The combination of Intel's Core i7 processors and 32nm silicon processing is set to impact the processing performance of COM Express computer modules.
Congatec has extended its COM Express product family with the Conga-BM57, its highest performance module, which features a dual-core 2.66GHz i7-620M processor with 4Mbyte L2 cache and up to 8Gbyte fast dual-channel DDR3 memory.
Completing the 95x125mm (COM Express Basic) module is Intel’s Mobile QM57 Express chipset, with the integrated graphics controller supporting two independent video channels on VGA, LVDS, HDMI, DisplayPort or SDVO interfaces.
“The 3D performance was increased substantially over the last generation of Intel integrated graphics.” said Congatec. “Paired with the additional computing performance of the Core i7 processor, the BM57 is a solution for intense graphics applications, which are often found in gaming or medical image applications.”
Intel’s Turbo Boost Technology is implemented, “providing an on-demand boost in the clock speed for one processor core if the other core is less utilised”, said Congatec. “This new feature improves the computing performance by as much as 25%, as measured by us during benchmark testing.”
Five PCI Express lanes, eight USB 2.0 ports, three SATA, one EIDE and a Gigabit Ethernet interface are provided, as well as LPC bus for slow speed extensions and Intel’s High Definition Audio.
Kontron has announced the integration of Core i7 processors across products including AdvancedMC, CompactPCI, COM Express and VPX.
It is also using the QM57 Express chipset, and aiming its computers at visually demanding military, medical, security and infotainment applications.
“Utilising the 32nm manufacturing process for performance and power consumption, our i7-based platforms employ a two-chip solution that provides signal integrity and minimises board space,” claimed Kontron. “In addition, applications can now support multiple graphical and multimedia functions, including separate ports for SDVO and PEG. Telecom, netcom and military system design flexibility is increased with an integrated error-correcting code memory controller.”
Also aiming at graphics, Adlink Technology picked up the same i7/QM57 combination in a type 2 COM Express Module. Called Express-CB, integrated graphics support includes OpenGL 2.1, DirectX10 and Intel
Dynamic Video Memory Technology (DVMT 5.0). Graphics outputs include CRT, LVDS and Embedded DisplayPort.
“The Express-CB is designed for customers with high-performance processing graphics requirements who want to outsource the custom core logic of their systems for reduced development time,” said Adlink.
Target applications include medical diagnostic equipment, medical imaging, industrial automation and transportation.