Advantech Releases 6U CompactPCI Board with 4th Generation Intel Core i7 Processor

The new processors, based on 22nm technology support up to four cores / eight threads at 2.4GHz and 6MB last level cache boosting MIC-3396 computing performance while enabling the latest virtualization techniques and CPU enhancements. Onboard soldered low voltage DRAM with ECC is supported for maximum reliability and optional memory expansion via an SODIMM socket extends the capacity to up to 16GB for the most demanding applications in high performance or virtualized environments. Dual channel design and memory speeds up to 1600MT/s along with increased cache size and enhanced cache algorithms guarantee maximum memory performance.

The MIC-3396 meets the growing needs for higher performance CompactPCI solutions offering faster floating-point arithmetic support. FMA3 (Fused Multiply/Add) accelerates floating point operations for signal processing algorithms which are used in graphics, imaging,instrumentation, industrial control, audio processing and medical applications. The new processor core also introduces full 256-bit AVX2.0 instruction extensions that improve parallel processing performance and result in smaller code for embedded tasks, particularly in CompactPCI-based security and surveillance equipment where faster encryption, compression and face detection are needed. New BMI (Integer Bit Manipulation) instructions optimize cryptography and help make solutions more secure. Other BMI instructions speed up TCP/IP operations in storage and networking applications, broadening the adaptability of the MIC-3396 to a wider variety of embedded applications. The processor’s integrated enhanced graphics engine offers twice the performance over previous generations and improves video transcoding throughput. In addition, triple independent display support, makes the MIC-3396 an ideal fit for demanding industrial workstation applications.

Combined with the powerful Intel QM87 chipset, the 4th generation Intel Core processors offer improved I/O performance by leveraging 5GT/s DMI, USB3.0 and 3rd generation PCIe interfaces. An onboard XMC/PMC site with PCIe x8 gen.3 connectivity is designed to host high speed offload or I/O mezzanines such as the MIC-3666 dual 10GE XMC card. With onboard SATA-III support at up to 6Gbps, OEMs can take advantage of the latest enhancements in storage technology such as high speed SSDs or enterprise HDDs. A CFast socket provides the ability to add industrial flash storage. For applications requiring the highest reliability and tolerance to environmental conditions an onboard soldered SATA-II SSD can be used. When higher performance and reliability is required, an RIO-3315 rear transitionmodule supports a 4-port SAS controller with RAID and failover.Five Gigabit Ethernet ports based on the latest gigabit Ethernet controllers from Intel are employed for PICMG 2.16, front and rear connectivity, and ensure best in class network connectivity.

Reliability, Availability, Serviceability, Usability and Manageability (RASUM) features integrated in the CPU and chipset combined with PICMG 2.9, IPMI-based management make the MIC-3396 a highly available and reliable computing engine.The RIO-3316 RTM module supports one PS/2 connector with both keyboard and mouse ports, one USB 3.0, two USB 2.0 ports, two RS-232 ports, two SATA ports, two DVI ports, and two Gigabit Ethernet ports.

The MIC-3396 is available for OEM sampling now with comprehensive software support from Advantech’s ecosystem alliance partners for Windows, Linux and VxWorks.