Kontron PCIe/104™ MICROSPACE® MSMST: First SBC With Configurable Intel® Atom™ E600C Processor Series
Offers extremely high I/O flexibility to serve application-specific requirements with an off-the-shelf solution
ECHING, Germany, Nov. 23, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at SPS/IPC/Drives, Kontron introduced the world's first PCIe/104™ embedded single board computer (SBC) based on the Intel® Atom™ E600C processor series with industrial temperature range, which pairs an Intel® Atom™ E600 series processor with an Altera Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) in a single package. With the new Intel® Atom™ E600C processor series, along with IP definable applications, the Kontron MICROSPACE® MSMST adds significant flexibility to SBC based applications. OEMs will benefit from a simplified application design, reduced development efforts, faster time to market and lower total cost of ownership.
With flexible FPGA I/O options, the Kontron MICROSPACE® MSMST allows OEMs to efficiently develop designs with the exact I/O requirements needed to address applications in markets such as automation, medical, transportation, energy, military and communications. Validated IP cores are available for CAN-bus, serial interfaces (SPI Master / UART) and PCI-Express, I2C and GPIO. This makes configuring the platform a quick and easy task. OEMs only need the required IP core and corresponding High-Speed Mezzanine Cards (HSMC) to carry out the interfaces. For further I/Os, Kontron also offers FPGA programming services. This flexibility, combined with the x86/FPGA technology ecosystem of IP cores and HSMCs, makes the Kontron PCIe/104™ MICROSPACE® MSMST an ideal SBC for dedicated RISC platforms.
"The launch of the Intel® Atom™ E600C processor series with integrated Altera FPGA marks a new era in embedded computing," Dirk Finstel, CTO of Kontron AG explains. "Customers get the flexibility of an FPGA with attractive x86 performance on an integrated multi-chip module. The standard chipset is no longer needed. This paves the way for even more cost-efficient dedicated applications, which obtain their new range of functions simply via FPGA programming. Customers profit from faster upgrades, more flexibility and, on top of that, long-term guaranteed IP availability over lifecycles of dedicated components. For customers who require a high-level of individualization, there is the option of realizing these differentiations on multi-functional COTS platforms only via software and by this ensuring the use of this IP in the long term."
"Intel's configurable Atom™ processor series provides additional flexibility for customers who want the choice to customize embedded solutions with proprietary I/O or acceleration," said Doug Davis, vice president and general manager, Embedded and Communications Group, Intel. "With the latest Intel® Atom™ processors powering the Kontron single board computer, developers may differentiate their designs by reacting quickly to changing market segment requirements and meet the varied needs of embedded devices."
The relationship between Kontron, Intel® and Altera provides customers with complete embedded processor and FPGA solutions with flexible I/O. These fully validated and verified solutions consist of various form factors which include the processors, FPGAs, IP Cores, drivers, board support packages (BSPs) and support for various operating systems (e.g. Windows, VxWorks, Linux, etc.). Kontron's Global Software Design Center also offers FPGA programming as an optional software service for customers. In addition, Kontron also offers complete design and production services with the revision controls, supply chain management, regulatory test services and industry-specific requirements, such as ITAR or ISO 13485 medical device manufacturing.
The feature set in detail
The Kontron PCIe/104™ MICROSPACE® MSMST is equipped with the Intel® Atom™ E600C processor series ranging up to 1.3 GHz with up to 2 GB onboard DRAM system memory. Since all components are validated for the extended temperature range from -40 degrees C to +85 degrees C, the Kontron MICROSPACE® MSMST is industrial temperature capable by design. The power optimized Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator (Intel® GMA 600) with up to 128 MByte, 18/24 Bit LVDS and SDVO interface is integrated in the processor. Video signals are carried out by optional media boards for VGA or DVI. Optional SPDIF (out) and two analog stereo connections for line-out and mic-in take care of the high-definition audio signals. Storage media can be connected by 2x SATA300. 2 x USB 2.0 and an optional 1x Gigabit LAN are also available. The integration of numerous customer-specific I/O options is enabled via the PCI Express bus of the PCIe/104™ SBC or via the HSMC interface. The Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is responsible for the high-level of security and reliability by carrying out the hardware encryption of all the transmitted data.
Kontron offers software support for Windows, Linux, VxWorks and others upon request. Pre-series prototypes are available now; production will start in Q2 2011.
Further information on the Kontron PCIe/104™ MICROSPACE® MSMST SBC is available at:
For further information on Kontron's PC/104 products, please visit: http://www.kontron.com/pc104
About Kontron
Kontron, the global leader of embedded computing technology, designs and manufactures embedded and communications standards-based, rugged COTS and custom solutions for OEMs, systems integrators, and application providers in a variety of markets. Kontron engineering and manufacturing facilities, located throughout Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific, work together with streamlined global sales and support services to help customers reduce their time-to-market and gain a competitive advantage. Kontron's diverse product portfolio includes: boards & mezzanines, Computer-on-Modules, HMIs & displays, systems & platforms, and rugged & custom capabilities. Kontron is a Premier member of the Intel® Embedded Alliance and has been a VDC Platinum Vendor for Embedded Computer Boards 5 years running. Kontron is listed on the German TecDAX stock exchange under the symbol "KBC". For more information, please visit: http://www.kontron.com
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SOURCE Kontron
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