New COMs deliver performance boost with Intel Core S technology

congatec has extended its portfolio of high-performance COM-HPC COMs with the conga-HPC/cBLS, specially developed for power-hungry edge and infrastructure applications. The new COM-HPC Client Size C (120mm x 160mm) modules are based on the performance hybrid architecture of the Intel Core S processors (codenamed Bartlett Lake S) with up to 16 Efficient and up to eight performance cores for up to 32 threads. These modules are created for applications demanding exceptional multi-core and multi-thread performance, large caches, vast memory capacities, high bandwidth, and advanced I/O technologies.

Target applications include medical imaging, test and measurement, communication and networking, retail, energy, and banking. Further use cases include video surveillance for traffic monitoring and automation applications like optical inspection, which also benefit from the module’s enhanced performance.

The new Client Size C modules suit high-performance real-time applications with workload consolidation. The firmware-integrated hypervisor-on-module facilitates direct access to the benefits of system consolidation. The module is an economical alternative to classic motherboards, especially for applications constantly demanding maximum performance and regular performance upgrades. Compared to motherboards, standardised COMs offer high scalability and an easy upgrade path through a simple module exchange, even across processor generations. The basic design does not require to be changed.

“The heterogeneous computing architecture, featuring powerful Intel Graphics and Deep Learning Boost, makes the module a highly performant, low-power server capable of AI inference for power-hungry edge applications. When used as a GPGPU, it offers a unique performance-per-dollar ratio. Support for Intel TSN and TCC provides an ideal foundation for networked real-time applications in sectors such as medical technology, automation, and industrial solutions,” explains Jürgen Jungbauer, senior product Line manager at congatec.

The new COMs offer up to 42 PCIe lanes, including 16 lanes with PCIe Gen 5 and up to 12 lanes with PCIe Gen 4. The integrated Intel Graphics with up to 32 execution units delivers impressive AI inference performance for AI edge applications. Fast DDR5-4000 memory with ECC support is available for data-critical applications.

The new COM-HPC Client Size C modules are also obtainable as application-ready, custom-configured aReady.COMs, including validated pre-installed and licensed operating systems such as ctrlX OS, Ubuntu, and/or RT-Linux. Optional features include system consolidation with aReady.VT and IoT connectivity. The modules can be preloaded with the customer’s application for even faster time-to-market, enabling users to simply plug them into their finished systems. With the firmware-integrated Hypervisor-on-Modules, the COMs offer a highly economical and flexible solution for system designs, replacing several systems in various use cases. Examples include test and measurement systems for visualisation, real-time control of production cells with HMIs and IoT gateways, and edge servers in smart grids.

Also, the company’s high-performance ecosystem and design-in services simplify application development. The service portfolio includes comprehensive board support packages, evaluation and production-ready application carrier boards, customised cooling solutions, extensive documentation and training, and high-speed signal integrity measurements. Application developers can also install the new COM-HPC COMs on the company’s Micro-ATX application carrier board (conga-HPC/mATX) for COM-HPC client modules. This provides immediate access to the full benefits and improvements of the new modules, including ultra-fast PCIe connectivity.