Low-power processors provide a great computing and graphics performance, making them perfect for any non-real-time application
congatec has launched Intel’s new low-power processor generation on five embedded form factors. To be made available on SMARC, Qseven, COM Express Compact and Mini Computer-on-Modules as well as Pico-ITX Single Board Computers (SBCs), the different Intel Atom x6000E Series processors, Intel Celeron and Pentium N & J Series processors (code-named “Elkhart Lake”) based on low-power 10 nm technology will pave the way for a new generation of edge-connected embedded systems.
The new congatec boards and modules provide a double graphics performance for up to three simultaneous displays running at 4kp60 and present a staggering 50 per cent more multi-thread computing power (compared to their predecessors on up to 4 cores). Further benefits, especially in real-time industrial markets, are Time Sensitive Networking (TSN), Intel Time Coordinated Computing (Intel TCC) and Real-Time Systems (RTS) hypervisor support as well as BIOS configurable ECC and extended temperature options from -40 degrees Celsius to +85 degrees Celsius.
Additionally, the new processors are a perfect fit for any non-real-time application as it offers numerous further features and functions that are essential for today’s edge-connected embedded systems such as POS, kiosk and digital signage systems as well as distributed gaming and lottery terminals, to name just a few installations requiring remote machine-to-machine communication.
“The combination of rugged real-time operation, real-time connectivity and real-time hypervisor technologies is what we need for IoT-connected industrial applications. Our boards and modules with the new Intel Atom, Celeron and Pentium processors deliver massive improvements in this respect for the automation and control markets, ranging from distributed process controls in smart energy grids to smart robotics, or PLCs and CNCs for discrete manufacturing. Further real-time applications can be found in test and measurement as well as in transportation such as train and wayside systems or connected autonomous vehicles,” explains Jürgen Jungbauer, Senior Product Line Manager at congatec. “Mission-critical applications will also benefit from more cost-efficient ECC implementations as In-band Error Correction Code allows the use of more affordable conventional memory instead of dedicated ECC RAM.”
“The Internet of Things spans an array of devices, technologies, and applications, each with unique demands that often require task-specific components, interfaces and even subprocessors. The Intel Atom x6000E Series and Intel Pentium and Celeron N and J Series processors combine state of the art 10nm compute and graphics technologies with a host of integrated functions and I/Os to create a single platform solution for IoT applications,” explains Jonathan Luse, Senior Director, Intel’s Industrial Solutions Division.
Verified Enhancements
For this purpose, congatec’s new Intel Atom, Celeron, and Pentium processor-based boards and modules include:
- Innovative co-processor executable options for comprehensive out-of-band management
- Full range of embedded security capabilities to build consistent real trusted applications such as verified boot, measured boot, Intel Platform Trust Technology (Intel PTT) and Intel Dynamic Application Loader (Intel DAL).
Supporting the Intel Distribution of OpenVino toolkit and Microsoft ML, the new boards and modules also accelerate the implementation of machine learning algorithms, e.g. for predictive maintenance.
Further technical enhancements include:
- Up to 16 GB LPDDR4x memory support with up to 4267 MT/s
- PCIe Gen3 and USB 3.1 for enhanced data bandwidth as well as onboard UFS 2.1 (Universal Flash Storage).
Compared to eMMC, this new storage technology has substantially higher bandwidth, faster data processing and greater storage capacities. All this is offered on the same footprint and can be used even for primary boot and storage.
The new boards and modules are available in Pico-ITX Single Board Computer (SBC), SMARC, Qseven, COM Express Compact and Mini form factors in the following processor configurations:
