Atom-powered PC/104+ SBC targets display devices

By Eric Brown
2009-08-28

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Win Enterprises announced a fanless, Linux-compatible PC/104+ single board computer (SBC) aimed at display-oriented embedded applications. The MB-73200 is equipped with an Intel Atom Z5xx CPU clocked at 1GHz or 1.6GHz, dual Ethernet ports, and SATAII and CompactFlash interfaces, says the company.

The MB-73200 is designed for space-limited applications such as medical, interactive kiosk, human-machine interface (HMI), in-vehicle infotainment, gaming, and industrial control, says Win Enterprises. Adhering to the PC/104+ form factor, backward-compatible to PC/104, the SBC enables additional I/O, starting with an optional high definition (HD) audio card offered by the company.

Win Enterprises MB-73200

The MB-73200 is available with choice of a 1.1GHz Intel Atom Z510 or 1.6GHz Z530 CPU, and is further equipped with up to 2GB of DDR2 memory, says Win Enterprises. The MB-73200's Intel System Controller Hub US15W chipset supports 3D graphics, HD video decode, and image processing, says the company. The chipset is touted as supporting CRT resolution of up to 2048 x 1536, as well as single-channel 24-bit LCD/LVDS, and dual simultaneous displays.

MB-73200 and DDR2 SODIMM detail
(Click to enlarge)

The SBC provide two 10/100 Ethernet ports, two serial ports, and four USB 2.0 ports. Storage is said to be supported via dual SATA II interfaces, as well as a CompactFlash type I/II socket. Other I/O interfaces include IrDA, GPIO, and an HD audio interface.

MB-73200 block diagram
(Click to enlarge)

Specifications listed for the MB-73200 include:

Processor -- Intel Atom Z510 (1.1GHz; 400MHz FSB) or Z530 (1.6GHz; 533MHz FSB)
Chipset -- Intel System Controller Hub US15W
Memory -- Up to 2GB DDR2 via 1 x 200-pin socket (533/400MHz) w/o ECC
Flash -- 50-pin CompactFlash I/II socket
Display:
- Up to 2048 x 1536 (60Hz) for CRT
- Up to 1600 x 1200 (100Hz) for LCD
- LCD/LVDS interface (18/24-bit TFT LCD)
- Dual simultaneous VGA and LCD display
Networking -- 10/100 Ethernet (Intel 82551ER2x); RJ-45 connectors included on optional dual LAN connector adapter card
I/O interfaces:
- Winbond 83627EHG I/O chipset
- 2 x SATA II
- 1 x PS/2
- 1 x RS-232
- 1 x RS-232/422/485
- 1 x LPT
- 1 x IrDA
- 4 x USB 2.0 ports
- HD audio interface (optional R139A daughter-board)
- 8-bit TTL general purpose input/output (GPIO)
Expansion interface -- PCI/104+ for both PCI and ISA signal
Other features -- Watchdog timer
Power:
- +5V/+12V (plus or minus 5 percent) AT or ATX supply
- 8 to 12 Watts consumption
- Lithium 3V/200mAH battery
Dimensions -- 3.8 x 4.6 inches (96 x 116mm); PC/104+ form factor
Operating temperature -- 32 to 140 deg. F (0 to 60 deg. C)

Software support for the MB-73200 includes Red Hat Embedded Linux and Wind River Real-Time Embedded Linux, says Win Enterprises. The board also supports Ubuntu Linux 9.04 via "Mobile Graphics Driver," but without 3D graphics support. In addition, the SBC supports Windows XP in Professional, Embedded, and Professional Embedded versions, says the company.

Availability

The MB-73200 appears to be available now, but customers should allow six to eight weeks for delivery, says Win Enterprises. OEM pricing is said to start at $242, including the CPU, but with memory and storage costing extra. More information may be found here.

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