VersaLogic announced an SBC (single board computer) combining SUMIT (stackable unified module interconnect technology) interface with an ISM (industry standard module) form factor. The "Ocelot" offers fanless operation with 1.6 or 1.33GHz Intel Atom CPUs, three PCI Express x1 lanes, and a connector for SPX expansion modules, says VersaLogic.

The particular combination of acronyms offered by VersaLogic's new Ocelot will take a little explaining. SUMIT-ISM, initially dubbed Express104, was devised by the SFF-SIG (Small Form Factor Special Interest Group) last year, and refers to two different things: first, the use of two 52-pin SUMIT expansion connectors, and second, the use of an ISM (industry standard module) form factor.

SUMIT, recently revised to version 1.3, is designed to support legacy low-speed peripherals, up to four USB 2.0 interfaces, and up to six PCI Express lanes. Expected to feature on a wide variety of form factors, the SUMIT connectors initially made their debut on pico-ITXe boards, such as Via's Epia-P710.

ISM, meanwhile, refers to a 3.8 x 3.6 (96 x 90mm) form factor matching that of the venerable PC/104 standard. Defined by the SFF-SIG, like SUMIT itself, ISM employs backward-compatible dimensions, I/O zones, and mounting holes.

Put these ingredients together, and you have SUMIT-ISM, which features a PC/104-compatible board outline, but replaces the old 120-pin PCI-104 connector with the 104-pin SUMIT A/B pair of connectors. A pioneering example of SUMIT-ISM was Adlink's CoreModule 730, released in April with Atom Z530 (1.6GHz) or Z510 (1.1GHz) CPUs on board, together with the expected SCH US15W northbridge/southbridge.

Unlike the CoreModule 730, VersaLogic's new Ocelot retains support for ISA expansion. In other words, not only does it have the requisite PCI-to-ISA bridge circuitry, it also includes a 104-pin PC/104 connector. This can be seen at the bottom of the board (below left), with SUMIT-A and SUMIT-B connectors at the top.

Versalogic's Ocelot
(Click either to enlarge)

As illustrated by the diagram above right, the Ocelot also has connectors for LVDS, IDE, and a combo connector (J7) relaying signals that include four serial ports, three USB ports (two host, one client), and audio I/O. Meanwhile, a RJ45 Ethernet connector (J3) is also provided. It's said that an optional breakout board, the CBR-5012, may be connected to the Ocelot to add further "real world" ports, as pictured below.

The optional CBR-5012 breakout board
(Click to enlarge)

The two SUMIT connectors, meanwhile, collectively provide access to four additional USB ports, three PCI Express x1 expansion lanes, and an LPC bus. On the back of the Ocelot, there's a connector for expansion modules using VersaLogic's SPX (serial peripheral expansion) format, the company says.

A block diagram of VersaLogic's Ocelot
(Click to enlarge)

VersaLogic's Ocelot comes with Intel's 1.6GHz Atom Z530P or 1.33GHz Atom Z520PT processors, along with SCH US15WP or SCH US15WPT northbridge/southbridge chips. Deliberately larger than standard Z5xx Atoms, these CPUs come in 22 x 22m packages, and give the Ocelot an operating range of 32 to 140 deg. F (1.6GHz) or -40 to 185 deg. F (1.33GHz), according to VersaLogic.

VersaLogic says the Ocelot accepts up to 2GB of memory via a single SODIMM slot. Meanwhile, an optional IDE-based DOM (disk on module) allows the addition of bootable flash storage, the company adds.

Thanks to a typical power draw of just seven Watts, the Ocelot is an "excellent solution" for embedded military/aerospace applications, medical devices, robotics, factory automation, and other OEM markets, VersaLogic says. The device runs Linux, VxWorks, QNX, and Windows Embedded operating systems, the company adds.

Features and specifications listed by VersaLogic for the Ocelot include:

• Processor -- Intel Atom Z530P clocked at 1.6GHz or Atom Z20PT clocked at 1.33GHz
  
• Memory -- Up to 2GB of RAM via single SODIMM slot
  
• Storage -- Can accept onboard DOM (disk on module connected to IDE interface)
  
• Networking -- Gigabit Ethernet with RJ45 connector
  
• Other I/O:
  • 1 x IDE
    
  • 7 x USB 2.0 (2 host and one client via header, 3 via SUMIT connectors)
    
  • Audio I/O (via headers)
  • LVDS
  • 4 x serial (RS232/422/485 selectable)
  • Expansion:
    • ISA (via PC/104 connector)
    • 3 PCI Express x 1 (via SUMIT connectors)
    • LPC (via SUMIT connectors)
    • SPI (via SUMIT connectors)
    • SPX
  • Operating temperature:
  • 1.6GHz version -- 32 to 140 deg. F (1.6GHz)
  • 1.33GHz version -- or -40 to 185 deg. F
• Power requirements -- 7 Watts
• Dimensions -- 3.8 x 3.6 inches (96 x 90mm)

Availability

VersaLogic says the Ocelot costs approximately $750 "in OEM quantities" and is shipping now. More information may be found on the company's website, here.

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• EPIC SBC runs hot and cold
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