Size-optimized congatec SMARC 2.1 motherboard makes 3,5-inch SBCs based on Intel Atom processors modular
Congatec announces its new conga SMC3.5/SMARC-x1 86-inch motherboard. The new size-optimized SMARC 2.1 motherboard in 3.5-inch format is application-ready and can be implemented in small to medium-sized series in combination with any congatec SMARC COM (Computer on Module) module available to date. Designed to make 3.5-inch SBC developments modular, it is optimized for Intel Atom, Celeron, and Pentium Gen 5 (codenamed Apollo Lake) processors, as well as future low-power x86 generations. Its slot for SMARC 2.1 processor modules provides scalability independent of the processor socket, making OEM solutions highly flexible and available for long periods.
With fewer layers, the 3.5-inch base PCB design is less complex and expensive compared to a fully custom design. Another benefit of the motherboard is the ability to implement customizations quickly, ensuring high custom design efficiency: adding or removing specific interfaces is quite fast, achieving the best time to market, comparatively simple, cost-effective, and available from batches of about 500 plates a year. For ultra-efficient high-volume projects, the congatec COM/carrier combo merger is an attractive option.
SMARC module customers can even get free access to motherboard schematics to support their own motherboard designs. “COM modules have the ability to bring modularity to the entire segment of embedded, industrial and IoT computing. This size-optimized SMARC 2.0 motherboard in a 3.5-inch form factor is just the starting point on our design roadmap to make embedded computing even more modular. Together with our motherboard design partners in various industries, congatec can bring tremendous benefits to any standard embedded form factor, with the potential to replace established vendors in markets such as embedded motherboards and SBCs, as well as modular edge servers. and backend systems such as CompactPCI Serial, PXI or VME / VPX”, explains Martin Danzer, Director Product Management at congatec. The new conga-SMC1 / SMARCx86 stands out for its audio codec and its USB-C implementation that is specifically optimized for Intel Atom processor technology. Furthermore, it is also optimized for MIPI cameras, which can now be connected directly and without any additional hardware. Thanks to two MIPI-CSI 2.0 connectors, it is even possible to develop systems that provide a three-dimensional view and can thus also be used for situational awareness in autonomous vehicles.
Combined with built-in processor support for artificial intelligence and neural networks, this off-the-shelf (COTS) platform offers everything developers need for intelligent vision systems. Comprehensive software support with precompiled binaries completes the new COTS offering.
Feature set in detail
The new size-optimized conga-SMC1 / SMARC-x86 SMARC 2.0 motherboard in a 3.5-inch form factor is scalable across the full range of Intel Apollo Lake processors, from Intel Atom (E3950, E3940 and E3930) to Celeron (N3350) and processors. Pentium (N4200). Measuring just 146 x 102mm, the conga-SMC1 / SMARC-x86 offers dual GbE, 5x USB, and USB and SATA 3 hub support for external hard drives or SSDs. For custom expansions, the board offers a miniPCIe slot, as well as an M.2 Type E E2230 slot with I2S, PCIe, and USB, and an M.2 Type B B2242/2280 slot with 2x PCIe and 1x USB.
An integrated MicroSim slot is also provided for IoT connection, along with dedicated onboard interfaces such as 4x UART, 2x CAN, 8x GPIO, I2C and SPI. The displays can be connected via HDMI, LVDS/eDP/DP, and MIPI-DSI. The board also offers two MIPI-CSI inputs for camera connection. I2S sound can be implemented through an audio jack. The board comes with full Windows and RTS hypervisor support. For the open source community, congatec also offers pre-compiled binaries with a properly configured bootloader, properly compiled Linux, Yocto and Android images, plus all necessary drivers that are available to congatec clients on GitHub.
Support plates are available in the SMARC COM module configurations shown in the table. More information about the new size-optimized conga-SMC1 / SMARC-x86 SMARC 2.0 carrier plate in 3.5-inch format can be found at: https:// www.congatec.com/es/productos/ accesorios/conga-smc1smarc-x86/
