ETX (form factor)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Computer form factors	PCB Size (mm)
WTX	356×425
AT	350×305
Baby-AT	330×216
BTX	325×266
ATX	305×244
LPX	330×229
NLX	254×228
microATX	244×244
DTX	244×203
FlexATX	229×191
Mini-DTX	203×170
EBX	203×146
microATX (Min.)	171×171
Mini-ITX	170×170
EPIC (Express)	165×115
Nano-ITX	120×120
COM Express	125×95
ETX / XTX	114×95
Pico-ITX	100×72
PC/104(-Plus)	96×90
microETXexpress
nanoETXexpress
mobile-ITX	75×45

ETX, standing for Embedded Technology eXtended, is a highly integrated and compact (3.7 x 4.9 in.) (95 x 125 mm) computer-on-module (COM) form factor that can be used in a design application much like an integrated circuit component. Each ETX COM integrates core CPU and memory functionality, the common I/O of a PC/AT (serial, parallel, etc.), USB, audio, graphics, and Ethernet. All I/O signals as well as a full implementation of ISA and PCI buses are mapped to four high density, low profile connectors on the bottom side of the module.

ETX boards are available with AMD Geode, VIA, Intel Pentium, Celeron and Core Duo processors.

XTX^TM offers an 75% pin-compatible upgrade path to ETX standard. XTX drops the ISA bus and adds PCI-Express, SATA, and LPC.

COM Express is a new COM standard. It is also known by the name "ETXexpress"; somewhat confusing because this standard has actually nothing to do with the ETX standard.

Kontron Embedded Modules is a founding member of the ETX Industrial Group (ETX-IG). ETX and ETXexpress are trademarks or registered trademarks of Kontron Embedded Modules GmbH.

[edit] Evolution of the ETX Standard

One of the fastest-growing concepts in the embedded world is the "Computer-On-Module" or COM. One of the principal COM implementations available in the market is the Embedded Technology eXtended (ETX) specification, first developed by Kontron (formerly *JUMPtec) in the early 2000.

As technology evolves, the ETX standard has undergone further development in scalability and performance. In April 2006, Kontron and the members of the ETX Industrial Group released the latest generation of the ETX 3.0 specification. The ETX Industrial Group (www.etx-ig.org) is an independent association of companies and individuals that work to exchange knowledge about ETX, communicate with users of the ETX world, monitor trends and ensure the ETX standard fulfills the market’s needs. Membership is open to companies all over the world who develop and produce ETX modules. Members of the ETX Industrial Group include Kontron Embedded Modules GmbH, Advantech, MSC Vertriebs GmbH, ADLINK Technology, Evalue Technology Inc., SECO Srl, Arbor Technology Corp., Axiomtek Co., Blue Chip Technology, AAEON Technology Inc., AEWIN Technologies Co., IBase, Honeywell – CMSS and American Portwell Technology.

To obtain a copy of the ETX 3.02 specification, visit the ETX Industrial Group website http://www.etx-ig.org .

	ETX	XTX	COM Express / ETXexpress
Dimensions	95 × 114 mm	95 × 114 mm (ETX footprint)	110 ×155 (extended) 95 × 125 mm (basic) 95 x 95 (compact)
Legacy¹ support	Full legacy	Legacy except ISA	Legacy except ISA
PCI Express support	-	4 Lanes	up to 6 Lanes (basic)
PCI Express Graphic support	-	-	up to 16 Lanes
Ethernet support	10/100	10/100	10/100/1000
IDE support	2 IDE, 2 SATA²	2 IDE, 4 SATA	IDE, 4 SATA
LPC support	-	yes	yes
USB support	4 USB	6 USB	8 USB
Audio support	Line In/Out, Mic	AC'97, Line In/Out, Mic	AC'97, Line In/Out, Mic, AC'97 digital, HDA
Power	5V, 5VSB	5V, 5VSB	12V, 5VSB
Notes: "Legacy" is defined as the older PC peripherals and bus, such as ISA bus, RS-232 serial, IEEE 1284 parallel, floppy, and PS/2 keyboard & mouse. ETX 3.0 adds SATA via a topside connector on the board.