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Geode SBCs target ISA legacy apps
Apr. 05, 2007

Ampro has leveraged AMD's Geode LX800 microprocessor across two new single-board computer (SBC) designs. The PC/104 form-factor "CoreModule 620" and the EPIC 2.0 form-factor "ReadyBoard 620" both "fully support" the legacy ISA bus through a "unique combination of circuitry, standard BIOS, and [proprietary] extensions," the company said.

(Click here for larger view of the CoreModule 620)

The two new SBCs have more in common than just a processor. Both provide a single SODIMM that accommodates up to 1 GB of SDRAM, for example, and their graphics and networking subsystems are the same. Additionally, both SBCs support Windows XP Embedded and Windows CE, as well as QNX, VxWorks, and Linux 2.6 operating systems. The smaller CoreModule (see photo above) has less in the way of I/O than the ReadyBoard (photo below) -- for example, one rather than two Ethernet channels. And as per the EPIC specification, the ReadyBoard accepts PC/104-Plus expansion modules, whereas the CoreModule lacks PCI expansion. See the table below for a more extensive feature comparison.


EPIC form-factor ReadyBoard 620
(Click to enlarge)




SBCCoreModule 620ReadyBoard 620
Form-factorPC/104 (3.550 x 3.775 inch)EPIC 2.0 (4.50 x 6.50 inch)
Processor500 MHz AMD Geode LX800500 MHz AMD Geode LX800
SODIMM memoryUp to 1GB DDR333 SODIMMUp to 1GB DDR333 SODIMM
ExpansionPC/104 (ISA)PCI/104-Plus (ISA and PCI)
Ethernet1 10/100BaseT2 10/100BaseT
Graphics1600x1200-pixel max, up to 4MB UMA frame buffer, LCD support1600x1200-pixel max, up to 4MB UMA frame buffer, LCD support
USB 2.0 ports24
Serial Ports1 (RS232/422/485) +12 (RS232/422/485) +2
CompactFlash socketOn primary IDEOn secondary IDE
Other featuresKeyboard/mouse/audio ports; -40° to +85°C extended temperature optionKeyboard/mouse, audio ports; 8 general-purpose I/O pins; ACPI power management w/S3; fanless operation
Operating temperature range0 to 60 deg. C std; 40° to +85°C extended temperature option available0 to 60 deg C

Ampro's extensions to an "industry standard" AMI BIOS address the initialization of and support for "critical features that are necessary to maintain compatibility with the hundreds of off-the-shelf and custom PC/104 modules," explained CEO Joanne Mumola Williams. "Without a full new implementation of the ISA bus, many system OEMs would face substantial re-architecture, sourcing, and re-qualification challenges just to keep production running."

The ISA bus support in the boards features a PCI-to-ISA bus bridge IC, rather than using the more common LPC-to-ISA bridge. The upshot, Williams said, is that "the entire address and I/O space is available, and 16-bit-wide data transfers are supported. The BIOS supports distributed DMA (DDMA) as well as the entire set of IRQ's (interrupt requests) in order to work with a very broad range of standard and custom PC/104 boards that are in use."

Availability

The ReadyBoard 620 is expected to be available in small quantities within 60 days, and the CoreModule 620 be show up within 90 days. Production pricing for both starts in the upper $200s, according to the company.

The Geode LX800 has seen numerous design-wins over the past year or so. For a sampling of other LX800-based SBCs in a broad range of embedded SBC form-factors introduced in the past six months, see the list of "Related stories," below.



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