TQ Systems unveiled three compute modules: an 8th Gen Whiskey Lake-U based COM Express Compact, a COM based on a 64-bit NXP LS1028A, and a module with a PowerPC-based T1022.

LinuxGizmos has yet to cover any products from Germany-based TQ Systems, formally referred to as TQ Components, which has yet to market to the U.S. On Mar. 6, however, Macnica’s Macnica Americas subsidiary announced that it has begun distributing TQ Systems’ embedded boards in North America. The TQ catalog includes dozens of x86, Arm, and PowerPC based computer-on-modules.

Three new modules were just announced at Embedded World:

• TQMx80UC — COM Express Compact Type 6 with Intel 8th Gen Core (Whiskey Lake-U)
• TQMLS1028A — Module with NXP QorIQ Layerscape LS1028A (1x or 2x -Cortex A72)
• TQMT1022 — Module with NXP’s PowerPC based T1022

TQMx80UC (left) and TQMLS1028A
(click images to enlarge)

Here we’ll look at the TQMx80UC and TQMLS1028A, followed by a briefer summary of the PowerPC based TQMT1022, which lacks a product page. Linux support is listed only for the TQMLS1028A and no OS support is listed for the other two modules. However, the TQMT1022’s T1022 chip was born to run Linux, and the Whiskey-Lake-U based TQMx80UC should run Linux and Windows with no problems.

TQ Systems’ embedded module lineup includes COM Express Type 10 Mini, Type 6 Compact, and Type 6 Basic modules with Intel Whiskey-Lake, Kaby Lake, Skylake, Broadwell, Apollo Lake, and Bay Trail processors. There are also SMARC modules for Apollo Lake and NXP’s Arm-based i.MX8 family. Other Arm modules include SoCs based on Cortex A7/8/9/15/53/72.

“Macnica Americas’ value proposition of providing deep technical support for their customers along with their vertical market expertise is a perfect match for TQ Systems’ broad embedded product portfolio,” stated Rob Judge, VP of Sales for TQ Systems.

 
TQMx80UC

The 95 x 95mm TQMx80UC COM Express Compact Type 6 module features the latest 8th Gen U-series Intel Core i7, i5, i3, Pentium, and Celeron CPUs. They all have 15W TDPs with configurable TDPs ranging from 12.5W to 25W. The datasheet lists only the quad-core, 1.8/4.6GHz Core i7-8565U and 1.6/3.9GHz Core i5-8265U, as well as the dual-core, 2.1/3.9GHz Core i3-8145U. The dual-threaded Whiskey Lake-U processors include Intel Gen9 UHD Graphics 620 with 24 EUs.

TQMx80UC with loaded memory and block diagram
(click images to enlarge)

Whiskey Lake-U is notable for offering native support for USB 3.1 Gen2 with up to a 10Gbps transfer rates. The processors recently appeared on Congatec’s 3.5-inch Conga-JC370 and thin Mini-ITX Conga-IC370 SBCs.

The TQMx80UC supports 4GB to 64GB DDR4-2400 via dual channels with optional soldered RAM. You also get 8GB to 128GB eMMC. There’s an Intel i219-LM GbE controller, an optional TPM 2.0 security chip, and a TQMx86 board controller with watchdog and flexiCFG hardware monitoring.

The TQMx80UC enables 4x USB 3.1 Gen 2, 8x USB 2.0, 2x SATA III, and 2x serial interfaces. Expansion I/O includes PEG (PCIe x1 Gen 3) and 8x PCIe Gen 3 (4 x 1 or 1 x 4 or 2 x 2). The PCIe interfaces support M.2 modules with Intel Optane and Intel RST storage.

The module supports triple 4K displays via HDMI 1.4 (30Hz) and 60Hz DP 1.2 and eDP. There’s also an optional dual-channel 18/24-bit LVDS interface and Intel HD Audio. Additional I/O includes I2C, SPI, LPC, SMBus, and either 8x GPIO or SD. There’s an 8.5-20V DC input range and 0 to 60°C support.

