ADLINK CoreModule 920 - Manual (Page 11)

CoreModule 920 Reference Manual 5
Chapter 2 Product Overview
This overview presents general information about the PCI/104-Express form factor and the CoreModule 920
Single Board Computer (SBC). After reading this chapter you should understand the following points with
regard to the CoreModule 920.
• PCI/104-Express From Factor
• Product Description
• Major Components (ICs)
• Headers, Connectors, and Sockets
• Product Specifications
PCI/104-Express Form Factor
This product is based on PCI Express architecture and the PCI/104-Express form factor. The PCI/104-
Express form factor affords a great deal of flexibility in system design. You can build a simple system using
only a CoreModule SBC, input/output devices connected to serial, USB, or SATA ports, and the on-board
storage device. To expand a simple CoreModule system, simply add self-stacking expansion modules to
provide additional capabilities, such as:
• Additional serial and parallel ports
• Analog or high-speed digital I/O
 Data Acquisition (Analog In/Out)
 USB 2.0 expansion modules
 IEEE 1394 (FireWire) expansion modules
 Standard VGA video output
PCI/104-Express-compliant expansion modules can be stacked with a CoreModule SBC, avoiding the need
for large, expensive card cages and backplanes. These expansion modules can be mounted directly to the
expansion connectors of the CoreModule, with inter-board spacings of ~0.6 inches, so that a 3-module
system fits in a 4.6" x 3.8" x 2.0" space. See Figure 2-1 .
One or more PCI/104-Express-compliant modules can be installed on the CoreModule SBC expansion
connectors so that the expansion modules fit within the CoreModule outline dimensions. The PCI/104-
Express form factor allows for several modules to be stacked up or down from the CoreModule expansion
connectors with each additional module increasing the thickness of the package by ~17mm (0.6"). See
Figure 2-1 .