Eurotech announced a COM Express module and “standalone” SBC using Atom Zxx-series CPUs. The “Proteus” twins feature 1.1Ghz or 1.6GHz CPUs, dual PCI Express Mini Card slots, up to 1GB of RAM and 4GB of flash, plus optional Bluetooth, ZigBee, and GPS modules, says Eurotech.

(Click here for a larger view of Eurotech's Proteus)

The Proteus SBC and Proteus COM Express both have the same 4.5 x 4.3 inch (115 x 110mm) dimensions. Whereas the COM Express model uses a Type 1 connector to send signals to a “standard” carrier baseboard, the SBC model brings I/O out to pin headers and standard edge connectors. So far, the company has only provided a photo of the SBC model, however.

Eurotech's Proteus
(click to enlarge)
The Proteus offers Intel's 1.1GHz Atom Z510 or 1.6GHz Z530 CPUs, which measure just 14 x 13mm and have two-Watt TDPs. As usual, the processors are paired here with the chipmaker's comparatively huge SCH US15W companion chip. The Z500-series Atoms are both aimed at embedded applications, and provided with seven-year lifecycle support, according to Intel.

The Proteus boards add either 512MB or 1GB of soldered-down RAM, and 2GB or 4GB of soldered PATA flash storage. Both include two PCI Express Mini Card slots and microSD sockets, and both are said to support optional modules for Bluetooth, ZigBee, and GPS (based on a SiRF starIII receiver). The company did not say whether these optional wireless modules occupy the Mini Card slots, or are connected in some other manner.

The Proteus SBC and COM Express module both are said to support dual LVDS-interfaced displays. On the SBC, the video signals are passed to two ribbon-cable connectors at the board's edge, whereas on the COM Express module they go to the Type I connector. The same differences apply to the devices' other interfaces. For example, the SBC has a standard RJ45 connector for its gigabit Ethernet port, whereas the COM Express module does not. Both Proteuses have touchscreen interfaces, serial ports, and multiple USB ports, as further detailed below.

According to Eurotech, both devices are available with optional Atmel TPMs (trusted platform modules), and both have JTAG interfaces. In addition, they're both offered with “development kits” that add 800 x 600 touchscreen displays, standard jacks for audio I/O, and 80GB hard disk drives.

Features and specifications listed by Eurotech for the Proteus SBC and Proteus COM Express module include:

• Processor — Intel Atom Z510 (1.1GHz) or Z530 (1.6GHz)
  
• Memory — 512MB or 1GB of RAM, and 2GB or 4GB of flash storage
  
• Display — Supports dual LVDS displays
  
• Networking — Gigabit Ethernet port, with RJ45 connector (Proteus SBC only)
  
• Other I/O:
  • 1 x RS232
    
  • 1 x SATA, with SATA connector (Proteus SBC), or 2 x SATA via Type I connector (Proteus COM Express module)
    
  • Audio I/O, via pin headers (SBC) or Type I connector (COM Express module
    
  • 2 x USB 2.0 with pin headers
    
  • 1 x USB 2.0 with Type A connector on board edge (SBC), or 4 x USB 2.0 via Type I connector (COM Express module)

• Expansion:
  • 2 x PCI Express Mini Card sockets
    
  • 1 x microSD slot

• Power supply — 8.5VDC to 24VDC for SBC; 12VDC for COM Express module
  
• Dimensions — 4.5 x 4.3 inches (115 x 110mm)
  
• Operating temperature — 0 to 70 deg. C

Further information

Eurotech says the Proteus SBC and Proteus COM Express module support Linux, Windows CE, Windows XP, and Windows XP Embedded. Both appear to be available now, but pricing was not released.

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