CompuLab unveiled a tiny, rugged SODIMM-style COM that runs Linux and Android on a quad-core 1.7GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro APQ8064 SoC, with Adreno 320 graphics.

CompuLab’s “CM-QS600” module measures just 65 x 68mm, making it a bit smaller than the 70 x 70mm, Qseven form-factor IFC6400 computer-on-module announced a year ago by Inforce Computing. Both COMs showcase Qualcomm’s quad-core, 1.7GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro APQ8064 system-on-chip (SOC). Intrinsyc also introduced a Qseven Snapdragon COM last year, the Open-Q 8074, but based on Qualcomm’s APQ8074 SoC.

CM-QS600, front and back
(click images to enlarge)

The CM-QS600 is designed for multimedia demanding applications such as digital signage, IPTV, and media players, including portable, battery powered devices, says CompuLab.

The Snapdragon S4 Pro is considered to be equivalent to a quad-core Cortex-A15-based SoC. Its four, 28nm-fabricated 1.7GHz “Krait” cores feature an 11-stage pipeline with out-of-order execution. The Krait cores are backed up by 2MB of L2 cache, an integrated Adreno 320 graphics processing unit (GPU), and a 500MHz “Hexagon” QDSP6V4 DSP (digital signal processor).

Like Inforce’s IFC6400, CompuLab’s CM-QS600 ships with 2GB of DDR3 RAM. It provides an optional eMMC flash disk up to 32GB. I/O is fairly similar, with the main exceptions being the lack of a GPS module or JTAG port on the CM-QS600. On the other hand, the IFC6400 lacks the CompuLab module’s SATA controller, vibration and shock resistance, and optional extended and industrial temperature support.

CM-QS600 block diagram
(click image to enlarge)

The CM-QS600 is equipped with a gigabit Ethernet controller, plus dual-band 802.11 and Bluetooth 4.0. Interfaces expressed via the 204-pin SODIMM connector include PCIe, USB, SATA, HDMI, LVDS, serial ports, and I/O lines.

As usual with CompuLab, much of this I/O is customizable in terms of the numbers of interfaces provided. For example, the COM provides one or two MIPI-CSI camera ports. The CM-QS600 is supported with documentation and ready-to-run software packages for both Linux and Android, says CompuLab.

CompuLab is also offering a CM-QS600 evaluation kit that includes the COM plus an SB-QS600 baseboard. Although no details are currently listed for the baseboard, the kit ships with a 12V power supply, a WiFi antenna, and cables for WiFi, serial, and HDMI-to-DVI connections. The kit is said to be available with a 45-day trial period, and a year’s worth of technical support. CompuLab says it will also provide an LCD panel compatibility verification and driver adaptation service.

Specifications listed for the CM-QS600 include:

• Processor:
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro APQ8064 SOC
  • Quad-core ARM “Krait” clocked at 1.7GHz; 2MB L2 cache
  • Adreno 320 GPU
  • QDSP6V4 DSP
• RAM — 2GB DDR3-1066 RAM
• Flash – Up to 32GB flash
• Networking:
  • Gigabit Ethernet controller (Atheros AR8151-B)
  • 802.11a/b/g/n + Bluetooth 4.0 (2×2 Atheros QCA6234)
• A/V interfaces (via 204 edge-connector fingers):
  • HDMI, up-to 1920 x 1080
  • LVDS, up-to 2048 x 1536
  • Audio analog out, stereo in, electret mic in
  • Up to 2x MIPI-CSI camera ports (4x lanes up to 2-MP and WXGA@60fps, plus 2x lanes up to 8-MP)
  • I2S audio out
• Other I/O interfaces (via 204 edge-connector fingers):
  • 2x USB host; USB OTG
  • Up to 5x serial UARTs (16C750 compatible, 1.8V interface)
  • Up to 5x I2C
  • Up to 5x SPI
  • Up to 3x MMC/SD/SDIO
  • PCI Express Gen 2
  • Up to 61x GPIO
• Other features — RTC
• Power — +5V DC input (Li-Ion battery)
• Operating temperature — 0 to 70°C, -20 to 70°C, or -40 to 85°C
• Shock resistance — 50G / 20ms
• Vibration resistance — 20G / 0-600Hz
• Weight — 30 g
• Dimensions — 65 x 68 x 5 mm
• Operating system — Linux and Android

“With CM-QS600 we measured twice the performance compared to current COM offerings with no increase in power consumption,” stated Igor Vaisbein, VP Business Development at CompuLab.

 
Further information

The CM-QS600 will be available in June through CompuLab direct sales and through CompuLab’s worldwide distribution channel, starting at $75 for volume orders. More information may be found in the CM-QS600 product page. The company also offers a ready-to-use baseboard for use with the CM-QS600, called the SBC-QS600 “single board computer.”