Kontron has introduced a trio of single board computers (SBCs) that run Linux. The “PM” boards are based on Intel 852GM chipsets and Celeron/Pentium M processors, and are available in form factors that include PC/104-Plus, EPIC, and JRex.

Noting that all the “PM” SBCs are related, Kontron positions them as follows:

• The 3.8 x 3.6 inch MOPS-PM PC/104-Plus design suits “the most space-saving PCI and ISA designs.”
• The 6.5 x 4.5 inch EPIC-PM has standard PC interfaces soldered on.
• The JRex-PM has soldered-on interfaces, but is purely PCI-based and uses Kontron's own 5.8 x 4 inch JRex form factor.

All three SBCs use Intel's 852GM chipset, combined with the ICH4 southbridge. Intel's integrated 855GME “Extreme Graphics 2” IGP supports dual independent displays and can access 32MB of shared video memory per display, according to Kontron.

The EPIC-PM and JRex-PM support 600MHz Celeron M processors, the 1GHz ULV Celeron M, plus 1.4GHz and 1.8GHz Pentium M CPUs. The smaller MOPS-PM accepts most of these, but bypasses the 1.8GHz part, perhaps because of cooling concerns.

The triplets all feature a bevy of interfaces (LAN, video, USB, etc.), though the EPIC-PM is the most well-endowed, and the MOPS-PM requires external cables to bring its ports out. Unlike the others, the JRex-PM also has a CompactFlash socket. For further details, see the tables that follow.

Kontron MOPS-PM (Click to enlarge)

Features and specifications listed by Kontron for the MOPS-PM include:

• Processor — 600MHz Celeron M, 1GHz ULV Celeron M, 1.4GHz Pentium M
  
• Memory — SO-DIMM socket accepts up to 1GB of RAM
  
• Display — Up to 64MB of shared video memory, can operate CRT and LCD displays in parallel
  
• Networking — 10/100 Ethernet port
  
• Other I/O:
  • 2 x USB 2.0
    
  • 1 x EIDE
    
  • 1 x parallel
    
  • PS/2 leyboard/mouse
    
  • 2 x RS232
  Dimensions — 3.8 x 3.6 inches
  
• Power supply — 5V only
  
• Operating temperature range — 0 to 60 deg. C

Kontron MOPS-PM (Click to enlarge)

Features and specifications listed by Kontron for the EPIC-PM include:

• Processor — 600MHz Celeron M, 1GHz ULV Celeron M, 1.4GHz Pentium M, 1.8GHz Pentium M
  
• Memory — Dual SO-DIMM sockets accepts up to 2GB of RAM
  
• Display — Up to 64MB of shared video memory, can operate CRT and LCD displays in parallel
  
• Networking — 2 x 10/100 Ethernet ports
  
• Other I/O:
  • 6 x USB 2.0
    
  • 1 x EIDE, UDMA-100
    
  • floppy interface
    
  • 1 x parallel
    
  • PS/2 leyboard/mouse
    
  • 4 x serial (1 RS232 on external port, 2 RS232 internal, 1 RS422/485 internal)
    
  • 16 x GPIO
    
  • 3.5mm jack plus for audio line in/line out/mic in
• Dimensions — 6.5 x 4.5 inches
  
• Power supply — ATX or 5V via adapter
  
• Operating temperature range — 0 to 60 deg. C

Kontron JRex-PM (Click to enlarge)

Features and specifications listed by Kontron for the JRex-PM include:

• Processor — 600MHz Celeron M, 1GHz ULV Celeron M, 1.4GHz Pentium M, 1.8GHz Pentium M
  
• Memory — SO-DIMM socket accepts up to 1GB of RAM
  
• Display — Up to 64MB of shared video memory, can operate CRT and LCD displays in parallel
  
• Networking — 10/100 Ethernet port
  
• Other I/O:
  • 2 x USB 2.0
    
  • 1 x EIDE, UDMA-100
    
  • floppy interface
    
  • 1 x parallel
    
  • PS/2 leyboard/mouse
    
  • 2 x serial (1 RS232, 1 TTL)

• Expansion — CompactFlash socket

• Dimensions — 5.8 x 4 inches
  
• Power supply — ATX or 5V via adapter
  
• Operating temperature range — 0 to 60 deg. C

The MOPS-PM, JRex-PM, and EPIC-PM appear to be available now, though pricing was not listed by Kontron. In addition to supporting Linux, the SBCs also run Windows XP Embedded and Windows CE.

Other recent 852GM-based SBCs and PCs:

• ISA-based SBC runs Linux
• ETX module offers SATA, supports Linux
• EPIC-based SBC runs Linux
• Book-sized PCs target embedded apps
• Rugged, fanless vehicle PC runs Linux
• SBC boasts 3 LAN ports, 8 serial ports
• Compact SBC expands via PC/104, mini PCI
• Embedded Linux specialist supports XTX module family
• Compact embedded computers run Linux on Pentium
• EPIC SBC runs Linux on Pentium/Celeron

 
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