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COM Express is an increasingly popular PICMG specification aimed at low-cost embedded systems requiring a small but upgradeable platform. It is an ideal solution for applications such as gaming, kiosks, medical instrumentation, communications, networking, mobile systems, mil/aero, process control, vehicles, robotics, security, digital signage, retail terminals, test equipment, and industrial control. COM Express modules typically contain memory, Ethernet, PCI Express, USB, and storage (SATA) interfaces, monitor, graphics, and audio interfaces, and other circuitry on a double credit card sized board that can fit in a tiny space. COM Express’ advantages include an open standard, small footprint, easy upgrading, and extensive on-board I/O capabilities. It can easily handle a variety of processors with varying performance, power consumption, and cost. It allows designers to reduce time-to-market, lower costs, and simplify revisions, maintenance, and upgrades. The idea here is to isolate standard functions (the COM module) from application-dependent ones (a carrier module) and allow designers to focus on aspects that are product-differentiating and where they have special expertise.
COM Express Day offers design engineers, engineering managers, product planners, test engineers, and systems engineers a chance to learn about this emerging technology from leading companies in the field. It will include an introduction, design and application talks, and panels about the new 2.0 specification and the future of COM Express. Table exhibits will give participants access to the latest products, accessories and hardware, design services, and design tips.
About the Chairperson:
Paul Rosenfeld is president of the Small Form Factor Special Interest Group (SFF-SIG). His career in the embedded space spans over 40 years of software and hardware engineering, marketing and senior management positions in companies such as HP, Intel, Vadem, Microtec/Mentor Graphics, Ampro, and Diamond Systems. Paul was part of the team that first introduced PC/104 in 1990. He has a BA in Mathematics from UC Berkeley and did graduate work in Computer Science at Stanford.
Session Descriptions |
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| Monday, October 31, 2011 | ||
8:30-9:00am
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Registration and continental breakfast |
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9:00-9:20am
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Introduction to COM Express
Christine Van De Graaf, Product Manager, Kontron
Session Description:
COM Express is a popular small form factor standardized by PICMG. It provides for a two-board system in which the COM board provides processor functions, while a separate carrier board contains the application-specific functions. Designers thus do not need to worry about implementing processor functions (with their rapidly changing devices and interfaces). Furthermore, they can select from a wide choice of vendors and readily upgrade or update technology without affecting the rest of their systems. COM Express modules are available from many manufacturers with many processors and I/O configurations.
About the Instructer:
Christine Van De Graaf is the product manager for Kontron America’s Embedded Products Business unit, managing the Computer-on-Modules and Small Form Factor SBC product families. Van De Graaf has over a decade of experience working in embedded computing. She holds an MBA in Marketing Management from California State University, East Bay.
About Kontron:
Kontron is a global leader in embedded computing technology. With more than 30% of its employees in research and development, Kontron creates many of the standards that drive the world’s embedded computing platforms. Kontron’s product longevity, local engineering and support, and value-added services, help create a sustainable and viable embedded solution for OEMs and system integrators. Kontron works closely with its customers on their embedded application-ready platforms and custom solutions, enabling them to focus on their core competencies. The result is an accelerated time-to-market, reduced total-cost-of-ownership, and improved overall application with leading-edge, highly-reliable embedded technology. Kontron is listed on the German TecDAX stock exchange under the symbol "KBC". For more information, please visit: www.kontron.com . |
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9:20-10:00am
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Example COM Express Systems
Dan Demers, Area Sales Manager, cognatec and Ray Hill, Founder and Chief Engineer, Systemation Technologyn
Session Description:
COM Express can handle a wide variety of real-world system solutions. With the recent emergence of processors with integrated graphics functions, it can now be used in many applications requiring extensive video displays. We will show several cases from different verticals illustrating how COM Express can be used in systems previously requiring much larger and more expensive hardware.
About the Instructers:
Dan Demers is an Area Sales Manager at congatec. He has over 13 years of experience in embedded computing, having worked with Fortune 500 companies in the medical, military, and communica tions markets.
Ray Hill is the founder and chief engineer of Systemation Technology. He has over 20 years of experience in embedded computing and graphics interface adaptation. He previously held engineering positions with Dell, Compaq, and Abbott Labs.
About cognatec:
congatec, with its North American headquarters in San Diego, California, is a leading supplier of industrial computer modules using the standard form factors Qseven, COM Express, XTX,and ETX. congatec’s products serve a variety of industries and applications, such as industrial automation, medical technology, automotive, aerospace, and transportation. With annual revenue of $65 million, congatec has established itself as a leading supplier in this sector. Key know-how includes extended BIOS and driver support as well as comprehensive board support packages. Following the design-in phase, customers are given support via extensive product lifecycle management. The company’s products are manufactured by specialist service providers in accordance with modern quality standards. congatec currently has 128 employees with facilities in Germany, Taiwan, USA, and the Czech Republic as well as sales offices in London, Paris, Sweden, and Israel. More information is available on our website at www.congatec.us.
