Breakthrough Intel® Atom SBC from Diamond Systems Renews Interest in Stackable Architectures

single-board computers (SBCs) and expansion modules for real-world applications, launched today at the

Intel Developer Forum (IDF) the Aurora single board computer (SBC) as a much-needed technological

breakthrough in small form factor (SFF) embedded computing. Featuring the 1.6GHz Atom

processor from Intel, Aurora combines US-based rugged design know-how with advanced manufacturing

process techniques to achieve a rich feature set in the tiny 3.6x3.8" PC/104 form factor. Best of all, Aurora

uses a simple yet unprecedented thermal design among stackable SBCs to reduce size, weight and power

products," said Colin McCracken, vice president of

marketing at Diamond Systems. "Featuring

conduction cooling, Diamond's new Aurora SBC

stretches program budgets by providing an

unmatched feature set. Half the size, weight, power

AND cost is a compelling migration value proposition.

For basic command, control, data collection, portable,

vehicle upgrade and communications applications, the

days of $1,000+ mid-range rugged SBCs are

numbered thanks to Aurora’s perfect-fit solution."

ports, PS/2 keyboard and mouse, and both SUMIT-A and PC/104 ISA bus expansion. Prior to Aurora, this

extensive feature set was typically accomplished by two-board stacks or SBCs with "wings" (form factor

excursions). Compared to COM Express® modules which require +12V input and full custom carrier card

designs, Aurora saves power by operating off a single low voltage +5V input, yet still allows I/O

Rugged features include -40

mounting holes for ruggedness. Diamond's rugged RAM offering will be manufactured by multiple

Aurora is well suited as a basic x86 controller for a range of applications. SUMIT-A is a space-efficient

interface for PCI Express x1, USB, LPC and I2C buses. The combination of SUMIT and PC/104 expansion

interfaces is on a growth trajectory to support the largest overall ecosystem of stackable I/O cards, as PCI

Founded in 1989, Diamond Systems was an early adopter of PC/104 technology and today is one of the

leading worldwide suppliers of PC/104 I/O modules and highly integrated single board computers combining

CPU and data acquisition on a single board. Diamond Systems is leading a paradigm shift in embedded

computing offering perfect-fit system solutions. Our single board computers use conduction-cooling heat

spreaders instead of traditional heat sinks for improved thermal dissipation and increased reliability.

Expansion I/O modules can easily be stacked above the SBC or can even be inserted between boards in