New MEN Micro CompactPCI PlusIO SBC gives legacy systems high-speed serial capabilities

AMBLER, USA: MEN Micro Inc., a world-renowned provider of embedded computing and I/O solutions for mission-critical industrial, mobile and harsh environment applications, has released the hybrid F21P, a 3U CompactPCI PlusIO (PICMG 2.30) single board computer (SBC) for embedded systems using legacy CompactPCI (PICMG 2.0), high-speed CompactPCI Serial (CPCI-S.0) or a combination of both.

Equipped with the latest 64-bit, quad-core Intel i7 processor running at 2.1 GHz and the Intel QM67 platform controller hub (PCH) chip set, the new F21P supports second generation PCI Express and third generation SATA as well as faster TurboBoost up to 3 GHz and improved AMT (Active Management Technology). It also offers four "genuine" or eight virtual cores via Hyper-Threading and a faster monolithic graphics core.

The low power, high processing SBC is ideal for industrial, avionics, medical engineering and transportation applications that have demanding graphics requirements as found in vision, control, monitoring and test and measurement systems. The F21P can function as a 32-bit system master board or as a standalone.

Standard rear I/O includes four ports each of PCI Express x1 and USB 2.0 as well as two 3 Gb/s and two 6 Gb/s SATA interfaces and one Gb Ethernet port. A VGA graphics port, two Gigabit Ethernet ports and two USB 2.0 interfaces are available on the front. Additional functions, such as digital video interfaces via DVI and a multitude of UARTs, USBs, SATA or HD audio, can be attached through the connection of extension cards.

The board features up to 8 GB of soldered DDR3 DRAM memory with ECC as well as an mSATA disk and a microSD card connected via a SATA channel and USB interface, respectively, to give the board almost unlimited memory for user-specific applications.

All components are soldered to withstand shock and vibration and are prepared for conformal coating against humidity and dust.

Maximum operating temperature range is -40 degrees C to +85 degrees C in 95 percent non-condensing humidity. The F21P weighs less than 0.5 lb (without heat sink) and can withstand shock up to 50 m/s2 at 30 ms as well as functional vibration of 1 m/s2 and lifetime vibration of 7.9 m/s2 from 5 Hz to 150 Hz.

Different watchdogs for monitoring the processor and board temperature complete the functionality of the F21P, which is shipped with board support packages for Windows and Linux. Because it is equipped with special components from the Intel Embedded Line, the F21P has a guaranteed minimum availability of seven years. Pricing for the F21P is $3,213. Delivery is six to eight weeks ARO.