Specification published for nano Computer-on-Module format

The nano module format (84 x 55mm), for which Kontron already offers products under the name nanoETXexpress, is designed as an extension to the PICMG COM Express specification that currently specifies the Basic (95 x 125mm) and Extended (155 x 110mm) form factors. Kontron also supports the micro (95 x 95mm) form factor, which it intends to offer to the PICMG as an extension to the existing COM Express specification.

The official standardisation of the nano format will have an important market impact. The smaller and more highly integrated processors that are enabling increasingly smaller, energy-saving system designs require an official Computer-on-Modules standard as soon as possible. This will safeguard against an array of Computer-on-Module designs based on these processors and therefore ensure maximum design security for integrators.

This extension to the well-established PICMG COM Express specification would offer a suitable platform for these processors. Kontron is already developing two modules based on this intended extension to the COM Express industry standard and will have samples available for evaluation by the end of Q2 of 2008. The nano module follows exactly the COM Express pin-out Type 1 with respect to connector location and pin definition. Different size Computer-on-Modules are therefore interchangeable and carrier board designs are reusable. This enables developers to draw upon their existing experience with COM Express conforming ETXexpress modules and COM Express compatible microETXexpress modules. Only the dimensions are reduced to a minimum. In designing the nano COM Express form factor, Kontron was able to draw upon its experience from developing DIMM-PC (ISA) and X-board (PCI) designs as well as the Intel processor roadmap to ensure a high degree of design security.

Single standard

Kontron says that designs outside of this specification, some of which were presented at Embedded World 2008, are "basically re-inventing the wheel despite the fact that history has shown that only a single standard per technology base for Computer-on-Modules is capable of being successful." Decisive factors are the bus for customer-specific system expansions and the physical dimensions. All PCI Express studies show that the PICMG COM Express standard is the only relevant form factor for Computer-on-Modules with a PCI Express expansion bus. Therefore, this technology is considered to be suitable for implementing compact designs because it will be the first single standard covering all sizes of Computer-on-Modules belonging to a single performance class.

The addition of the new nano form factor defines all of the long-term relevant interfaces such as Gigabit Ethernet, SATA, USB and PCI Express (including PCIe Gen 2) as well as audio and graphics. Memory and Flash are also already on board - as they are with DIMM-PC and X-board. Compared with card edge connectors, the nanoETXexpress connector is significantly more future-proof. Since it has less electronic attenuation, it enables longer pathways on the carrier board. This is important since green IT trends will reduce the possible pathway length in the long term. In addition, it offers greater shock and vibration resistance as well as a clear advantage when it comes to EMC. This is also important since the demands on shielding are increasing due to factors such as second-generation PCIe, for example, that doubles the wire speed and thereby the frequency, resulting in the need for greater shielding.

The specification for the nano module can be downloaded from www.Kontron.com/COM-Express-Nano-Specification. Kontron says it is looking forward to working with other PICMG members to incorporate the nano form factor into the COM Express specification.