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November 2016
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ndustrIal
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ontrol
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omputIng
quantities. Like eDP, MIPI DSI consists of
fast serial differential wire pairs, but uses dif-
ferent data rates and protocols. Two Gigabit
Ethernet ports provide a particular advan-
tage for IoT or Industry 4.0 applications,
because no additional hardware is required
to realize two separate network segments for
the logic and the security functions. The two
GbE ports are handy to implement cable-sav-
ing line and even redundant ring topologies.
The SMARC 2.0 connector also provides
SDPs (software defined pins) for both Eth-
ernet ports. These configurable I/Os can be
used for hardware-based implementation of
the Precision Time Protocol (PTP) in accor-
dance with IEEE 1588, thereby achieving
accuracies in the nanosecond range.
Today, wireless connectivity is a must even for
demanding automation applications. In rec-
ognition of this trend, the SMARC 2.0 specifi-
cation defines a dedicated area on the module
for the placement of the necessary miniature
RF connectors for high frequency signals
(short U.FL connector).
All SMARC 2.0 modules that require antenna
connections for wireless interfaces imple-
ment these connectors in the same posi-
tion to ensure consistent interchangeability.
Congatec modules additionally provide the
appropriate logic interfaces, such as WLAN
and Bluetooth, via the M.2 1216 interface
specification. This widens the choice of radio
protocols and gives maximum flexibility for
Figure 2. SMARC 2.0 fits between COM Express and Qseven in the competitive landscape.
Figure 3. Block diagram of the conga-SA5 including Intel Apollo Lake processor
