Kontron, a leading embedded computer technology company and the inventor of the ETX Computer-On-Module (COM) form factor, today announced full support for the newly released PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers’ Group (PICMG) COM Express standard, that has been published today. All variations of the Kontron ETXexpress-PM, one of the first fully compliant COM Express modules on the market, are available for immediate delivery.
“Kontron is the innovation leader in COM technology, starting with the launch of the ETX form factor, and the addition of PCI Express to COMs was the logical next step,” said Zeljko Loncaric, Product Manager of the Kontron Embedded Modules division in Deggendorf, Germany. “Kontron started the movement to develop the COM Express standard about two years ago. PICMG’s approval and release of the standard brings the project to fruition. The Kontron ETXexpress family of products fully supports the COM Express standard and makes available the highest levels of embedded computing performance in an easy-to-integrate, standard-based, off-the-shelf solution.”
The ETXexpress-PM is based on the Intel® Pentium® M processor 760 and the Mobile Intel 915GM Express chipset. The lead product in Kontron’s new ETXexpress COM product family, the ETXexpress-PM is fast and puts the latest interface technologies at the fingertips of embedded application designers.
The ETXexpress-PM delivers up to 2.13 GHz processor performance and supports up to 2GB DDR2 memory. For applications that require advanced real-time video capabilities, the ETXexpress-PM has integrated graphics based on the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 architecture and also supports PCI Express graphics. Fast communications are possible courtesy of the 10/100Base-T Ethernet port that will be upgraded to Gigabit soon.
ETXexpress-PM modules are available now priced starting at approximately € 500 in small quantities (actual pricing may vary based on volume).
In mid-2003, Kontron initiated a movement to bring PCI Express technology into COMs. This movement was later bolstered by Intel and a group of leading embedded companies. These industry leaders formed a working group in January 2004 under the auspices of the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group (PICMG); development of the official COM Express specification began in early 2004.
Based on the upcoming COM Express standard, Kontron ETXexpress products are the next generation embedded modules that bring advanced technology to tomorrow’s applications. Built around serial differential signaling technologies, ETXexpress modules incorporate interfaces for PCI Express (4×1, 1×16), Serial ATA, USB 2.0, LVDS, Serial DVO and much more into a 95 x 125 mm small form factor embedded module. Kontron ETXexpress modules provide the highest available performance on the smallest state of the art embedded modules. Additionally, by following the modular concept for embedded design, ETXexpress modules safeguard R&D investments and lower total cost of ownership.
