Ampro® Computers unveils new platform to speed and simplify embedded design with high-performance CPUs
Ampro® Computers unveils new platform to speed and simplify embedded design with high-performance CPUs
Robust, CPU-Independent Technology Performs Like Highly-Integrated Processor; PC/104 and EBX Pioneer Expects to Drive Another Industry Standard
San Jose, CA, September 12, 2000. Ampro Computers, the inventor and leading supplier of PC/104 and EBX form-factor single-board computers for embedded applications, today announced a new platform for the efficient delivery of high performance CPU technology, enabling accelerated development of Internet- and other network-connected embedded systems. The pioneer of the PC/104 standard for embedded modules, Ampro expects its new EnCore™ modules to drive another standard that accommodates advanced generations of microprocessors.
The EnCore platform encapsulates a complete single board computer in a small module that interfaces with a host baseboard via the PCI bus and a set of I/O signals supporting direct peripheral and network connection. It significantly enhances time-to-market for embedded systems that combine a standard 32- or 64-bit processor subsystem with application-specific logic.
Since the baseboard interface is the industry-standard PCI bus and I/O, the EnCore platform transparently supports a wide variety of complex- and reduced-instruction set (CISC and RISC) processor architectures. While the first EnCore module introduced today is based on Pentium technology, Ampro expects it will offer as many as five EnCore modules to the market within the next eighteen months supporting both additional Intel architectures and RISC processor technologies.
"Relatively few high volume applications can justify the design of a custom ASIC based on a high performance CPU core," stated Paul Rosenfeld, Ampro's Vice President of Marketing. "The vast majority of embedded designers must utilize a CPU subsystem constructed with off-the-shelf components."
Until now, Mr. Rosenfeld explained, designers could either design a CPU subsystem into their product or choose an off-the-shelf computer board that either requires a bulky card cage and backplane (such as VME or CPCI) or some other fixed form-factor bus expansion (such as EBX or PC/104) for their application-specific logic. Many designers have chosen to design their own CPU subsystem, in spite of the extended design time and headaches associated with porting software to their unique system architecture. "With EnCore modules," he stated, "designers have a third choice: incorporate a proven CPU subsystem and common peripherals with out-of-the-box software support without packaging or form-factor constraints imposed on their application-specific logic board."
The EnCore platform works like a high-integration chip, interfacing directly to a designer's form-factor independent system board containing application-specific logic and I/O connections. EnCore technology coupled with advanced real-time operating systems (RTOS) allows designers to focus their design resources on their application-specific system board and application software. All that is needed for the computing subsystem is a powerful EnCore module with the CPU of their choice.
"The EnCore Platform frees OEMs to focus on their unique product capabilities instead of designing computers", said Joe Byrne, embedded analyst, Dataquest. "What Ampro Computers is doing makes a lot of sense. I see a lot of advantages from combining the values of an off-the-shelf CPU subsystem with OEM's application-specific logic. The ability to choose the optimal CPU from among several RISC or CISC processors offers an unusual bonus to designing with this technology."
Software Enables Flexibility
One of the key enablers of the EnCore platform is the ability to write application software to a particular RTOS API in C, C++ or Java and then easily move the application to different processors supported by that RTOS. Ampro, in partnership with key RTOS suppliers, will develop and support EnCore-specific adaptations of leading RTOS, including Board Support Packages (BSPs) which will insure that an RTOS boots on an EnCore-based system out-of-the-box.
About the EnCore Platform
EnCore Modules interface to a baseboard through a 120-pin PCI bus connector, identical to the connector used for the PCI bus on PC/104 Plus boards. I/O signals are brought to the baseboard through three 44-pin headers which provide two serial ports, an ECP/CPP parallel port, 4 USB ports, video and LCD signals, keyboard and mouse and an audio interface. For superior emissions control, two separate connectors provide the Ethernet interface and power and ground. The audio interface requires codec support on the baseboard. The Ethernet magnetics must also be included on the baseboard.
EnCore modules are 100mm x 145mm (3.94" x 5.70") allowing wide flexibility in baseboard form-factors.
Ampro believes the EnCore Platform will become the basis for an industry standard as occurred with Ampro-created PC/104 and EBX form-factors. Ampro will provide EnCore form-factor details to third parties, on request, to enable rapid growth in EnCore-compatible products and enhance the acceptance of the platform.
Introducing the EnCore 500 Module
The first EnCore Module to be released is the EnCore 500. Based on a 266MHz Mobile Pentium processor, the EnCore 500 includes high-performance 3D video and LCD interfaces, 10/100 base-T Ethernet, and SoundBlaster™-compatible sound interface. It supports up to 128MB SODIMM SDRAM, two serial ports, ECP/EPP parallel port, (4) USB ports, primary IDE controller with a SanDisk CompactFlash / IBM MicroDrive support option, and PC/104-Plus expansion (PCI only).
EnCore Development Boards
To speed design with EnCore modules, Ampro offers two sample baseboards in EBX and 3U CPCI form-factors. The schematics and other design information for these boards are made available to OEM customers as a reference design for development of their own system boards. Ampro Services will quote custom baseboard design for OEMs upon request.
Price and Availability
The EnCore 500 is priced well under $500 each in volume, including the CPU. Prototype/evaluation quantities are available now. Production quantities will be available in 90 days.
The EnCore EBX and 3U CPCI form-factor baseboards are currently available to support EnCore designs. They are priced at $299 and $349 respectively. An EnCore Development Kit, containing the EBX baseboard, power supply, floppy, hard disk and CD-ROM drives, and all cables, documentation and utility software is available for $995.
About Ampro Ampro Computers, Inc., headquartered in San Jose, CA., is widely recognized as the leading global provider of modular embedded computing solutions for OEM applications. Ampro originated the PC/104 and PC/104-Plus standards, and co-authored (with Motorola) the EBX high-performance non-backplane single-board computer standard (based on Ampro's popular LittleBoard form-factor). Ampro's extensive line of integrated EnCore modules, PC/104 form-factor CoreModule CPUs, EBX form-factor LittleBoard single board computers and MiniModule expansion products enable OEMs to easily integrate a variety of computing architectures into their products while minimizing system size and shortening time-to-market.
AMPRO is a registered trademark and EnCore, CoreModule, MiniModule, LittleBoard and Connecting The Embedded World are trademarks of Ampro Computers, Inc. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
MIPS is a registered trademark and MIPS-based and MIPS32 are trademarks of MIPS Technologies, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective companies. All press materials are available on the World Wide Web via: http://www.mips.com.
Media Contacts:
Ampro ADLINK Technology Inc.
Kelly Gillilan
Tel: 1-408-360-4324
Email: kelly.gillilan@adlinktech.com
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