Aaeon announced a COM Express module featuring Intel's “Pineview” Atoms and NM10 I/O controller. The COM-LN supports up to 4GB of DDR2 memory, includes gigabit Ethernet, has eight USB ports and three SATA channels, and provides both PCI and PCI Express expansion.

Aaeon's COM-LN employs the 3.75 x 3.75 inch version of COM Express that was first dubbed microETXexpress by Kontron, its originator, and was subsequently proposed for standardization under the COM Express Compact moniker. Like other COM Express modules, the COM-LN (below) sends signals to and from the outside world via its COM Express connectors and separately available, application-specific baseboards.

Aaeon's COM-LN

According to Aaeon, the COM-LN comes with the 1.66GHz "Pineview" Atoms introduced last December, namely the N450, D410, and D510, whose TDPs are 5.5 Watts, 10 Watts, and 10 Watts, respectively. The company doesn't specify overall module power consumption but says DC input voltages can range from 8.5VDC to 19VDC.

All versions of the COM-LN have two SODIMM slots for memory expansion, but the N450 version accepts only up to 2GB, while the D410 and D510 versions accept 4GB, Aaeon says. For mass storage, the module provides three SATA II ports and one PATA port, the company adds.

Featuring gigabit Ethernet, the COM-LN offers five PCI Express x1 expansion lanes and four 32-bit PCI interfaces. Alternatively, it's orderable with six PCI Express x1 lanes, in which case the Ethernet interface is disabled, Aaeon says. LPC, SMBus, and I2C are also available, the company adds.

According to Aaeon, the COM-LN includes a high definition audio interface and eight USB 2.0 ports. It's said to be capable of driving both LCDs (resolutions up to 1366 x 768 or 1280 x 800 pixels) and CRTs (resolutions up to 1400 x 1050 on the N450 model, and 2048 x 1536 on the D410/D510 versions) simultaneously.

Specifications listed by Aaeon for the COM-LN include:

• Processor — 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450, D410, or D510 (dual-core)
• Chipset — ICH8M
• Memory — 2 x SODIMM slots accept up to 2GB (N450) or 4GB (D410/D510)
• Expansion (via COM Express Type 2 pinout):
  • 5 x PCI Express x1 (without Ethernet)
  • 6 x PCI Express x1 (with Ethernet)
  • 4 x 32-bit PCI
  • 1 x LPC
  • 1 x SMbus
  • 1 x I2C
• Networking — gigabit Ethernet
• Other I/O (also via COM Express Type 2):
  • 1 x PATA
  • 3 x SATA II
  • 8 x USB 2.0
  • GPIO (up to 4 in or 4 out)
• Power — 12VDC nominal; accepts 8.5 to 19VDC
• Dimensions — 3.75 x 3.75 inches (95 x 95mm)

Peter Yang, product manager of Aaeon's embedded computing division, stated, "Combining the fast time-to-market concept of the COM Express module and the ability to tailor the design to meet very specific needs, the COM-LN is absolutely a very cost effective solution. By utilizing Aaeon's rapid prototyping services, DTD (Design To Delivery), customers can go to market faster than ever before."

Availability

Aaeon did not detail operating system support or pricing, but the COM-LN appears to be available now. More information may be found on the company's website, here.

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