Nuremberg, Germany, March 2, 2010 – The Small Form Factor Special Interest Group
(SFF-SIG), a collaboration of leading suppliers of embedded component, board and
system technologies, today announced the adoption and release of the CoreExpress®
Specification revision 2.1. CoreExpress was originally developed as a proprietary
standard by LiPPERT Embedded Computers GmbH. Under the terms of an agreement
between SFF-SIG and LiPPERT, the entire embedded community will now be able to
develop CoreExpress modules and applications without regard to confidentiality and
without royalties of any kind. Use of the CoreExpress logo will require membership in
SFF-SIG.
“The dynamic and vibrant nature of SFF-SIG enabled the group to move rapidly to
embrace the CoreExpress Specification”, said Paul Rosenfeld, SFF-SIG President. “Eight
companies participated in the review process which was completed within a 90 day
window. The structure of SFF-SIG and hard work by its members has given the SIG a
strong leadership position in the development and release of next-generation COM
standards.”
“I’m thrilled that CoreExpress has achieved the status of an open standard through SFF-
SIG”, said Peter Lippert, President of LiPPERT Embedded Computers GmbH. “This is an
ideal vehicle to make advanced CoreExpress technology available to the entire
embedded community.”
The newly released version of the specification contains a number of enhancements
proposed by SFF-SIG members during the evaluation process. These include the support
of the emerging DisplayPort interface and the addition of sufficient reserve pins to
enable upward compatible support for USB 3.0 in the future. The new version is upward
compatible from the current CoreExpress 2.0 version previously published by LiPPERT.
CoreExpress uses a single connector baseboard interface, eliminating the registration
problems frequently found with two-connector Computer on Module products. Fully
digital to reduce system noise and EMI, CoreExpress is the smallest x86 computer-on-
module in the market, measuring a mere 58x65mm. With dedicated interface pins for
optional CAN bus support, CoreExpress ushers in a new era of ‘application COMs’
tailored for vertical markets.
Three characteristics establish the CoreExpress Specification as the first of a new
generation of Computer on Module. First, the connector used by CoreExpress modules
has been confirmed to operate at the speeds required for PCI Express Generation 2.
Secondly, the specification contains an option to configure the SDVO interface pins for
the new DisplayPort interface. Third, sufficient reserved pins are included in the
definition to enable inclusion of at least two USB 3.0 ports in a future release of the
specification.
The CoreExpress baseboard interface includes PCI Express (configured as 1 x4 lane or 4
x1 lanes), RGMII Ethernet Interface, 2 SATA ports, 1 CAN bus port, 8 USB 2.0 ports (one
of which may be configured as a client), LPC bus, SM bus, High Definition Audio, SDVO
(multiplexed with Display Port), 24-bit LVDS flat panel interface, backlight control and an
SD/SDIO/MMC 8-bit interface.
The CoreExpress Specification is available for download from the SFF-SIG web site at
www.sff-sig.org. CoreExpress modules are available today from LiPPERT Embedded
Computers.
About the Small Form Factor SIG
The Small Form Factor Special Interest Group is an international organization devoted to
identifying, creating, and promoting standards that help electronics system and device
manufacturers and integrators move to small form factor technologies and building
blocks in their products, and protect their investments. Benefits of small form factor
products include smaller size, reduced power consumption (eco-friendly, “green”
products), and greater reliability compared to larger legacy products.
The SIG’s philosophy is to embrace the latest technologies, as well as maintain legacy
compatibility and enable smooth transition solutions to next-generation interfaces. For
more information about the SFF SIG, visit www.sff-sig.org or e-mail info@sff-sig.org.
