COM Express

COM Express, a computer-on-module (COM) form factor, is a highly integrated and compact PC that can be used in a design application much like an integrated circuit component. Each COM Express Module COM integrates core CPU and memory functionality, the common I/O of a PC/AT, USB, audio, graphics (PEG), and Ethernet. All I/O signals are mapped to two high density, low profile connectors on the bottom side of the module.

History

The COM Express standard was first released in 2005 by the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group (PICMG) and it sought to provide standardized module interfaces for several different target applications. It did so by defining five different module "Types" each implementing different pinout configurations and feature sets on one or two 220-pin connectors. In that way, COM Express is a standard of multiple standards. It also defined 2 module sizes (later expanded to 4) to allow additional flexibility to better serve the end application while maintaining compatibility within each module "Type." [1]

Types

There are 7 different pin outs defined in the specification. The most common used pin out is type 2. The latest pin-outs added in the revision 2.0 of the COM Express specification (available from www.picmg.org) are Type 6 and Type 10.

Maximum available interfaces for the defined types:

Type Connectors PCI Express lanes PEG PCI IDE SATA LAN Video Serial Other features
1 AB (Single) 6 No No No 4 1 LVDS A & B, VGA
10 AB (Single) 4 No No No 2 1 LVDS A only (AB (Single) channel), DDI (*2) 2 Serial COM, 1 optional CAN USB 3.0 (*1)
2 AB & CD (Double) 22 Yes Yes 1 4 1 LVDS A & B, VGA, PEG/SDVO
3 AB & CD (Double) 22 Yes Yes No 4 3 LVDS A & B, VGA, PEG/SDVO
4 AB & CD (Double) 32 Yes No 1 4 1 LVDS A & B, VGA, PEG/SDVO
5 AB & CD (Double) 32 Yes No No 4 3 LVDS A & B, VGA, PEG/SDVO
6 AB & CD (Double) 24 Yes No No 4 1 3 x DDI (*2) 2 Serial COM, 1 optional CAN USB 3.0

(*1) Option on previously allocated SATA2 and SATA3 pins. Implementor specific. [2]

(*2) DDI can be adapted to DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI or SDVO in the carrier board. [3]

Size

The specification defines 4 module sizes:

Specification

The COM Express specification is hosted by PICMG. It is not freely available but may be purchased from the PICMG website.

The current revision 2.1 (PICMG COM.0 R2.1) was released in May 2012. The original revision 1.0 was released July 10, 2005.

ETX XTX COM Express
Dimensions 95 × 114 mm (3.7 × 4.5 in) 95 × 114 mm (3.7 × 4.5 in) (ETX footprint)
  • 110 × 155 mm (4.3 × 6.1 in) (extended)
  • 95 × 125 mm (3.7 × 4.9 in) (basic)
  • 95 × 95 mm (3.7 × 3.7 in) (compact)
  • 55 × 84 mm (2.2 × 3.3 in) (mini)
Legacy1 support Full legacy Legacy except ISA Legacy except ISA
PCI Express support - 4 Lanes up to 6 Lanes (basic)
PCI Express Graphic support - - up to 16 Lanes
Ethernet support 10/100 10/100 10/100/1000
IDE support 2 IDE, 2 SATA2 2 IDE, 4 SATA IDE, 4 SATA
LPC support - yes yes
USB support 4 USB 6 USB 8 USB
Audio support Line In/Out, Mic AC'97, Line In/Out, Mic AC'97, Line In/Out, Mic, AC'97 digital, HDA
Power 5V, 5VSB 5V, 5VSB 12V, 5VSB
Notes:
  1. "Legacy" is defined as the older PC peripherals and bus, such as ISA bus, RS-232 serial, IEEE 1284 parallel, floppy, and PS/2 keyboard & mouse.
  2. ETX 3.0 adds SATA via a topside connector on the board.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "COM Express subcommittee talks R2.1". PICMG Systems and Technology.
  2. ↑ http://www.kontron.com/resources/collateral/white_papers/whitepaper_comexpresscom.0rev.2.0_en.pdf
  3. ↑ http://picmg.org//wp-content/uploads/PICMG_COMDG_2.0-RELEASED-2013-12-061.pdf

External links

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