Kontron has added AMD's G-Series processors to its line of ETX computer-on-modules (COMs). The ETX-OH offers LVDS, VGA, and DisplayPort graphics interfaces, has two SATA ports, accepts up to 4GB of RAM, and features an optional TPM (trusted platform module), according to the company.

Like other COMs using Kontron's 4.5 x 3.7-inch ETX format, the ETX-OH is a module supplying core CPU, memory, display and networking subsystems, and I/O. It plugs into an application-specific baseboard, which can include standard PC-style connectors for testing purposes.

Kontron's ETX-OH

The company's ETX line has ranged from Via C7-based COMs on the low end, to Intel Core 2 Duo based devices on the high end, but the ETX-OH (above) is the first to be offered with AMD G-Series processors. Equipped with the A55M I/O controller, the module is available with the following CPUs, according to Kontron:

• the 1.6GHz T56N, with dual cores, Radeon HD6310 graphics clocked at 500MHz, and an 18-Watt TDP
• the 1.0GHz T40E, with dual cores, Radeon HD6250 graphics clocked at 280MHz, and a 6.4-Watt TDP
• the 1.5GHz T52R, with a single core, Radeon HD6310 graphics clocked at 500MHz, and an 18-Watt TDP
• the 1.0GHz T40R, with a single core, Radeon HD6250 graphics clocked at 280MHz, and a 5.5-Watt TDP

According to Kontron, all ETX-OH configurations can play back HD video, making them "the ideal solution for applications in the infotainment, kiosk, and medical markets." The module provides 24-bit dual channel LVDS (up to 1600 x 1200 pixels), DP++ (DisplayPort/DVI/HDMI, at up to 2048 x 1536 pixels), and VGA (up to 2560 x 1600 pixels), according to the company.

ETX 3.0, introduced by Kontron in 2006, added two serial ATA (SATA) ports without changing any of the ETX board-to-board pins, keeping new modules 100 percent pin-compatible with previous versions. Since the SATA ports employ "slim line" connectors on the top side of the module, rather than sending signals through the ETX connectors on the bottom, the modules remain compatible with any ETX carrier board, Kontron says.

The ETX 3.0-compliant ETX-OH naturally includes the two SATA ports referenced above. These ports comply with the AHCI (advanced host controller interface) standard, which, Kontron says, permits staggered spinup as well as hot plugging of any connected drives.

Optionally, the ETX-OH can have two additional real-world ports (seen at top left on the image earlier in this story) in the form of two miniUSB 2.0 interfaces. Also available, according to Kontron's press release, is onboard SSD (solid state disk) storage, though the data sheet provided no further details.

According to Kontron, the ETX-OH has a single SODIMM slot that accepts up to 4GB of DDR3 memory. Also included are four internal USB 2.0 ports (in addition to those mentioned above), 10/100 Ethernet, two TTL serial ports, a parallel port, and support for an IrDA interface.

The ETX-OH has an optional TPM (trusted platform module) as well as a watchdog timer, realtime clock, and multiple suspend modes, Kontron says. Supported operating systems are said to include Linux, Windows 7, Windows XP, Windows Embedded Standard 7, Windows Embedded Compact 7, and VxWorks.

Specifications listed by Kontron for the ETX-OH include:

• Processor:
  • 1.6GHz T56N, with dual cores, Radeon HD6310 graphics clocked at 500MHz, and an 18-Watt TDP
  • 1.0GHz T40E, with dual cores, Radeon HD6250 graphics clocked at 280MHz, and a 6.4-Watt TDP
  • 1.5GHz T52R, with a single core, Radeon HD6310 graphics clocked at 500MHz, and an 18-Watt TDP
  • 1.0GHz T40R, with a single core, Radeon HD6250 graphics clocked at 280MHz, and a 5.5-Watt TDP
• Memory — up to 4GB of DDR3 RAM via single SODIMM slot
• Display:
  • 24-bit dual channel LVDS (up to 1600 x 1200 pixels)
  • DP++ (DisplayPort/DVI/HDMI, at up to 2048 x 1536 pixels)
  • VGA (up to 2560 x 1600 pixels)
• Expansion — ISA and 32-bit 33MHz PCI<
• Networking — 10/100 Ethernet
• Other I/O:
  • 2 x SATA (AHCI compatible)
  • 2 x PATA (via PCI Express bridge)
  • 2 x serial (TTL)
  • IrDA 1.1 support
  • 4 x USB 2.0 (internal)
  • 2 x USB 2.0 (external; optional)
  • LPT
  • I2C
  • high-definition audio
• Power consumption — typically idles at 10.5 Watts
• Dimensions — 4.5 x 3.7 inches (114 x 95 mm)
• Operating temperature — 0 to 60 deg. C

Further information

Kontron did not provide pricing information for the ETX-OH, but said the device will begin sampling in January. More information may be found on the ETX-OH product page.

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

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