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Computer-on-Modules
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One Concept, Ever Smaller
Computer-on-Modules (COM) are highly integrated computer modules that support system expansion and application-specific customization without the use of cables. When using a Computer-on-Module, customers don't need to worry about the complex design of the COM, instead freeing them to concentrate on their core business. To tailor this modular solution to the application's specific needs, Kontron designs the carrier board including all necessary interfaces for the individual application. And the standardized COM is simply plugged into the carrier board like another component. Based on industry standards (such as COM Express and ETX) for mechanical and electrical interface characteristics, embedded modules are the ideal solutions for a host of embedded applications including those serving the medical, industrial automation, government, communication, point-of-sale/information and entertainment markets.
Advantages of the Modules at a Glance:
- Short time-to-market
- Simplified development
- Flexibility and interoperability
- High stability
- Long life cycles
- Based on industry standards
Related Links:
COM Industrial GroupPICMG
ETX Industrial Group
| Computer-On-Modules |
|---|
| COM Express™ |
| ETX® |
COM Express™
Kontron has a long and successful history of innovation within Computer-on-Modules. Under Kontron's leadership, the COM Express™ specification was developed and is now maintained by the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturer Group (PICMG®). Kontron offers a wide range of COM Express™ compliant and compatible modules including those in its ETXexpress® (“Basic”), microETXexpress® (“Compact”) and nanoETXexpress (“Ultra”) product families. Kontron COM Express™ modules offer complete, multimedia-capable computing cores for high-level applications and the high performance needed for your next generation product.
The COM Express™ standard describes Computer-on-Modules is the technological successor to ETX®. It defines mechanical dimensions such as maximum height, a standardized heat spreader for interchangeable cooling solutions, placement of mounting holes, a detailed description of connector placements and their electrical properties such as impedance or electromagnetic shielding.
Benefits:
- 3 compatible form factors under a single standard: Basic(125x95mm), Compact(95x95mm) and Ultra (84x55mm)
- 5 defined pin-out types for flexibility
- Performance and Power Scalability
- Shortest time-to-market
- Leverage of knowledge
- Simplified development
- Long-term availability
ETX®
ETX® Computer-on-Modules are the perfect solution for embedded applications that require full PC functionality and high performance CPUs. They support x86 CPUs from 500 MHz up to Intel® Core™2 Duo and offer a full complement of PC/AT I/O such as keyboard, serial, parallel and Parallel ATA interfaces. The full-featured ETX® series also includes onboard USB, Ethernet, graphics and sound. ETX® modules are installed on the application-specific carrier board, much like an integrated circuit component, in a host site comprised of four low profile surface mount connectors. Kontron provides those modules according to the latest ETX® 3.0 specifications.
Benefits:
- 2x SerialATA support by connector area on the module
- ETX® 3.0 is 100 percent backward pin-to-pin compatible with previous ETX® standard revisions
- No redesign needed for the ETX® carrier boards
- Long term support
Product/Solution Catalogs
Kontron Portfolio Overview 2009
Quick snap-shot of Kontron's product portfolio.
Quick snap-shot of Kontron's product portfolio.
COM Express™ Concept Folder
One Concept, Ever Smaller
One Concept, Ever Smaller
Boards & More - Custom Carrier Board Services
Overview of our Boards & More Services
Overview of our Boards & More Services
K-station
Powerful Software Library and Toolkit for Computer-on-Modules
Powerful Software Library and Toolkit for Computer-on-Modules
White Papers
COM Express™ Design Guide by PICMG
PICMG Guidelines for designing COM Express™ Carrier Boards V1.0
PICMG Guidelines for designing COM Express™ Carrier Boards V1.0
ETX® fits where others form factors do not
In 2002, the medical technology manufacturer Schiller adopted the latest proprietary 5¼ inch quasi-form factor for the launch of its CardioLaptop AT-110. The new design is based on ETX® modules with a baseboard whose footprint was designed to fit the CardioLaptop’s casing and interfaces.
Additional Information:
ETX® Products
English articles
Wearable PC with Kontron ETX COM used Around the World in Mobile Services
The size of a first generation Walkman, the i-boro PC, which can be worn on a belt, is integrated into a novel communications system for service and maintenance work on devices, machines, and facilities. The system is based on ETX Computer-On-Modules (COM) from Kontron and was developed by ies Industrie-Elektronik Schmitz in cooperation with SN Technics. It delivers Intel® Pentium® M performance for bi-directional audio and video communication between central service technicians and on-site maintenance personnel.
