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SBCs carry the torch for DMA on the ISA bus
2011-07-08 Article Rating:  / 2
Advanced Digital Logic (ADL) announced it will continue to supply SBCs (single board computers) based on the Intel Pentium M processor and 855 chipset until 2015. The PC/104-based ADL855PC and 3.5-inch ADL855HD are important because they're the last platforms that support the 16-bit ISA bus with DMA (direct memory access), the company claims.
Intel's once-famous Pentium M processor and its 855xx chipsets reached EOL (end of life) status last year, as we've been able to trace via announcements from Kontron, Lippert, and other manufacturers. But San Diego, Calif.-based Advanced Digital Logic (ADL) warned again of the chips' discontinuance in a July 4 press release. According to ADL, these components are "extremely important for industrial applications, because they are the last platforms that support the 16-bit ISA bus with DMA." While other vendors have been forced to discontinue their Pentium M/855xx-based products, ADL claims it has amassed "a large inventory" of these chipsets. As a result, it "guarantees product availability and the related support until 2015."  ADL's ADL855HD One of the solutions touted by ADL is the ADL855HD (above), a 3.5-inch SBC whose coastline includes a DVI-I connector, a serial port, four USB 2.0 ports, and two Ethernet ports (one 10/100, one gigabit). Including Pentium M or Celeron M processors (from 1.0GHz to 1.8GHz) plus the 855GME northbridge and ICH-7M southbridge, the SBC accepts up to 2GB of RAM, according to the company. ADL says the ADL855HD further provides a Mini PCI expansion slot and an LVDS video output, with the capability of connecting to a resistive touchscreen. The SBC is also said to provide support for 5:1 surround sound, with S/PDIF digital audio output, but -- due to the age of the platform -- this should not be considered a vehicle for HD video.  ADL's ADL855PC ADL also takes the opportunity to promote the ADL855PC (above), a PC/104-Plus SBC that naturally provides both ISA and PCI expansion connectors. The 855GME and ICH-7M again put in an appearance, and processor choices here range from an 0.6GHz Celeron M up to a 1.8GHz Pentium M, according to the company. According to ADL, the ADL855PC is passively cooled via heat pipe technology and accepts up to 1GB of RAM. Both VGA and LVDS displays are supported, and other interfaces include four USB 2.0 ports, two serial ports, and an EIDE interface, the company adds. Further information More information on the ADL855HD may be found on the device's product page and data sheet. Likewise, more info on the ADL855PC may be found on a product page and data sheet. Jonathan Angel can be reached at jonathan.angel@ziffdavisenterprise.com and followed at www.twitter.com/gadgetsense. Related stories:
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