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COM Express Carrier Type 2
Design
Guide
The PC-AT audio transducer that is used for error messages is usually a small, low-cost loudspeaker or
piezoelectric-electric buzzer. A buffering between the module SPKR pin and the audio transducer is
required. An example circuit is shown in Figure 31. The net SPKR is sourced from module pin B32. If the
transducer is a low-impedance device, such as an 8 ohm speaker, then a larger resistor value and
package size for R173/R175 is in order.
Figure 31 Speaker Output Circuitry
16.5
RTC Battery
The real time clock (RTC) is responsible for maintaining the time and date even when the COM Express
module is not connected to a main power supply. Usually a +3 V lithium battery cell is used to supply
the internal RTC of the module. The COM Express specification defines an extra power pin VCC_RTC,
which connects the RTC of the module to the external battery. The specified input voltage range of the
battery is defined b2.0 V and +3.0 V. The signal VCC_RTC can be found on the module's
connector row A pin A47.
To implement the RTC battery according to the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) guidelines, battery cells
must be protected against a reverse current going to the cell. This can be done by using either a series
Schottky diode or a series resistor. There are two implementation possibilities and the following
examples explain the advantages and disadvantages of each one.
The safest way to implement an RTC battery circuitry is by using a Schottky diode as shown in Figure
32. This method offers protection against a possible explosion hazard as a result of reverse current
flowing to the battery. Moreover, this implementation offers more flexibility when choosing battery
type and manufacturer. Lithium batteries are the most common form of battery used in this scenario.
A big drawback of this circuitry is that the battery voltage monitoring result displayed by the COM
Express module will be inaccurate due to current leakage on the module side. When the system is
running, this current leakage loads the capacitor of the battery circuitry. This leads to a higher voltage
on the signal pin VCC_RTC and therefore produces inaccurate monitoring results.
Summary of Contents for COM Express Carrier
Page 1: ...COM Express Carrier Type 2 Design Guide October 2009 Confidential and Proprietary ...
Page 17: ...COM Express Carrier Type 2 Page 17 of 103 Design Guide Figure 1 COM Express Type 2 Connector ...
Page 36: ...Page 36 of 103 COM Express Carrier Type 2 Design Guide Table 5 SDVO Layout Requirement ...