Mini SBCs sport PCI Express, run Windows CE, XPe

Click here to learn
about this Sponsor:

Keywords: Match:

Sep. 26, 2006

Ampro unveiled a pair of PCI Express-powered single-board computers (SBCs) at the Embedded Systems Conference (ESC) in Boston on Sept. 26. The MightyBoard 821 and ReadyBoard 820, in mini-ITX and EPIC Express form-factors, respectively, are based on Celeron and Pentium processors and support both Windows CE and Windows XP Embedded, according to the company.

MightyBoard 821 mini-ITX mobo

MightyBoard 821
(Click image to enlarge)

The RoHS-compliant MightyBoard 821 offers a choice of 2.0 GHz Pentium M 760 or 1.5 GHz Celeron M 370 processor, along with an Intel 915GM chipset and up to 2 GB of DDR2 533 RAM in two DIMM slots. The board's display controller supports CRTs at up to 2048 x 1536 pixels, and dual 24-bit LVDS at up to 1920 x 1200. An x16 PCI Express expansion slot can be used to support high-end extended graphics.

I/O includes:

2 x PCIe Gigabit Ethernet
6 x USB 2.0
4 x serial, 2 RS232/422/485
enhanced ultra DMA 33/66/100 synchronous IDE; supports two drives
serial ATA; supports two devices
PS/2 keyboard and mouse
EPP/ECP bi-directional port
AC97 audio -- stereo in/out; mic in
GPIO -- 4 in; 4 out

The MightyBoard 821 fits in standard mini-ITX and ATX enclosures, and is well-suited for gaming, medical imaging, video surveillance, and other graphics-intensive applications, Ampro says.

ReadyBoard 820 EPIC Express SBC

ReadyBoard 820
(Click image to enlarge)

Ampro claims the EPIC Express-compliant ReadyBoard 820 to be the "world's smallest PCI Express motherboard." It's offered with processors ranging from a 1 GHz ULV Celeron M 373 to a 1.8 GHz Pentium M 745, and is equipped with an Intel 915GM chipset and up to 1 GB DDR2 400 SODIMM RAM. The board's onboard display controller can support both CRT and LVDS video formats (resolution not specified), and three lanes of x1 PCI Express are available for high-speed I/O expansion.

I/O includes:

1 Gigabit PCIe Ethernet, 1 10/100 Ethernet
4 x USB 2.0
4 x serial; 2 are usable as RS232/422/485
enhanced ultra DMA 33/66/100 synchronous IDE supports up to two hard drives
CompactFlash on primary IDE
serial ATA supports up to two devices
PS/2 keyboard and mouse
parallel -- EPP/ECP bi-directional port
AC97 audio -- stereo line in/out; mic in
GPIO -- 4 in, 4 out

Availability

MightyBoard 821 samples will be available during Q4, while ReadyBoard 820 samples will not be available until Q1 of next year, according to the company. Prices start in the "low $500's" in production quantities, including an Ampro-installed CPU.

Ampro says it supports both boards with drivers and BSPs for Windows XP, Windows XP Embedded, and Windows CE, as well as a "full Linux 2.6 distribution."

Related stories:

(Click here for further information)

7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.

4 Legal Reasons to Control Internet Access
The Internet is obviously a valuable resource for many organizations. However, many are exposed to legal liability concerns because they fail to control Internet access. Learn if you're safe in this white paper.

Rapidly Resolve J2EE Application Problems
Whether you are in the process of building J2EE applications or have J2EE applications already running in production, you must ensure that they deliver the expected ROI. Learn how in this white paper.

Load Testing 2.0 for Web 2.0
There are many unknowns in stress testing Web 2.0 applications. Find out how to test the performance of Web 2.0 in this white paper.

Build Better Games Online
For the game infrastructure providers, life is complex. Making money from games has become more complicated. Why? Find out in this white paper.

Building a Virtual Infrastructure from Servers to Storage
This white paper discusses the virtual storage solutions that reduce cost, increase storage utilization, and address the challenges of backing up and restoring Server environments.

Gaining Faster Wireless Connections with WiMAX
Welcome to what is quickly becoming the hyperconnected world where anything that would benefit from being connected to the network will be connected. Learn more in this white paper.

Is Your Desktop a Security Threat?
The new wave of sophisticated crimeware not only targets specific companies, but also targets desktops and laptops as backdoor entryways into those business’ operations and resources. Learn how to stay safe in this white paper.

Increasing SAN Reliability by 100 Percent
Storage area networks (SAN) are a strong part of storage plans. Learn how to increase your reliability and uptime by 100 percent in this case study.

Got a HOT tip? please tell us!

Click here for a profile of each sponsor:

PLATINUM SPONSORS
<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/entzd.windowsfordevices/desktop;kw=msembedded;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?"" style="border-width:0px;height:150px;width:30px;"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/entzd.windowsfordevices/desktop;kw=msembedded;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?" style="border:0; height: 150; width:30;" /></a>		<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/entzd.windowsfordevices/desktop;kw=trolltech;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?"" style="border-width:0px;height:150px;width:30px;"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/entzd.windowsfordevices/desktop;kw=trolltech;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?" style="border:0; height: 150; width:30;" /></a>

(Become a sponsor)

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)

HOT TOPICS • 2006 Windows Embedded retrospective
• Windows CE 6 Arrives
• Shared source contest winners
• Ultra Mobile PCs
• Spotlight on SPOT
• Embedding Windows is 4X cheaper than Linux
• CE "core" reduced to $3

...in our 2007
Windows Embedded Market Survey

Check out the latest Windows-powered...

mobile phones!

other cool
gadgets

REFERENCE GUIDES
• Windows Device Showcase
• Intro to Windows Embedded
• Intro to Shared Source
• Real-time Windows Embedded
• Windows Embedded books

BREAKING NEWS

• Rack-mount automation computer runs Windows from flash
• Smallest GPS-equipped phone ever?
• Color e-paper rolls up for storage
• Windows XP leaps onto OLPC laptop
• "1-Watt" x86 processor powers pico-ITX board
• Webcast covers Windows Mobile development
• "Software-only" GPS supports WIndows
• Atom-based ECX board runs Windows
• $7 SoC runs Windows CE
• April XPe chat transcript available
• Little thin client runs Windows CE or XP Embedded
• Microsoft releases VS 2008, NET Framework 3.5 betas
• E-reader boasts 6-inch EPD display, Windows CE
• Thin clients bulk up on software
• Microsoft warns of Windows CE 5.0 security hole

Join our Windows Embedded discussion forums:
• Windows XP Embedded
• Windows CE
• Windows Mobile

Windows Embedded developer newsgroups
• Windows CE
• XP Embedded
• PocketPC
• Smartphone

Microsoft's Windows Embedded resources
• Embedded dev center
• Mobile dev center
• Windows CE tutorials
• XP Embedded tutorials
• Windows Embedded seminars
• Windows Embedded application categories
• 3rd-party partners

Also visit our sister sites:

Sign up for WindowsForDevices.com's...

news feed

Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Windows is a trademark or registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries and is used by WindowsForDevices under license from owner. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. WindowsForDevices is an independent publication not affiliated with Microsoft Corporation.