GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms , a unit of GE Enterprise Solutions, have announced the bCOM2-L8000 COM Express module and the mITX-945S-ED motherboard. These new platforms feature the Intel® Atom processor and are suitable for systems builders, whether integrators or end users, to create embedded solutions that provide PC functionality in a range of applications where low power consumption and minimal heat dissipation are key requirements, but where the system designer cannot compromise on I/O capability.
Applications that can use these new products are characterised by small size, light weight, and portability, and might include medical, industrial control, security, imaging, digital signage, manufacturing, and gaming where fanless operation may be preferred to minimise noise and/or power consumption. Such applications are often battery-powered, or are reliant on passive cooling. However, those same applications typically require more I/O functionality.
The bCOM2-L8000 COM Express module and the mITX-945S-ED motherboard feature the Intel Atom processor, suitable for mobile devices, and which includes features that minimise power consumption and heat dissipation. The bCOM2-L8000 COM Express module and mITX-945S-ED motherboard are both based on the 1.6 GHz version of the Atom, delivering better throughput potential.
The bCOM2-L8000 COM Express module, which is a basic form factor, Type 2 pinout module, features a power envelope of 10 to 12 watts and provides an alternative to the bCOM2-L1000 COM Express module. The mITX-945S-ED motherboard is an addition to GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms’ range of products based on the Mini-ITX form factor and the Intel Core2 Duo CPU (with which the Intel Atom processor is compatible), and provides an alternative combination of price/performance, I/O functionality and heat dissipation.
The bCOM2-L8000 COM Express module’s I/O capability includes one Gigabit Ethernet port, two Serial ATA interfaces, support for up to two IDE devices and eight USB 2.0 ports, while expansion can be achieved through three PCI Express lanes, with support for up to four devices through the PCI bus. Support for up to 2 GBytes of memory, together with audio and graphics (up to SXGA+ resolution) is also provided, giving system integrators a range of possibilities for deploying the board.
The mITX-945S-ED motherboard is provided with I/O functionality, and includes two Gigabit Ethernet ports, PCI Express and PCI expansion slots, a COM port, two Serial ATA ports, support for up to two IDE devices and four (optionally expandable to eight) USB 2.0 ports. Support for graphics (up to SXGA+ resolution) and audio is also provided. The mITX-945S-ED motherboard features a 12-volt DC input, eliminating the need for an ATX power supply, and therefore minimising size, cost and heat.