| Low-power mini-ITX board runs Linux |
Jun. 30, 2008
 Kontron announced a Linux-compatible mini-ITX motherboard based on a 1.6GHz Intel Centrino Atom processor. The KTUS15/miTX targets solar- or battery-powered applications, vehicle PCs, point-of-sale/interest kiosks, medical, multimedia, rugged tablets, industrial automation, and other embedded device applications.
(Click for larger view of the Kontron KTUS15/miTX)
The KTUS15/miTX adheres to Via's seven-year-old 170 x 170mm mini-ITX format. However, lacking x16 ("by 16") PCI Express and other high-end features, the KTUS15 does not meet Via's just-announced Mini-ITX version 2.0 spec.
The KTUS15/miTX supports either the 1.6GHz Z530 version of the Intel Centrino Atom or the 1.1GHz Z510, both of which are embedded-device versions that offer seven-year availability. Combined with Intel's US15 Embedded Chipset, featuring a 533MHz front-side bus, the CPU/chipset combo dissipates less than 5 Watts, Kontron says.
The KTUS15/miTX supports up to 1GB of DDR2 SDRAM via a single 200-pin DIMM slot. Up to 32MB of flash can be installed via a slot parallel to the motherboard.
I/O includes gigabit Ethernet and eight USB ports. Expansion interfaces include two PCIe x1 slots and one PCI slot, along with two SDIO sockets that are said to support RFID components, laser scanners, card readers, keyboards, keypad and mouse, printers, WLAN, or GPRS peripherals.
The KTUS15 integrates a integrated graphics capable of borrowing up to 256MB of main system memory. Touted graphics features include 2D/3D acceleration, support for DirectX 9, dual independent displays, and video decoding via WMV9, H264.A, and MPEG2. Display interfaces include on-board CRT and dual-channel LVDS, with DVI and HDMI ports available as options.
The KTUS15 provides integrated Intel Trusted Platform Module (Intel TPM 1.2) technology, as well as multiple power supply options. Other touted features include the board's "simple, rugged cooling concept" and "excellent" electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), thanks to a board layup some 12 layers deep. Certainly a complex board for so large a form factor, the 12 separate layers help isolate the board's various power domains, for reduced interference, according to the company.
Specifications listed for the KTUS15/miTX include:- Processor -- Intel Centrino Atom 1.6GHz BGA CPU; Intel US15 Embedded Chipset with FSB 533MHz
- Memory -- 1 x DDR2 200 pins DIMM for up to 1GB DDR2-RAM; up to 256MB on-board graphics memory
- Graphics engine -- 2D/3D graphics acceleration supporting DirectX 9, dual independent displays, and WMV9, H264.A, and MPEG2 video decoding
- Display -- flat-panel display support via on-board LVDS (1366 x 768) or CRT (1280 x 1024); DVI and HDMI ports are optional
- PCI expansion -- 2 x PCI-Express 1x; 1x PCI
- Storage -- 1x ATA100 and 2x SATA150/300 IDE Controller; Compact Flash socket
- SDIO -- 2 x SDIO
- Networking -- 1 x 10/100/1000Mbps Ethernet
- USB -- 8 x USB 2.0
- Serial -- 3 x RS232C
- Other features -- high-definition audio; TPM (Trusted Platform Module)
- Power supply/consumption -- 5 V to 25 V DV; combined thermal design power of less than 5 Watts
- Dimensions -- 6.7 x 6.7 x 0.8 inches (170 x 170 x 20mm)
- Operating systems -- Linux, Windows XP (Windows Embedded Enterprise), Vista, and Windows CE (Windows Embedded Standard)
Last summer, Kontron introduced a KT690/mITX motherboard that supports the AMD M690T chipset, which in turn can integrate various AMD processors ranging up to a 2GHz AMD Sempron 3700+ via a 1GHz HyperTransport interface. Earlier Kontron mini-ITX boards were based on Intel Celeron or Pentium 4 CPUs.
It appears that the only other Atom-based, mini-ITX mobo announced to date is from Intel. However, the D945GCLF is based on the larger-format Atom 230 version of the processor designed for "nettops" and "netbooks."
Availability
The KTUS15/mITX is sampling now, says Kontron. More information may be found here.
Related Stories:
(Click here for further information)
|
|
|
FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux
Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals.
Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering
With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing¿s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size.
Data Monitoring with NightStar LX
Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn¿t leave you stranded in the dark. It¿s more than just a debugger, it¿s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that¿s positively illuminating.
Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta
This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments.
High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD
This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail.
Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source
Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss.
Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms
The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms.
Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems
This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG¿s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system.
7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.
|
|
|
|
|
news feed