Kontron COMe-cHL6, User Manual

Page: 9 / 113

9
COMe-cHL6 / Introduction
2.4 COM Express® Documentation
This product manual serves as one of three principal references for a COM Express® design. It documents the
specifications and features of COMe-cHL6. Additional references are available at your Kontron Support or at PICMG®:
» The COM Express® Specification defines the COM Express® module form factor, pin-out, and signals. This document
is available at the PICMG® website by filling out the order form.
» The COM Express® Design Guide by PICMG® serves as a general guide for baseboard design, with a focus on
maximum flexibility to accommodate a wide range of COM Express® modules.
2.5 COM Express® Benefits
COM Express® modules are very compact, highly integrated computers. All Kontron COM Express® modules feature a
standardized form factor and a standardized connector layout which carry a specified set of signals. Each COM is based on
the COM Express® specification. This standardization allows designers to create a single-system baseboard that can
accept present and future COM Express® modules.
The baseboard designer can optimize exactly how each of these functions implements physically. Designers can place
connectors precisely where needed for the application on a baseboard designed to optimally fit a system’s packaging.
A single baseboard design can use a range of COM Express® modules with different sizes and pin-outs. This flexibility can
differentiate products at various price/performance points, or when designing future proof systems that have a built-in
upgrade path. The modularity of a COM Express® solution also ensures against obsolescence when computer technology
evolves. A properly designed COM Express® baseboard can work with several successive generations of COM Express®
modules.
A COM Express® baseboard design has many advantages of a customized computer-board design and, additionally,
delivers better obsolescence protection, heavily reduced engineering effort, and faster time to market.
Some of the information contained within this product manual applies only to certain
product revisions (CE: xxx). If certain information applies to specific product revisions (CE:
xxx) it will be stated. Please check the product revision of your module to see if this
information is applicable.