Introduction

Diamond Point has introduced the ETX-LX embedded computer module, which is fully compliant with the new ETX (Embedded Technology eXtended) Component SBCTM Specification 3.0 allowing for 2 Serial ATA ports without any changes to the existing ETX pin usage.

Designed as a drop in replacement for solutions affected by the AMD® Geode™ GX1 obsolescence, the module hosts the higher performing but low power-consumption 500MHz AMD Geode LX800 processor with Northbridge and AMD CS5536 Southbridge companion device. The LX800 processor integrates 128KB L2 cache memory and a 128-bit AES security engine, and supports DDR SO-DIMM up to 1GB memory capacity. In compliance with current RoHS directives, the module is manufactured lead-free and thus provides an ideal alternative to the now obsolete ETX-mgx module.

The family of ETX modules from Diamond Point integrates unique cooling via a heat spreader, which provides identical thermal coupling not only for the processor variant used, but also for the entire system. The LX800 powered ETX-LX module consumes just 6.5W of power at 5V, making it ideal not only for use in high performance, battery operated embedded applications but where space limitations demand passive (fanless) cooling only.

The compact ETX-LX module integrates standard interfaces including a 32-bit 33MHz PCI Bus, LPC ISA Bus, two channel DMA-66/100 IDE port, 2 x S-ATA hard-disk, 10/100Mbit Ethernet controller, 4 x USB2.0, on-board graphics including support for the following displays: CRT, LCD, (LVDS/TTL) and TV-out (PAL/NTSC), AC97 compatible sound, IrDA, serial and parallel ports and PS/2 keyboard/mouse, all within dimensions of just 95 mm x 114 mm x 12mm. A CompactFlash socket is also provided for secondary IDE memory storage.

The ETX-LX module from Diamond Point supports Windows® XP, XP Embedded, 2000, CE and Linux operating systems.

Providing the only Computer-On-Module concept of its kind to provide true open scalability without need for mechanical redesign, the ETX family of products enables the baseboard designer to optimize exactly how each of the module's functions is physically implemented. The highly modular ETX concept allows the designer to build a system on a single baseboard using the range of ETX computer modules as plug-in components. If greater processor performance is required, it is simple to upgrade with a new module without any necessity for baseboard modification. Since external interfaces on the application-specific baseboard remain unchanged, packaging is simplified, cabling is eliminated and system-level cost and time to market are significantly reduced.

Diamond Point International offers the complete range of Kontron products backed by a dedicated team of engineers capable of providing integrated customized solutions for the widest range of embedded designs.

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