Embedded Systems Design - Europe - August/September 2007 - (Page 38)

boards term support for the vast number of embedded applications based on these already highly integrated COMs including medical, gaming and entertainment, military, and aerospace. X-board, another popular architecture, closes the gap between the PC-only DIMM-PC and the full-featured ETX modules. About the size of a business card (68 by 49 mm), Xboard provides the essential modern interfaces needed for power-efﬁcient processor modules without performance compromises. Despite its compact size, this embedded module offers the highest graphics performance and connectivity interfaces needed by advanced applications. X-board modules combine low power consumption with fast boot time to serve various space-constrained applications, including test and measurement, diagnostics, medical, automotive, industrial automation, and point-of-sale/ point-of-information (POS/POI) systems. In addition, because X-board supports a wide range of interfaces on a smaller COM footprint, system developers can develop easily add features such as integrated graphics, Ethernet, USB, and audio. High-end applications that require high performance need the computing power provided by the new COM Express open standard, which is under the control of PICMG. An example of a COM Express board can be seen in Figure 1. Developers look to COM Express solutions to replace PCI-X and AGP with PCI Express, replace parallel ATA with serial ATA, or to supply a bridge between legacy and legacy-free functions by incorporating optional PCI and IDE interfaces. By providing a new level of form, ﬁt, and function, COM Express modules can help minimize current 38 and future design risks. Small form-factor SBCs have become increasingly important in embedded environments. SBCs can be as simple or as complex as a particular application demands. While all SBCs are built using similar standards, different technologies can be included, such as video capability, Ethernet access functionality, and digital computer technologies to meet the needs of a particular application. Specialized features, such as a watchdog timer can signiﬁcantly increase the functionality for industrial applications. PC/104 has been a popular form factor for use in environments that require rugged hardware and high reliability where repair or replacement may not be possible. Space constraints and suitability for low-power applications have created a niche for PC/104 in applictions that don’t need gamequality graphics processing. Military, aerospace, and medical customers are especially interested in PC/104 systems for signal-, image-, and data-processing applications, in particular with real-time processing and data transfer. Because it can be expanded with additional I/O sockets through its unique stacking bus using reliable onboard pins, multiple modules can be added to a PC/104 system without the burden of backplanes or card cages. The design also enables PC/104-based SBCs to work well in rugged environments because of its tremendous shock and vibration tolerance and wider operating temperature range. Another advantage afforded by PC/104-based SBCs is the wealth of expansion cards available which increases design ﬂexibility and reduces time-to-market. The Embedded Compact eXtended (ECX) form factor addresses the needs for embedded systems that require features and performance comparable with desktop platforms, while taking space and thermal constraints into consideration. ECX embedded motherboards measure 105 by 146 mm. This form factor combines real-estate management, the low-power characteristics of the Intel Pentium M processor, fanless thermal management, and support for multiple interfaces to meet the requirements of vehicle infotainment systems, medical equipment, industrial automation, and human-machine interface devices. Embedded motherboards provide a reliable and robust option that’s expandable, interchangeable, and customizable for long-term availability. The Advanced Technology Extended (ATX) form factor, created by Intel in 1995, was deﬁned to address ease of use, support for current and future I/O and processor technologies, and the need for high performance. A full-size ATX board is 305 by 244 mm, as shown in Figure 2. The range of applications for embedded ATX boards includes 19-in. rackmount systems, POS/POI applications, the games and infotainment market, measurement engineering solutions, and banking. However, they’re also found in classic industrial environments or applications that demand high graphics performance, such as medical imaging processing. The combination of versatility, compactness, and good air ﬂow make the 4U size the most common platform for industrial rack-mount systems. AUGUST – SEPTEMBER 2007 | embedded systems design europe | www.embedded.com/europe 036-037-038-039_ESDE.indd 38 3/09/07 17:00:19 http://www.embedded.com/europe

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Embedded Systems Design - Europe - August/September 2007

Contents News Cover Feature: Annual Study Uncovers the Embedded Market DSP Serves the Convergence Needs of Small Business Embedded Test Offers Unique Value for Serial I/O The Software Detective: First-Fault Data Capture Boards May Shrink But Performance Doesn't New Products Advertising Contacts

Embedded Systems Design - Europe - August/September 2007

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