2. INTRODUCTION & PRODUCT VARIANTS

This page introduces the Athena IV CoM based SBC & describes the different product configurations built around variants of the system.

2.1 Introduction

Athena IV is the fourth generation in the Athena family of rugged, wide-temperature PC/104 SBCs with integrated data acquisition, extending back to the original Athena in 2002. Athena IV is an excellent choice for:

• Customers using previous generations of Athena seeking to extend the lifetime of their existing product;

• Customers seeking to replace an obsolete PC/104 SBC with a newer generation one to extend their existing product’s lifetime; or

• Customers seeking to build a PC/104 system expected to have a long lifetime.

Advantages of a CoM-based architecture

Athena IV uses a CoM Express Type 10 “mini” Computer-on-Module (CoM) to provide the core CPU functionality, mounted on a carrier board that provides the PC/104 expansion and the remaining I/O circuitry.

The use of a CoM instead of a directly soldered CPU circuit provides several key advantages and benefits:

• Higher feature density: a 2-board solution provides twice the PCB area in the given footprint, allowing more circuitry and more features to be included.

• Longer lifetime: Since all CoMs in a given form factor support essentially the same features, if the CoM becomes obsolete or unavailable, a newer one can be used in its place, usually with minimal re-engineering.

• Performance scalability: CoM Express modules are available from a number of suppliers around the world with multiple processor and memory options, allowing a single design to be used for a range of applications. For a lower-end application, choose a low-power, low-performance COM. For a higher end application, choose a higher performance COM. In both cases the rest of the system remains identical, allowing your investment in engineering and product design to be reused multiple times.

• Easier access to newer generation CPUs: Most processors enter the market initially in the form of COMs. By using a COM-based SBC, you can gain access to the latest generation of CPU sooner than waiting for a true SBC with that processor to be available. Again, upgrading is simple since the rest of the system remains unchanged.

2.2 Processor Module

The standard Athena IV processor details are as follows:

Processor	Features
Intel E3845 Bay Trail	1.91GHz Quad Core, 4GB RAM
Intel E3940 Apollo Lake	1.6GHz Qaud Core, 8GB RAM, 64GB eMMC
Intel E3950 Apollo Lake	1.6GHz Quad Core, 8GB RAM, 128GB eMMC

Athena IV can also be used with other Type 10 CoM Express Mini modules. Contact Diamond Systems Sales to know more about the usage of CPU modules other than the E3845 Bay Trail processor.

Athena IV can also be purchased as a carrier board separately and customers can use the CPU module of their choice. Contact Diamond Systems Sales to discuss more regarding this option.

Even though Athena IV can be used with other CPU modules, customers are advised to consult their module vendors as there could be some BIOS modifications required especially when using ISA cards on the PC/104 bus.

2.3 I/O Features and Connector Types

Feature	Description	Connector Type
Power	+5V DC input supply +12V, -12V, -5V DC to pass through to expansion buses and LCD backlight ONLY.	1x9 TH ST 2.54mm
HDD Power Output	+5V DC output supply +12V DC output supply	1x4 TH-RA 2.54mm
External Battery	External Battery connector for RTC	1x2 TH RA 2.54mm
Mass storage	1 M.2 socket M-Key 2230 SATA Port	RA M.2 connector 67 Position Standard 7 position port
USB	4x USB 2.0 1x USB3.0	2x5 TH Header 2.54mm - 2 Nos. 2x5 TH vertical connector 2mm
Ethernet	ETH1- 10/100/1000Mbps from CoM module ETH-2-10/100/1000Mbps via I210 Ethernet controller	2x6 TH Header 2.54mm 2x5 TH Header 2mm
Serial ports	4 ports through XR17V354. 2 ports multiplexed withXR16C2850for backward compatibility Jumper configurable RS-232/422/485 through SP336 transceivers	80 Pin High density connector
Audio	HDA to Analog Audio converter (ALC262)	2x5 TH Header 2.54mm
Display	VGA through DDI to VGA converter (CH7517) 1 x Single Channel 24-bit LVDS port	2x5 TH Header 2.54mm 2x 15 Header SMT
LCD Backlight	LCD backlight power and control signals	1x6 Header SMT
Analog IOs Digital IOs	Analog Inputs - 16 SE or 8 Diff through ADS8509 Software programmable SE/DI, +/-10V, +/-5V, +/-2.5V, +/-1.25V, 0-10V, 0-5V, 0-2.5V Analog Outputs - 4 outputs through DAC7714UB Software programmable range +/-10V, +/-5V, 0-10V and 0-5V range, 24 programmable digital I/O, 3.3Vlogic O/P and 5V I/P tolerant I/Os Configurable as PWM and Counter outputs	2x25 TH 2.54mm header

