CoreModule 740
Reference Manual
3
Chapter 2
Product Overview
This introduction presents general information about the PC/104 architecture and the CoreModule 740
single board computer (SBC). After reading this chapter you should understand:
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PC/104 architecture
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Product description
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CoreModule 740 features
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Major components (ICs)
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Headers and Connectors
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Specifications
PC/104 Architecture
The PC/104 architecture affords a great deal of flexibility in system design. You can build a simple system
using only a CoreModule 740, an input/output device connected to the serial or parallel ports, and an IDE
storage device connected to the IDE port. To expand a simple CoreModule system, simply add self-stacking
PC/104 and PC/104-Plus expansion boards to provide additional capabilities, such as:
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Additional serial and parallel ports
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Analog or high-speed digital I/O
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Data Acquisition (Analog In/Out)
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USB 2.0 expansion modules
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IEEE 1394 (FireWire) expansion modules
♦
Standard VGA video output
PC/104 or PC/104-Plus expansion modules can be stacked with the CoreModule 740 avoiding the need for
large, expensive card cages and backplanes. The PC/104-Plus expansion modules can be mounted directly to
the PC/104 and PC/104-Plus connectors of the CoreModule 740. PC/104-compliant modules can be stacked
with an inter-board spacing of ~0.66 inches, so that a 3-module system fits in a 3.6" x 3.8" x 2.4" space. See
One or more MiniModule products or other PC/104 modules can be installed on the CoreModule expansion
connectors, so that the expansion modules fit within the CoreModule outline dimensions. Most MiniModule
products have stackthrough connectors compatible with the PC/104-Plus Version 2.0 specification. Several
modules can be stacked on the CoreModule headers. Each additional module increases the thickness of the
package by ~17mm (0.66"). See