| COM Express module marches to Core 2 drum |
Jul. 17, 2008
 Congatec is now sampling a COM Express module using Intel's latest high-end processor with guaranteed long-term availability. The Conga-BM45 uses a 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo T9400 and GM45 Express chipset, and supports DDR3 memory, claimed to use 20 percent less power than DDR2 SDRAM.
(Click here for a larger view of Congatec's Conga-BM45)
Like the Radisys Procelerant CEGM45, the Conga-BM45 is a 3.7 x 4.9 inch COM Express module that features Intel's new Core 2 Duo T9400 processor and Mobile GM45 Express chipset announced this week. The combination provides 2.53GHz of processing speed, 6MB of second-level cache, and a 1066MHz frontside bus, along with support for up to 8GB of DDR3 memory, duly provided for on the Conga-BM45 by two SO-DIMM sockets.
Congatec's Conga-BM45 has versatile graphics support
(Click to enlarge)
Congatec says DDR3 memory consumes 20 percent lower than DDR2 RAM. It also claims the included GMA 4500MHD graphics circuitry -- DirectX 10-compatible, with integral HDTV decoding, and graphics core speeds up to 533MHz -- is up to three times faster than the equivalent on Intel's prior GME965 Express chipset.
The Conga-BM45 has dual independent graphics pipelines, each of which can connect to analog VGA, LVDS, SDVO, TV-out, DisplayPort, or HDMI interfaces, according to the company. The module is also said to implement two new VESA standards -- DisplayID and EPI (embedded panel interface) -- that allow for automatic recognition of "any" attached flat panel displays.
Putting some muscle behind Congatec's reference to "mobile" computing, the Conga-BM45 includes ACPI 3.0 (advanced configuration and power interface), with explicit support for battery operation. The device also includes integrated TPM (trusted platform module) 1.2 functionality, allowing it to store keys, password, and digital certificates securely.
Finally, the Conga-BM45 features Intel's integrated gigabit Ethernet adapter, five PCI Express lanes, a PCI Express Graphic (PEG x16) port, eight USB 2.0 ports, and four SATA-2 interfaces. It also offers a digital audio interface and signals for two ExpressCards, which would, of course, need to be located on an application-specific baseboard.
Features and specifications listed by Congatec for the conga-BM45 include:- Processor -- Intel Core 2 Duo T9400 clocked at 2.53GHz
- Memory -- up to 8GB DDR3 RAM in two SO-DIMM slots
- Networking -- gigabit Ethernet
- Graphics:
- OpenGL 2.0 and DirectX 10 support
- Two independent pipelines for full dual view
- High performance MPEG-2 hardware decoding, WMV9 (VC-1) and H.264 (AVC) support, Blu-Ray support
- Dual 112MHz LVDS transmitter supports resolutions up to 1920 x 1200 pixels; automatic panel detection
- DisplayPort
- HDCP support
- CRT interface
- TV-out supports HDTV (420p, 720p and 1080i), component and S-video outputs
- Other I/O:
- 5 x PCI Express lanes
- PCI Express Graphic (PEG x16)
- 4 x SATA supporting RAID 0/1/5/10
- 1x EIDE (UDMA-66/100), optional
- 2 x ExpressCard (uses 2 x USB & 2 x PCI Express)
- 8 x USB 2.0
- PCI Bus 33MHz Rev. 2.3
- LPC
- I2C
- Dimensions -- 4.9 x 3.7 inches
- Power consumption -- to be determined
- Operating temperature -- 0 to 60 deg. C
The conga-BM45 is said to be compatible with Windows XP Embedded, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows CE 6.0, Linux, and QNX.
The conga-BM45 will go into mass production in the fourth quarter, priced at approximately $900. It is sampling now, according to the company.
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