Connect Tech has launched an Ubuntu-driven COM Express Compact Type 6 module with an Nvidia Tegra K1 and optional extended temperature support.

Nvidia’s Tegra SoCs have faded fast in the smartphone world, but appear to be doing just fine in embedded, especially in automotive. (Nvidia just announced a Tegra-like, ARM Cortex-A57 based Parker SoC for its Drive PX 2 autonomous car platform.) Now Connect Tech has added to the growing market for Linux-driven, Tegra K1-based computer-on-modules aimed at the general embedded market with its “COM Express TK1 CMG601” COM Express Compact Type 6 module.

CMG601
(click image to enlarge)

Connect Tech did not build the 95 x 95mm CMG601, which is manufactured by Aetina under the name ACE-C6-TK1. The module is distributed under the same ACE-C6-TK1 name in Europe by Germany-based MCTX. Connect Tech is the sole distributor for North America.


CMG601 front and back views

The CMG601 runs Ubuntu 14.04 LTS on the Tegra K1, which is equipped with four Cortex-A15 cores running at up to 2.3GHz. A fifth companion -A15 cores handles low-power duty. The SoC’s 192-core Mobile Kepler GPU supports Nvidia CUDA libraries for vision processing, GPU-accelerated parallel processing, and deep learning/machine learning. The power-efficient SoC enables the CMG601 to run at maximum of 15 Watts using a 12VDC power supply.


CMG601 (and ACE-C6-TK1) block diagram
(click image to enlarge)

The CMG601 is delivered with 2GB DDR3L RAM clocked to 933MHz, as well as 16GB of eMMC 4.51 flash. There’s also a microSD slot and a SATA 3Gbps interface. A Gigabit Ethernet controller is also onboard.

The module supports dual displays, and expresses display interfaces including HDMI 1.4B up to 3840 x 2160 (30Hz) and eDP 1.4 up to 3200 x 2000 (60Hz). There’s also a lower-res, single-channel LVDS interface and dual MIPI-CSI links for cameras.

The CMG601 is further equipped with a USB 3.0 port and 5x USB 2.0 host ports, one of which supports OTG. Four UARTs are provided along with 8-bit GPIO, and either HD audio or I2S.

The CMG601 ships with a heat spreader, and is available in two thermal SKUs: 0 to 55°C and -20 to 70°C. The module is said to be supported with a COM Express Type 6 carrier board. Connect Tech has several Type 6 carrier options to choose from.

Other COM Express modules built around the Tegra K1 include Seco’s Compact-sized SECOMExp-TK1 and the GE Intelligent Platforms Mini-sized mCOM10K1. The TK1 SoC is also found on other modules including the recent, SMARC-compliant E-con Systems eSOMTK1 and Toradex’s SODIMM-style Apalis TK1.

 
Further information

Connect Tech’s COM Express TK1 CMG601 module is available in North America at an undisclosed price. More information may be found at the CMG601 product page. The module is sold under the name ACE-C6-TK1 from manufacturer Aetina in Asia, and from MCTX in Europe.