Embedded Systems Design Europe - June/July 2008 - (Page 36)

COM design systems, the Procelerant Z500 module provides up to 1Gbyte DDR2 memory, with Gigabit Ethernet and SATA options. LOW POWER SOLUTIONS A key feature of the Atom processor is, of course, its low power but another is its code compatibility with other x86 architectures. As a result, and thanks to a dedicated supporting chipset, the Intel System Controller HUB US15W, the Procelerant Z500 is capable of running many existing applications at much lower power. This is achieved, in part, through the processor’s power saving features but it is aided in the design of the overall module. For instance, RadiSys has integrated power optimised DDR memory directly on to the board, instead of using a more conventional memory module format. This allows the power envelope to be maintained under various conditions, without compromising the overall functionality. Another important aspect of the overall design is the BIOS used. RadiSys has selected General Software’s Embedded BIOS with StrongFrame Technology, the sixth evolution of General Software’s ﬁrmware SDK solution for embedded x86 designs. It allows the BIOS to be conﬁgured so only those features of the operating system being used or loaded at boot time, thereby saving power and memory. Through a powerful yet transparent abstraction layer, provided by the BIOS and drivers for the operating system, the application software is able to make use of all of the module’s power saving features automatically, with no modiﬁcation to the application software necessary. Currently there is extensive support for Windows operating systems (including Windows XP, XP Embedded and CE 6.0), as well as several Linux builds. Other operating systems providers are expected to make drivers available for the Atom processor soon, enabling further customer choice. RadiSys has also developed a heat 36 A prototype hand-held security device based on a module with an Atom processor. dissipation solution in accordance with the COM Express speciﬁcation, allowing the Procelerant Z500 to further address low power applications. The module also offers extensive interconnect support, with two x1 PCI Express link expansion ports, eight USB 2.0 expansion ports and an LPC interface. Storage requirements can be met through the SATA, IDE, USB and SDIO interfaces supported, with an additional SMBus, I2C bus and eight General Purpose I/O. The power management features of the module incorporate the Advanced Conﬁguration and Power Interface Version 3.0 (ACPI 3.0), while the processor supports a number of low power operating states including C0, C1, C2, C3, C4/C4E, and C6, where each mode demands progressively lower power. During normal operation, the processor remains in C0 state, entering C1 when one of the threads executes a HALT or MWAIT instruction. If both threads comply, the processor can en- ter a C2 state, during which it will process bus snoops. C4 represents a deeper sleep state, where greater parts of the processor’s core are turned off. The C6 state is a new technology, which is the same as the Intel Enhanced Deeper Sleep mode but with the addition of an on-chip SRAM, used to save the processor state. This allows the core voltage to drop to around 0V and retain all essential data when exiting the power saving mode. Where power permits, typically in systems with 20W or more of system power available, the COM Express module remains an optimum solution. In applications where the power budget is more restrictive, say, between 10 and 20W, the use of a module has been possible but not always optimal. In the past, for applications where there is less than 10W of system power available, the use of a modular solution has been unlikely but now, thanks to Intel’s Atom processor and RadiSys’ design experience, it is possible to deliver low power designs using off-the-shelf hardware. OEMs can now begin designing handheld and mobile products on this compact, high performance and rugged COM module with a Type 2 COM Express pin-out, which coupled with the heatspreader/mechanical adapter, can form a drop-in replacement for existing basic form factor designs. Its size means it also represents an attractive crossover point for manufacturers looking for an alternative to legacy ETX designs. With its resource-conscious yet ﬂexible proﬁle, Procelerant Z500 will enable a new wave of modular design without sacriﬁcing power or performance. Christof Wehner is solutions architect at RadiSys (www.radisys.com). JUNE – JULY 2008 | embedded systems design europe | www.embedded.com/europe http://www.radisys.com http://www.embedded.com/europe

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Embedded Systems Design Europe - June/July 2008

Embedded Systems Design Europe - June 2008 Contents Work in Progress to Define Compact PCI Plus Power.org Demonstrates New Tools Project Supports Multi-core System Programming Altium Links Electronic to Mechanical Design PLDs Look to Cut Power Budget and Costs Project to Provide Coverage Analysis Tool Microsoft Details Windows Embedded Update Cover Feature: Leveraging Virtual Hardware Platforms for Software Allocating Memory in MATLAB-to-C Code MDD & IDEs: Making the Twain Meet in Embedded System Designs Debugging Mixed Signal Designs for Infrequent & Random Events Why Open Source is the Natural Choice for High-security Systems Bringing the Benefits of Low Power CPUs to Modular Design New Products Advertising Contacts

Embedded Systems Design Europe - June/July 2008

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