MEN Micro has unveiled a new member of its ESM family of processor boards, an embedded communications engine based on an 833 MHz PowerQUICC III. The EM03A communications engine supports Linux and several other popular embedded operating systems, targeting such applications as routers, switches, hubs, gateways, base stations, multi-service access platforms, and embedded Linux servers.

(Click for larger view of the ESM03A)

The company's ESM (Embedded System Module) boards have a compact 71 x 149 mm footprint (roughly 3 x 6 inches). They can be used standalone, but are also suitable for mounting on a VMEbus board, CompactPCI board, or an OEM's proprietary board platform.

The Freescale MPC8560 PowerQUICC III processor incorporates an 833 MHz PowerPC core along with Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, and two serial ports, and the EM03A module provides a 32-bit, 33MHz PCI bus interface, with an option for 64-bit, 66MHz PCI. An FPGA is integrated into the module for customizing its interfaces: for example, adding a telecommunications interface such as ATM, E3/T3, or HDLC; an industrial interface such as CAN bus; or a general purpose interface such as USB, IDE, or VGA.

As for memory, the EM03A has an onboard SO-DIMM which accommodates up to 2 GB of 133 MHz DDR RAM for system memory, and the module can also provide up to 1 GB of onboard NAND flash for program memory.

The EM03A features an extended temperature operating range of -40 to 85 degrees C for embedded communications applications in harsh environmental conditions. Said Ernest Godsey, MEN Micro President, “Because of its extended operating range, the EM03 could also be central to industrial communication systems such as robotic control applications running real-time operating systems.”

In single unit quantities, pricing on the EM03A starts at $1433. MEN Micro says that it plans to continue to make the EM03A available for 10 years.

 
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