Altair Embedded EMX SBC based on Intel Atom E-Series CPU

Diamond Systems recently unveiled Altair, a rugged EMX Basic single board computer (SBC) based on the Intel Atom E680T CPU running at 1.6GHz, featuring a Gigabit Ethernet port, 4 serial ports, and 4 USB 2.0 ports. Altair is also the first SBC to implement the new EmbeddedXpressTM (EMX) stackable I/O standard, the next step in I/O connectivity for small form factor embedded computing. Altair supports 1GB or 2GB of DDR2 DRAM soldered on-board and provides high-resolution LVDS and VGA graphics interfaces. Additional I/O ports include SATA, USB, serial, digital I/O, and dual Gigabit Ethernet. Flexible system expansion is based on stackable EMX modules, and a PCIe MiniCard socket. A socket is also provided for an optional on-board USB flashdisk of up to 8GB. Altair's power-efficient design leverages Intel's ultra-low-power (Queensbay) silicon platform, consisting of the Atom E680T (Tunnel Creek) processor and chipset (Topcliff). The heat-generating CPU and chipset are located on the bottom side of the SBC, and a conduction cooled bottom-mounted heatspreader dissipates heat efficiently to the system enclosure. This configuration leaves the SBC's top side free for easy access to on-board I/O and expansion sockets. Altair's key features and functions are tabulated below. Key Features and Functions • Compact, low power EMX Basic form-factor SBC • 1.6GHz Intel Atom E680T CPU • 1GB or 2GB soldered-on DDR2 DRAM • 1 Gigabit Ethernet port • 4 USB 2.0 ports • 3 RS-232 serial ports • 1 RS-232/422/485 serial port • 1 CAN port • VGA CRT and LVDS LCD display • USB keyboard and mouse • System controller with 10 GPIO lines, 4 PWM, A/D • Socket for USB flashdisk up to 8GB • Rugged design: -40oC to +85oC operating temperature and memory soldered on board • EMX stackable I/O expansion • PCIe MiniCard socket • EMX Basic form-factor: (4.92 x 3.74 in. / 125 x 95mm) Altair's rugged features include a wide temperature operating range of -40°C to +85°C, soldered-on memory, plus dedicated locations on the PCB to replace configuration jumpers with 0-ohm resistors for resistance to shock and vibration. Conformal coating is also available as an added cost option. EmbeddedXpress is a new industry standard form-factor for embedded computers that defines a more efficient stackable I/O expansion. The EMX standard enables flexibility, scalability, and increased longevity in the final product by providing interchangeable processor modules. "EMX represents a significant advancement in embedded computing," says Jonathan Miller, President of Diamond Systems. "It offers many design and implementation advantages to both vendors and customers over existing form factors on the market today."