Building Rugged COM Express Systems

Simplifying the Design of a Custom, Type 6 COM Express System.

Why Choose COM Express?

Designed specifically for the MIL-AERO market, Acromag introduces a truly flexible hardware platform that provides you with off-the-shelf, advanced technology to satisfy a multitude of project requirements.

Quickly go from development to production using Acromag’s line of modular COM Express products.

Why Choose COM Express?

What Do I Need to Get Started?

While mixing-and-matching an assembly is possible, Acromag cuts out the headaches
by offering all of the pieces for a comprehensive package:
XCOM-6400 Intel i7/i5 CPU processor board
ACEX carrier cards
- Production front panels
- Front panel power filter
  Engineering Design Kit for real-world I/O interfacing

How It All Comes Together

1. The Processor : XCOM-6400

Type 6 interconnects
Intel 4th Gen Core i7/i5 CPU
Intel 8-Series QM87 PCH chipset
Up to 16GB removable memory
PEG/General Purpose PCIe x16
40 to 85°C operating temperature

The XCOM-6400 CPU processor module has Type 6 interconnects and features the 4th generation “Haswell” Intel processor. The Core i5 allows for lower power consumption (around 20-40%), while the Core i7 provides higher performance- as much as twice the performance of “Sandy Bridge” (3rd generation).

Both processors deliver the many enhanced media, graphic, security, and power capabilities typical for Intel’s 4th generation products. Huge performance improvements were made for floating-point-intensive computations which are critical for digital, signal, and image processing applications – such as radar and sonar.

Enhanced graphics enable smoother playback of high-resolution images for digital signage or displays. Improved power efficiency reduces heat and allows smaller, lighter designs with better portability.

The XCOM-6400 also features an innovative SODIMM hold down mechanism which allows up to 16GB of high-speed DDR3L memory to be securely fastened without the limitations of soldered-down memory. Meeting the higher standards of MIL-STD202G shock and vibration testing, a screw-down latch holds the memory in place without a loss of connection and also serves as a conduction plate to dissipate heat.

2. The Carriers : ACEX4600

Dual Mini PCIe sites for I/O expansion
Optional single or double slot
PMC/XMC expansion
Multi-pin SEARAY connectors for
real-world interconnection
Conduction cooling frames and rails
available
On-board DC/DC power supply -40 to 85°C operating temperature

The ACEX4600 Type 6 COM Express carrier cards come in three variations, depending on which features you prefer.

All models feature an integrated DC power supply with 10-32V DC input. The boards are ready for conduction cooling and employ a number of key industrialized features that are critical for use in harsh environments. High-density, high-speed Samtec SEARAY connectors provide all field connections to standard I/O, CPU and rear PMC/XMC I/O. The connector supports either a cable or board-to-board interface. Using these standard carriers will save months of development time and thousands of dollars in engineering costs.

3. PMC/XMC Expansion

Acromag offers several families of XMC or PMC boards, allowing you to modify and customize your system to meet specific application needs and requirements.

Analog and digital I/O
FPGA modules
10-Gigabit Ethernet network cards
Multi-purpose I/O cards

4. The Production Front Panels : ACEX-FP

The I/O front panel has MIL-DTL38999 cylindrical connectors for interfacing to the outside world. Two models are available for use with either the zero/single or the dual PMC/XMC slot carrier. All PMC/XMC rear I/O is routed to the front panel connectors.

5. The Front Panel Power Filter : ACEX-FP-PF

The front panel power filter interfaces directly to the back of the front I/O card and
provides filtering for the incoming power.

6. The Engineering Design Kit : ACEX-4600-EDK

The Engineering Design Kit (EDK) provides an easy means of developing and testing your COM Express application. Designed to plug directly
into the carrier card, it allows access to all signals delivered through the carrier card’s SEARAY connector from the EDK board connectors. The EDK
provides all of the peripheral I/O connectors from the CPU, I/O expansion modules, and accommodates two SSD devices for program storage.

The ACEX-4600-EDK is also offered in a packaged version: model ACEX-4600-DLS, designed for your laboratory use. It provides all of the features of the EDK with the added advantage of being mounted on a metal base with two fans that insure proper air circulation around and over the CPU, carrier, and expansion modules.