First Qseven module with NVIDIA Tegra290 ARM cpu

With the MSC Q7-NT2, MSC Vertriebs presented its first ARM processor based Qseven module at embedded world. The module consumes 5W typical and is specified for an extended ambient temperature range from -40 to 85°C. The graphics performance of the embedded module allows playback of hd videos and is suitable for digital signage.

Microsoft Windows CE operating system and support for the open source, free Linux is currently offered for the Qseven module MSC Q7-NT2. In future, other alternatives will be available since Microsoft recently announced that the next Windows version will also support the ARM architecture in addition to Intel's x86 processors. The module is based on the NVIDIA Tegra 290 low power processor with dual core ARM Cortex A9, which is clocked with up to 1GHz. The ARM/RISC processor architecture is supported by the Qseven Specification starting with Revision 1.20, which was released in September 2010. Up to 1GB DDR2 SDRAM and a NAND flash memory with a maximum capacity of 8GB are integrated on the module. The onboard ultra low power 3d graphics controller GeForce OpenGL ES 2.0 offers a full hd resolution with 1920 x 1080 pixels. The graphics controller supports MPEG4/H.264 video encoding (D1) and decoding (full hd). The HDM 1.3I interface and a second dual channel LVDS interface allow the connection of two large scale displays. A camera can also be connected via the 1x 8bit BT.656 video input available on the feature connector. The module has been designed specifically for visualisation applications such as the medical sector and for image processing tasks. Digital signage, multimedia, entertainment and Internet tv systems can also be implemented with the module. Due to the extended temperature range, the platform is also suitable for use in industrial applications in harsh environments and transportation applications. The Qseven module MSC Q7-NT2 offers three PCI Express x 1 channels, up to four USB 2.0 hosts, a USB OTG port, a serial UART interface, AC 97 audio, 10/100/1000 Base-T Fast Ethernet (IEEE1588 Real Time), I2C (400Kbit/s) and SPI. The SD/SDIO/MMC interface allows the connection of memory cards. The application data can be stored via two SATA II channels.