Kontron announces first sbc with configurable Intel Atom E600C processor series

The new sbc pairs an Intel Atom E600 series processor with an Altera fpga and features IP definable applications and the Kontron Microspace MSMST. The company claims that the simplified application design will reduce development efforts, increase time to market and lower total cost of ownership. Kontron says the sbc will enable oems to develop designs with the exact I/O requirements needed to address applications in markets such as automation, medical, transportation, energy, military and communications. Validated IP cores are available for CAN-bus, serial interfaces (SPI Master / UART) and PCI-Express, I²C and GPIO. According to Kontron, only the required IP core is needed and corresponding high speed mezzanine cards (hsmc) to carry out the interfaces. This flexibility, combined with the x86/fpga technology ecosystem of IP cores and hsmc's, is said to make it an ideal sbc for dedicated risc platforms. "The launch of the Intel Atom E600C processor series with integrated Altera fpga marks a new era in embedded computing", said Dirk Finstel, cto of Kontron. "Customers get the flexibility of an fpga with attractive x86 performance on an integrated multi chip module. The standard chipset is no longer needed. Customers profit from faster upgrades, more flexibility and long term guaranteed IP availability over lifecycles of dedicated components."