Adlink announced an entry-level COM Express module based on recent Intel Atom processors, including the 1.8GHz, dual-core Intel Atom D525. The Express-LPC offers up to 4GB DDR3 memory, as well as: PCIe, PCI, and LPC bus expansion; SATA and IDE storage; plus gigabit Ethernet and USB 2.0 I/O, says the company.

Adhering to the Type 2 pin-out COM Express form factor, the Express-LPC module comes standard in a 4.92 x 3.74-inch (125 x 95mm) format, but can also be purchased in a "compact" 3.74 x 3.74-inch (95 x 95mm) or "ultra" 3.3 x 2.16-inch (84 x 55mm) version, says Adlink. The module is said to be designed for calculation-intensive applications,  including robotics, test and measurement, entry level medical diagnostics, and industrial automation.

Express-LPC

The Express-LPC ships with a choice of recent Intel Atom models, up to the dual-core D525 clocked at 1.8GHz, with a 13 Watt TDP. The module is also available with the similarly DDR3-ready, single-core Atom N455 at 1.66GHz and a low 6.5 W TDP.

Using the N455 with half the maximum allotted 4GB of DDR3 memory, the module consumes about 10 Watts, claims Adlink. Other processor options are said to include the dual-core 1.66GHz Atom N570 (8.5 W) and single-core 1.8GHz D425 (10 W).

All these Atomic options include integrated graphics support for analog VGA and LVDS. The module supports five PCI Express (PCIe) x1 lanes, which can be reconfigured as a single PCIe x4 channel, says Adlink. A 32-bit PCI bus is also supplied, while the module appears to get its name from an included LPC bus.

Express-LPC block diagram
(Click to enlarge)

One gigabit Ethernet port is supported along with eight USB 2.0 ports, three SATA channels, and a PATA/IDE channel, says the company. There's even an optional onboard IDE-based solid state drive (SSD) with up to 8GB of storage.

The module offers Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2 security, as well as an AMIBIOS8 BIOS touted as having embedded features. These are said to include remote console, CMOS backup, CPU and system monitoring, watchdog timer, OEM splash screen, and ACPI-based "Smart Battery" functionality.

Operating system support includes Linux, Windows 7, Windows XP, Vista, and VxWorks 6.x, says Adlink. A wide assortment of reference carrier boards for the Express-LPC are available with free design files. Adlink provides schematics, mechanical files, design guides, R&D support, a product review service, and BIOS customization for companies doing their own carrier board design, says the company.

Features and specifications listed for the Adlink Express-LPC include:

• Processor -- Intel Atom D525 (dual-core 1.8GHz, 13 W TDP), N570 (dual-core 1.66GHz, 8.5 W), N455 (single-core, 1.66GHz, 6.5 W), or D425 (single-core 1.8GHz, 10 W); ICH8-M controller
• Memory -- up to 4GB non-ECC 667/800MHz DDR3 memory via 2 x SODIMMs
• Expansion:
  • 6 x PCI Express x1 (5 x free; 1 x used by Ethernet); optional swap for 1 x PCI x4 config.
  • 32-bit PCI 2.3 supporting 4 x bus masters
  • LPC bus, SMBus (system)
• Storage:
  • 3 x SATA 3Gbps interfaces
  • IDE channel (UDMA100)
  • optional 4GB to 8GB IDE-based SSD
• Display:
  • RGB port for up to 2048 x 1536 resolution
  • LVDS port (18-bit) for up to 1366 x 768 resolution
• Networking -- gigabit Ethernet controller (Intel 82583V)
• Other I/O:
  • 8 x USB 2.0
  • I2C (user)
  • BIOS support for Super I/O
• Other features -- TPM 1.2; watchdog; hardware monitor; XDP SFF-26 extension for ICE debug
• Power -- AT mode (12 V +/- 5%); ATX mode (12 V and 5 Vsb +/- 5%)
• Operating temperature -- 32 to 140 deg. F (0 to 60 deg. C)
• Shock resistance -- 15G peak-to-peak, 11ms duration (non-operating)
• Vibration resistance -- 0.5 Grms, 5-500Hz, each axis (operating)

Availability

No pricing or availability information was available for the Express-LPC. More information may be found at Adlink's Express-LPC page.

---

Related Stories:

• Credit-card-sized module works up to 185 degrees
• Product launches expose Intel's unannounced low-voltage Cores
• 3.5-inch SBC gets revised at the Atomic level
• Modules offer Intel Atom processors, onboard flash storage
• New Atoms announced, amidst leaks about 2011 successors
• Atom-based COM Express module shrunk in the wash

Discuss Atom-based COM Express module loaded with expansion options   >>> Be the FIRST to comment on this article!

>>> More News Articles          >>> More By Eric Brown