Computer-on-Module allows for modular architecture.

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Ampro Extends the ETX Market to 2GHz with Intel® Core(TM) Duo Module

Dual core demonstration at ESC creates a new breakthrough for processing and I/O scalability SAN JOSE, CA, April 3, 2006. Ampro Computers, Inc., a leading supplier of standards-based computer systems and modules, demonstrates this week at the Embedded Systems Conference a high-performance plug-compatible solution for hundreds of embedded system manufacturers who were faced with complete re-designs of their ETX baseboards to adopt new technology. Intel's 2.0 Gigahertz Core(TM) Duo processor ("Yonah"), introduced in January as the highest performance CPU for the embedded market, is featured on Ampro's new XTX 830 Computer-on-Module (COM) that will begin sampling this quarter. In addition to providing a path forward for existing ETX designers, this announcement means that other OEMs can switch to a modular architecture for their next-generation image processing, storage, advertising display, communications, and security applications. For product information, visit ampro.com/html/XTX_FormFactor_830.html, or stop by ESC booth 1610. "Since inventing the embedded PC in 1983, Ampro has continued to find ways of shrinking PC technology into the small form factors required by non-PC applications. By extending a popular form factor rather than imposing completely incompatible connectors and board sizes, Ampro has successfully merged this leading-edge technology with the migration and re-use needs of system manufacturers." said Joanne Mumola Williams, president and CEO of Ampro. The XTX 830 module includes a 2GHz Intel Core Duo CPU, which takes DDR2 SODIMM RAM up to 1GB. The module also contains (6) USB 2.0 ports, IDE (Parallel ATA) as well as Serial ATA interfaces to cover both legacy and high-speed disk drives, (4) PCI Express lanes for up to 10 Gigabit per second in both transmit and receive directions, 10/100 Megabit Ethernet, 32/33 PCI bus expansion, ACPI 2.0 support including S3 Suspend-to-RAM, the latest high-performance embedded graphics with CRT and LVDS LCD interfaces, and RoHS compliance. XTX 830 runs with Windows® XP and Linux 2.6. Pricing and Availability RoHS-compliant XTX 830 modules begin shipping by June, 2006. Prices starting in the low $500s in moderate quantities. About XTX XTX is a new industry standard, supported by a worldwide consortium of embedded module manufacturers. XTX uses the same four baseboard connectors in the same locations as ETX, and the module holes and dimensions are identical for seamless migration from a mechanical standpoint. There is one board size, the same as with ETX, so that OEMs are not designing to a moving target. Electrically, only the signals on one connector are different (ISA bus). For OEMs not using ISA, XTX modules plug directly into existing ETX baseboards, permitting the easiest possible access to the latest chipset technology, graphics, and processors and preserving investments in custom baseboards. Unlike other COM architectures, XTX retains support for legacy peripherals such as serial ports, parallel port, floppy drive, Parallel ATA (IDE) and PS/2 keyboard and mouse. For more information about the new module standard, visit www.xtx-standard.org. The new XTX standard provides a "bridge to the future" by replacing the ISA bus signals in the ETX standard with four PCI Express lanes, two Serial ATA ports, two additional USB ports and the new desktop-standard Low Pin Count (LPC) bus. All other ETX signals remain unchanged. The LPC bus has already replaced the ISA bus in desktop and notebook PCs and chipsets, and is used primarily for BIOS flash and legacy Super I/O devices. Access to both the PCI bus and the LPC bus at the XTX baseboard interface gives OEMs two options for generating the ISA bus if needed for simple I/O expansion: Through a PCI-to-ISA bridge, or through an LPC-to-ISA bridge placed on the baseboard. With this "bridge to the future" that does not sacrifice the present, baseboards can implement PCI Express and Serial ATA when it is convenient for each OEM, not when forced upon them by the supply chain. Other new module standards use completely different connectors, signals, locations, and board sizes, with inconsistent and optional pinouts for the module types, which necessitates a substantial baseboard re-design to access new processors and chipsets, even when PCI Express and SATA are not required by the application in the short term. About Ampro Computers, Inc. Ampro Computers, Inc. is the leading global provider of modular embedded computing solutions for OEM applications. Ampro's mission is to provide time saving solutions for embedded systems designers that accelerate the product deployment process. Ampro pioneered the embedded PC industry creating the popular PC/104 and EBX standards, and recently co-invented the new EPIC and EPIC Express standards. Ampro offers the ReadySystem Computer as a complete turnkey industrial computer solution, the ReadyPanel Computer as a touch-screen Panel PC solution, ETX and XTX Computer-on-Modules, PC/104-compatible CoreModule CPUs and MiniModule I/O expansion products, EBX form factor LittleBoard single-board computers (SBCs), EPIC form factor ReadyBoard SBCs, and Mini-ITX form factor MightyBoard SBCs. For more information about Ampro Computers, please visit www.ampro.com. Media Contact: Victoria Kostka 408-360-4324 vkostka@ampro.com