Kontron’s rugged conduction-cooled dual-core CompactPCI CPU boards power the most demanding embedded applications

Kontron reinforces its worldwide leadership in 3U CompactPCI CPU boards by presenting the Rugged Conduction-Cooled (RC) version of the Kontron ITC-320 series at Eurosatory ’08.

The Kontron ITC-320 series is a range of 3U CompactPCI CPU boards using a high performance and long-term available processing chipset from the Intel^® embedded architecture. The series features three types of top performance single and dual-core Intel processors in four different designs, including a Rugged Conduction-Cooled version for reliable operation in even the harshest environments. Equipped with the latest dual-core 1.5 GHz Intel^® Core™2 Duo LV processor, the Kontron ITC-320 CompactPCI CPU board is able to meet highly demanding signal and data processing requirements. Using the 1.2 GHz Intel^® Core™ Duo processor on the Kontron ITC-320 provides the optimal performance-per-watt ratio for applications that need to balance computing performance with low power consumption. The Kontron ITC-320 series also supports the 1.0 GHz Intel^® Celeron™ M processor which is an excellent choice when power dissipation is a critical issue.

The Kontron ITC-320 series features all the high performance I/Os that are available on the latest laptop PCs such as the UXGA graphics controller with PCI-Express, two Gigabit Ethernet network interfaces configurable by software either on the front RJ-45 connectors or on the rear J2 connector, quad SATA 150 ports and quad USB 2.0 ports. An onboard USB connector is able to support a standard USB Flash disk module within the 4HP form factor. The onboard SATA 150 connector extends the storage capacity of the Kontron ITC-320 Compact PCI CPU board with the use of a 2.5’’ device in a larger 8HP form factor. Furthermore, the Kontron ITC-320 can easily run high demanding applications with its high-performance and PCI software backwards compatible PCI-Express port which is configurable either as x4 or quad x1.

The Rugged Conduction-Cooled (RC) version of the Kontron ITC-320 series of CompactPCI CPU boards enlarges the application range of the product for harsh environments. The RC design supports operational temperatures ranging from –40°C to +85°C according to VITA 47 recommendations. It uses the same Printed Circuit Board as the commercially built product in order to guarantee full binary compatibility between versions.

“The Kontron ITC-320 series of 3U CompactPCI CPU boards is an ideal product for upgrading existing compact-sized embedded computers to a state-of-the-art processing unit with PCI-Express connectivity on the backplane”, explains Norbert Hauser, Vice President Marketing at Kontron“. The Kontron ITC-320 series reduces the development time for embedded computers targeted for aerospace applications and/or applications in environmentally harsh conditions. Additionally, a prototype can be set up quickly and at low cost using commercial build versions of the blade boards in a COTS CompactPCI rack.”

The Kontron ITC-320 series of CompactPCI CPU boards is available now and is covered by Kontron’s long term supply program. This guarantees defense customers a multi-year supply of the product beyond its active life which is a unique offering for Intel^® processor-based products.