Kontron ETXexpress® Product Family Offers Greatest Scalability

Kontron introduced two new ETXexpress modules – a COM Express solution – based on the VIA C7® processor paired with the VIA CN896 and VIA VT8251chipset: The Kontron ETXexpress-CN8 and the Kontron microETXexpress-CN8. These two new modules fill the gap between the already available and widely adopted Kontron microETXexpress-PM and the Kontron ETXexpress-PM Computer-on-Modules (COMs), offering embedded designers the scalability needed with considering long-term embedded solutions.

The Kontron ETXexpress-CN8 is 100 percent compliant with the COM Express standard (basic form factor – 95mm x 125mm) as defined by the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturer’s Group. Versions of this module will be available with either the VIA C7 or Eden 7 processors (1.5GHz and higher) paired with the VIA CN896 and VIA VT8251 chipset. The Kontron ETXexpress-CN8 will support two PCI Express x1 lanes along with Gigabit Ethernet. Support for eight USB 2.0 ports provides fast and sufficient interfaces for external peripherals. Applications requiring the PCI and IDE interfaces are still supported by the Kontron ETXexpress-CN8 module that follows the COM Express Type 2 pin-out.

For embedded applications that would like to reuse the enclosure from previous solutions, yet bring in more modern bus technologies, the Kontron microETXexpress-CN8 is a perfect fit at 95mm x95mm. Built around the VIA Eden 7 processor (up to 1.0GHz) and with the VIA CN896 and VIA VT8251 chipset, this “micro” COM Express compatible module is a great solution. The Kontron microETXexpress-CN8 offers support for up to 2GB of systems memory, 4x Serial ATA, two PCI Express x1 lanes, Gigabit Ethernet, dual video streaming capabilities and much more with an estimated power consumption of 15 Watts.

Both modules support Microsoft Vista. Kontron anticipates having samples of the Kontron ETXexpress-CN8 and Kontron microETXexpress-CN8 modules available by Q4 2007, giving embedded designers the immediate opportunity to evaluate these low-cost COM Express solutions.