Advantech has introduced a mini-ITX motherboard that targets embedded information and entertainment applications, such as information station kiosks and lottery machines. The AIMB-221 supports single- or dual-core AMD processors, and offers an HDMI A/V port, for connection to multimedia displays such as high-definition televisions.

(Click here for a larger view of Advantech's AIMB-221)

The AIMB-221 is offered with a five- to seven-year product life. Besides, HDMI, there's a VGA connector at the board's edge, while internal headers provide access to DVI and LVDS video signals. Possible dual-display configurations include CRT with LVDS, CRT with HDMI, or HDMI with LVDS, Advantech says.

A block diagram of Advantech's AIMB-221
(Click to enlarge)
The AIMB-221 uses AMD's 21mm x 21mm M690E northbridge and 23mm x 23mm SB600 southbridge, and is designed to use a range of the chipmaker's 65nm processors. Possible CPUs are said to include the dual-core AMD Turion 64X2 clocked at either 1.8GHz or 2.1GHz, or the single-core AMD Sempron clocked at 2.0GHz or 1.0GHz. In the last of these instances, the board can run fanlessly, the company adds.

Dual SODIMM slots allow the AIMB-221 to accept a total of 4GB of DDR2 RAM. As for mass storage, four SATA ports accept multiple disk drives, which may be configured as RAID 0 or RAID 1 arrays via software. Expansion capabilities on this board include one Mini PCI slot, one PCI slot, and a Type 2/3 CompactFlash slot, according to Advantech.

Advantech AIMB-221 ports

In addition to the VGA and HDMI connectors already mentioned, the edge of the AIMB-221 includes dual RJ45 connectors for gigabit Ethernet connections, four USB 2.0 ports, two serial ports, two PS/2 ports, and audio I/O. Internal connectors provide four additional USB ports, four more serial ports, plus parallel and IDE ports.

Finally, the AIMB-221 includes 8-bit GPIO, a watchdog timer, and an optional TPM (trusted platform module).

Features and specifications listed by Advantech for the AIMB-221 include:Processor -- AMD Turion 64X2 clocked at 2.1GHz or 1.8GHz, AMD Sempron clocked at 2.0GHz or 1.0GHz
Memory -- Up to 4GB of DDR2 memory, via dual SODIMM slots
Networking -- 2 gigabit Ethernet ports
Other I/O:1 x VGA
1 x HDMI
1 x LVDS (internal header)
1 x DVI (optional; internal header)
8 x USB 2.0 (4 internal via headers, 4 external)
6 x RS232 (2 external, 4 internal via headers)
4 x SATA
2 x PS/2 (for keyboard and mouse)
1 x IDE
1 x parallel
8-bit GPIO
Audio line in and line outExpansion:Type 2/3 CompactFlash socket
PCI slot
Mini PCI slotOperating temperature -- 0 to 0 deg. C (32 to 140 deg. F)
Dimensions -- 6.7 x 6.7 inches (170 x 170mm)According to Advantech, the AIMB-221 supports Linux, Windows XP Embedded, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows CE 6.0.

Pricing was not released, but the AIMB-221 appears to be available now. More information may appear on Advantech's website, here.


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