Boards

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Today's Feature

Embedded Systems -- Boards Subsections

Products

News

Resources

- Embedded Systems (Top Page) -

Products

VIA Preps Very Small Mobo
VIA Technologies is expected to launch a very small format motherboard this month. Called the mini-ITX, the fully integrated mobo measures up at 170mm x170mm (yes, it's square), making 50 per cent smaller than the FlexATX form factor, VIA claims. The Mini ITX is targeted at the embedded market--expect most units to disappear into printer routers and the like--but VIA is also reporting 'grassroots interest' in the product from home PC and commercial system builders. (MARATHON Digital Publishing {scan via})
SPECCTRAQuest Design Kit Called a Full-Featured PCB Simulation Environment
Cadence Design Systems and Xilinx now offer the Rocket I/O Design Kit for SPECCTRAQuest for implementation of the new Xilinx Virtex-II Pro high-speed FPGAs in printed circuit board (PCB) systems. (ChipCenter: WebScan)
Full Force into Embedded Computing
Force Computers extends its Common Heterogeneous Architecture for Multi-Processing (CHAMP) line of boards, PMCs and software libraries with the addition of the PICMG 2.16-compliant, quad-G4 CHAMP-AV single-board computer for high-density, real-time embedded computing applications. The company also releases the ModuSys line of CompactPCI 1U, 2U, 4U and 9U systems and targets high-density computing with the System 1H--a half-depth, 1U footprint platform and the newest member of the Flexor family of embedded solutions. (ChipCenter: WebScan)
parvus Showcases New Embedded PC Computer Boards at ESC
parvus Corporation unveils six new PC/104 form factor computer boards at the Embedded Systems Conference, targeting a range of applications from data acquisition to factory automation and networked communications. The new boards feature a maximum-efficiency 90-watt DC-to-DC power conversion board, a low-cost I/O server capable of remote monitoring, maintaining and controlling Internet-enabled electronic devices, and a GPS interface. (parvus)
Low Cost GPS Packaging Solution for PC/104 Computer Systems
parvus Corporation has released a GPS Interface module for PC/104-based embedded computer systems. Designed as an inexpensive carrier board for a GPS receiver, the module allows a GPS receiver to be mounted on the small, rugged PC/104 form factor. (parvus)
Gigabit Ethernet Board Maximizes PICMG 2.16 Spec
Performance Technologies has taken the PICMG 2.16 standard to new heights with the rollout of a switch board that provides the highest bandwidth and density available on a product that meets the PICMG 2.16 standard for packet-switched backplane systems. The IPnexus CPC6400 board supports 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports, enough to fully populate a CompactPCI 2.16 system running at maximum bandwidth. (EE Times)
- New - Futurlec Board Makes Circuit Cellar Review
The PIC16F877 Development Board is the latest in a series of development boards for the most common microcontrollers. This board includes an on-board PIC16F877, which can be programmed in-circuit via a standard PC parallel port. The board features sockets for real-time clocks, EEPROM�s, RS-232/RS-422/RS-485 communication and LCD units. Similarly, all port pins are available through headers for easy connection to external circuits. (ChipCenter: Circuit Cellar)
Integrated Ultra Availability System Solutions from Force
Force Computers' new EndurX 25K platform serves Ultra Availability needs with advanced remote platform management, High Availability middleware and software upgradeability. Fully driven by customer-defined policies for event monitoring and management, EndurX provides a whole system with �five nines� or �six nines� capability--a first for open standards embedded HA computing, says Force. (ChipCenter: WebScan)
New Product News
Tri-M Systems debuts the MZ104-EV, an ZFx86-based, PC/104 SBC. Among its features: 10/100BaseT Ethernet and an Asiliant 69000 chipset video controller that supports simultaneous dual CRT and LCD, including LVDS. Circuit Cellar reports on the board, which was designed for embedded applications that require a low-cost, low-power video and Ethernet solution. (ChipCenter: Circuit Cellar)
Test & Measurement Commentary
Chip Center's Alex Mendelsohn offers some insight on Catalyst Enterprises' release of the new TA700C Bus Analyzer/Exerciser for cPCI-based systems, noted for its ease-of-use and field-upgradable design. Interactive Circuits and Systems offers a new 32-channel PCI DAC board, which enables the synchronous operation of a whopping 1,024 channels, and National Instruments is out with a new portable, hot-pluggable, FireWire-based data acq system. (ChipCenter: Test & Measurement)

