New ESMexpress Standard Ruggedizes COMs Technology To Provide Time and Cost Savings in Development of Harsh Embedded Systems

AMBLER, Pa. May 5, 2008 – MEN Micro Inc., a world-renowned provider of embedded computing and I/O solutions for demanding industrial, mobile and harsh environment applications, has announced the ESMexpress® System-On-Module Standard, a new computing standard in development to be the ANSI-VITA 59 (RSE Rugged System-On-Module Express) Standard. ESMexpress brings the cost and time savings of computer-on-modules (COMs) technology to rugged, harsh and mission-critical environments.

The XM1, one of the first available ESMexpress products from MEN Micro, features the first-generation Intel® Atom® processor (Z530 at 1.6 GHz or Z510 at 1.1 GHz) based on 45-nm technology coupled with 1 GB of soldered DDR2 SDRAM for significantly lower power dissipation, reduction in design costs and space-saving design flexibility.

COMs, also known as systems-on-modules (SOMs), are complete computers on a mezzanine board that use a standard CPU with I/O configuration only required on a carrier board to allow for individual functionality tailored to the specific application. ESMexpress combines this model with advanced cooling technologies, the latest serial buses and rugged components to ensure safe, reliable operation in harsh environments found in areas as diverse as the railway, avionics, industrial automation, medical engineering and mobile industries.

Although the ESMexpress-based XM1 dissipates an impressive 7-Watts of power using the standards advanced fanless cooling system, ESMexpress itself enables power dissipation of up to 35 Watts while providing added EMC protection by mounting the populated PCB to a frame and completely enclosing the module in an aluminum housing. The high pressure caused by the screw joints between the housing and the PCB facilitates the thermal connection of the components. If additional cooling is needed, the housing is either connected to an external heat dissipation system (conduction) or combined with a heat sink for heat dissipation (convection).

ESMexpress provides for extreme resistance against shock and vibration. Eight screws secure the module to the carrier board. In addition, a mechanically-robust connector specified for MIL and railway applications supports differential signals with up to 8 GHz, features a stacking height of 5 mm with a minimum tolerance of +/-0.3 mm, is equipped with fixed contacts for power supply and is specified for an operating temperature of -55°C to +125°C. The Intel-based XM1 offers a screened temperature range of -40°C to +85°C.

The electrical signals are distributed on two 120-pin connectors and are only defined for modern serial buses. For PCI Express there are four single lane ports (4 x1) and one port that can be configured as 1 x16, 1 x8, 2 x4 or 2 x1. Other ports include three 1-Gigabit Ethernet (also as 10-Gigabit), eight USB, three SATA, SDVO, LVDS, HD Audio, several utility signals and a single 12V power supply. The pin assignment is fixed to guarantee that ESMexpress modules remain interchangeable.

Via an adapter board that complies with the COM.0 Basic Form Factor Type 2 and adapts the mechanics and pin-out, ESMexpress modules can be used on COM Express carrier boards and vice versa.

Pricing for the XM1 starts at $567. Delivery is two weeks ARO.

For additional information, visit: www.menmicro.com/products/default.asp?fa=esm&su[…]

or contact Stephen Cunha, MEN Micro Inc., 24 N. Main Street, Ambler, Pa. 19002; Phone: 215-542-9575; Fax: 215-542-9577; E-mail: [email protected].

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About MEN Micro Inc.

Since 1982, MEN Micro has focused on innovation, reliability and flexibility to develop standard and custom board-level solutions that are used throughout industrial embedded applications and harsh environments.

The company provides a robust offering of highly reliable embedded computing and I/O solutions that employ the highest technology and innovations. In addition, MEN Micro offers exceptional custom development and environmental qualification services in accordance with industry standards. The companys standard product range contains more than 100 different computer boards and systems with corresponding BIOS, BSP and driver software based on different PowerPC and Pentium platforms.

The company has nearly 200 employees and is a member of several industry associations, consortiums and alliances.