2.4 Operating System Support

Windows 10 (64-bit), Ubuntu

2.5 Mechanical, Electrical, Environmental

• Form factor 106mm x 114 mm / 4.175” x 4.475”

• Heat sink Cooling

• Power input +5V DC

• Operating Temp -40 ~ 85ºC [ambient depending on the model of CoM installed]

2.6 Athena II to Athena IV Evolution

Each generation of Athena maintained the same physical shape and most of the I/O connectors and features of the previous generations, while updating key features to stay current with the state of the art. In this way the Athena platform has maintained a low-impact migration path for customers with extended product lifecycles that outstrip the lifetimes of the CPU. Many customers have been able to maintain their products for up to 16 years as a result.

Due to advances in technology, not all features of Athena II / III are maintained. Here is a table of differences between the products:

Feature	Athena II	Athena III	Athena IV
Processor	VIA Mark 533/800MHz	Intel E640T/E680T Tunnel Creek	CoM Express type 10 with Intel E3845 1.91GHz Bay Trail
RAM	256MB soldered	1GB soldered	4 GB (soldered on CoM)
Mass storage	IDE	USB flash disk up to 8GB	M.2 SATA flash disk up to 64GB
Ethernet	1x 10/100 port on 1x6 2.54mm pin header	1x 10/100/1000 port on 2x5 2mm pin header	1x 10/100/1000 port, connector 2x6 2.54mm pin header 2nd Port via PCIe to Ethernet (I210) on 2x5 2mm pin header
Serial ports	2x RS-232 from chipset, 2 RS-232/485 from 16C2850 UART	4x RS-232/422/485, BIOS configuration; 2 from super I/O, 2 from 16C2850 UART	4x RS-232/422/485, jumper configuration; from XR17V354 PCIe quad UART; 2 serial ports are multiplexed between XR17V354 &XR16C2850
USB Ports	4x USB2.0ports terminated with 2x5 2.54 mm pitch header	4x USB2.0 ports terminated with 2x5, 2.54mm pitch header& 1 port used for on-baord USB flash disk	4x USB2.0 ports terminated with 2x5 2.54mm pitch header & 1 USB3.0 port terminated with 2x5 2mm vertical connector
Audio	Via VT1612A Audio CODEC available on 2x5 2.54mm pin header	Via ALC262 Audio CODEC available on 2x5 2.54mm pin header	Via ALC262 Audio CODEC available on 2x5 2.54mm pin header
Display VGA	Processor Output on 2x5 2.54mm pin header	SDVO to RGB converter CH7317B available on 2x5 2.54mm pin header	Via DDI to VGA converterCH7517 available on 2x5 2.54mm pin header
Display LVDS	Provided by processor available on 2x15 header	Provided by processor available on 2x15 header	From CoM module, available on 2x15 header
Parallel port	1 from chipset	1 from super I/O	NA
PS/2	Keyboard / mouse from chipset	Keyboard / mouse from super I/O	NA
CD	Analog CD input	NA	NA
ISA bus	Provided by processor	Provided via 85226 LPC to ISA bridge	Provided via LPC to ISA core with Artix 7 FPGA

2.7 Product Variants

The standard configuration of Athena IV is the A-Model. In this configuration, Athena IV contains a Data Acquisition sub system.

The data acquisition circuit on Athena IV includes 16 channels of 16-bit A/D, 4 channels of 12-bit D/A, and 24 channels of digital I/O. The analog inputs feature single-ended and differential configuration, programmable input ranges, and fault-protected channel multiplexors to protect against over voltages. The D/A channels feature programmable output ranges and simultaneous update capability.

To meet further customer requirements, Athena IV also comes in a custom assembly option called the N-Model. In this model, the Data Acquisition subsystem is excluded. The N-Model has comparatively lower cost than the A-model but since this is a custom build, it would require an MOQ on the purchase. Consult Diamond Systems Sales to explore more about this model.