Ampro Computers, well known as the creator of the PC/104, PC/104-Plus, and EBX embedded computer standards, has just unveiled a new form-factor for embedded single-board computers (SBCs). Measuring 100mm x 145mm (see photo), the new form-factor is nearly identical in size to the popular 3U Eurocard format. Unlike Eurocard designs, however, the new Ampro platform is intended to be used as a daughter module on OEM baseboards, rather than as a card plugged into a card cage. The new SBC format, which makes its debut as part of the rollout of Ampro's new EnCore product line, also marks a turning point in single-board embedded-PCs, in that it relegates the venerable ISA bus to a minor supporting role and instead adopts the PC/104-Plus PCI connector (only) as its main expansion bus connector.

At roughly half the size of EBX (5.75″ x 8.0″) and twice the size of PC/104 (3.6″ x 3.9″), the new Ampro form-factor is apparently meant to provide a happy compromise between being too large to fit inside small embedded systems, and being too small to contain high integration of functions and high performance CPUs. Ampro has stated its intent for its new EnCore form-factor to become the basis of a new embedded computer standard, and accordingly will provide form-factor specs to third parties on request.

As has been Ampro's custom with its Little Board and CoreModule SBCs, the new EnCore SBCs will contain the functions of a full computer system on a single board. However, unlike the Little Board products which were designed to serve as standalone SBCs with topside modular expansion, Ampro has portrayed EnCore SBCs as daughter modules that plug onto host baseboards via bottom-side connectors (see photo) that carry peripheral interface and PCI signals. Ampro says this approach makes it possible for host systems to support a choice of processor modules, or even alternate processor architectures like CISC and RISC, transparently. Although the first EnCore SBC is based on a mobile Pentium, Ampro intends to offer as many as five additional EnCore SBCs within the next eighteen months, using both CISC and RISC processors.

Dataquest embedded analyst Joe Byrne commented that the new Ampro EnCore architecture “frees OEMs to focus on their unique product capabilities instead of designing computers. What Ampro is doing makes a lot of sense. I see a lot of advantages from combining the values of an off-the-shelf CPU subsystem with OEM's application-specific logic. The ability to choose the optimal CPU from among several RISC or CISC processors offers an unusual bonus to designing with this technology.”

EnCore modules interface to a baseboard through a 120-pin PCI bus connector, identical to the connector used for the PCI bus on PC/104-Plus modules. I/O signals, which in most cases offer direct peripheral connection, are brought to the baseboard through three 44-pin headers. The I/O interfaces support two serial ports, an ECP/EPP parallel port, 4 USB ports, CRT and LCD signals, keyboard and mouse, and an audio interface. The audio interface requires codec support on the baseboard. Ethernet magnetics must also be supplied by the baseboard, but can often be provided as part of the Ethernet RJ45 connector.

Ampro's first EnCore SBC, the EnCore 500, is based on a 266MHz Mobile Pentium processor. Major subsystems on the module include a 3D-accelerated video controller with CRT and LCD interfaces, a 10/100 base-T Ethernet, and a SoundBlaster-compatible sound interface. It supports up to 128MB SODIMM SDRAM, two serial ports, an ECP/EPP parallel port, four USB ports, an IDE, and PC/104-Plus expansion (PCI only). The IDE interface accepts a CompactFlash adapter for addition of a SanDisk Flash memory or an IBM MicroDrive.

In an effort to speed development with the EnCore 500, Ampro is also offering a pair of sample baseboards — one in EBX format, and one in a 3U CPCI format — for which schematics and other design documentation are available.

The EnCore 500 is priced at less than $500 in volume, which includes a 266MHz Mobile Pentium CPU. Prototype quantities are available immediately, and production quantities will be available within 90 days. The EBX and 3U CPCI form-factor EnCore baseboards are also immediately available, for $299 and $349 respectively. Ampro also offers an EnCore Development Kit that contains the EBX baseboard, power supply, floppy, hard disk, CD-ROM drives, cables, documentation, and utility software, for $995.

 
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