A guide to Computer on Modules (COMs)
- 2. Computer on Modules (COMs) What is a COM?
- 3. What is a COM? A COM (Computer-On-Module) is a well proven way to develop application specific systems. They are industry standards, defining the module size and the pinning and the connector you use to insert the module onto the baseboard. It helps get your product to market faster, as well as reducing the risk in development.
- 4. Why choose a COM?
- 5. Building a computer system traditionally involved picking a selection of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) circuit boards and components from multiple vendors and integrating them into a bespoke system Why choose a COM?
- 6. Who uses a COM?
- 7. Who uses a COM? Healthcare Automotive Logistics Defence Communications Energy Rail
- 8. Let’s go shopping! Competitive advantage
- 9. Specific features required can be added to the baseboard Reduced product development time End user can specify baseboard size and positioning of connectors Redesign or replacement easier Increased product quality Reduced production time Uses open standards so compatible with multiple vendors Secure, accessible and reduced risk Capability for low end and high-end module on the same baseboard Using a COM reduces the complexity and offers end users several advantages:
- 10. Benefits of COMs With a COM you can combine multiple elements into a two or three board system approach
- 11. Smaller size
- 12. Reduced weight
- 16. Reduced risk of failure
- 18. COMs are approved not by suppliers but by industry groups, PICMG and SGET, to drive and sustain the performance across the industry, mitigating risk and protecting your ROI by ensuring products are available and accessible STANDARD approach
- 19. Types of COM The key measures for choosing a COM are the performance, functionality, overall power budget required, and size of system
- 20. Types of COM Qseven SMARC COMexpress COM-HPC
- 21. Performance versus Watts Performance of the COM itself, versus the overall power budget and functionality required for the product and determined by the pinning of the individual modules
- 22. 3D Mark CPU GPU 20,000 18,000 16,000 14,000 12,000 10,000 8000 6000 4000 2000 0 Baytrail E3845 Apollo Lake E3950 Elkhart Lake X6425 Performance versus Watts for ATOM CPUs
- 23. Good for low power applications, up to 12 watts total design power (aka 12W TDP) Singular use with NXP i.MX, ARM or Intel Atom processors, limited PCIe lanes Frequently used in portable systems or supervisor/controller applications Up to 4 PCIe lanes Q7 and SMARC
- 24. COMexpress Works from 5W to 60W with processors ranging from Intel Atom to Intel Xeon and AMD Epyc Most widely used COM Can be used on own or in multiples within the same system Between 4 and 32 PCIe lanes
- 25. COM- HPC From 40W to 130W with solutions from desktop processors up to multi-core Server processors Enables COM concept with multi-core server processors, large capacity of RAM Up to 64 PCIe lanes Futureproof as standard has just been released
- 26. COM = Versatile
- 27. Reduces time to market cutting overall time and cost of development of new products and improving profit. Congatec Heatspreader and module underneath Jadak RFID reader Virtium storage Sierra Wireless LTE card Wificard Trimble GPS receiver Using a COM
- 28. Reduces time to market cutting overall time and cost of development of new products and improving profit. Give you better accessibility so products are easier to manage and upgrade. Means investment in development (engineering and products) can be re-used and protected with open-industry standards which control the COMs. Cuts costs Size, weight, power and complexity reduction = less cost, less time and more profit Means less complexity and fewer vendors = less management and integration costs Makes it easier to upgrade during system life = longer life projects = less Total Cost of Ownership Using a COM
- 29. Futureproofing
- 30. All vendors making products to integrate into a COM must conform to an open industry standard. So if one component becomes obsolete you can source a replacement module that conforms to the same standard to keep your product operational as required through its life-cycle Industry standards
- 31. Immediate integration When new processors are released, such as the 11th Generation Intel Core processors (Tiger Lake) (released Sept 2020) you can integrate the module immediately on your carrier board
- 32. New processor generations generally offer more performance, bandwidth and capabilities than the previous, for the same or less power consumption. 2020-2021 is an exciting period with new Intel, NXP and AMD modules being released Always upgrade
- 33. Steps in a ‘classic’ COM project
- 34. Decide what module suits your needs best, Recab can help you do this Step 1
- 35. Step 2 Source a module, eval carrier and accessories to kick-start your project and test your ideas out. Recab has lots available, many from stock and we’ve got loads of experience
- 36. If you are designing your carrier board then get the COM specification from the governing body, the design guide and the user-guide for the COM you’ve selected. You can often get reference schematics, OS images and qualified drivers packages as well. If you are working with Recab to get them to design and make your carrier, agree the specification and time-line and place your order to go! Step 3
- 37. Step 4 While the design gets underway use an eval carrier and module for software development, proof-of-concepts and approvals testing, training and writing user guides. Recab has a full range eval carriers so we can help build strong supporting line card for proof or concent/development systems
- 38. Production - Recab can work with you throughout this process Step 5
- 39. Step 6 Need to make changes to meet new customer demands, market expectations or to manage obsolescence – don’t panic you can work with Recab to choose a new module that will work with your existing design (or new needs) and get help with integrating, testing and bringing that to fruition
- 40. End of Life (EOL) of your product. Choosing a COM can enable longer term support, lower costs and less complexity than other approaches. Working with Recab can provide you with a local partner, with a mutual share in making the EOL successful, which is far better than going it alone! Step 7
- 41. RECAB UK
- 42. Who we are? We are the go-to experts in COM design, manufacture and integration. With a vast and diverse range of successfully deployed designs we can adapt and reuse, in part or full, giving our customers complete reassurance in product performance and service
- 43. Why us? REDUCED RISK get it right first time REDUCED COSTS for development REDUCED PROJECT TIME-LINE faster results
- 44. What are you waiting for? www.recabuk.co.uk