Congatec unveiled Linux-friendly, 3.5-inch “Conga-JC370” and thin Mini-ITX “Conga-IC370” SBCs with Intel’s 8th Gen 1.8GHz, quad-core Core i7-8565U and 2.1GHz, dual-core Core i3-8145U Mobile processors.

At Embedded World last week, Congatec debuted some of the first embedded boards based on Intel’s new 8th Gen “Whiskey Lake” U-series processors, including a 3.5-inch Conga-JC370 SBC and Conga-IC370 thin Mini-ITX board. Like the similar, 8th Gen Coffee Lake-U they offer quad- as well as dual-core models.

Conga-JC370 (left) and Conga-IC370
(click images to enlarge)

All but one of the five Whiskey Lake “mobile” models, including the 1.8GHz (4.6GHz Turbo), quad-core Core i7-8565U and 2.1GHz (3.9GHz Turbo), dual-core Core i3-8145U supported here are dual-threaded. The quad-core models, including the Core i7-8565U, offer a performance increase of up to 40 percent compared to previous U-Series processors, says Congatec.

At the same time, the 14nm fabricated chips retain the modest 15W TDPs of previous U-series chips, which are popular choices for high-end embedded devices. Both processors integrate Intel Gen9 UHD Graphics 620 with 24 EUs.

The Conga-JC370 and Conga-IC370 SBCs support Linux, Windows 10, and Windows 10 Enterprise. Both models support up to 64GB of 2400 MT/s DDR4 via dual sockets. Other highlights include native support for USB 3.1 Gen2 with up to a 10Gbps transfer rate, “which makes it possible to transfer even uncompressed UHD video from a camera to a monitor,” says Congatec.

Both boards support the Whiskey Lake capability of driving up to 3x independent 60Hz UHD displays, each with up to 4096 x 2304 resolution. They both provide dual GbE ports — one with Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) support.

 
Conga-JC370

The 146 x 102mm Conga-JC370 appears to be Congatec’s first 3.5-inch SBC. The 8th Gen Whiskey Lake-U chips are accompanied by up to 64GB DDR4 and a SATA III connector. There’s also an M.2 M-key 2280 socket with support for SATA and Intel Optane storage.

Display features include a DP++ port, with the possibility of a second DP port via the USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port, which alternatively can be used to draw power. There’s also an LVDS interface (or optional eDP) with an option for a second LVDS via an adapter.

Conga-JC370 detail view
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One of the 2x GbE ports support TSN. Other features include 2x USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports, an RS232/422/485 DB9 port, and some additional internal USB 2.0 and serial interfaces. You also get GPIO and optional CAN.

Expansion features include a mini-PCIe slot with micro-SIM slot. You also get M.2 B- and E-key slots for PCIe, USB, and in the case of the E-key, Intel’s CNVio (Connectivity Integration) modules for WiFi-ac and Bluetooth.

Conga-JC370 rear view and block diagram
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The Conga-JC370 is further equipped with a Congatec Board Controller, RTC, TPM 2.0, and various security, BIOS, and power management features. There’s a wide-range 12-24V DC input and 0 to 60°C support. Accessories include heatspreaders and other cooling solutions and a variety of cables and power supplies.

Specifications listed for the Conga-JC370 include:

• Processor — Intel 8th Gen “Whiskey Lake” U-series Mobile with Intel Gen9 UHD Graphics 620 (24 EU) at 300MHz base and 1GHz max dynamic; Intel 300 series chipset:
  • Core i7-8565U — 4x octa-threaded cores @ 1.8GHz (4.6GHz Turbo); 8MB cache; configurable TDP of 10W at 800MHz and 25W at 2.0GHz
  • Core i3-8145U — 2x quad-threaded cores @ 2.1GHz (3.9GHz Turbo); 4MB cache; configurable TDP of 10W at 800MHz and 25W at 2.3GHz
• Memory — up to 64GB of 2400 MT/s DDR4 via dual sockets
• Storage:
  • SATA 3.0 with SATA power and support for eSATA and SATA DOM
  • M.2 M-key 2280 (PCIe x4/SATA/Intel Optane)
  • SATA also available via mini-PCIe (see farther below)
• Display/media:
  • DisplayPort++ (or optional HDMI) ports at up to 4096 x 2304
  • 2nd DP possible via USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C (see below)
  • LVDS (24-bit, dual channel) or optional eDP
  • Optional 2nd LVDS via external adapter
  • Triple 4K display support
  • Backlight control and power
  • HD Audio mic-in/line-out interfaces
• Networking — 2x Gigabit Ethernet ports (Intel I225 with opt. TSN and 1219LM with AMT)
• Other I/O:
  • 2x USB 3.1 Gen 2 host ports
  • USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port with power and DP support
  • 2x USB 2.0 interfaces
  • RS232/422/485 DB9 port
  • 2x RS-232 (via 4-pin headers)
  • 8-bit GPIO
  • Optional 8-bit management GPIO
  • I2C, SMBus; intrusion and fan pins
  • Optional CAN
• Expansion:
  • M.2 B-key 2242/3042 (PCIe/USB/SIM)
  • M.2 E-key 2230 (PCIe/CNVio/USB)
  • PCIe available on SATA-oriented M.2 M-key (see above)
  • Full-size mini-PCIe slot (PCIe/SATA/USB/opt. SIM)
  • Micro-SIM slot
• Other features – Congatec Embedded Board Controller with watchdog, HW monitoring, etc.; RTC with battery holder; LEDs; embedded BIOS features; TPM 2.0; Secure Root of Trust, Secure Memory Encryption, Secure Encrypted Virtualization
• Power — 12-24V DC or via USB Type-C; power switch; reset button; ACPI S3/S4/DeepS5; PMIC
• Operating temperatures — 0 to 60°C
• Dimensions — 146 x 102mm (“3.5-inch form factor”)
• Operating system — Linux; Windows 10; Windows 10 Ent.

 
Conga-IC370

The 170 x 170 x 20mm Conga-IC370 follows earlier Congatec thin Mini-ITX boards including the 6th Gen Skylake based Conga-IC17. (Skylake has just been formally retired, with the last shipments due Mar. 6, 2020.)

Conga-IC370 detail view
(click image to enlarge)

The Conga-IC370 offers the same Whiskey Lake-U chips and up to 64GB DDR4 support as the smaller Conga-JC370. Other features are also similar, with the same 2x GbE ports and USB 3.1 Gen.2 host ports, as well as the same temperature range, wide-range power input, and Congatec Board Controller. Expansion features are the same except that instead of the M.2 M-key storage socket you get a second SATA III port. The Conga-IC370 also adds a PCIe x4 slot.


Conga-IC370 rear view and block diagram
(click images to enlarge)

There’s no Type-C port, but you get dual DP++ ports, LVDS, and eDP. For audio, there’s SPDIF in addition to dual audio jacks. The dual USB 2.0 interfaces have been expressed as coastline ports. There’s no coastline serial port, but there are plenty of serial and other I/O, as shown in the detail view and block diagram.

 
Further information

No pricing or availability information was provided for the Conga-JC370 and Conga-IC370. More information may be found in Congatec’s announcement (in EEJournal), as well as the Conga-JC370 and Conga-IC370 product pages.