Kontron has expanded its JRex family of 3.5-inch single board computers (SBCs) with a new model that includes a PC/104-Plus expansion slot. While smaller than the classic PC/104-Plus form factor, the Linux-compatible “JRexplus-LX” can be used with most available PC/104 cards, Kontron says.

(Click here for a larger view of the Kontron JRexplus-KX)

The JRexplus-LX has other features that take it a step further than earlier devices using this Kontron-specific form factor. For example, Kontron says, there is support for two SATA or one PATA interfaces, and a Gigabit Ethernet interface is also provided for the first time.

Unlike on many SBCs, the JRexplus-LX features standard PC-style connectors mounted on the edge of the board. These include two USB ports, the RJ45 LAN connector, a serial port, and a PS/2 keyboard/mouse connector. (Additional ports, as detailed in the chart below, are available via headers on the SBC.)

The SBC also offers an edge-mounted VGA output for connecting CRT displays. LCD flat panels with resolutions up to UXGA (1600 x 1200) are controlled directly via the SBC's JUMPtec Intelligent LVDS Interface (JILI), according to Kontron.

The JRexplus-LX employs the 500MHz AMD Geode LX800 CPU, said to run fanless and to use only about seven watts, along with AMD's companion CS5536 chipset. A single SODIMM slot accepts up to 1GB of RAM.

Finally, in addition to its PC/104-Plus expansion slot, the JRexplus-LX features a CompactFlash slot. Mounted on the rear of the board, this is not shown in the photo above.

Features and specifications cited by Kontron for the JRexplus-LX include:

• Processor — AMD Geode LX800 clocked at 500MHz
  
• Memory — up to 1GB of RAM via SODIMM slot
  
• Graphics — integrated in chipset, supporting LCD resolutions up to 1600 x 1200, and CRT resolutions up to 1920 x 1444
  
• Networking — 1 x 10/100/1000 Ethernet port
  
• Other I/O:
  • 1 x PATA EIDE, with 44-pin header
    
  • 2 x SATA
    
  • 4 x USB 2.0 (two on edge, two internal)
    
  • 2 x RS232 (one on DB9 connector, one via 10-pin header)
    
  • 1 x parallel
    
  • 1 floppy port (slimline flat foil connector)
    
  • 4 x GPIO
    
  • PS/2 connector supports keyboard and mouse with Y-adapter

• Expansion:
  • PC/104-Plus slot
    
  • CompactFlash slot

• Dimensions — 3.5-inch diagonally (5.75 x 4 inches)
  
• Operating temperature — 0 to 60 deg. C
  
• Power supply — 5VDC, AT/ATX mode

Kontron's statement did not release pricing, but said the JRexplus-LX will be available in the first quarter of 2008. Operating system support includes Linux, Windows XP Embedded, Windows XP, and Windows CE, according to the company.

 
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