AAEON is now introducing its first ETX CPU module and carrier board; the ETX-625 and ECB-901A. But what is ETX?
ETX stands for Embedded Technology eXtended. The design principle has been called a System On Module (SOM) by other manufacturers. The idea is that the main CPU core with both the North Bridge and South Bridge are on one standard, replaceable module. The CPU Module plugs into a Carrier Board with different I/O ports and slots. We provide a prototypical carrier board for initial testing but an application-specific carrier board can be designed by the customer or by AAEON for the customer.
What are the advantages of our ETX system?
1. The carrier board can be designed to fit a customer's application in terms of size, shape and the number/type of I/O ports and expansion slots.
2. The CPU modules are standardized so that changing the core module is easy.
3. Different CPU modules will be available so that the customer can upgrade the module without having to change their carrier board and enclosure.
4. AAEON's board prototyping services can deliver several samples of a custom-designed carrier board within 30 working days in most cases. Customers can be testing their software application with the core module they selected and the standard prototype carrier board (ECB-901A).
5. Costs for this carrier board design service are much lower than trying to design an entire custom SBC.
6. AAEON has made the ECB-901A carrier board along the guidelines for an ATX form factor. This allows customers to try the ETX system with a standard computer case and power supply, which makes it into a quick and easy test setup.
Here is an example of how this modular ETX system can benefit in your design. Suppose you are designing an LCD workstation. By using different AAEON ETX CPU modules and keeping a common carrier board within your case, you can offer different versions of your workstation just by changing CPU modules. Keeping many common components will reduce your design and manufacturing costs yet you can now offer a product at different price levels with scalable processing power. Your time-to-market is also reduced as well.
AAEON's ETX system is backed by our reputation for producing high-quality, technologically-stable goods with fine customer service which has earned us the 2004-5 Gold Vendor Award for Embedded Boards from VDC. When you are looking for flexibility, scalability and a reliable partner to supply ETX CPU modules and carrier boards, your best choice is AAEON!
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