Com Express® Documentation; Com Express® Benefits - Kontron microETXexpress-DC User Manual

2.4 COM Express® Documentation
This product manual serves as one of three principal references for a COM Express® design. It documents the
specifications and features of microETXexpress®-DC. The other two references, which are available from your Kontron
Support or from PICMG®, include:
» The COM Express® Specification defines the COM Express® module form factor, pin-out, and signals. This document
is available from the PIGMG website by filling out the order form.
» The COM Express® Design Guide by PICMG serves as a general guide for baseboard design, with a focus on maximum
flexibility to accommodate a wide range of COM Express® modules.
Some of the information contained within this product manual applies only to certain
product revisions (CE: xxx). If certain information applies to specific product revisions (CE:
xxx) it will be stated. Please check the product revision of your module to see if this
information is applicable.
2.5 COM Express® Benefits
COM Express® modules are very compact, highly integrated computers. All Kontron COM Express® modules, like
nanoETXexpress, microETXexpress® and ETXexpress®, feature a standardized form factor and a standardized connector
layout that carry a specified set of signals. Each COM is based on the COM Express® specification. This standardization
allows designers to create a single-system baseboard that can accept present and future COM Express® modules.
COM Express® modules include common personal computer (PC) peripheral functions such as:
» Graphics
» USB ports
» Ethernet
» Sound
» SATA
The baseboard designer can optimize exactly how each of these functions implements physically. Designers can place
connectors precisely where needed for the application on a baseboard designed to optimally fit a system's packaging.
A PCI bus can be implemented directly on the baseboard rather than on mechanically unwieldy expansion cards. The
ability to build a system on a single baseboard using the computer as one plug-in component simplifies packaging,
eliminates cabling, and significantly reduces system-level cost.
A single baseboard design can use a range of ETXexpress®, microETXexpress® and nanoETXexpress modules. This
flexibility can differentiate products at various price/performance points, or to design future proof systems that have a
built-in upgrade path. The modularity of a COM Express® solution also ensures against obsolescence as computer
technology evolves. A properly designed COM Express® baseboard can work with several successive generations of COM
Express® modules.
A COM Express® baseboard design has many advantages of a custom, computer-board design but delivers better
obsolescence protection, greatly reduced engineering effort, and faster time to market.
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