Hectronic announced a Qseven module that comes with single- or dual-core AMD G-Series processors clocked at 1.0GHz. The H6059 features up to 4GB of RAM and 32GB of SSD (solid state disk) storage, supports dual displays, includes multiple interfaces, and supports legacy I/O via the LPC bus, the company says.

Hectronic's H6059 uses the 2.75 x 2.75-inch Qseven module format that was first launched in 2008. As such, it has a 230-pin "golden finger" connector, using Nvidia's MXM (Mobile PCI Express Module) format, that sends all its I/O to and from a baseboard.

We've covered several other Qseven modules from Hectronic: the H6049, with the original Intel Atom Z5xx processors, and the H6055, with Atom E6xx CPUs. The H6059 turns to AMD power, however, in the form of the single-core AMD G-Series T40R or dual-core T40E, both clocked at 1.0GHz.

Hectronic's H6059

Like similarly equipped Qseven modules such as the Congatec Conga-QAF and Datakamp Q7bd-GT40N, the H6059 benefits from AMD's Radeon HD 6250 graphics (clocked at 280MHz). It therefore offers "increased 2D/3D and motion video performance," as Hectronics puts it.

Per AMD specs, the T40R and T40E have TDPs of 6.4 and 5.5 Watts, respectively. The H6059 is equipped with AMD's A55E I/O controller and either 2GB or 4GB of soldered-on memory, according to Hectronic.

Hectronic says the H6059 also includes two SATA ports and onboard SSD storage. The company's data sheet specs the latter at 8GB, but an accompanying press release added that up to 32GB will be offered.

The H6059 provides LVDS, DisplayPort, and DVI/HDMI, though we didn't see word of possible resolutions or how many video outputs may be employed simultaneously. Other signals relayed to a carrier board via the Qseven connector include gigabit Ethernet, eight USB 2.0 ports, I2C, LPC, SDIO, and high-definition audio, Hectronic says.

Also noted by Hectronic is the H6059's use of a Phoenix SecureCore Tiano UEFI BIOS, which would seem to prepare it well for Windows 8. Presently supported operating systems are said to include Linux, Windows XP Embedded, Windows 7, Windows Embedded Standard 7, Windows XP, and Windows Vista.

Specifications listed by Hectronic for the H6059 include:

• Processor — single-core AMD G-Series T40R or dual-core T40E, both at 1.0GHz
• Chipset — AMD A55E
• Memory — 2GB or 4GB of DDR3 RAM; optional SSD (from 8GB up to 32GB via SATA interface)
• Expansion interfaces — 4 x PCI Express x1 lanes
• Networking — 1 x gigabit Ethernet
• Other I/O:
  • LVDS
  • DisplayPort
  • DVI/HDMI
  • 8 x USB 2.0
  • 2 x SATA
  • SDIO
  • 1 x I2C/SMbus
  • 1 x LPC
  • high definition audio
• Operating range — 32 to 140 def. F
• Power — +5V; consumption n/s
• Dimensions — 2.75 x 2.75 inches

Hectronic's H4103 carrier board

Hectronic offers a carrier board for Qseven modules that it specifically cited as a companion for the H6059. The relatively huge H4103 carrier board (below) measures 11.96 x 6.81 inches (304 x 173mm), and is designed for rapid prototyping or low-volume production, says Hectronic. The board is supplied with a complete set of design files and board support packages, the company says.

Hectronic's H4103 carrier board

As pictured above, the H4103 has a slot for the Qseven module, plus a Mini PCI Express slot, an ExpressCard slot, and an MMC/SD slot. The board also has four PCI Express x1 slots, Hectronic adds.

Visible on the carrier board's left are four alphanumeric LED indicators which are designed to aid in debugging, according to Hectronic. External displays may be interfaced via an LVDS header, or via an ADD2 slot that accepts VGA, DVI, or HDMI adapters, the company says.

Hectronic says the H4103 has six USB 2.0 ports with standard connectors, plus two additional USB ports that are available at the Mini PCI Express and ExpressCard sockets, respectively. Meanwhile, there are four serial ports, two with 9-pin connectors and two with headers, the company adds.

The H4103 is also said to include a RJ45 connector for gigabit Ethernet and an S/PDIF optical digital output. Meanwhile, a total of six different 3.5mm jacks for analog audio provides mic in, line in, and 7:1 surround output, according to Hectronic.

Further information

Hectronic did not release pricing, but it says the H6059 will begin sampling toward the end of the first quarter. A version optimized and specified for operation in an industrial temperature range is planned for introduction later this year, the company added.

More information may be found on the H6059 product page.

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

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