Acromag’s XCOM-6400 COM Express Module provides a high-performance processor in a package that is small, light, and very power-efficient. The XCOM-6400 is a Type 6 Basic COM Express module that is available with a choice of Intel’s 4-generation Core i7 or i5 Haswell CPU and Intel’s 8-Series QM87 PCH chipset, formerly known as Lynx Point. An innovative SODIMM hold-down method ensures secure connections while still allowing users to remove or upgrade the memory. Ruggedly designed for use in defense, aerospace, and industrial applications; this COM Express module features an extra-thick circuit board, advanced thermal management, and extended operating temperature ranges. 

The XCOM-6400 provides heat sink capabilities not available on traditional COM Express designs. Conduction-cooled rails establish a new design opportunity for carrier cards. Additional heat management technologies include heat spreader plates plus options such as cooling fins and a fan.

“This module sets a new standard for shock and vibration by implementing a SODIMM hold down mechanism. Soldering down the memory is no longer necessary,” explained Joseph Primeau, Acromag’s sales and marketing director. A screw-down latch securely fastens the memory in place to prevent it from shaking loose and also serves as a conduction plate to help wick away heat. Removing the latch provides user access to two memory slots that support up to 16GB of high-speed DDR3L available in 1 x 4GB, 2 x 4GB, and 2 x 8GB configurations.

The 4th generation of Intel’s Core i5 and i7 processors (codename Haswell) delivers many enhanced capabilities for media, graphics, security, and power management. Huge performance improvements were made for floating-point-intensive computations which are critical for digital signal and image processing applications like radar and sonar. Enhanced graphics enable smoother playback of high-quality images. Better power efficiency reduces heat and allows smaller, lighter, more portable designs. Acromag offers a high-performance quad core i7 CPU (2.4GHz, 47W) and more efficient dual core i5 CPU (1.6GHz, 25W).

The platform controller hub is Intel’s 8-Series QM87 PCH chipset (codename Lynx Point) which provides faster connectivity and flexibility with integrated I/O technologies. For graphics, the module uses an Intel integrated graphics processor with support for a 3x digital display interface (DVI or DisplayPort) and eDP interface (x2). Audio is supported through an HDA interface. The LAN Port is a Gigabit Ethernet Medium Dependent Interface (MDI). Other I/O interfaces include four SATA III ports (6 Gb/s), a PEG / general-purpose PCIe x16 interface with bifurcation/trifurcation support, four USB 3.0/2.0 ports, and four USB 2.0 ports. Users can access the SPI bus, LPC bus, SMBus (system), and I2C (user). There are also four general-purpose outputs and four general-purpose inputs. Security and encryption capabilities are facilitated through use of a Trusted Platform Module (TPM).