipset, up to 400MHz front side bus, and up to 1GB DDR2 RAM. For applications requiring extra graphics performance, there is an integrated graphics processor for accelerated MPEG2 decoding and extremely clear images. Dual Channel 18/24 Bit LVDS provide LVDS resolutions.

To meet current and future interface requirements, the Kontron nanoETXexpress computer-on-module supports one Gigabit Ethernet interface, a PCI Express x1 lane as well as two Serial ATA II ports. The two SATA interfaces are designed in accordance with the PICMG COM.0 specification to ensure that the COM’s connectors remain COM Express compatible. The nanoETXexpress computer-on-module, which follows the PICMG COM Express standard, is 100 percent compatible with the COM.0 Type 1 connector. The locations of the identically mapped pin-outs are also 100 percent COM.0 compliant. Software supports Windows XP, XPe, CE, Linux and VxWorks.

For details, go to Kontron.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company's website.