Kontron has announced three embedded motherboards equipped with dual- and quad-core Intel Core 2 processors in the Mini-ITX, Flex-ATX, and ATX form factors. The Kontron KTGM45 motherboards incorporate the Intel GM45 chipset, and offer seven-year availability, extensive I/O, and 14.5-Watt chipset TDPs, says Kontron.

(Click for larger view of Mini-ITX format Kontron KTGM45/mITX)

The Kontron KTGM45/mITX, KTGM45/Flex, and KTGM45/ATXe appear to be identical except for their different form factors and dimensions (see spec list below). They are each aimed at computation-intensive visual computer systems in medical, automation, digital signage, security, and video surveillance markets, says Kontron.

Supporting quad- and dual-core Intel Core 2 Duo processors that use a PGA 478 socket, including the device-oriented, 2.53GHz T9400, the KTGM45 motherboards also include Intel Mobile 82GM45 chipsets with the Intel ICH9EM I/O Controller Hub, says Kontron. Equipped with up to 8GB of energy-efficient DDR3 SDRAM, the boards have chipset TDPs of only 14.5 Watts, claims the company.

KTGM45/mITX, in the Mini-ITX form-factor
(Click to enlarge)

The system's Intel GMA 4500 MHD graphics support DirectX10 with Shader Model 4.0 capability. The KTGM45 boards are said to support up to 2048 x 1536 (CRT) and 1920 x 1080 (LVDS) resolution, as well as flat-panel support via ADD2-cards (DVI, LVDS).

Equipped with a PCI Express x16 bus, the KTGM45 boards offer three gigabit Ethernet ports, four serial interfaces, and 12 USB 2.0 interfaces, with four of the USB ports externally available. For storage, Kontron provides four SATA interfaces with RAID 0/1/5/10, as well as one additional ATA100 port. The Mini-ITX KTGM45/mITX model also provides dual Firewire (IEEE1394) ports, as well as support for CompactFlash Type I and II.

To help provide seven-year lifecycle availability, these are said to be the first Kontron mobos that offer solid, instead of electrolytic, capacitors. The KTGM45 models also offer more PCB layers than conventional motherboards, helping to improve signal quality and optimize electromagnetic compatibility, says Kontron.

Specifications listed for the three KTGM45 motherboards include:

• Processor — Intel Core 2 Quad or Intel Core 2 Duo, including T9400
• Chipset — Intel GM45 + ICH9M-E
• Display — Intel GMA 4500 MHD graphics; up to 2048 x 1536 (CRT) and 1920 x 1080 (LVDS) resolution; flat-panel support via ADD2-cards (DVI, LVDS)
• Memory — Up to 8GB DDR3, dual 240-pin DIMM sockets
• Flash — Type I/II CF (Mini-ITX version only)
• Bus — PCI-Express 16x
• Storage — 4 x SATA150/SATA300 with RAID 0/1/5/10; 1 x ATA100 port
• Networking — 3 x gigabit Ethernet (one with Intel AMT 4.0 support)
• USB — 12 x USB 2.0 ports (4 x external)
• Firewire — 2 x IEEE1394 (Mini-ITX version only)
• Serial — 4 x RS232C serial ports with FIFO
• Other I/O — PS/2; parallel port via internal connector
• Audio — 7.1 channel HD Audio
• Other features — Software interface to monitor hardware values including HDD S.M.A.R.T.; on-board Lithium battery and external battery input
• Operating temperature — 32 to 140 deg. F (0 to 60 deg. C)
• Dimensions:
  • ATXe — 12.0 x 7.5 inches (30.48 x 19.05cm); ATX
  • Flex — 7.5 x 9.0 inches (19.05 x 22.86cm); Flex-ATX
  • mITX — 6.7 x 6.7 inches (17.0 x 17.0cm); Mini-ITX
• Operating system — Board support packages (BSPs) for Linux, Windows Vista, XP, and XP Embedded

Availability

Kontron did not disclose pricing for the KTGM45/mITX, KTGM45/Flex, and KTGM45/ATXe, but said the boards will be available in August, September, and October, respectively. More information can be found on the company's website, here (mITX), here (Flex), and here (ATXe).

 
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