Posted to News on 14th Nov 2012, 15:20
COM Express for development of graphics-intensive applications
Kontron is introducing a new series of COM Express Computer-on-Modules (COMs) that enable cost-effective development of graphics-intensive small form factor (SFF) applications. Based on the AMD Embedded R-Series accelerated processing unit (APU), the Kontron COMe-cTH6 features dual and quad core processor options that give designers up to 2.0 gigahertz (GHz) enabling high-performance graphics and parallel processing capabilities with low 26W thermal design power (TDP), which makes the new Kontron COMe-cTH6 an attractive lower-cost building block alternative.
The new module delivers exceptional graphics performance due to the AMD R-series integrated Radeon HD 7000 Series+ graphics engine that supports DirectX 11 and OpenCL. The Kontron COMe-cTH6 also provides support for remote manageability, virtualised environments and platform security, further enhancing application reliability while lowering the total cost of ownership. The combination of features offered with the COM Express compact Pin-out type 6 modules offer a solid, scalable and flexible platform that will help speed development of applications in the medical, infotainment, gaming and digital signage markets.
Proving energy efficiency with support for the latest graphics features, the Kontron COMe-cTH6 is suitable for today's new range of graphic-rich SFF devices that have strict power and thermal limitations. The new modules offer comprehensive video support for a significantly enhanced viewer experience with up to four independent displays, H.264, VC1, MPEG-2, DivX, WMV, BluRay 3D and HDMI. With 7 PCI Express ×1 lanes plus 1 PEG ×8 interface, the new Kontron COM Express compact modules COMe-cTH6 provide an excellent scalable platform for COM Express compact type 6 pin-out-based applications that must satisfy ever higher demands for performance and graphics support at lower power. They also deliver support for new HD video and interactive 3D effect capabilities, as well as provide the necessary high-performance parallel processing demanded by compute-intensive applications.
Chris Burke, CTO at Kontron, says: "The AMD embedded processor architecture is an important element in Kontron's ongoing development strategy that supplies a broad selection of powerful solutions to multiple industries helping designers meet the dynamic requirements in demanding applications such as infotainment and medical imaging. Kontron's extensive engineering expertise allows us to leverage the advantages provided by the more powerful AMD Embedded R-Series APUs for our next-generation module platform designs so our customers have the superior building block solutions they need to differentiate their products and remain competitive."
The feature set in detail
The Kontron COM Express Pin-out type 6 COMe-cTH6 module series is available in three processor options that include the AMD R-460L featuring 4× 2.0GHz performance at 26W TDP; the AMD R-452L with 4× 1.6GHz at 19W TDP or the AMD R-260H that offers 2× 2.1GHz at a low 17W TDP. The modules designed with the AMD A70M Fusion Controller Hub can host up to 8GB DDR3 RAM and support 7 PCI Express ×1 lanes and 1 PEG ×8 interface. Additional features include four SATA 3 ports, as well as Gigabit Ethernet and four USB 2.0 ports. The Kontron COMe-cTH6 features comprehensive display support with 3x DisplayPort++ that includes HDMI, DVI and DisplayPort.
The Kontron COM Express compact Computer-on-Modules COMe-cTH6 supports the full Windows OS portfolio along with Linux, VxWorks and others. More information can be found at the Kontron COMe-cTH6 product page.
