Kontron publishes updated UGM standard for Graphic-on-Modules

UGM Revision 1.1 incorporates COM.0 compatible height for optimized system design and costs

Eching/Germany, July 22, 2008 – Kontron announces revision 1.1 of the Universal Graphics Module (UGM) standard for long-term available and custom scalable high-end PEG graphics.

This new revision optimizes system design and reduces costs by defining the height of UGM Graphic-on-Modules in accordance with the PICMG-defined COM Express™ specification. This enables designers working with COM Express™ modules and UGM Graphic-on-Modules to use a single heat sink for their entire design. The result is an extremely flat solution that maintains Computer-on-Module scalability within the design as well as reduced development and production costs and the fastest time-to-market.

Developers also benefit from enhanced DisplayPort mapping in UGM rev. 1.1 that implements DisplayPort and LVDS/TMDS on the same pinouts. This double assignment enables developers to easily use either DisplayPort or the LVDS/TDMS format for implementing designs based on the latest generation GPUs. Support for dual link TMDS in this updated revision of the UGM standard doubles the power of transmission and provides greater speed and bandwidth for higher resolutions. Other enhancements include improved definition of PCI Express TX/RX to remove any potential confusions regarding the sink and source as well as holes for standard-sized M2.5 screws for easier mounting on the carrier board.

UGM revision 1.1 retains all the benefits of the original specification that was launched at the end of 2007 such as mounting the 84x 95 mm UGM module parallel to the carrier board and long-term availability of the UGM graphics module of at least three to five years as well as especially simple and quick implementation of the graphics functions in customized designs, including the necessary time-consuming BIOS. Via the 220 pins of the connector that is like the one used for COM Express™ Computer-on-Module, UGM cards receive PCI-Express signals, over 1, 4, 8, or 16 lanes (PEG) and video signals, process them – including video capture functions – and then deliver the converted signals back to the carrier board, also via the 220-pin connector. For playback devices, the UGM specification currently supports dual LVDS, dual TMDS, dual CRT and TVout.

On the carrier board itself, the developer can decide which signal combinations ultimately will be made available to the external connector, such as HDMI, DVI-I and VGA. This reduces the effort required for the graphics layout and BIOS development for the allocation of the appropriate circuits, the plug, and any peripheral components necessary for additional features, such as HDCP copy protection. The graphics processing core is already finished and all necessary firmware is already implemented. For a taste of these capabilities, Kontron offers the UGM-M72 module.

This design also completely eliminates the need for cables to link the graphic module with the rest of the system. Thus, UGM differs from current standard graphics cards, in which interfaces are led out via breakout cables because the narrow expansion card slot bracket does not offer enough room for external interfaces. Furthermore, with a 22V DC power supply, up to 132 W power input is allowed in accordance with the UGM specification. As a result, the UGM can perfectly support even high-end games with the highest frame rates and all graphics optimization algorithms.

For more information, please visit: http://www.universal-graphic-module.org/
More information of the Kontron UGM-M72: http://www.kontron.com/products/computeronmodules/universal+graphics+module/ugmm72.html