A powerful single AdvancedMC processor module has been unveiled by Kontron, designed with the 3rd generation Intel Core i7 processor. It features up to four 
times 2.1 GHz, enabling the new AM4022 to offer more than twice the processing performance and up to four times the 3D graphics performance of the previous generation device.
The module is ideal for MicroTCA and AdvancedTCA telecommunications applications such as IPTV, media servers and media gateways, video data processing and in test solutions for networking equipment; also medical, test and measurement, automation, aerospace, military and security markets which require fast data processing.
With MicroTCA.1 support for a robust system design and an optional temperature range of -25 to 70 °C, it can withstand tough mechanical and thermal environmental conditions.
The module comes with the latest dual-core and quad-core CPU performance that is scalable up to the 2.1 GHz Intel Core i7-3612QE processor. Additional versions with further standard voltage, low voltage and ultra-low voltage processors will be also available, providing developers and OEMs high flexibility when designing leading edge systems with high performance and low heat dissipation.
Compared to its predecessors, the integrated Intel HD4000 graphics of the new module provides an significant performance improvement supported by DirectX 11, OpenGL 3.1, OpenCL 1.1 and Intel QuickSync Video for high performance video transcoding.
The new AMC features up to 8 GB of soldered DDR3 1600 MHz ECC-protected memory for increased data integrity and system stability. Additionally, up to 64GB of SLC NAND Flash can be integrated to host a complete operating system and application code which substantially increases overall system speed and availability.
The AMC.0/.1/.2/.3 compliant board offers eight PCI Express Gen3 lanes to the backplane, configurable as 2 x PCIe x 4 or 1 x PCIe x 8. There are also four GbE ports; two on the front and two 1000BASE-BX (SerDes) on the backplane as well as two 6 Gbit/s SATA ports. The board features a DisplayPort output on the front panel making additional graphics modules unnecessary.
Alternatively, a COM port for external management access is available. An USB 2.0 port with mini USB jack on the front panel rounds out the feature set.
To support customisation the module also offers additional interfaces to the extended options region of the AMC ports – one SATA, one COM, one USB 3.0, three USB 2.0 ports (one for debug) and four GPIO signals.
The AdvancedMC processor module AM4022 has full hot-swap capabilities for monitoring, controlling and replacing the module. The Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) enhances the board’s availability while reducing the overall operating costs and mean-time-to-repair. For board management and basic IPMI commands, it features a dedicated Module Management Controller (MMC).
The company also offers a choice of MicroTCA systems for the AM4022: Their OM6060, for example, can be used as entry level platform for operating the AM4022 with point to point fabrics PCIe in combination with the basic MCH AM4901 which provides Ethernet connectivity to all AMC slots.
In this system, the AM4022 can be combined with I/O cards, DSP cards and different processor boards. For higher demands, the MicroTCA system OM6120 provides multiple connections for up to 12 AMCs. The system can be operated with dual MCHs and allows additionally switching PCIe fabrics in combination with the PCIe MCH AM4904.
Kontron
