MSC Vertriebs has announced a computer-on-module (COM) that supports Intel's dual-core Xeon processors and runs Linux. The CXE-DX5270 targets demanding applications such as pattern recognition, high-energy physics, and real-time systems, according to the company.

(Click here for a slightly larger view of MSC's CXE-DX5270)

The CXE-DX7520 is available in two different versions, one clocking the Xeon at 2.16GHz, and the other using a low-voltage (LV) version that runs at 1.5GHz. Both offer 4MB of second-level cache, support Intel's VT virtualization technology, and can execute both 32-bit and 64-bit wide instructions, according to MSC.

Unlike most other COM Express modules, the CXE-DX7520 is based on a server chipset — including Intel's E7520 northbridge, from which it obviously takes its name, and the 6300ESB southbridge. The E7520 has dual DDR2-400 memory channels that deliver 6.4GB/second bandwidth, according to Intel.

The CXE-DX7520, however, is not quite all Intel, since its graphics controller comes from Silicon Motion. The Lynx3DM (SM721) controller includes 4MB of VRAM and offers resolutions up to 1280 x 1024.

Two 200-pin DIMM sockets on the module accept up to 4GB of dual-channel DDR2 SDRAM with ECC. The device's bus interfaces — which must be accessed via an application-specific baseboard, as usual for COM Express modules — include PCI Express, PCI, and LPC (low pin count) serial.

Features and specifications cited by MSC Vertriebs for the CXE-DX7520 include:

• Processor — Intel Xeon clocked at 2.16GHz or Xeon LV clocked at 1.5GHz
  
• Memory — up to 4GB of dual-channel DDR2 SDRAM with ECC
  
• Display — TFT/CRT interface with 4MB of VRAM, resolutions up to 1280 x 1024 pixels
  
• Networking — 10/100/1000 Ethernet
  
• Other I/O:
  • 2 x IDE ATA/UDMA 100
    
  • 2 x SATA-150
    
  • 4 x USB 2.0

• Expansion:
  • PCI Express:
    • 2 x 8-lane
      
    • 1 x 4-lane
      
    • 1 x 1-lane

  • 32-bit PCI
    
  • LPC bus interface

• Power requirements — 12V @ 60W typical

• Operating temperature — 0 to 55 deg. C
  
• Dimensions — 6 x 4.3 x 0.5 inches (155 x 110 x 13mm)

For evaluation and development support, a carrier board for the module is available, featuring PCI slots and standard PC interfaces including USB ports. In addition to Linux, the CXE-DX7520 runs Windows XP Embedded, according to MSC.

 
This article was originally published on LinuxDevices.com and has been donated to the open source community by QuinStreet Inc. Please visit LinuxToday.com for up-to-date news and articles about Linux and open source.