Intel ETX CD manual ETX Documentation, ETX Benefits

2 Introduction

2.2ETX® Documentation

This product manual serves as one of three principal references for an ETX® design. It documents the specifications and features of ETX®-CD. The other two references, which are available from the Kontron Embedded Modules Web site, include:

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The ETX® Specification defines the ETX® module form factor, pinout, and signals.

The ETX® Design Guide serves as a general guide for baseboard design, with a focus on maximum flexibility to accommodate a wide range of ETX® modules.

Note:	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.

2.3ETX® Benefits

Embedded technology extended (ETX) modules are very compact (114 x 95 mm), highly integrated computers. All ETX® modules feature a standardized form factor and a standardized connector layout that carry a specified set of signals. This standardization allows designers to create a single-system baseboard that can accept present and future ETX® modules.

ETX® modules include common personal computer (PC) peripheral functions such as:

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Graphics

Parallel, Serial, and USB ports Keyboard/mouse

Ethernet

Sound

IDE (and 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.

Peripheral PCI or ISA buses 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 ETX® modules. This flexibility can differentiate products at various price/performance points, or to design future proof systems that have a builtin upgrade path. The modularity of an ETX® solution also ensures against obsolescence as computer technology evolves. A properly designed ETX® baseboard can work with several successive generations of ETX® modules.

An ETX® baseboard design has many advantages of a custom, computer-board design but delivers better obsolescence protection, greatly reduced engineering effort, and faster time to market.

Kontron User's Guide ETX CD 9