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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 nanoETXexpress-SP. 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, pinout, and signals. This
document ist 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
Computer on modules express (COM Express™) modules are very compact, highly integrated computers. All
(nano/micro)ETXexpress® modules feature a standardized form factor and a standardized connector layout that carry
a specified set of signals. Each (nano/micro)ETXexpress® module is based on connector type 1 or 2 of the COM
Express™ specification. This standardization allows designers to create a single-system baseboard that can accept
present and future (nano/micro)ETXexpress® modules.
(nano/micro)ETXexpress® 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 peripheral 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.
9
nanoETXexpress-SP/Introduction
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