MSC releases COM Express platform starter kit

The starter kit contains the industrial platform MSC CX-MB-IP1 integrating the COM Express module CXB-A945M and bootable Linux, plus drivers for the Windows XP operating system.

The development package is also available with a 15in TFT display including a cable for the onboard LVDS interface and a backlight inverter.

The mini-ITX reference platform (170mm x 170mm) can be used as complete solution in small series to build functional systems immediately.

The MSC CXB-A945M COM Express platform combines the low-power Intel Atom processor architecture with the I/O diversity and graphics characteristics of the Intel 82945GME/ICH7 chipset.

Due to the low CPU power dissipation of only 2.5W, the module is especially suitable for fanless systems.

The industrial platform MSC CX-MB-IP1 for MSC COM Express modules in different performance classes offers a broad range of interfaces, which are particularly required in industrial applications.

In addition to USB 2.0 ports, a second GBit LAN interface and two nine-pin D-Sub connectors for the serial communication are located on the platform.

The bus interfaces can be extended by raiser cards on PCI and PCI Express x1.

Furthermore, a miniPCI card holder is implemented on the board for integration of, for example, wireless LAN or Bluetooth extensions.

For the integration of a variety of different displays offered by MSC, the industrial platform MSC CX-MB-IP1 provides a VGA and DVI standard display interface, a JILI30 connector and a backlight connection for the control of the COM Express module.

Appropriate display kits and cable sets are available from MSC.

The starter kits are offered with a USB 2.0 stick containing a pre-installed bootable Ubuntu Linux system with drivers for the Intel Atom platform.

Driver support for the Windows XP operating system is available on a CD.