MB-COME6-3 carrier and block diagram
(click images to enlarge)

The TQMx80UC is supported with an optional MB-COME6-3 Mini-ITX carrier board. Highlights include 2x GbE, 3x DP++, 2x HDMI, 4x USB 3.0, and 2x SATA ports. You also get mini-PCIe, M.2 E-Key, and M.2 M-Key (storage) slots, as well as a goldfinger interface for PCIe x16.

 
TQMLS1028A

The 55 x 44mm TQMLS1028A (see image at top) features the NXP QorIQ Layerscape LS1028A SoC with 1x or 2x high-powered Cortex A72 cores, which are here clocked to 1.3GHz each. So far, the only other LS1028A board we’ve seen is Kontron’s SMARC-sAL28 module. The TQMLS1028A is one of several TQ modules based on various Arm-based Layerscape SoCs.

TQMLS1028A block diagram and LS1028A block diagram
(click images to enlarge)

NXP’s networking-focused LS1028A SoC integrates a four-port TSN switch and two separate TSN Ethernet controllers. Like NXP’s other LSx QorIQ Layerscape SoCs, it supports NXP’s EdgeScale suite of secure edge computing device management tools. It’s the only LSx SoC that features a 3D graphics capable GPU with 4K support, which is available only on the dual-core model.

The TQMLS1028A is equipped with up to 2GB DDR4 with ECC support, as well as up to 512MB Quad SPI NOR flash and up to 64GB eMMC. The module supports the SoC’s four-port TSN switch and also offers dual GbE controllers, with one of them capable of 2.5Gbps throughput. This enables 6x GbE ports on the optional STKLS1028A starter kit.

I/O enabled via the 240-pin board-to-board connector include “up to” the following capacities: 2x USB 3.0, 6x UART, 2x CAN, 2x SDIO/MMC, 8x I2C, 2x SPI, 6x SAI, 2x PCIe 3.0, and a SATA 3.0 interface. For graphics you get a 4K LCD controller with eDP/DP PHY.

The TQMLS1028A supports -40 to 85°C temperatures and integrates an RTC, temperature sensor, and CPU JTAG interface. The module ships with Linux, with Wind River Linux and SYSGO’s PikeOS Hypervisor available on request.

The TQMLS1028A is available with an optional STKLS1028A evaluation board that has yet to receive a product page or photo. The board will offer 6x GbE, including the 4x-port TSN switched ports, as well as 2x CAN 2.0B, 2x USB 3.0 host, and single DisplayPort, micro-USB 3.0 OTG, and micro-USB debug ports. There’s also a microSD slot, an M.2 slot with SATA support, and mini-PCIe and SIM slots.

TQ is also planning an industrial motherboard that will be suitable for use as a TSN switch, router, gateway and edge server. It’s unclear if this will incorporate the TQMLS1028A module or have an embedded LS1028A SoC.

 
TQMT1022

In addition to launching modules based on the cutting-edge Whiskey Lake-U and LS1028A processors, TQ has turned to NXP’s legacy, PowerPC based T1022 for its TQMT1022 module. TQ never actually mentions the processor, but the name suggests it’s the dual e6500-core T1022, which usually clocks to 1.4GHz. The T-series processors offer an AltiVec SIMD engine and DSP-level floating point performance.

TQMT1022
(click image to enlarge)

TQ had limited details on the “entry-level” TQMT1022, which joins the quad-core T-series TQMT1040 and TQMT1042 modules. Features are similar to those earlier modules, including dual SATA 2, up to 5x Gigabit Ethernet, 4x PCle 2.0 (8 lanes), and 2x USB 2.0. Despite the lack of a product page, TQ says that modules and starter kits are available now.

 
Further information

The Whiskey Lake-U based TQMx80UC and LS1028A based TQMLS1028A will arrive in prototypes by the end of the month. The T1022 based TQMT1022 is available now. Pricing was not disclosed. More information may be found on TQ Systems’ Embedded World press release page and the TQMx80UC and TQMLS1028A product pages.