/> The first Kontron product to feature this highly integrated processor with improved graphics performance is the Kontron COM Express basic ETXexpress- SC Computer-on-Module. In Q1 2011, a mini-ITX, Flex-ATX embedded motherboard and 6U CompactPCI blade will follow. Other platforms planned for 2011 include 3U CompactPCI, 3U VPX, AdvancedMC, PCIe/104, ATX embedded motherboards, several industrial PCs.

With our new COM Express Module ETXexpress-SC and all other upcoming platforms, customers are able to create very energy-efficient high-performance applications directly with the availability of this new processor generation, says Dirk Finstel, CTO at Kontron. On top of this, we support them with our cross platform middleware, Kontron EAPI (Kontron Embedded Application Programming Interface), that offers a highly efficient I/O access and application migration to reduce engineers R&D efforts and time to market for the next generation applications. Our service doesn't stop at this unique feature set either. Additionally, we also offer extensive custom design services as well as migration support that include validation and verification. The goal of all those value adding features to this amazing new processor is to drive customers' R&D costs and time-to-market down to a minimum.

The improvements inherent in the 2nd generation Intel Core processor family allow customers to enhance performance, as well as save money through reduced bill of materials (BOM) and by increasing design reuse over time, says Matt Langman, director of product marketing, Embedded Computing Division, Intel. I/O flexibility is offered through up to twenty PCIe lanes, and architectural changes have improved the performance while reducing power consumption.

In addition to extended scalability, optimized power consumption and improved graphics performance, target applications will benefit from the new processors' high-level of integration, including the memory controller (some with ECC support) and processor graphics. Kontron's platforms based on 2nd generation Intel Core processors will also incorporate Intel Advanced Vector Extensions (Intel AVX) to accelerate scalar-based operations required for imaging applications in industrial automation, medical and military. Intel AVX also accelerates intensive floating-point applications, such as high-performance embedded computing (HPEC). Additionally, Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 automatically shifts or reallocates processor cores and processor graphics resources to speed up performance, tailoring a workload to give users an immediate performance boost whenever possible based on thermal headroom. Since OEMs can use these enhancements on a wide Kontron portfolio of standardized and proven platforms, design risks are minimized and quality rises. Furthermore, R&D cost savings and reduced time-to-market are accomplished through Kontron's unified cross platform middleware, Kontron EAPI, which is included in all new Kontron boards and systems with the 2nd generation of Intel Core i3/i5/i7 processors.