Integration Services

ETX Standard I/O Options

	2 Serial ports (TTL signaling)
	Dual IDE interfaces (up to 4 drives) for hard disk, solid-state flashdisk, or CompactFlash devices
	Floppy / parallel port interface (shared pins)
	10/100Mbps Ethernet
	PS/2 keyboard & mouse
	4 USB ports
	VGA CRT interface
	LVDS or TTL flat panel interface
	ISA and PCI expansion buses for slot boards, PC/104-Plus boards, or mini-PCI boards

Diamond Systems Baseboard I/O Options

	Data Acquisition
	Analog Input, 12-bit or 16-bit resolution, up to 250KHz
	Analog Output, 12-bit or 16-bit resolution, up to 100KHz
	Digital I/O, programmable direction and interrupt on change of state
	Relays
	Optoisolated digital I/O
	Watchdog timer circuit
	Communications / Networking
	Serial ports with RS-232, RS-422, and RS-485 interfaces
	USB2.0 ports
	Gigabit Ethernet
	IEEE1394 Firewire
	CAN 2.0 with opto-isolation
	GPS location tracking
	GSM/GPRS and CDMA wireless communications
	Other Baseboard Circuitry
	DC/DC power supply with wide input range
	Battery backup / charger circuitry
	PCI to PCI and PCI to ISA bridges

ETX Baseboards

ETX Computer-on-Module products represent a unique opportunity to easily create a custom embedded system that meets the specific form factor, connector requirements, and I/O functionality needs of your application. ETX enables you to get your product to market faster and at lower cost by providing an off-the-shelf solution for the embedded computer, while still giving you the flexibility of a custom baseboard with your own I/O. Now Diamond Systems’ Custom ETX Baseboard Program goes one step further by offering you off-the-shelf solutions for your I/O as well.

The CPU portion of your board is provided by an ETX module from one of a dozen or more manufacturers worldwide. Processor options range from low-power, low-cost 486 designs all the way up to state of the art dual-core Pentium M boards. The standard connector design of ETX enables you to switch processors easily to upgrade performance and extend the life of your product.

Baseboard I/O

The I/O portion of your baseboard is divided into two categories: Standard system I/O from the ETX module itself and custom I/O built onto the baseboard. Diamond Systems application engineers work with you to bring the ETX I/O you need out to connectors of your choice on the baseboard. Next we help you select from our extensive selection of proven I/O circuitry, including analog I/O, digital I/O, communications and networking to provide the specific additional functionality needed for your application.

We can include your own custom application circuitry, or, if necessary, create new logic blocks to meet your needs. Because many of Diamond Systems’ I/O logic blocks are based on reprogrammable FPGA technology, we can also provide existing FPGA code to implement many I/O functions or create new FPGA code to implement application-specific I/O requirements. As your needs change, new designs can be downloaded to the FPGA to upgrade your board without incurring engineering redesign expenses.

Benefits of the Diamond Systems ETX Baseboard Program

Because we use existing proven designs for the baseboard circuitry, your design time is shortened and your design risk minimized. Design verification and manufacturing test fixtures and software already exist, simplifying the project and lowering your total cost.

Generic ETX Baseboard Block Diagram

The block diagram below shows some of the many I/O options that are available with an ETX based design. Diamond Systems can quickly design and deliver your custom baseboard with any set of feature options described below.

ETX Baseboard Program Development Flow

No.	Step	Description
1	Specification	Finalize requirements specification. Define the performance requirements, memory requirements, environmental and regulatory requirements, bus expansion (if necessary), power requirements, form factor, connector types and locations, and I/O requirements. Select I/O blocks from existing Diamond Systems I/O function library.
2	ETX CPU Selection	Evaluate and select ETX module(s). Choose an individual module or a family of modules to meet the performance and environmental requirements of the application.
3	Proof of Concept	Preliminary parts placement for verification of project goals.Given the chip count and approximate board space requirements of the Diamond Systems I/O library elements, determine the required board space and approximate placement of key components, including the ETX module itself.
4	Schematic Design	Complete the schematic of the custom baseboard using schematic elements from the Diamond Systems I/O function library as well as customer-supplied designs and new designs.
5	Design Review	Review the design and update the specification as needed.
6	PCB Layout and Material Planning	Complete the layout and routing of the custom baseboard. Finalize the bill of materials and approved vendor list. (Activities occur in parallel.)
7	Layout Review	Review the final board layout, including all connector types and locations.
8	Prototype Development	Fabricate the PCB, purchase all components, assemble prototypes, and bring up design.
9	Design Verification	Conduct extensive testing of design, including environmental test, stress test, and agency approvals.
10	Qualification	Customer evaluation and qualification of the prototypes for appropriate performance and fit.
11	Product Release	ECO release of design files to manufacturing, including customer and Diamond Systems signoff of project.
12	Production	Mass production of the final approved design. Diamond Systems can deliver the baseboard alone or as a tested subassembly with the ETX CPU installed.