MSC Technologies, a company of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT), announces the general availability of Engineering Samples of its SMARC™ 2.0 module based on the quad-core, dual-core and single-core ARM i.MX6 from NXP, and the suitable evaluation and application carrier board in Mini-ITX format. Both products fully conform to the new SMARC 2.0 specification which has just been published by SGeT (Standardization Group for embedded Technologies). For a convenient evaluation of the new SMARC 2.0 technology, MSC is now introducing the SMARC 2.0 Starterkit which contains a complete platform with power supply, cables and cooling, and which can be completed with the SMARC 2.0 module of choice and optionally a TFT Kit.
The SMARC 2.0 module MSC SM2S-IMX6 now available features the NXP i.MX6 processor which can be chosen from i.MX6 QuadPlus, Quad, DualPlus, Dual, DualLite and Solo. Along with up to 4GB DRAM the module can provide up to 64GB eMMC Flash for program and data storage, and a Micro-SD card socket for storage extension. Next to the Full-HD capable graphics interfaces HDMI and LVDS the module comes with a host of useful functions such as Gigabit LAN, PCIe, SATA-II, CAN, audio and a number of popular embedded interfaces such as I2C, SPI and UARTs. The module’s dimensions are 82 x 50mm which represents the short version of the two possible SMARC form factors, and the full industrial temperature range can be covered.
The carrier board MSC SM2-MB-EP1 in Mini-ITX format 170 x 170mm gives access to most features of the SMARC 2.0 standard and accepts both full-size and short-size modules. It is prepared for modules based on ARM or x86 processors and can be set to implement to relevant features accordingly: DVI/HDMI or DisplayPort, LVDS or eDP, and HD Audio or I2S Audio. Up to two LAN connectors are provided, and several USB Host ports and a Host/Client interface are available. A PCI Express Mini Card slot and an mSATA slot for add-on cards are provided to enhance usability. A MIPI CSI-2 port is available to connect to external cameras, and DVI and LVDS interfaces allow dual-independent graphics output for which the board also provides full backlight control.
MSC Technologies has played a prominent role in the SGeT definition of the revision 2.0 of the SMARC standard for low-power embedded processor modules. Care was taken to make it equally usable for x86 and for ARM/RISC processors, and several old or seldom-used interfaces were replaced by new and future-proof functions such as USB 3.0, eSPI and DisplayPort++. Jens Plachetka, Manager Embedded Boards at MSC, explains: “We consider the SMARC 2.0 standard the most innovative and future-proof alternative for small form-factor embedded modules, and it complements ideally our range of COM Express and Qseven modules. We have already started the design of several other SMARC 2.0 modules one of which is based on the next generation of Atom processors from Intel, code-named Apollo Lake.“
Samples of the new SMARC 2.0 module MSC SM2S-IMX6, the carrier board MSC SM2-MB-EP1 and the SMARC 2.0 Starterkit MSC SM2-SK-IMX6-EP1-KIT001 are available immediately.
About Avnet
From components to cloud and design to disposal, Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT) accelerates the success of customers who build, sell and use technology globally by providing them with a comprehensive portfolio of innovative products, services and solutions. Avnet is a Fortune 500 company with revenues of $27.9 billion for the fiscal year 2015. For more information, visit www.avnet.com
The SMARC 2.0 module MSC SM2S-IMX6 now available features the NXP i.MX6 processor which can be chosen from i.MX6 QuadPlus, Quad, DualPlus, Dual, DualLite and Solo. Along with up to 4GB DRAM the module can provide up to 64GB eMMC Flash for program and data storage, and a Micro-SD card socket for storage extension. Next to the Full-HD capable graphics interfaces HDMI and LVDS the module comes with a host of useful functions such as Gigabit LAN, PCIe, SATA-II, CAN, audio and a number of popular embedded interfaces such as I2C, SPI and UARTs. The module’s dimensions are 82 x 50mm which represents the short version of the two possible SMARC form factors, and the full industrial temperature range can be covered.
The carrier board MSC SM2-MB-EP1 in Mini-ITX format 170 x 170mm gives access to most features of the SMARC 2.0 standard and accepts both full-size and short-size modules. It is prepared for modules based on ARM or x86 processors and can be set to implement to relevant features accordingly: DVI/HDMI or DisplayPort, LVDS or eDP, and HD Audio or I2S Audio. Up to two LAN connectors are provided, and several USB Host ports and a Host/Client interface are available. A PCI Express Mini Card slot and an mSATA slot for add-on cards are provided to enhance usability. A MIPI CSI-2 port is available to connect to external cameras, and DVI and LVDS interfaces allow dual-independent graphics output for which the board also provides full backlight control.
MSC Technologies has played a prominent role in the SGeT definition of the revision 2.0 of the SMARC standard for low-power embedded processor modules. Care was taken to make it equally usable for x86 and for ARM/RISC processors, and several old or seldom-used interfaces were replaced by new and future-proof functions such as USB 3.0, eSPI and DisplayPort++. Jens Plachetka, Manager Embedded Boards at MSC, explains: “We consider the SMARC 2.0 standard the most innovative and future-proof alternative for small form-factor embedded modules, and it complements ideally our range of COM Express and Qseven modules. We have already started the design of several other SMARC 2.0 modules one of which is based on the next generation of Atom processors from Intel, code-named Apollo Lake.“
Samples of the new SMARC 2.0 module MSC SM2S-IMX6, the carrier board MSC SM2-MB-EP1 and the SMARC 2.0 Starterkit MSC SM2-SK-IMX6-EP1-KIT001 are available immediately.
About Avnet
From components to cloud and design to disposal, Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT) accelerates the success of customers who build, sell and use technology globally by providing them with a comprehensive portfolio of innovative products, services and solutions. Avnet is a Fortune 500 company with revenues of $27.9 billion for the fiscal year 2015. For more information, visit www.avnet.com
