MSC Vertriebs has released a compact processor module claimed to comply with version 3.02 of Kontron's ETX “computer-on-module” form-factor spec. The ETE-GLX3 is based on AMD's x86-compatible Geode LX processors and targets Linux-based embedded applications, according to the company.

(Click here for a slightly larger view of the ETE-GLX3)

ETX version 3, introduced in mid-2006, added two SATA port connectors to ETX modules while touting full backward compatibility with ETX version 2.x designs. The 4.5 x 3.7-inch ETE-GLX3 follows suit, supporting dual SATA or EIDE peripherals, one of which is shared by its CompactFlash socket.

The ETE-GLX3 is based on AMD's 500 MHz Geode LX800 or 600 MHz Geode LX900 processors, with CS5536 companion chipset. It supports up to 1 GB of RAM in a single SODIMM socket, according to the company.

MSC says the ETE-GLX3 supports analog CRT monitors up to a resolution of 1920 x 1440 pixels, and single or dual channel 24-bit LVDS LCD panels at a maximum resolution of 1600 x 1200. The device's graphics controller can employ shared memory up to 256 MB.

A BIOS supplied by Insyde Technology is said to permit the ETE-GLX3 to boot without a keyboard, from a floppy, hard drive, optical disk, or USB.

Specifications listed by the company include:

• Processor — AMD Geode LX800 clocked at 500 MHz or Geode LX900 clocked at 600 MHz; 128K of L2 cache
  
• Memory — SODIMM slot accepts up to 1 GB
  
• Video:
  • Chipset integrated in Geode LX, with up to 256 MB shared memory
    
  • CRT resolutions, 1920 x 1440 pixels @ 85Hz or 1600 x 1200 @ 100 Hz
    
  • LVDS, supporting 24-bit TFT resolutions up to 1600 x 1200
• Audio — AC '97 (compatible via National Semi LM4549)
  
• Networking — 10/100 Ethernet via Intel 82551 chipset
  
• Other I/O ports:
  • 2 x SATA, for up to 2 ATAPI devices with UDMA support
    
  • 2 x EIDE
    
  • 4 x USB 2.0
    
  • 2 x high-speed RS-232C serial ports
    
  • PS/2 keyboard and mouse ports
    
  • IrDA 1.1 SIR interface
    
  • LPT/floppy port (shared)
• Expansion:
  • 32-bit PCI V2.2-compliant bus interface
    
  • ISA bus interface subset (no bus master, no DMA)
    
  • I2C bus interface
    
  • CompactFlash socket

• Dimensions — 4.5 x 3.7 inches (114 x 95 mm)
  
• Operating temperature — 0 to 60 deg. C (32 to 140 deg. F)
  

According to MSC, the ETX-GLX3 is available with evaluation baseboards that supply all the interfaces of a standard PC. Board-support packages (BSPs) for Linux, as well as Windows XP Embedded and Windows CE, are said to be available upon request.

Although pricing was not disclosed, the ETX-GLX3 appears to be available now.

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