NEW HYBRID SOLUTION FROM MEN MICRO INC. SIMPLIFIES MIGRATION PATH FROM COMPACTPCI to COMPACTPCI EXPRESS

PLEASE REFER TO THIS
number in correspondence: MEN-A-5551

AMBLER, Pa. – May 2007 – MEN Micro Inc., a world-renown provider of embedded computing and I/O solutions for demanding industrial, mobile and harsh environment applications, has developed a family of CPU boards and I/O cards for a cost-effective hybrid configuration that significantly simplifies the migration path from 3U CompactPCI to CompactPCI Express. Developed in conjunction with leading electronic packaging products manufacturer Schroff, the new solution incorporates a unique Schroff backplane, MEN Micro’s scalable Intel® product family, a CompactPCI Express extension board and an XMC carrier board, all of which help to provide flexible system configurations.

The system combines the high serial data rates of CompactPCI Express while preserving compatibility with existing CompactPCI systems, making it ideal for applications that require complex communication and powerful visualization, as well as digital and analog signal processing. This hybrid configuration eliminates the need for software re-writes and expensive new software for serial link connections. It also helps save costs by enabling the Express function to be used only where high data rates are required, such as in high-end graphics and Ethernet functions.

The 8-slot hybrid Schroff backplane needs no bridge or active logic. Four slots are designed for 32-bit CompactPCI and rear I/O on the P2 connector, along with four slots reserved for CompactPCI Express. The 4-link, dual CompactPCI Express system slot is situated in the middle of the backplane. Three peripheral CompactPCI Express slots can each be accessed with 4 links x1 lane; two of the peripheral slots are accessed with 1 link x1; and a third slot is accessed with 2 links x1.

MEN Micro’s F602 CompactPCI side card serves as the system-slot SBC in a CompactPCI Express system for I/O extension. The side card, which is equipped with connectors XJ2 and XJ3, supports four PCI Express links with one lane each and is connected to the CPU card via a robust connector. In addition, it offers a USB, a COM and a DVI connector and can be equipped with a SATA hard disk.

The F14, F15 and F17 SBCs, ideally suited for use with the F602 in this new system, offer a wide range of performance, from the Intel Core 2 Duo with 64-bit architecture and multicore technology down to the extremely low power Pentium M and Celeron M variants with a frequency range of 1 GHz to more than 2 GHz. The PCI Express lanes, which are not needed for the CompactPCI Express extension, are used for the Gigabit Ethernets ports on the SBC. The CPU boards, which offer typical PC functions like SATA, USB and graphics, are equipped with up to 4 GB DDR2 RAM and CompactFlash or alternatively a PATA hard disk. In this configuration, three additional slots on both the CompactPCI bus and CompactPCI Express bus are available.

Conventional I/O, including binary and analog signals, are connected to the parallel (CompactPCI) bus, as its data rates make it suitable for measuring and data pre-processing systems in instrumentation applications, as well as for imaging systems in industrial control and automation.

The serial (CompactPCI Express) bus is best suited for functions like Gigabit Ethernet, 10 Gigabit Ethernet or high-end graphics with high data rate requirements. It works in conjunction with MEN Micro’s XMC carrier board F700, one of the first XMC modules available that is equipped with 4 Gigabit Ethernet channels. The XMC carrier board enables easy integration of mezzanine modules.

Pricing for a sample configuration of a full CompactPCI Express system based on a Core Duo SBC (F15) and the CompactPCI Express side card (F602) is $5,300. Delivery is six weeks ARO.

For additional information, visit http://www.men.de/products/default.asp?fa=cpci&lang=1 or contact Stephen Cunha, MEN Micro, Inc., 24 North Main Street, Ambler, PA 19002;
Phone: 215-542-9575; Fax: 215-542-9577; E-mail: Stephen.Cunha@menmicro.com.
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READER SERVICE INQUIRIES: Please forward all reader service inquiries to Stephen Cunha, MEN Micro, Inc., 24 North Main Street, Ambler, PA 19002;
E-mail: Stephen.Cunha@menmicro.com.

About MEN Micro, Inc.
Since 1982, MEN Micro has focused on innovation, reliability and flexibility to develop standard and custom board-level solutions that are used throughout industrial embedded applications and harsh environments.

The company provides a robust offering of highly reliable embedded computing and I/O solutions that employ the highest technology and innovations. In addition, MEN Micro offers exceptional custom development and environmental qualification services in accordance with industry standards. The company’s standard product range contains more than 100 different computer boards and systems with corresponding BIOS, BSP and driver software based on different PowerPC and Pentium platforms.

The company has more than 170 employees and is a member of several industry associations, consortiums and alliances.