EMBEDDED COMPUTERS: Sharper view of embedded modules

Congatec AG has announced the immediate availability of the conga-QA3 Qseven module based on the Intel Atom processor E3845. All modules are fitted with ceramic capacitors making them ideal for industrial mobile applications in harsh environments. New features include an ample L2 cache, which can be shared by multiple cores, and a much faster Intel HD graphics unit compared with the previous generation. This turns new applications into visual experiences. The modules support Intel Advanced Encryption Standard New Instructions (Intel AES-NI) set, which is more relevant than ever in practical application. This allows developers to offload particularly compute-intensive packaging and encryption routines of the well-known cryptographic algorithm AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) into hardware, thereby enabling high performance encryption without putting a significant burden on the cpu cores. The conga-QA3 comes in five different Intel Atom processor-based versions (formerly codenamed "Bay Trail") for high scalability. It ranges from the entry-level single-core Intel Atom processor E3815 with 1.46GHz and a low power consumption of 5 watts, up to the quad-core Intel Atom processor E3845 with 1.91GHz and 10 watts. The Qseven modules are each equipped with 2GB of DDR3L memory and up to 16GB eMMC 4.5 for mass storage. Depending on which processor is used, versions with 8GB of RAM are available. The integrated graphics are significantly more powerful than the previous model and support DirectX 11, OpenGL 3, OpenCL 1.2 and high-performance, flexible hardware decoding to decode even multiple high-resolution full HD videos in parallel. Up to 2560 x 1600 pixels with DisplayPort and 1920 x 1200 pixels with HDMI are natively supported in the processor. It is also possible to connect up to two independent display interfaces via 2x 24-bit LVDS. Thanks to native USB 3.0 support, the modules achieve fast data transmission with low power consumption. One of the five provided USB 2.0 ports is executed as USB 3.0 SuperSpeed. Three PCI Express 2.0 lanes and two SATA interfaces with up to 3Gb/s enable fast and flexible system extensions. The Intel Ethernet Controller I210 guarantees the best software compatibility. Completing the feature set are: MIPI camera interface, I2C bus, LPC bus for easy integration of legacy I/O and Intel High Definition Audio. Company and product iinfo congatec AG is a leading supplier of industrial computer modules using the standard form factors Qseven, COM Express, XTX and ETX. Core knowledge and technical know-how includes unique extended BIOS features as well as comprehensive driver and board support packages. Following the design-in phase, customers are given support via extensive product lifecycle management. Quick facts • Driver for innovation and technology leadership • Focused on Computer-on Modules • Leading in x86 & ARM COM technology Product range Industrial computer modules using form factors Qseven, COM Express (Type2 and Type6), XTX and ETX Standards and certifications • COM Express – Specification Editor within PICMG • XTX • Qseven Industries/sectors served • Industrial automation • Digital signage • Medical • Automotive • Transportation • Aerospace • Gaming • POS/POI Contact information UK Sales Office 26 The Barnhams Bexhill On Sea, East Sussex TN39 3RE T: 01424 846915 E: bob.pickles@congatec.com