XTX Consortium Releases New XTX Specification
Revision 1.1 contains detailed enhancements SAN JOSE, CA, August 08, 2006-Ampro Computers, Inc., a leading supplier of standards-based computer systems and modules, announced today the immediate availability of the newest XTX 1.1 Specification including complete definition of all signals, the mechanical description and the results from the comprehensive PCI Express(TM) signal path simulation. In contrast to previous Computer-On-Modules standards, XTX offers the possibility of united software interfaces in order to enable a higher level of compatibility. With this possibility, XTX modules from multiple vendors can be exchanged easily while providing compete flexibility when it come to replacing a flat panel display with one from a different manufacturer. This vendor independent plug-and-display feature is unique within the embedded computer industry. The backwards compatibility to ETX® is still maintained. All ETX applications not using the ISA bus can easily be switched to XTX. XTX defines the control of flat panel displays using LVDS channels. Additionally there is an addendum to the XTX specification that defines the alternative usage of these pins for utilizing a TTL display interface. Furthermore, two additional signals are defined and implemented to enhance ACPI battery management possibilities. The latest specification is available at ampro.com/html/Embedded_Design_Resource_Center.asp or at www.xtx-standard.org. 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 (X2 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 while 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 Low Pin Count (LPC) bus. All other ETX signals remain unchanged. The LPC bus has already replaced the ISA bus in desktop and notebook chipsets and is used primarily for BIOS flash and legacy Super I/O devices. Access to both the PCI bus and the LPC bus 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. The XTX is an open standard that is freely available and not subject to any license fees. All members of the XTX consortium are granted the right to use the XTX brand name and logo without any restrictions. All manufacturers of embedded computer modules are encouraged by the XTX consortium to join their membership. 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 Tel: 408-360-4324 Email: vkostka@ampro.com
