NEWSLETTER Multimedia Module EXM32 Au1200

MSC adds Multimedia Module with AMD Alchemy™ CPU to its EXM32 Family of robust Embedded Computing Modules

MSC introduced the "EXM32 Au1200 Multimedia Module" which is the latest addition to the company's line of EXM32 Deeply Embedded Computing Modules. The 90x65mm card features the AMD Alchemy™ Au1200™ CPU with DRAM and Flash memory as well as LAN, CAN and IEEE1394 functions. The combination of this EXM32 module and a suitable application board results in a very compact, high performance and ultra-low power computing and multimedia system at a very low price. Despite its ample performance and long feature list, the EXM32 AU1200 module does not require any cooling and may be operated in the full industrial temperature range.

The "EXM32" Embedded Computing Modules are a family of very compact and powerful CPU modules. At a small size of only 90 x 65 mm, the modules combine all functions of an Embedded PC with features such as IEEE1394 ("FireWire") and CAN. This will help to speed up system design cycles, and improves the time-to-market for applications by providing the system designers with a complete Embedded PC ready to be plugged onto the application board.
	The AMD Au1200 CPU used on the module is a new member of AMD's Alchemy family of customized MIPS32® cores. It is clocked at 500MHz and directly connects to DDR2 and Flash memory. With its large set of built-in peripherals it is more a System-on-Chip than merely a CPU: The Au1200 features controllers for UART, IDE/CF, MMC/SD, Audio, LCD, Video-In (BT.656) and a powerful Multimedia Acceleration Engine (MAE). MSC has provided the EXM32 Au1200 module with additional features making it a versatile computing SOM (System-On-Module) for multimedia applications: Up to 256Mbyte DDR2 SDRAM, up to 128Mbyte NOR Flash and up to 128Mbyte NAND Flash are available on the module.
All memory devices are soldered on the board to improve the module's robustness. Controllers for 10/100 Ethernet, CAN and IEEE 1394a ("FireWire") provide the module with communication features previously unavailable in this category of embedded hardware. The AMD Alchemy Au1200 processor incorporates an integrated Media Acceleration Engine (MAE) optimized for MPEG video thus eliminating the need for DSPs or hardware MPEG decoders. The MAE features hardware support for decoding of MPEG1, 2, 4, DivX and WMV9 files scaled up to 1024x768. The Au1200 processor also features a digital video input port (Camera Interface Module, CIM) that provides an 8- or 10-bit data bus for input from CCD/CMOS sensors or other CCIR656 data. The CIM supports pixel clock rates up to 33MHz and is available on the EXM32 module interface. The EXM32 Au1200 Multimedia Module with the AMD Alchemy Au1200 enables users to quickly build feature-rich systems which permit to access multimedia data efficiently and to display DVD-quality video along with HiFi-quality audio, at a low power consumption and over a wide temperature range. The MSC EXM-Au1200 CPU Module consumes 2.5W of power from 3.3V supply, and only 0.18W in sleep mode. It comes in versions for the standard and the industrial temperature range (-40 … +85°C). Samples will be available in Q2 of 2006. Starter Kits with appropriate Motherboards are in preparation.
Application Areas EXM32 systems are successfully being used in applications such as industrial controls, POS terminals (Point Of Sale) and telematics. The EXM32 family also comprises a plug-on module with GPS/GPRS functionality which allows for compact system hardware in all kinds of navigation and telematics applications. With the multimedia module introduced today, the range of applications can be extended to mobile HMI interfaces, industrial displays and portable infotainment systems benefiting from the multimedia performance now available at very low power and cost. Previously, in order to play DVD-quality video on a full-frame-rate TFT screen, computing systems running at 1GHz and more were required, bringing with them a hefty hardware price and power consumption bill.
This new price tag for live video playing will give rise to a multitude of applications which up to now could only display still images on the LCD monitor: industrial, building and advertising displays, POS systems, information retrieval kiosks, merchandise dispensers, ticket vending machines, Panel PCs etc. With the advent of affordable video presentations in HMI (human machine interface) applications, strongly-improved help functions can be realized explaining a system's operation to the users with high-resolution video on TFT screens the size of a computer monitor. Large-sized screens of idle vending machines can show advertising videos to passers-by to attract customers while not being used. Any kind of multimedia function can be added to a Panel PC controlling a machine or system in order to improve its interoperability. Last but not least: the very low power consumption of the EXM32 Au1200 module makes it attractive even for battery-powered, portable systems requiring video display and any other kind of multimedia handling. About EXM32 The EXM32 module standard was designed by MSC for use in rough environments. The modules are specified in the industrial temperature range and do not require any cooling. However, they are offering great performance to be used in a wide variety of applications. The initial EXM32 CPU modules were based on the Renesas SH4 CPU and are now complemented by the AMD Alchemy CPU. Further information on the EXM32 product family can be found on the Internet at www.exm32.de or on the MSC website or mailtoboards@msc-ge.com

Newsletter OverviewDownlaod Newsletter [PDF 167KB]Contact