Kontron has published the specifications for a “computer-on-module” (COM) form-factor that it hopes to establish as an industry-wide standard for RISC-based embedded systems. The “E2Brain” spec is available for free public download, and Kontron is forming a consortium to promote the spec.

(Click for larger view of Kontron's IXP42x XScale-based E2Brain SBC)

Kontron says E2Brain (Embedded Electronic Brain) represents a more economical way to implement RISC-based embedded computer boards than the proprietary designs that have dominated the market to date. It hopes E2Brain can do for RISC boards what standards such as PC/104, EBX, EPIC, ETX, and COM Express have done for x86.

Architecture of Kontron's E2Brain COM approach
(Click to enlarge)
The company says other companies have already expressed interest in E2Brain, and that it hopes to establish an E2Brain consortium comprised of OEMs and board manufacturers.

Kontron vice president Norbert Hauser said, “Computer-On-Modules target today's largest market in embedded computing technology: proprietary design. The more open standards become available for COMs, the more they will fulfill their potential for large unit numbers and large growth, because they will be more present in the minds of the OEMs and perceived as a reliable, multi-purpose alternative to development completely in-house.”

The E2Brain spec is available for download in PDF format, here, Kontron says. The company claims “E2Brain” as a Kontron trademark.

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