Coinciding with the launch of the COM Express 2.0
specification by the PCI Industrial Manufacturers’ Group (PICMG), Kontron
presents an additional version of the Computer-on-Module ETXexpress-AI based
on the new COM Express Type 6 pin-out definition.
As compared to the Type 2 pin-out definition for COM Express
Basic form factor modules, the new Type 6 pin-out offers configurable digital
display interfaces (DDI) SDVO, DisplayPort, and HDMI/DVI, along with 23 PCI
Express Gen 2 lanes. This provides more native display options and higher
serial bandwidth than previously possible. Most noteworthy is that the native
support for all the new display interfaces simplifies carrier board designs,
reducing time-to-market and total cost of ownership for graphics-intensive
applications. The extensive PCI Express support underscores the trend of moving
away from legacy parallel interfaces towards pure serial embedded system
designs for higher bandwidth and reduced latency. This represents a smooth
transition path for application designers looking to enhance their designs with
next generation technology such as faster drives and peripherals.