PFU Systems has introduced Linux-ready system-on-modules (SoMs) that use the latest embedded processor chipsets from Intel. The Plug-N-Run G3 SoMs are available with Intel Pentium M 745 (Dothan) chips clocked between 1.3 and 1.8GHz, and target VoIP (voice over Internet protocol), VoD (video-on-demand), network storage,… network security control-plane processing, compact medical diagnostic imaging, mobile ultrasound, advertising, kiosks, and compact C4 defense solutions.

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The Pentium M 745 or “Dothan” chip was released yesterday to the embedded market, and to the mobile market on May 10. It is a 90nm die-shrink of the previous Banias Pentium M, with 170 million transistors instead of 70 million. It includes 2MB of on-chip cache, for a claimed 17 percent speedup, along with heat dissipation 3.5 watts lower.

According to PFU, the new SoMs are also the first to use Intel's 855GME Northbridge, an “extreme” version of the 855GM graphics and memory controller hub used in countless Centrino laptops.

The new SoMs measure 6.3 x 3.9 x 0.5 inches (160mm x 100mm x 13.5mm), and feature:

• Choice of processors:
  • 1.8GHz Intel Pentium M processor 745, 2MB L2 cache
    
  • 1.6GHz and 1.1GHz Intel Pentium M processor, 1MB L2 cache
    
  • 1.3GHz Intel Celeron M processor, 512KB L2 cache
• Intel 855GME chipset and ICH4 chipset
  
• Up to 1GB memory expansion up to DDR333 (PC2700) speeds
  
• Up to 4 LCD displays (2x LVDS channels and 2x DVO ports)
  
• 33MHz/32-bit PCI 2.2 bus
  
• Six USB 2.0 ports
  
• Up to 4 ATA100 IDE devices (2x ATA100 IDE channels)
  
• Legacy I/O (2x 16550 UARTs, 1x IEEE1284 parallel port, PS/2 kb/mouse, LPC bus)
  
• SMBUS
  
• Signature Technology for authentication and OEM software IP protection
  
• Revision ROM for factory and OEM field support
  
• Phoenix FirstBIOS
  
• Extensive power management (Enhanced Intel SpeedStep, throttling, ACPI)
  
• 50G shock and 2.2G vibration tolerance

“The 1.8GHz Plug-N-Run G3 boosts performances higher than other mobile processors,” said Kishan Jainandunsing, vice president marketing of PFU Systems, Inc. “This higher performance is a result of the Intel Pentium M processor 745's improved integer and floating point performance and the 2MB on-die L2 cache. With an average of less than 6 Watts active dissipation at lower Intel Speedstep frequencies, such performance can now be harnessed in dense, embedded systems with minimal fan requirements.”

“The Plug-N-Run G3 modules from PFU Systems are an excellent example of the scalability possible with the Intel 855GME chipset and the Intel Pentium M and Intel Celeron M processor families,” said Ton Steenman, general manager, Embedded Intel Architecture Division, Intel Corporation. “Our advanced 90nm process technology combined with micro-ops fusion, Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology and a host of other power management technologies makes it possible to realize the high performance and low power benefits of the Intel Pentium M processor 745 at 1.8 GHz.”

Availability

The 1.8 GHz Plug-N-Run G3 modules will start shipping in July in sample quantities, with full production expected in August of this year. Pricing is available on request.

In addition, several application-specific carrier boards are available for quick prototyping, including a development board.

 
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