About Systemation Technology:
Systemation Technology is an engineering firm specializing in custom designs typically centered on computer-on-modules and flat panel/graphics adaptation. Systemation employs a thorough checklist approach to defining each customer’s requirement ensuring that a design is done correctly the first time. Systemation services several vertical markets including military, industrial Control, and avionics. More information is available on our website at www.systemation-inc.com. |
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10:00-10:40am
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Morning Break / Table Exhibits |
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10:40-11:20am |
Expanding COM Express I/O
Glenn Beck, Industrial Segment Marketing Manager, Freescale
Session Description:
Embedded applications often need more I/O than COM Express provides on its own. Networking, military, and industrial applications are particularly likely to require extra ports or special I/O facilities. One way to expand COM Express I/O is to define some I/O pins to offer common signals for widely used embedded processors. This approach allows the COM Express board to be tied easily to existing boards for I/O expansion. This session will explore the pin definitions, capabilities, and applications of the expansion method.
About the Instructer:
Glenn Beck is Industrial Segment Marketing Manager at Freescale Semiconductor. He currently leads Freescale’s marketing efforts in the Aerospace and Defense and Single Board Computing markets with its Power Architecture microprocessors. A 32-year industry veteran, he has extensive experience in design and product engineering. He holds a BSEE from Texas A&M University and an MBA from Texas State University.
About the Freescale:
Freescale Semiconductor (NYSE:FSL) is a global leader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors for the automotive, consumer, industrial and networking markets. Based in Austin, Texas, the company has design, research and development, manufacturing and sales operations around the world. For more information, see www.freescale.com. |
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11:20am-Noon
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Panel on Future of COM Express
Chairperson: Paul Rosenfeld, President, SFF-SIG
Panelists:
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Noon-1:00pm |
Lunch / Table Exhibits |
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1:00-1:40pm |
Machine to Machine Applications
Jack London, Product Manager, Kontron
Session Description:
Machine-to-machine (M2M) wireless communications is a fast growing market segment in the embedded space. Come learn how to achieve intelligent communication with previously non-networked devices, using a COM Express based M2M device. You’ll also be introduced to the applications which use the M2M device’s wireless connectivity, whether as a gateway or direct/indirect control node. You’ll see how this translates into a smart services revenue model for service providers as well as cost savings for end users. In this session, we’ll introduce a production-ready M2M hardware solution for OEMs and service providers to support smart services for networked appliances and machines.
About the Instructro:
Jack London is the Business Development and Product Manager for Kontron America’s Embedded Modules Division. With more than twenty years experience in the semiconductor and embedded computing markets, London has served in management positions in sales and marketing with industry leaders including NEC and RadiSys. He holds a BA in Business Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
About Kontron.:
Kontron is a global leader in embedded computing technology. With more than 30% of its employees in research and development, Kontron creates many of the standards that drive the world’s embedded computing platforms. Kontron’s product longevity, local engineering and support, and value-added services, helps create a sustainable and viable embedded solution for OEMs and system integrators. Kontron works closely with its customers on their embedded application-ready platforms and custom solutions, enabling them to focus on their core competencies. The result is accelerated time-to-market, reduced total-cost-of-ownership and improved overall application with leading-edge, highly-reliable embedded technology. Kontron is listed on the German TecDAX stock exchange under the symbol "KBC". For more information, please visit: http://www.kontron.com/ |
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1:40-2:20pm |
Low-Power Design
Shawn Fan, Product Manager, Advantech
Session Description:
Achieving scalability while still meeting low power requirements for COM Express makes for difficult design decisions in embedded applications. But how will these tradeoffs continue into the future? This session will cover Advantech’s insight into the future of COM Express based on Intel® technologies such as the i7/i5™ 2nd generation dual core family, Atom, and Huron River processors. Attendees will also learn about standardized platforms, custom designed solutions, and value-added capabilities. The emphasis will be on the future of COM Express in cost and power-sensitive applications.
About the Instructor:
Shawn Fan is a product manager with the Embedded Systems team for Advantech. He was previously a hardware engineer and an applications engineer. His focus is on COM Express and other small form factor boards. He holds an MSEE from International Technology University in San Jose, California.
About Advantech
Advantech, a leading manufacturer in the embedded and industrial computing markets, is at the forefront of today’s COM Express and small form factor solutions. Our comprehensive solutions include standardized platforms, custom designed board-level solutions, and peripherals implementable in diverse applications. Advantech is a Premier Member of the Intel® Embedded and Communications Alliance, a community of embedded and communications developers and solution providers.
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2:20-3:00pm
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Reception, Table Exhibits, and Raffle |
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Note: Remember to get your free PICMG COM Express design guide at: www.picmg.org/pdf/PICMG_COMDG_100.pdf
