Portwell announced a computer-on-module along with a pair of single-board computers built around Intel’s new embedded-specific Atom E3800 (Bay Trail-I) system-on-chips. The three Linux-friendly boards include a Type 6 COM Express Compact COM, a Mini-ITX style embedded motherboard, and an SBC implemented in the rarely seen Nano-ITX form factor.

The new Portwell embedded boards were announced along with dozens of other COMS and SBCs from eight different vendors, all sharing support for Intel’s newly announced Atom E3800 (Bay Trail-I) SoCs. Unlike most of these announcements, however, Portwell’s was accompanied by detailed datasheets, and the product appears to be available now.

The E3800 is built upon the same Bay Trail design and 22nm Silvermont architecture as the previously announced Atom Z3000 (Bay Trail-T) SoC, but instead of being focused on tablets, it targets the general embedded market. Among other enhancements compared to earlier embedded Atoms, the SoCs provide faster performance, lower power consumption, and Intel’s Gen 7 3D graphics engine, delivering up to twice the 3D performance.

The Portwell products appear to support all five of the E3800 models, which range in TDP (thermal design power) from 5 to 10 Watts. The SoCs include a quad-core, 1.91GHz Atom E3845 that runs at 10 Watts, as well as three dual-core models ranging from 1.33GHz to 1.75GHz and 6W to 8W TDP. There’s also a single-core E3815 model with 1.46GHz performance and a 5W TDP.

Here, we briefly summarize the PCOM-B632VG COM Express module and WADE-8078 Mini-ITX SBC, and then take a deeper dive on the NANO-6060 Nano-ITX SBC. As usual with these types of products, specific operating system support was not listed, but like all Intel SoCs, the E3800 supports Linux.
 

PCOM-B632VG COM Express module

Portwell’s first E3800-based module complies with the 95 x 95mm COM Express Type 6 “Compact” form factor. The module supports up to 8GB DDR3L 1066/1333 SDRAM via a single 204-pin SODIMM socket, and features up to four PCI Express (PCIe) x1 Gen2 expansion interfaces running at 5.0GT/s. The PCIe interfaces can be configured as dual x2 lanes or a single x4 lane. Dual SATA 2.0 ports and a microSD slot are supported, as well as DisplayPort, eDP, and VGA video interfaces, with the latter supporting resolutions up to 2560 x 1536 pixels.

PCOM-B632VG module, top and bottom
(click images to enlarge)
 

Additional I/O expressed via the COM Express connectors (visible on the module’s bottom view, above) includes six USB 2.0 ports, one USB 3.0 port, plus Ethernet, HD audio, keyboard/mouse, and GPIO. A gigabit Ethernet controller is provided, along with dual RX/TX serial interfaces supported from an onboard embedded controller.

The COM supports temperatures ranging from -40 to 80°C, and is rated to function at less than 50 DPM (defects per million), says Portwell. The module runs on a 6V~16.8V DC power supply.
 

WADE-8078 Mini-ITX SBC

For a more ready to roll Bay Trail-I solution, Portwell has unveiled a WADE-8078 Mini-ITX board. The 6.7 x 6.7-inch SBC supports up to 4GB of DDR3L via a single SODIMM. It provides storage options including a SATA 2.0 port, and an optional CFEX interface, a Portwell construction that we assume stands for “Compact Flash EXpansion.” Further expansion is available via both PCIe x4 and mini-PCIe slots.

WADE-8078 Mini-ITX SBC
(click image to enlarge)

Like the PCOM-B632VG, the WADE-8078 supplies an Intel I210-AT gigabit Ethernet controller, in this case supported with a real-world port. Other ports on the coastline include single helpings of RS232/422/485, VGA, HDMI, USB 3.0, and audio I/O. Two more USB 2.0 ports are onboard, along with KBC and GPIO interfaces.

The WADE-8078 supports dual displays at up to 1920 x 1080 resolution for HDMI and up to 2560 x 1536 for VGA. The board runs on an ATX power supply and supports temperatures of 0 to 60°C.
 

NANO-6060 Nano-ITX

While Mini-ITX boards can be found everywhere, their smaller Nano-ITX cousins are relatively rare. The form factor is designed for customers who want some of the real-world ports of a Mini-ITX board, but in a smaller 4.72 x 4.72-inch (120 x 120mm) package.

NANO-6060 Nano-ITX SBC
(click image to enlarge)

Portwell’s NANO-6060 packs a lot into the small space. Like the WADE-8078 board, it supports up to 4GB of DDR3L RAM, but offers more standard expansion and I/O. You get dual gigabit Ethernet ports and SATA ports instead of one apiece, and both PCIe x1 and mini-PCIe slots are standard issue. A DisplayPort is found on the coastline, and onboard display options include VGA and LVDS. Simultaneous DisplayPort and LVDS displays are said to be available.

USB options are also greater. In addition to the dual USB 3.0 ports on the coastline, the board provides two more 3.0 interfaces and dual USB 2.0 ports onboard. A RS232/422/485 serial port is available along with audio I/O and GPIO. Like the PCOM-B632VG module, the NANO-6060 supports -40 to 80°C temperatures.

Specifications listed for the NANO-6060 include:

• Processor — Intel Atom E3800 (Bay Trail-I) family
• Memory — up to 4GB DDR3L 1066/1333 SDRAM via 1x 204-pin SODIMM
• Storage — microSD slot; 2x SATA 2.0
• Display:
  • DisplayPort (coastline), up to 2560×1600
  • VGA DB-15 connector, up to 1920 x 1200
  • LVDS (dual-channel, 24-bit, up to 1920 x 1200
  • Dual display (DP/LVDS)
• Networking — 2x gigabit Ethernet (Intel I210IT)
• Other I/O:
  • 4x USB 3.0 (2x coastline ports)
  • 2x USB 2.0 ports
  • Audio line-out (coastline) plus line out, line-in, and mic onboard (Realtek ALC892 HD)
  • RS232/422/485 interface
  • 8-bit GPIO
• Expansion — PCIe x1; mini-PCIe
• Other features — HW monitoring; watchdog; passive heatsink
• Power — DC 12V input (supports AT mode)
• Operating temperature — -40 to 80°C
• Dimensions — 4.72 x 4.72-inch (120 x 120mm); Nano-ITX

 

Availability

The three Portwell products appear to be available now, at unstated prices. More information may be found at the PCOM-B632VG, the WADE-8078, and the NANO-6060 product pages, respectively.