Open-standard nanoETXexpress Computer-on-Modules form factor gets more support

Eching, Germany – Developed by Kontron, a credit card-sized open-standard nanoETXexpress Computer-on-Module form factor (84 mm x 55 mm) for developing ultra-mobile mini-computer devices based on x86 processors with 45nm technology has its first second-source partner in Aaeon.

Kontron says its nanoETXexpress Evaluation carrier board is designed to allow embedded application developers to get up and running quickly on the nanoETXexpress modular platform.

In response to the demand for smaller Computer-on-Modules with better performance-per-watt values, Aaeon presented its first nanoETXexpress Computer-on-Module at electronica in Munich earlier this month. Conforming to the COM Express specification in terms of the location and assignment of pinouts, the nanoETXexpress open-standard form factor offers high investment security for the next generation of ultra-mobile designs.Peter Yang, Aaeon product manager ECD, said, “We support the nanoETXexpress form factor because it fits perfectly into our product portfolio. We have already implemented the Intel Atom processor on our COM-U15 COM Express Computer-on-Module. The step to implementing the nanoCOM-U15 was therefore easy. The new COM perfectly fits the requirements of small Mobile Internet Devices (MID) and similarly sized, long-term available embedded computer solutions. Above all, for our OEM customers nanoETXexpress means maximum investment security for their designs.”“Demand for nanoETXexpress is growing rapidly, said Joseph Behammer, director of marketing, Kontron Embedded Modules Division. “This is a clear sign that the market has accepted nanoETXexpress and we are delighted to have Aaeon on board as the first competitor to officially follow this small form factor trend. More companies will soon follow to give nanoETXexpress a big push towards adoption in the PICMG specification.”The PICMG COM Express specification incorporates basic and extended form factors. Kontron is heading an initiative to incorporate the nanoETXexpress (84 mm x 55 mm) and the slightly larger microETXexpress (95 x 95mm) form factor, supported by five manufacturers, into the COM Express specification. On acceptance, these will be known as COM Express ultra and COM Express compact. Certification will establish a specification that guarantees high reliability and long-term availability to reduce design risks.The nanoETXexpress form factor was derived from the guidelines of the PICMG COM Express specification and follows the specification 100% (as far as dimensions permit). Differences are the size of the form factor and some of the mounting holes. The latest specification and design guidelines for carrier boards can be downloaded at no charge.Also read:

High-performance COM Express computer-on-modules

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