Chapter 2 Product Overview; Pc/104 Architecture - ADLINK Technology CoreModule 745 Reference Manual

Chapter 2
This introduction presents general information about the PC/104 architecture and the CoreModule 745
Single Board Computer (SBC). After reading this chapter you should understand:
•

PC/104 architecture

•
Product description
•
CoreModule 745 features
•
Major components (ICs)
•
Headers and Connectors
•
Specifications
PC/104 Architecture
The PC/104 architecture affords a great deal of flexibility in system design. You can build a simple system
using only a CoreModule 745 SBC, input/output devices connected to the serial, USB, or SATA ports, and
the on-board Solid State Disk storage device. To expand a simple CoreModule system, simply add self-
stacking PC/104 and PC/104-Plus expansion boards 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

PC/104 or PC/104-Plus expansion modules can be stacked with the CoreModule 745 avoiding the need for
large, expensive card cages and backplanes. The PC/104-Plus expansion modules can be mounted directly to
the PC/104 and PC/104-Plus connectors of the CoreModule 745. PC/104-compliant modules can be stacked
with an inter-board spacing of ~0.6 inches, so that a 3-module system fits in a 3.6" x 3.8" x 2.4" space. See
Figure 2-1.
One or more MiniModule products or other PC/104 modules can be installed on the CoreModule expansion
connectors, so that the expansion modules fit within the CoreModule outline dimensions. Most MiniModule
products have stackthrough connectors compatible with the PC/104-Plus Version 2.0 specification. Several
modules can be stacked on the CoreModule headers. Each additional module increases the thickness of the
package by ~17mm (0.66"). See
CoreModule 745
Product Overview
Figure 2-1.
Reference Manual 3