The Kontron microETXexpress evaluation kit offers developers a fast introduction into the compact class of COM Express compatible Computer-on-Modules. At the heart of Kontron's new Starterkit are the Kontron microETXexpress-SP or –DC Computer-on-Modules (95 x 95 mm) based on the Intel Atom series processors and the Kontron ETXexpress miniBaseboard. Starterkits are also available for evaluation with other microETXexpress modules.
The Kontron microETXexpress Starterkit is an all-round development platform for a wide range of embedded applications that require high-performance and processing density on a compact footprint with low-power consumption. It is ideal for evaluating applications that are to be operated on small mobile devices which are battery-powered or even solar-powered and small embedded devices which have a compact format while offering a high level of features. Developers working on applications in areas such as multimedia, test and measurement, medical, automation, energy, telecommunications or POS / POI can start developing on the target platform right away, due to the fact that the Kontron microETXexpress Starterkit comes with the complete embedded hardware including the cables, a very small Power Supply Unit called picoPSU combined with a 12V desktop power supply and an active cooler.
At the core of the Kontron microETXexpress Starterkit is the Kontron ETXexpress miniBaseboard (170 x 155 mm). Thanks to its low profile height of approx. 44 mm - including the Computer-on-Module and the optional heat spreader - it can easily be integrated into embedded applications. Despite its compact size, the carrier board offers a rich feature set and all state-of-the-art interfaces: PCI Express x1, PCI, Serial ATA, PATA, CF card slot, Gigabit Ethernet, USB 2.0, COM pin headers, DVI and VGA, 2x LVDS, audio interfaces and a feature connector, which enables a direct connection from, for example, TV or video cards to the graphic card without encumbering the CPU or the data bus. The HD Audio codec and bringing down 4 video connectors from a COM Express Pin-out Type 2 module is outstanding and underlines the microETXexpress module’s multimedia features.
The Kontron microETXexpress Starterkit is modular and can be ordered either with or without any Kontron microETXexpress Computer-on-Module The Starterkit will soon be available for Kontron microETXexpress-SP Computer-on-Modules with 1.1 GHz or 1.6 GHz Intel Atom Z5xx series processors and the Intel System Controller Hub US15W, and for the new Kontron microETXexpress-DC Computer-on-Module with 1.6 GHz Intel Atom N270 processors. Kontron’s new highly-efficient power-off state S5 Eco that is supported on the Kontron microETXexpress-DC works with the Starterkit. Also available are microETXexpress Computer-on-Modules with 45 nm Intel Core2 Duo processors (Kontron microETXexpress PC) and Intel Pentium M and Intel Celeron M processors (Kontron microETXexpress-PM).
Further starter kits with Intel Atom processors for solutions based on the credit card-sized Kontron nanoETXexpress-SP Computer-on-Module or PCI/ISA based Kontron ETX-DC Computer-on-Modules are also available in both the nanoETXexpress-HMI and the ETX starter kit. Whichever modular kit - that can be ordered with or without any corresponding Kontron Computer-on-Module - is employed, OEM customers will profit from the long-term availability and the robust, function-tested and future-proof design.