1-2
The board uses a single 3.3V DIMM memory module for main DRAM memory, and supports from
32MB to 256MB in a 64-bit or 72-bit (ECC) configuration.
The module has a full complement of standard PCI PC/AT architectural features, including DMA
channels, interrupt controllers, real-time clock, and timer counters.
Enhanced Embedded-PC BIOS
One of the most valuable features of the Little Board P6d module is its enhanced embedded-PC
BIOS, which includes an extensive set of functions that meet the unique requirements of embedded-
system applications. These enhancements include:
! CompactFlash support. You can use a solid-state CompactFlash memory module in place of a
rotating media drive (see CompactFlash Disk, below).
! Watchdog timer. The WDT monitors the boot process and can be integrated into application
programs using function calls provided in the BIOS.
! Fast boot operation. Normal or accelerated POST.
! Fail-safe boot support. Intelligently retries boot devices (configured in the BIO S) until a
successful boot.
! Battery-free boot support. Saves system Setup information in non- volatile EEPROM. The
board can use this information should the RTC battery fail.
! Serial console option. Let's you use a serial device, such as an ASCII serial terminal, as console.
! Serial loader option. Supports loading boot code from an external serial source.
! EEPROM access function. 256 bits of serial EEPROM storage are available to the user, useful
for serialization, copy protection, security, etc.
! OEM customization hooks. The module can execute custom code prior to system boot via ROM
extensions; allows sophisticated system customization without BIOS m odif ication .
Modular PC/104-Plus Expansion Bus
The Little Board P6d module provides a PC/104-Plus expansion bus for additional sy stem fu nction s.
This bus offers compact, self-stacking, modular expandability. It is an embedded system versio n of
the signal set provided on a desktop PC's ISA bus. The PC/104-Plus bus includes this sign al set,
and in addition, signals implementing a PCI bus, available on an additional 120-pin PCI bus
connector.
The Little Board P6d module's on-board EIDE, Ethernet, and Audio interface are internally
connected to its PCI bus. In addition, you can attach PCI peripherals to the board's stackable PCI
bus expansion connector in much the same way PC/104 modules are stacked on the PC/104
connectors. The PCI expansion connector consists of 4 rows of 30 pins (120-pin header), an d carries
all of the appropriate PCI signals to accommodate up to 4 PCI add-on modules. The bus operates at
clock speeds up to 33MHz.
CompactFlash Disk
The CompactFlash interface allows you to substitute solid-state Flash mem ory for a c onv entio nal
Hard drive. Any DOS-based application, including the operating system, u tilities, driv ers, and
application programs, can easily be run from the CompactFlash device without modification.