Adlink announced a credit-card-size COM (computer on module) that complies with the new nanoETXexpress specification, allowing it to support multiple displays. The nanoX-TC includes 512MB, 1GB, or 2GB of soldered-on memory, Intel Atom E6xx processors, and an optional SSD (solid-state disk) from 1GB to 16GB in size, according to the company.

Adlink's nanoX-TC employs the 3.2 x 2.16 nanoETXexpress format that has been submitted to the PICMG (PICMG Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group) for standardization under the proposed neutral name COM Express Ultra. Yesterday, the nanoETXexpress Industrial Group — whose members include Aaeon, Adlink/Ampro, Advantech, EEPD, Ibase, Kontron, and Toradex — announced nanoETXexpress 2.0, designed to incorporate changes that were adopted by the PICMG last September as part of its COM Express Revision 2.0.

New to COM Express Revision 2.0 — and now to nanoETXexpress 2.0 — is a Type 10 pinout that has been described as a "new twin brother" of Type 1. Modules using Type 10 pinouts to interface with their carrier boards employ the same, single 220-pin connector as did Type 1 devices, but no longer reserve pins for SATA 2 and SATA 3, or for PCI Express lanes 4 and 5, according to Kontron. In addition, it's said, they use the second LVDS channel — previously employed for VGA — to support SDVO, DisplayPort, or HDMI/DVI.

Adlink says the nanoX-TC (right) uses a Type 10 pinout and is able to support both 24-bit LVDS displays (with resolutions up to 1280 x 768 pixels) and SDVO displays (including DVI, TV out, and analog CRT) with resolutions up to 1280 x 1024. The module further includes four PCI Express x1 lanes, two SATA ports, seven USB 2.0 ports, a serial port, and HD audio, according to the company.

Like Kontron's September 2010 nanoETXexpress-TT — the first nanoETXexpress module to sport a Type 10 pinout — the nanoX-TC is powered by Intel's E6XX Atoms. Customers can choose either standard-temperature versions of the processors, or the extended-temperature versions Intel designates with a "T" suffix, as follows:

• E620 or E620T, clocked at 600MHz, with a 2.7-Watt TDP
• E640 or E640T, clocked at 1.0GHz, with a 3.3-Watt TDP
• E660 or E660T, clocked at 1.3GHz, with a 3.3-Watt TDP
• E680 or E680T, clocked at 1.6GHz, with a 3.9-Watt TDP

According to Adlink, the CPUs are accompanied by Intel's EG20T I/O controller, as seen in the block diagram below. The nanoX-TC offers 512MB, 1GB, or 2GB of soldered-on DDR2 memory, and is also orderable with an onboard SSD in capacities from 1GB to 16GB, the company adds.

A block diagram of Adlink's nanoX-TC
(Click to enlarge)

Adlink says the nanoX-TC operates in temperatures from 32 to 158 deg. F (0 to 70 deg. C) with the standard-temperature Atoms, or -40 to 185 deg. F (-40 to 85 deg. C) with the extended-temperature CPUs. Power consumption is said to be five Watts maximum and three Watts at idle, with support for S0, S1, S3, S4, and S5 sleep modes.

Henk van Bremen, product director for Adlink's embedded division, stated, "The new revision of the nanoETXexpress specification addresses the requirements of newer and highly compact processors more explicitly and still stays compatible to existing designs. Thus our customers can efficiently develop new applications with our new nanoX-TC even for extremely rugged environments, thanks to the extended temperature range."

Features and specifications listed by Adlink for the nanoX-TC include:

• Processor:
  • Intel Atom E620 or E620T, clocked at 600MHz, with a 2.7-Watt TDP
  • Intel Atom E640 or E640T, clocked at 1.0GHz, with a 3.3-Watt TDP
  • Intel Atom E660 or E660T, clocked at 1.3GHz, with a 3.3-Watt TDP
  • Intel Atom E680 or E660T, clocked at 1.6GHz, with a 3.9-Watt TDP
• Chipset — EG20T
• Memory — 512MB, 1GB, or 2GB of soldered-on DDR2 RAM
• Storage — SSD in sizes from 1GB to 16GB (optional)
• Expansion:
  • 4 x PCI Express x1 (1 for EG20)
  • LPC bus
  • SMbus
  • 4 GPIOs
• Networking — gigabit Ethernet
• Other I/O:
  • 2 x SATA (1.5Gbps Gen1 or 3Gbps Gen2)
  • LVDS
  • SDVO
  • SDIO/MMC
  • 6 x USB 2.0 host ports
  • 1 x USB 1.1/2.0 client
  • 1 x RS232 (optional second RS232 with CAN)
  • HD audio
• Power — 4.75V to 21V; 5W peak; idles at 3 Watts
• Operating temperature:
  • standard — 32 to 140 deg F (0 to 60 deg. C)
  • extended — 40 to 185 deg. F (-40 to 85 deg. C)
• Dimensions — 3.3 x 2.2 inches (84 x 55mm)

Further information

Adlink did not release pricing or availability information for the nanoX-TC, but did note that the module will support Linux, Windows 9, Windows XP, Windows XP Embedded, and Windows CE 6.0. Further information may be found on the nanoX-TC product page.

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.