Ampro SBC interfaces to baseboard

The EnCore PP1 embedded processor module features Motorola's 300MHz MPC8245 processor with a built-in 66MHz PCI-bus interface, and can be incorporated into customized embedded designs by interfacing to a baseboard.

The module-to-baseboard interface avoids processor dependencies, enabling the EnCore modules to use various processor architectures on a common baseboard.

"The EnCore PP1 can shorten product development by up to 40 weeks," said Paul Rosenfeld, vice president of marketing for Ampro Computers, Inc. "EnCore processors eliminate the need to design, bring up and debug the CPU and the need to port or configure an OS," he added.

Demonstrated at the Embedded Systems Conference in San Francisco, the module supports up to 512MB SODIMM SDRAM and provides 2MB Flash memory with the company's universal bootloader/monitor software. As with all EnCore modules, the PP1 is housed in a 100-by-145mm board.

On-board I/O includes a 10/100Base-T Ethernet controller, JTAG interface, two serial ports, two USB ports, enhanced Ultra 33/66 EIDE interface to two drives. Also incorporated is a floppy disk controller, PS/2 keyboard and mouse ports, an IrDA port, ECP/EPP bidirectional parallel port, and an AC-97 audio interface.

A boot-ready OS that supports Linux and Wind River's VxWorks are also included.

The EnCore PP1 module is priced under $300 in volume quantities.