Kontron announces 4th generation Intel Core processor support for a broad range of systems, boards and modules

Customers benefit from significant time-to-market advantages, as they can directly start their application developments on their preferred new target platform.

The first Kontron intelligent platforms to feature the 4th generation Intel Core processors will be COM Express, Mini-ITX, 6U CompactPCI, and the Kontron SYMKLOUD Media cloud platforms. Based on the new Intel microarchitecture, formerly codenamed ’Haswell’, they integrate new features such as the Intel AVX2 instructions, which dramatically accelerate floating-point-intensive computations and the improved Intel AES-NI, which accelerates data encryption and decryption. Graphics-intensive applications will profit from the graphics performance which has been doubled in comparison to solutions based on the previous generation processors, while the thermal footprint has remained nearly the same.

With our early launch parallel to the introduction of the new processor technology on a rich selection of standard embedded computing platforms, we are enabling our OEM customers to kick-start the development of their latest state-of-the-art intelligent systems. Both OEMs and users will benefit from improved graphics capabilities and impressive computing power that come along with a more eco-friendly power consumption in operating as well as in sleep mode, said Norbert Hauser, Executive Vice President, Marketing at Kontron.

This very efficient sleep mode will not only reduce energy consumption but will also change the way mobile systems or stationary devices are used, says Sam Cravatta, Product Line Manager, Intel Intelligent Systems Group. . New application areas will emerge as well as improvements in existing designs in market segments such as industrial, retail, communications, medical, and infotainment.

A short overview of the feature set
Kontron’s new platforms with 4th generation Intel Core processor technology provide a performance increase for floating-point intensive and parallel computing with the support of the new Intel AVX2 and OpenCL 1.2. Target applications include digital signal and image processing applications in the medical, industrial automation and MAG (Military, Aerospace and Government) markets, as well as cloud-based video transcoding for content delivery networks. OEMs looking for a compelling visual experience of intelligent systems displaying videos, graphics and interactive content will enjoy the advantages of increased 3D and media performance as well as the support of DirectX 11.1 and OpenGL 4.x. Another new feature is the support for 4K displays, connected via DVI or HDMI.

Furthermore, Kontron supplements its portfolio of systems, boards and modules with an extensive range of custom design services at the system and board level which enables the tailoring of solutions to the individual application requirements. This also includes a wide array of software services such as operating system and hypervisor implementations as well as migration support including validation and verification. With its comprehensive support, including software building blocks, customers benefit from application-ready platforms which let them fully concentrate on their core competences.