Kontron has announced the launch of the world’s first ARM-based long-term available Pico-ITX embedded motherboard with dual-core ARM Cortex A9.
The new Kontron Pico-ITX embedded motherboard KTT20/pITX is based on the NVIDIA Tegra 2 super processor and is the first key element to the planned low power embedded architecture platform (LEAP) offerings. It is specifically designed as a ready-to-use board for video-centric applications that require an extremely low power profile on a small form factor (SFF). OEMs benefit from the Kontron KTT20/pITX and the established Pico-ITX ecosystem in terms of minimised time-to-market and TCO for innovative low power applications.
With its standards-based form factor and readily available solutions for housings and cooling, the new Kontron Pico-ITX embedded motherboard KTT20/pITX is an easy to implement and cost-efficient building block for application-ready platforms. With a maximum power consumption of only three watts, the new embedded motherboard enables fanless designs with an unprecedented performance per watt ratio and rich graphics capabilities for cost-sensitive SFF applications. And with Kontron’s comprehensive software support, including board support packages (BSPs) for all relevant operating systems, OEMs can create new applications or scale their applications across all processor platforms with minimal efforts.
Graphics-intensive applications that have to provide a rich user experience for internet, multimedia content delivery and sophisticated human machine interfaces benefit from the long-term availability of the Kontron KTT20/pITX. Target applications include, set-top boxes for hotels, compact indoor and outdoor digital signage players for stationary or in-vehicle use, POS/POI systems and mobile medical monitors / medical carts as well as compact Panel-PCs and thin clients.
The Kontron KTT20/pITX in detail
The Kontron Pico-ITX embedded motherboard KTT20/pITX features the highly integrated NVIDIA Tegra 2 1 GHz super processor with two ARM Cortex A9 cores. It provides up to 1GB of DDR2 system memory. Up to 512MB of onboard NAND-Flash and a microSD socket provide non-volatile memory for OS, application software and data.
The integrated ultra low-power NVIDIA GeForce GPU delivers graphic performance for mobile devices in high-quality gaming console quality. A comprehensive range of hardware accelerations for flash, video and audio codecs ensure fluent and brilliant playback of multimedia and web content on two independent displays that can be connected via single channel LVDS with backlight support and DVI-I interface. The Kontron KTT20/pITX supports all common monitor and panel types with resolutions of up to 1920 x 1080 (DVI) respectively 1680 x 1050 (LVDS) pixels.
For audio, the embedded Pico-ITX motherboard features SPDIF digital out for 5.1 sound plus stereo line-out and line-in and MIC. For networking, the Kontron KTT20/pITX features one 10/100/1000 Mbit RJ45 interface. For application specific extensions, there is a miniPCIe slot and five USB 2.0 ports, that can be used to connect peripherals, such as touch panels, Wi-Fi etc. 3x RS232 and up to 24 configurable GPIOs round off the feature set.
Optionally, the Kontron KTT20/pITX includes a battery charger for 3 cell Li-ion batteries and a wide range power supply for up to 15VDC.
The Kontron Pico-ITX embedded motherboard KTT20/pITX supports Windows Embedded Compact 7, Linux and Android. Support for the upcoming Windows 8 is planned. First samples of the Kontron KTT20/pITX are available now and series production will start at the end of Q2 2012. OEMs can order the new Kontron embedded motherboard directly off the shelf or as a preconfigured application-ready platform including software bundles and OS.