Kontron COMe-AI# (ETXexpress-AI)

Introduction

The Kontron COMe-AI# COM Express™ Computer-on-Module offers OEMs a new level of design flexibility thanks to its 32 nm Intel Core i7 / Core i5 processor technology, high energy efficiency, wide graphics support, customizable PCI Express configuration and ECC dual channel RAM to ensure data accuracy. The COMe-AI# Computer-on-Module offers improved computing and graphics performance in the high- end performance sector.

The board features the processor-integrated 45nm Intel® HD graphics with DisplayPort support. Especially graphics-intensive applications will benefit from Open GL 2.1 support and accelerated DirectX 10 capabilities through better and faster visual display. Hence, the new Computer-on-Module is able to achieve up to 2.6 times the graphics performance in comparison to Mobile Intel® GM45 and GS45 Express based solutions (according to 3DMark 2006).

For safety-critical applications, the Kontron COMe-AI# integrates up to 8 GB of ECC system memory and an optional Trusted Platform Module (TPM). The performance of the new Computer-on-Modules is scalable right from the start with a choice of four different Intel® Core™ i7 or Core™ i5 processors. By integrating the latest 32 nm processor technology for power use efficiency, higher bandwidth, and greater integration, the Kontron COMe-AI# COM raises the performance bar compared to solutions based on embedded Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processors. The new module not only speeds up multiprocessing tasks via hyper-threading technology (HTT), but also processes single-threaded tasks much faster thanks to the new Intel® Turbo Boost technology. Depending on the processor, this allows individual cores to operate between 25% and 100% above the nominal clock speed without exceeding the defined TDP. OEMs in markets such as gaming, digital signage, network/telecommunications, automation, medical and MAG (military, aerospace, government) who require application-specific customization continue to take advantage of optimized time-to-market and now have an even more secure upgrade path to grow their application’s capabilities today and onto future generations.

The Kontron COMe-AI# is available with:

• 1.06 GHz Intel® Core™ i7 620UE Processor
• 2.00 GHz Intel® Core™ i7-620LE Processor
• 2.40 GHz Intel® Core™ i5-520E Processor
• 2.53 GHz Intel® Core™ i7-610E Processor

All versions support up to 2 x 4 GB of dual channel DDR3 SO-DIMM modules with ECC and offer a comprehensive range of interfaces via the COM Express™ COM.0 Type 2 connector: 1x PCI Express Gen 2 graphics (PEG) (also configurable as 2x PCIe x8), 6x PCI Express x1, 4x Serial ATA, 1x PATA, 8x USB 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet, dual-channel LVDS, VGA and Intel® High Definition Audio. Additionally, older non-PCI Express-compliant components can be incorporated via the integrated PCI 2.3 interfaces. The integrated Intel® AMT 6.0 Active Management Technology enables out-of-band remote management. An 8V–18V universal power supply for simplified power distribution rounds out the feature set.

Operating system support is offered for Windows 7®, Windows XP, Linux (including Red Hat Enterprise, SuSE, Red Flag and Wind River Linux) and VxWorks.

Note: this module was previously known as the ETXexpress-AI.

Heatspreader Concept

The heat-spreader is a 2mm thick aluminium plate. It provides a thermal interface surface for heat removal from the COMexpress module. The heat-spreader is thermally coupled to the CPU die or package surface, and it may also be coupled to other heat generating devices on the module (e.g. chipset, vga chip). The heat spreader is not intended as a heat sink, although it may be suitable for this purpose on low power modules operating under benign conditions. Higher power modules or higher temperature conditions will probably require heat removal devices (e.g. heat sink with fan, heat pipe, larger heatsink etc.) to be attached to the heatspreader, or it may need to be thermally coupled to a chassis.

Kontron have two different heatspreaders for this COMexpress module. One with threaded post and one with through hole posts. Kontron also have two heatspreader/heatsink assemblies (again one threaded, one through hole). For the active cooled version, the fan is recessed into the heatsink. Drawings of all four assemblies are available on request.