News

- New - PCI-SIG Releases First PCI Upgrade in 3 Years
The PCI Special Interest Group upgrades its local bus specification to v2.3, the first major upgrade to conventional PCI since December 1998. Its release represents a transition from the bus's original 5-V signaling to 3.3-V signaling. Like its predecessor, the new spec supports two system board add-in card connectors for both the 3.3-V and 5-V signaling. However, the new version does not support 5-V keyed add-in cards, although it does continue to support the universal-keyed and 3.3-V keyed add-in cards. (Electronic News)
- New - A Peek at PCB Design Con
With the launch of its Universal Design Network, a Web-based software platform, at the PCB Design Conference West, Syncron's hope is that UDN will solve the interoperability problems of pc-board tools in one fell swoop by using a common database to link board design, parts procurement and manufacturing. Altium unveils its next-generation Protel board-level design product, Protel DXP, derived from the Design Explorer platform and boasting faster application startup and a more responsive and tightly integrated design environment. PCB features include topological autorouting, native support for multichannel design and design variants, enhanced error checking and synchronization, and the integration of VHDL design entry. (EE Times)
- New - EDN Announces Electronics Industry Innovation/Innovator of the Year Award Winners
EDN has recognized its most recent round of award-winning innovators and innovations, which included Rabbit Semiconductor in Computers, Boards, and Buses; eDevice in Embedded Development; National Semiconductor in EDA; and Fujitsu, Linear Technology and Analog Devices in various IC categories. (Electronic Business)
- New - Paceline Preps Infiniband Switch Systems
Paceline Systems has debuted as the latest startup tying its fortune to the rise of Infiniband, a high-speed systems interconnect projected for initial deployment in 2003. The company aims to provide a line of Infiniband switching systems to link computers, storage devices and networks in large data centers. Specifically, Paceline plans to roll out six switches that would span fixed-function systems supporting 8, 16 and 24 Infiniband ports, and a modular system that could expand up to about 100 ports. (EE Times)
- New - 3GIO & HyperTransport: What's the Difference?
As the number of companies supporting both specs increases, their rivalry decreases, says Electronic News. Are companies hedging their bets, or do the technologies represent a conflict of interests? The answer, perhaps, is neither. Analysts say there both is and isn't an overlap between the two technologies. (Electronic News)
BSP for NEC Embedded Processors with Windows CE .NET
Rachis demoed a new Windows CE .NET Board Support Package for NEC Electronics' MIPS-based VR Series 64-bit RockHopper development systems at the Embedded Systems Conference. (ChipCenter: WebScan)
HyperTransport Consortium Announces 8 New Members
The HyperTransport Technology Consortium has announced eight new adopter members standing in support of HyperTransport, a high-speed point-to-point I/O link based on bus technology. Its major applications are expected to include workstations, servers, routers and storage systems. (Electronic News)
Seeking Standardization for Switched Serial Interconnect for VMEbus
Motorola headed up the effort to finalize a proposal for the VMEbus Switched Serial Standard (VXS), which will be submitted to VITA for consideration by March 20th. The proposal elements are intended to provide increased bandwidth on a VMEbus platform where both the parallel bus and switched serial fabric will coexist at the same time. (ChipCenter: WebScan)

Resources

ESC's Next Round
Sign on for the next Embedded Systems Conference near you. The show is celebrating Spring in California at San Francisco's Moscone Convention Center, then it's off to China. Course offerings and exhibits span the spectrum of embedded systems development, from Internet appliances to DSP, automotive, wireless and Java.
InfiniBand Trade Association
Organized by seven of the industry's biggest names, the InfiniBand Trade Association is working tirelessly on the development of a flexible I/O specification for channel-based, switched fabric technology. The website offers news, event updates, and member information.
VME Bus Basics
Point your browser to the VME International Trade Association home page for the latest on standards, VME FAQs, industry news, and other tidbits. VITA promotes open technology standards and offers product information for most boards.
PCI and CompactPCI Resources
The PCI Industrial Computers Manufacturing Group provides PCI specs for industrial and telecomm applications. PICMG offers message forums, event listings, and PCI/CompactPCI product information.
PC/104 Consortium
The Consortium is driving the PC/104 as a standard for embedded PCs. Its website offers links to technical support, specification information, and PC/104-related events.
ChipCenter Reference Library
This is your access point for lots of good information covering applications, design tools, consultants, intellectual property, trade shows and standards.
Standards Watch
Here is your access point to the standards world.

Janice Hughes and Cindy Carrier
In 1994, Janice joined Circuit Cellar INK's staff first as technical editor then as managing editor. Since leaving INK, Janice has offered marketing communications services for embedded computing companies. After earning an English degree, Cindy has made her living doing freelance technical editing and writing.
Please send your comments to embedded.editors@cox.net.


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