Kontron announced a COM Express Compact module featuring Intel's dual-core Atom D525 processor and up to 4GB of DDR3 memory. The microETXexpress-PV features PCI and PCI Express expansion, gigabit Ethernet, LVDS and VGA video outputs, eight USB 2.0 ports, and three SATA ports.

Kontron's microETXexpress-PV, announced Nov. 22, uses the 95 x 95mm (3.75 x 3.75) microETXexpress format, also known as COM Express Compact. This "new" module actually isn't much different from an earlier version the company announced in March 2010: It just has a different Atom processor and a higher RAM limit.

The original microETXexpress-PV used Intel's Atom N450 or D410 (both single-core) or the dual-core D510, all of which can only work with up to 2GB of DDR2 memory. The new configuration switches to the 1.8GHz Atom D525, allowing the module to accept up to 4GB of DDR3 memory in its two DIMM slots.

Kontron's microETXexpress-PV

Kontron again says the microETXexpress-PV includes 18-bit LVDS graphics and supports VGA resolutions up to 1400 x 1050 pixels. Compatible with the COM Express Type 2 pin-out, the module serves up three SATA ports, eight USB ports, and a gigabit Ethernet port. The module also supplies 32-bit PCI expansion, five PCI Express x1 lanes, I2C, SPI, and LPC, according to the company.

Features and specifications listed by Kontron for the revised microETXexpress-PV include the following:

• Processor — 1.8GHz Intel Atom D525
• Chipset — ICH8M
• Memory — Up to 4GB of DDR3 RAM
• Display — Supports 18-bit LVDS and VGA displays with resolutions up to 1400 x 1050 pixels
• Expansion (via COM Express Type 2 pin-out):
  • 1 x 32-bit PCI
  • 5 x PCI Express x1
  • I2C
  • SPI
  • LPC
• Networking — Gigabit Ethernet
• Other I/O (also via COM Express Type 2):
  • 3 x SATA
  • 1 x PATA (optional)
  • 8 x USB 2.0
  • Audio I/O
• Power:
  • consumption — 8 to 18W depending on CPU (Atom D525 has 10-Watt TDP)
  • input range — 4.75 to 18VDC
• Operating temperature — 32 to 140 deg. F (0 to 60 deg. C)
• Dimensions — 3.75 x 3.75 inches (95 x 95mm)

Further information

Kontron says the microETXexpress-PV supports Windows XP, Windows XP Embedded, and Windows 7, as well as Linux and VxWorks. Samples are available now, with mass production beginning in the first quarter of 2012, the company adds.

More information may be found on the microETXexpress-PV product page.

Jonathan Angel can be reached at [email protected] and followed at www.twitter.com/gadgetsense.

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