Additional Information:
English Articles
German Articles
ETX Products
Greater Efficiency and Security
In emergency medicine and the rescue services, every second counts, and getting the right information at the right time is vital. For the first time, UMTS technology offers digital data exchange options with performance high enough that the technology can be used by the emergency medical services. Penta’s Hercules Mobile Medical system platform implements a patient monitoring application from the medical technology provider SCHILLER using UMTS and based on ETX Computer-On-Modules from Kontron Embedded Modules.
Additional Information:
English Articles
ETX Products
Clinical Workstation
The Clinical Workstation is one of the most advanced medical PC systems on the market. Approved and certified to operate as a data-collector in the operating theatre this machine is connected to several technical devices and records all steps and events taking place during the surgery. The powerful Pentium-M ETX-PM Module from Kontron allows handling several real time data connections simultaneously together with a high solution graphical user interface. Anyway the complete system operates fan less in a fully closed chassis. The system is extremely flat (85mm) and waterproof according to IP65.
Additional Information:
English Articles
ETX Products
Paperback format, mobile Panel PCs with ZigBee interfaces
The article features the new mobile and stationary eVISIO7 panel concept for wirless data recognition, manufactured by b-plus using nanoETXexpress computer-on-modules on their ePDA carrierboards to accomplish a scalable CPU implementation.Additional Information:
nanoETXexpress Products
English Articles
German Articles
Digital money trays: Tipro Deutschland brings interactive applications to the cash desk
The article focuses on the use of nanoETXexpress computer-on-modules in digital cash trays, manufactured by Tipro Germany. The RFID and NFC compatible cash trays will be more interactive and connective than former multimedia cash trays and will allow usage for payment- ticketing- and access control as well as digital signage.Additional Information:
nanoETXexpress Products
English Articles
German Articles
Automotive Electronics: Multi-functional Infotainment Platform from ICT Software Engineering
The article features a nanoETXexpress-SP based navigation demonstrator HMI provided by ICT Software Engineering for automotive OEMs as a reference platform for application development. It is ideally prepared for the upcoming open source GENIVI In-vehicle Infotainment (IVI) reference platform and the target systems may be gained through Kontron ODM-Services.Additional Information:
nanoETXexpress Products
English Articles
German Articles
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle
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Kontron has supported Club S.O.N.I.A (Systeme d' Operation Nautique Intelligent et Autonome) from the Ecole de technologie superieure (a Technical University) in Montreal, Canada, in the development of autonomous underwater vehicle. Now based on the Kontron ETX-CD computer-on-module paired with a PC/104 compatible carrier board from one of Kontron's Certified Design Partners, Club S.O.N.I.A. has been able to develop a sub with greater processing and decision-making capabilities as well as lower power consumption, reduces total solution weight, improved mobility, and more. The newly designed sub is anticipated to perform even better than its JREX SBC predecessor that was ranked third world wide when competing in the AUVSI and ONR's International Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Competition. (Team S.O.N.I.A is the source of these images)
Additional Information:
New Generation of Cardiovascular Ultrasound
This incredible system establishes a completely new level of cardiovascular performance that gives clinicians the freedom to get diagnostic results outside of the echo lab. The heart of this medical device is a ETX-PM Computer-on-Module from Kontron. Robust diagnostic exams can now be performed at the patient’s bedside, satellite clinics, mobile imaging sites and the Operating Room. It can go wherever it is needed to give clinicians access to complete real-time diagnostic information. The system makes it incredibly easy and cost-effective for the clinician to bring leadership technology to a wide range of applications, such as Cardiac, Vascular, Pediatrics and Transesophageal.
- Lightweight, 5kg package makes system transport fast and easy.
- Ultra-small footprint reduces operational costs by eliminating the need for special rooms, lifts or vans.
- Rechargeable battery provides up to 1.0 hour of full scan operation.
Additional Information:
ETX Products
From the dentist’s chair to a multimedia cockpit
ERGOcom 4 is an innovative communication system for dental practices, delivering a variety of information to both dentists and their patients. When developing the system, KaVo engineers wanted a solution that offered flexibility and sustainability, which they found in Kontron’s COM Express™ technology. Here is a summary of the upcoming, full-length reference report on the application of modern embedded technology in medicine.Additional Information:
English Articles
German Articles
COM Express products
Boards&More products