First ETX® 3.0 Computer-on-Module with VIA CN896 chipset

The Kontron ETX®-CN8 optimizes energy consumption while offering excellent 3D graphics performance

Eching, Germany, July 8, 2008 – Kontron’s ETX® 3.0 conforming ETX®-CN8 Computer-on-Modules with the VIA C7® (1.5 GHz) or VIA Eden™ processors (500 MHz) are now available with the Windows Vista®-ready VIA CN896 chipset.

The new Kontron ETX® 3.0 Computer-on-Modules impresses with its low-power consumption design without compromising on excellent 3D graphics performance in addition to planned long-term availability. This makes the Kontron ETX®-CN8 Computer-on-Module ideal for large volume applications that require an optimal price/performance ratio for energy efficient 3D dual graphics with support for DirectX®9 and Windows Vista®. The Kontron ETX®-CN8 Computer-on-Module supports up to 2 GB of fast DDR2 RAM, two quick RAID-capable SATA II interfaces (300 MB/s), USB 2.0 and all the other standard ETX® 3.0 interfaces. With a power consumption of only 10.5 W at full load (with the VIA Eden™ processor), the ETX-CN will match the needs of applications such as those in the areas of infotainment, gaming, medical technology and HMI / thin clients for automation.

The new Kontron ETX®-CN8 is currently the only ETX® 3.0 Computer-on-Modules on the market based on the new VIA CN896 northbridge with integrated VIA Chrome9™ HC graphics processor. The new processor module offers flowing DirectX®9 3D graphics with multitexturing and trilinear filtering for impressive 3D graphics quality on Windows Vista®. With up to 128 Mbytes of integrated graphics memory the new Kontron ETX®-CN8 module supports dual screen operation with resolutions up to WUXGA (1920 x 1440) via VGA and UXGA (1600 x 1200) via DVI/LVDS with 18/24 bit including TV-out up to HDTV and hardware accelerated MPEG-2 video decoding. There is also audio support for multimedia applications in accordance with the AC97 standard.

For optimal energy use, the Kontron ETX®-CN8 Computer-on-Modules supports the S0/S3(cold&hot)/S4/S5 suspend modes. Thanks to the Advanced Host Controller Interface (AHCI), up to 15 SerialATA devices can be connected to the Kontron ETX®-CN8 via a single SATA connector. The Kontron ETX®-CN8 also reduces peak load in multiple disk systems since the disks spin up sequentially (staggered spin-up).

With the VIA PadLock Security Engine in combination with leading security software, the Kontron ETX®-CN8 Computer-on-Modules offers uncompromising security. Special features include a random number generator and a high quality cryptography engine that supports AES encoding, SHA-1/SHA-256 hashing and accelerated RSA algorithms.

All of this is integrated on a footprint of just 95 mm x 114 mm. The wide range of software add-ons that come with all Kontron Computer-on-Modules simplifies the development of customer-specific carrier boards.

The new Kontron ETX®-CN8 Computer-on-Modules supports Windows Vista®, Windows® XP, Windows® 2000, Windows® 9x, CE and Embedded as well as Linux and is available now.

More about ETX®: http://www.kontron.com/ETX
The ETX® 3.0 Specification: http://www.etx-ig.org/specs/specs.php
More about Computer-on-Modules: http://www.kontron.com/COM