Chapter 2 Product Overview; Pci/104-Express Form Factor - ADLINK Technology CoreModule 920 Reference Manual

Chapter 2
This overview presents general information about the PCI/104-Express form factor and the CoreModule 920
Single Board Computer (SBC). After reading this chapter you should understand the following points with
regard to the CoreModule 920.
•
PCI/104-Express From Factor
•
Product Description
•
Major Components (ICs)
•
Headers, Connectors, and Sockets
•
Product Specifications

PCI/104-Express Form Factor

This product is based on PCI Express architecture and the PCI/104-Express form factor. The PCI/104-
Express form factor affords a great deal of flexibility in system design. You can build a simple system using
only a CoreModule SBC, input/output devices connected to serial, USB, or SATA ports, and the on-board
storage device. To expand a simple CoreModule system, simply add self-stacking expansion modules to
provide additional capabilities, such as:
•
Additional serial and parallel ports
•
Analog or high-speed digital I/O
Data Acquisition (Analog In/Out)

USB 2.0 expansion modules

IEEE 1394 (FireWire) expansion modules

Standard VGA video output

PCI/104-Express-compliant expansion modules can be stacked with a CoreModule SBC, avoiding the need
for large, expensive card cages and backplanes. These expansion modules can be mounted directly to the
expansion connectors of the CoreModule, with inter-board spacings of ~0.6 inches, so that a 3-module
system fits in a 4.6" x 3.8" x 2.0" space. See
One or more PCI/104-Express-compliant modules can be installed on the CoreModule SBC expansion
connectors so that the expansion modules fit within the CoreModule outline dimensions. The PCI/104-
Express form factor allows for several modules to be stacked up or down from the CoreModule expansion
connectors with each additional module increasing the thickness of the package by ~17mm (0.6"). See
Figure 2-1.
CoreModule 920
Product Overview
Figure 2-1.
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