Multicore SBC

MEN (Mikro Elektronik) has released the A19 SBC which supports a multitude of dual-core and single-core CPUs and combines computing and graphics performance with low power consumption due to Intel’s 945GME chipset.

Further I/O functions can be realised via a specially developed mezzanine extension card and a PMC or XMC module. The device is equipped with components of the Intel embedded range to ensure long-term availability until at least 2013.

The SBC is a VMEbus in double Eurocard format. It supports a multitude of Intel processors, starting from the Core 2 Duo T7400 with 2.16 GHz down to the single-core Celeron M versions. It supports connection of up to two monitors with the same or different display content.

The Tundra bridge controller TSI148 supports 2eSST and enables a fast data throughput. The protocol is based on synchronous data transfer and doubles the theoretical VME transaction bandwidth to up to 320 MBps. At the same time, backwards compatibility with older standards such as VME64 and VME32 is maintained.

Standard I/O on the front panel includes graphics via VGA, two gigabit ethernet and two USB 2.0 interfaces. For I/O extension the device provides a PMC or XMC slot and a specially developed mezzanine card which can also be used on the CompactPCI-based SBC D9.

With a mezzanine card, up to four USB and two gigabit ethernet ports are led to the rear. The ethernet channels can be used to realise PICMG 2.16.

In addition to the 4 GB DDR2 RAM system memory, the board also has a CompactFlash slot and two SATA ports which can be used onboard or on the backplane. The board can be operated in Windows and Linux as well as with real-time operating systems which support Multicore architecture.