ETX (form factor)


ETX, standing for Embedded Technology eXtended, is an integrated and compact computer-on-module form factor, which 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, 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 Atom, Pentium, Celeron and Core Duo processors.
XTX offers a 75% pin-compatible upgrade path to ETX standard. XTX drops the ISA bus and adds PCI-Express, SATA, and LPC.
COM Express was released in 2005 from PICMG.

History

The Embedded Technology eXtended specification, first developed by Kontron in early 2000.
In April 2006, the members of the ETX Industrial Group released the next generation of the ETX 3.0 specification. The ETX Industrial Group is an independent association of companies that work to exchange knowledge about ETX. Membership is open to companies which develop and produce ETX modules. Members include Kontron Embedded Modules GmbH, , Advantech, MSC Vertriebs GmbH, ADLINK Technology Inc., Avalue Technology Inc., SECO Srl, Arbor Technology Corp., Axiomtek Co., Blue Chip Technology, AAEON Technology Inc., AEWIN Technologies IBase, Honeywell – CMSS and Portwell.

3.0 specification

The ETX 3.0 Specification is compact form factor, 95 x 114 mm in size. It extends the original ETX standard and adds two Serial ATA interfaces. This is done without changing any of the ETX pin designations, making new modules pin-to-pin compatible with previous versions.
Modules designed according to the ETX 3.0 specification integrate two SATA ports via two slim line connectors designed onto the top side of the CPU Module in the vicinity of X4. The module or carrier board ETX connectors do not require any changes to use the faster SATA hard drives.
Mandatory features: