Kontron implements the highly integrated Intel® Atom™ processor E6xx series on Computer-on-Modules and Panel PCs

Development with new Intel® processor and platform controller hub extends options for board and system-level solutions

Eching, Germany, September 14, 2010 – Kontron announced today that the newly introduced industrial-grade Intel® Atom™ processor E6xx series will be supported on Computer-on-Modules and Panel PCs. The first products to integrate the new Intel® Atom™ processor, specified for the industrial temperature range (E2) from -40 to +85 °C, include the Kontron Computer-on-Module nanoETXexpress-TT, an ultra sized COM compatible to the new release of the COM Express™ COM.0 Rev 2.0 pin-out Type 10, and the Kontron rugged display HMITR, a fanless and maintenance-free intelligent display. In addition to optimized power consumption and improved graphics performance, target applications benefit from the new processor’s high level of integration including memory, PCI Express and video / audio accelerators.

These features make the new Intel® Atom™ processor well suited for applications within the digital signage, energy, industrial automation, medical, military and transportation markets. The processor is also ideal for HMI applications with dedicated interfaces, such as smart meters or In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) systems. Customers will benefit from lower energy consumption, reduced material costs for the entire system, and overall improved performance — both in terms of actual performance and in terms of performance per watt.

"With its PCI Express-based interface, the new Intel® Atom™ processor E6xx series platform offers our customers very high flexibility for the individual I/O layouts of their x86 applications. This allows the application field of x86 technology to extend even further in the direction of very energy-efficient, small dedicated x86 systems", says Dirk Finstel, CTO of Kontron. "Customers can create such applications very efficiently with our nanoETXexpress-TT Computer-on-Modules for embedded PC applications and alternatively through very individual PCB- equipped PCI Express devices or programmed FPGA that we also offer."

"The integration, flexibility and efficiency inherent in the Intel® Atom™ processor E6xx series enables designs that are very small, dedicated and energy efficient,” says Jonathan Luse, director of marketing for the Intel Low Power Embedded Products Division. “Kontron’s credit-card sized nanoETXexpress COMs are an example of the kind of small, power saving devices and rough environments where developers already request the scalability of COM Express™ compliant designs. The new Intel® Atom™ processor in combination with Kontron’s individual I/O configurations enable rapid delivery of very individual solutions."

The Kontron Computer-on-Module nanoETXexpress-TT and the Kontron rugged display HMITR both integrate the new Intel® Platform Controller Hub EG20T. The new Platform Controller Hub now connects through one of four PCI Express x 1 Lanes resulting in energy efficient x86 systems with customizable interfaces. Previously, the connection was via the FSB and DMI. It also integrates a range of common I/O blocks such as SATA, USB, SD/SDIO/MMC, as well as Gigabit Ethernet MAC, and includes general embedded interfaces like CAN, IEEE1588, SPI, I2C, UART and GPIO.
Customizing can be accomplished via FPGAs or dedicated PCI Express devices.

Custom designs with individual I/O controller hub
As part of Kontron’s Original Design and Manufacturing (ODM) services, Kontron offers OEMs the option to implement individual board designs with this new, highly integrated SOC processor. Kontron offers in-house programmed FPGAs, manufacturer-specific ASICs (PLC logic) or dedicated standard PCIe devices. Therefore, systems are possible that integrate, besides versatile standard interfaces, additional communication ports, wireless connectivity, GPS services and video or audio streaming. Only the processor and the respective components are required for these devices reducing both energy consumption and the use of materials for the components. As an alternative to the Intel® Platform Controller Hub EG20, third party I/O Hubs can also be provided.

Link to the Kontron nanoETXexpress-TT PR:
http://www.kontron.com/about-kontron/news-events/kontron+nanoetxexpresstt+com+express+compatible+ultra+computeronmodule+is+equipped+with+the+intel+atom+processor+e6xx+series.4086.html

For more information, visit:
http://www.kontron.com/NextGen