Acromag ACEX4405 carrier board for COM Express modules

The Acromag ACEX4405 is a rugged carrier board for COM Express modules offering a wide assortment of peripheral I/O connections and a mini PCIe slot for production or prototype systems.

The carrier card hosts Type 2 or Type 3 COM Express modules in a small footprint of 95 x 125 mm. Designed for extreme applications, the card has an extra-rigid PCB and extended temperature support. Features include dual ports for gigabit ethernet, RS232/422, and USB plus many other features. A mini PCIe slot adds further flexibility for expanded, high-speed I/O capabilities. Locking and latching connectors prevent shock or vibration from loosening cables.

COM Express is an embedded computing standard that is becoming popular as a cost-effective solution that balances size, performance, I/O, thermal, and scalability. The flexible architecture allows users to select from a range of processor modules and pair them with a carrier card that meets their application’s I/O requirements. The rapid deployment and long-term viability through use of interchangeable components make COM Express suitable for the defence, aerospace, industrial automation, transportation, and medical markets.

Acromag’s carrier card supports a variety of applications with a broad feature set. In addition to the ethernet, serial and USB support, the unit includes dual SATA connectors, audio and VGA video interfaces. The board also has a standard ATX power connector with LEDs for power and status indication. If additional cooling is required, the carrier provides an optional fan power interface. Scalable data storage is accommodated by a CompactFlash socket with ejector. LVDS ports are available for LCD panel and backlight control.

The unit is suitable for quick prototype or proof-of-concept designs, but it also provides an extra degree of ruggedness for production systems and OEM applications. With support for a broad range of I/O and communication interfaces, this off-the-shelf carrier card can help to reduce the time to design a semi-custom COM Express computer.