Module is speedy answer to GX1 obsolescence

A new ETX module based on the Geode GX2 processor offers an RoHS-compliant performance upgrade for existing (noncompliant) Geode GX1 processor users.

With the impending arrival RoHS legislation, many developers are analysing existing designs, focusing on necessary revisions to meet the criteria.

Although the RoHS guidelines affect many components, the most painful of all for a number of developers will be the ever-popular Geode GX1 processor.

The Geode (GX1) has been used within an enormous number of both off-the-shelf (OTS) and custom products around the globe.

AMD's recent announcements, including the approaching end-of-life of the GX1 has meant a large number of products will soon be forced into obsolescence.

Hardware migration can be very painful, particularly where manufacturers have not considered a client's migration path.

Datasound Laboratories (DSL) made sure it was aware of the looming RoHS compliance issues some time ago and the potential for component availability issues as a result.

As such, DSL has been able to research, design and manufacture compatible alternatives months before any production schedules were impacted, and can now offer a quick, easy migration path to any concerned developers looking towards the future.

And the company's latest ETX module is designed to use components that are available in RoHS compliant variants.

The Geode [email protected] (or GX2 as it is commonly known) is part of AMD's latest embedded CPU set.

It was designed to offer a migration path from the GX1 while improving the old CPUs most important attributes.

As such, AMD has been able to produce a CPU that offers higher performance, lower power and (as a consequence) reduced heat dissipation requirements.

Even at an internal clock speed of 400MHz the CPU uses a mere 1.1W (0.2A at +5V), yet has an equivalent performance of a 533MHz VIA C3 CPU.

DSL's latest design, an ETX module based on the new GX533 CPU combines the advantages of both off-the-shelf and fully customised formats, with minimal adaptation time.

New users of the ETX format can expect a fully customised solution designed, manufactured and delivered in less than 30 days, and existing users can usually expect to simply swap their current GX1 board for the GX2 ETX module.

The GX2 ETX module is designed and manufactured in the UK, yet is as cost-effective as Far Eastern products.

A high level of technical support is available (from the designers themselves) to guide developers through their projects.

On-site engineers are able to advise exact migration requirements, resulting in vastly reduced adaptation effort from the client.

The GX533 is expected throughout the industry to be the way forward for existing Geode GX1 users, when the GX1 is no longer available.

Even the most space conscious applications can be fulfilled, as the GX533 requires no fan, or indeed even a heatsink.

Although the initial reasons for migrations are forced, as a consequence upgraded GX1 products can now offer significantly higher performance, and indeed lower power requirements.

The ETX module (alongside all recent DSL designs) has been designed to be RoHS compliant from its day of conception.

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