New high end modules designed for embedded edge computing
congatec has announced 10 new COM Express Type 6 modules featuring the best and latest Intel embedded processor technology. The four Intel Xeon, three Intel Core, two Intel Celeron and one Intel Pentium processors are all based on the same Intel microarchitecture. This enables congatec to provide all 10 processors on one COM Express module design the conga-TS370. A total of 14 processor module variants are now available on this single microarchitecture, offering extremely wide scalability.
The spearhead in terms of computing power is the 45W 6-core module with 2.8GHz Intel Xeon E-2276ME processor. It provides the highest embedded computing performance with integrated high performance processor graphics currently available worldwide, while the 2.4GHz Intel Celeron G4930E processor module with 35W sets the new price-performance benchmark.
Particularly noteworthy are the two 6-core congatec modules with a TDP of 25W offered on Intel Xeon E-2276ML and Intel Core i7-9850HL processors. They enable developers to create completely passively cooled embedded edge computing systems that can run up to 12 standalone virtual machines in parallel thanks to hyperthreading.
This allows operation even in fully sealed systems, under the harshest environmental conditions and with the highest IP protection. The same applies to the two quad-core modules with Intel Xeon E-2254ML or Intel Core i3-9100HL processor as well as the Intel Celeron G4932E processor-based module, all featuring a partly configurable TDP of 25W.
"In the embedded edge computing segment, our OEM customers are now using such multicore platforms to consolidate several formerly separate systems on a single embedded edge computer. Hypervisor technology allows them to operate up to 12 virtual machines in parallel on one system," explained Andreas Bergbauer, Product Line Manager for COM Express Modules at congatec.
"These include real time controllers (soft PLCs), Industry 4.0 gateways for tactile Internet via Time Synchronised Networking, IoT gateways for sending big data towards the cloud and central management systems, as well as vision systems, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and deep learning applications. In addition, there are software-defined networking functions such as intrusion prevention and detection systems that analyse data traffic parallel to the applications, thereby avoiding latencies that would arise with serial operation of analytics and applications."
Other applications besides embedded edge computing include, of course, classic high end medical imaging systems and HMIs as well as high end gaming, infotainment and digital signage systems that require computing power and throughput on a single die in tandem with the Intel graphics technology.