Primary I/O Interface J3, Floppy Port | Ampro Corporation XTX 820

Chapter 3

Hardware

Primary I/O Interface (J3)

The J3 connector has 100 pins and is used for Floppy or Printer port (LPT1), Serial ports (COM1 and COM2) Mouse and Keyboard interfaces, Infrared (IrDA) port, and the video interfaces for standard CRT video and LVDS ports.

Floppy Port

The floppy interface shares signal lines with the Parallel interface. The BIOS settings determine which one is operational. A standard 34-pin floppy drive connector is listed in Table 3-16 for reference along with the J3 connector pins. This type of connector can be located on the custom baseboard if desired.

•Supports only one floppy drive on floppy drive B

•16 bytes of FIFO

•Data rate up to 1 Mbps

Table 3-16. Simplified Floppy Drive Interface Pin/Signal Descriptions (J3)

J3	Signal	34-Pin	Description
Pin #		Cable
51	LPT/FLPY*	NC	Parallel/Floppy Select – This input signal selects the parallel or
			floppy port signal. If this signal is Low at boot time, the floppy
			drive is selected. If signal is High at boot time, the parallel port is
			selected. This state can not be changed until the next boot cycle.
56	DENSEL	2	Drive Density Select (Bit 0) – This signal indicates when a low
			(250/300kBps) or high (500/1kBps) data rate is selected.
NC	NC	4	NC

NC	KEY	6	Key – Not connected
80	INDEX*	8	Index – This signal indicates when head is positioned over the
			beginning of a track or index hole.
86	MOT1*	16	Motor Control 1 – Select motor on drive 1.
55	Reserved	14	Reserved (Drive Select 0)

84	DRV1*	12	Drive Select 1 – Select drive 1.

58	Reserved	10	Reserved (Motor Control 0)
64	DIR*	18	Direction – Direction of head movement (0 = inward motion,
			1 = outward motion).
70	STEP*	20	Step – Low pulse for each track-to-track movement of the head.
88	WDATA*	22	Write Data – Encoded data to the drive for write operations.

90	WGATE*	24	Write Gate – Signal to the drive to enable current flow in the write
			head.
78	TRK0*	26	Track 0 – Sense detects the head is positioned over track 0.

76	WP*	28	Write Protect – Senses the diskette is write protected.

74	RDATA*	30	Read Data – Raw serial bit stream from the drive for read operations.
60	HDSEL*	32	Head Select – Selects the side for Read/Write operations (0 = side 1,
			1 = side 0)
72	DSKCHG*	34	Disk Change – Senses the drive door is open or the diskette has been
			changed since the last drive selection.
66	GND	all odd	Ground (1-33)

Notes: The shaded area denotes power or ground. The signals marked with * indicate active low.

XTX 820

Reference Manual

XTX 820 specifications

Ampro Corporation has made a significant mark in the world of embedded systems with its versatile XTX 820 embedded computing module. The XTX 820 is designed to cater to a wide array of applications, ranging from industrial automation to medical devices, providing developers with a powerful yet compact solution.

One of the standout features of the XTX 820 is its advanced processing capabilities. The module is equipped with an Intel Atom processor, which delivers impressive performance while operating at low power levels. This combination makes the XTX 820 suitable for environments where energy efficiency is essential. The Atom processor allows for seamless multitasking and support for demanding applications without compromising on thermal efficiency.

In terms of memory, the XTX 820 supports a range of configurations, accommodating both DDR2 and DDR3 memory types. With a maximum of up to 4GB of onboard memory, this module ensures that applications can run smoothly and efficiently across various tasks. The flexibility in memory options enables developers to tailor their designs according to specific project needs.

Connectivity is another strong suit of the XTX 820. The module comes with multiple I/O interfaces that enhance its utility in various applications. It features USB, Serial, and Parallel ports, along with support for LVDS display and audio interfaces. This diverse range of connectivity options allows the XTX 820 to integrate easily with a variety of systems and devices, facilitating seamless data transfer and communication.

Security is increasingly critical in embedded systems, and Ampro has integrated robust security features into the XTX 820. This includes support for hardware-based security solutions, which can protect sensitive data and prevent unauthorized access. Such characteristics make the module a suitable choice for industries where data integrity is paramount.

Furthermore, the XTX 820 boasts an impressive range of environmental operating conditions. It is designed to function in extreme temperatures, making it suitable for outdoor and industrial applications where fluctuations in temperature can be a concern.

In conclusion, the Ampro Corporation XTX 820 embedded computing module emerges as a versatile platform that combines performance, memory flexibility, robust connectivity, and enhanced security features. Its design is tailored to meet the demands of various industries, making it a reliable choice for developers looking for advanced embedded solutions.

Chapter 3