3.5-inch SBC offers dual-core Atom

By Jonathan Angel
2010-03-09

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Avalue announced a 3.5-inch SBC (single board computer) using Intel's dual-core, 1.66GHz Intel Atom D510. The ECM-PNV accepts up to 1GB of DDR2 RAM, has CompactFlash and Mini PCI Express slots, includes six serial ports, and has two SATA interfaces, the company says.

Avalue's "3.5-inch" SBC actually measures 5.7 x 4 inches, and is designed to match the dimensions of components such as 3.5-inch floppy disk drives. Like other such boards, it presents its interfaces via a combination of "real-world" connectors and headers, as we'll detail below.

The SBC employs Intel's dual-core "Pineview" Atom, the 1.66GHz D510. Like many other embedded devices featuring this CPU, it bypasses the NM10 I/O controller meant for netbooks, instead using the larger ICH8M (82801HM), a block diagram of which may be found here. While most products employing this combination of chips are being touted as fanless, Avalue's photo of the ECM-PNV (below) shows a cooling fan fitted to the ICH8M.

According to Avalue, the ECM-PNV accepts up to 1GB of DDR2 memory via a single SODIMM socket. Persistent storage, meanwhile, may be added either via a Type I/II CompactFlash slot, or by connecting drives to either or both of the SBC's SATA ports, the company says.

Avalue ECM-PNV

Avalue's product page for the ECM-PNV doesn't say which of its interfaces include real-world connectors, but we're guessing from the above photo that these are limited to a VGA port and a single serial port. Other interfaces, all presumably via headers, are said to include EIDE, five additional serial ports (3 RS232, 2 RS422/485), six USB 2.0 ports, an optional PS/3 port, plus 16-general purpose I/Os.

Avalue says the SBC also has mic in, line in, and line out interfaces, two gigabit Ethernet ports, and support for displays ranging up to 2048 x 1536 pixels in size. An optional daughterboard upgrades the board's LVDS interface to 24-bit, the company adds.

According to Avalue, the ECM-PNV operates via DC input power ranging from 12V to 28V. Operating range is from 32 to 122 deg. F (0 to 60 deg. C), the company adds.

Features and specifications listed by Avalue for the ECM-PNV include:

Processor -- Intel Atom D510 clocked at 1.66GHz
Chipset -- ICH8M
Memory -- Up to 1GB of DDR2 RAM
Expansion -- Mini PCI and CompactFlash Type I/II slots
Networking -- 2 x gigabit Ethernet
Other I/O:
- 2 x SATA
- 6 x USB 2.0
- 6 x serial (4 x RS232; 2 x RS422/485)
- 1 x EIDE
- 16-bit GPIO
- VGA and LVDS
- Audio -- mic in, line in, line out
Power -- 12 to 28VDC
Operating range -- 32 to 122 deg. F (0 to 60 deg. C)
Dimensions -- 5.7 x 4.0 inches (146 x 101mm)

Availability

Avalue did not disclose pricing, availability, or operating system information regarding the ECM-PNV, but the device appears to be on sale now. More information may be found on the company's website, here.

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