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COm Carrier System

Modular COM Carrier Product Line Extension

STRAUBENHARDT – The modular nVent SCHROFF COM carrier board is based on the COM Express Type 6 specification and has been designed to make use of standardized COM modules from different manufacturers and such that only the carrier interfaces and functions need to be modified to realize a custom solution. Through its modularity, the nVent SCHROFF COM carrier offers a high degree of flexibility for highly diverse applications. In addition to the conventional interfaces such as Gigabit Ethernet, USB 2.0
and 3.0, 5.1 HD audio, DVI-D and display port, other RS-232 interfaces can be connected on the front panel using optional cable adapters. The carrier also offers interfaces for expansion boards. nVent SCHROFF develops add-on modules for these interfaces which expand the carrier's range of functionality. When
combined with a nVent SCHROFF Interscale case, including cooling and power supply as well as being equipped with a hard drive, etc., it becomes a complete system—adapted to the customer's unique application.

As the result of continued product development, new add-on modules are now available. In addition to the power input module which features a wide-range input of 12 to 24 V, there is now a second, more cost-effective module with a limited voltage range of 19 to 24 V. The power input module with limited voltage range is usually sufficient if an external power supply is used in the application. Particularly in view of the fact that 24 V—commonly available in industrial automation applications—is covered.

The postcode module is another new add-on module. It is based on a seven-segment display and is used in order to indicate errors during the boot routine if no other display is connected. This feature was deliberately not directly integrated onto the carrier, but rather designed as an independent module. The user only has to include this function if they require it. If this feature had already been integrated on the carrier, they would not have a choice.

The third new add-on module is a LVDS module, which is plugged into the LVDS interface integrated onto the carrier for the connection of TFT monitors integrated in the case. Depending on the manufacturer, TFT monitors make numerous interfaces available, since there is no standard. The LVDS module therefore serves as an adapter between the high-speed interface integrated on the carrier and the selected TFT monitor. The available LVDS module has been matched to the pinout of one manufacturer. If the customer wants to connect up the TFT monitor of another manufacturer, only the LVDS module will have to be adapted.

Two different Gigabit Ethernet interfaces are often required in industrial environments. However, in the Type 6 specification, only a single Ethernet interface that is integrated into the COM carrier is defined. nVent SCHROFF, however, provides a second Gigabit Ethernet interface as an add-on module. The interface is connected through the rear case panel. All new add-on modules are available immediately. The development of other add-on modules will be steadily continued by Schroff, oriented towards the customer and market requirements of today—and tomorrow.