Atom-Based Computer-On-Module Links ETX And PC/104-Plus

Aug. 13, 2009

Computer-on-module boards often delegate expansion to a custom carrier board. Diamond Systems takes a different approach by including PC/104-Plus expansion on its Atom-based ETX Pluto, which is built around a 1.6-GHz Intel Atom ETX module w

William G. Wong

The ETX Pluto handles up to 2 Gbytes of small-outline dual-inline memory-module (SODIMM) DDR2. Its high-resolution display controller can drive low-voltage differential signal (LVDS) displays. Peripheral interfaces include dual 100-Mbit/s Ethernet, two SATA, IDE, four USB 2.0 ports, four serial ports, AC’97 audio, SMBus, I²C, IRDA, digital IO, PS/2 ports, a parallel port, and a Compact Flash socket.

The ETX processor module’s form factor matches the interface board. The module also has its own metal heatsink for fanless operation. Expansion is provided via the PC/104- Plus ISA and PCI bus connectors. Pricing starts at $599.

DIAMOND SYSTEMSwww.diamondsystems.com

About the Author

William G. Wong | Senior Content Director - Electronic Design and Microwaves & RF

I am Editor of Electronic Design focusing on embedded, software, and systems. As Senior Content Director, I also manage Microwaves & RF and I work with a great team of editors to provide engineers, programmers, developers and technical managers with interesting and useful articles and videos on a regular basis. Check out our free newsletters to see the latest content.

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I earned a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Masters in Computer Science from Rutgers University. I still do a bit of programming using everything from C and C++ to Rust and Ada/SPARK. I do a bit of PHP programming for Drupal websites. I have posted a few Drupal modules.

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