Kontron champions new COM Express spec development

Under development for nearly a year, COM Express draft specification was recently posted on the Web site of PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group (PICMG) for member review. The COM (Computer-on-Module) Express spec represents convergence of advanced computing standards—including Serial ATA, PCI Express, USB 2.0, LVDS, and Serial DVO—with advanced computing devices that use serial differential signaling technology to meet higher performance and I/O bandwidth needs in extremely compact form factors.

An active PICMG member, Kontron states that it has taken a strong leadership role in this specification’s development, beginning as the founding member of the sponsoring group of companies. Other companies participating in the COM Express initiative are Intel , RadiSys , and PFU Systems . (PICMG is a consortium of more than 450 companies, collaborating on development of open specifications for high-performance telecommunications and industrial computing applications.)

In keeping with COM Express specification’s progress, Kontron has started development of a new line of COM products. Slated for production early in 2005, new ETXexpress-PM will be one of the industry’s first COM Express solutions, according to the company.

“Kontron’s experience in COM technology led us to encourage the industry to develop this new standard,” says Matthias Huber, Embedded Modules manager at Kontron. “When the new standard for COMs is finally released later this year, Kontron will be ready to introduce new COM Express solutions, beginning with the ETXexpress-PM.”

—Frank J. Bartos, executive editor, Control Engineering, fbartos@reedbusiness.com

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