The “Universal Graphics Module” standard gives graphics long-term availability

Eching/Nuremberg, Germany, February 13, 2007 – At Embedded World, Kontron and XGI introduced for the first time the “Universal Graphics Module” standard for long-term available and custom scalable high-end PEG graphics. The new UGM standard defines an 84 x 95 mm universal graphics-on-module and supplies monitors with all current and future in demand graphics card signals.

Unlike the conventional graphics card placement at a 90 degree angle, the UGM card is plugged in parallel to the baseboard to save space, thus allowing extremely flat and custom-scalable designs. Even more important for users is the long-term availability of the UGMs of at least three to five years as well as the especially simple and quick implementation of the graphics functions in customized designs, including the necessary time-consuming drivers. The first UGM modules will be available from Kontron in the first half of 2007. The specification of the new standard will be disclosed to third-party providers in the Q1 2007.

Demand“The graphics implementation appears to be increasingly more difficult for OEMs, due to the wide variety of technologies, “explained Dirk Finstel, CTO of the Kontron Embedded Modules division. “For example, manufacturers of medical devices and gaming and multi-media applications must implement the latest high-end graphics devices, which cannot automatically be made long-term available on embedded boards or computer-on-modules, because the precise need varies too widely. In this respect, OEMs must either rely on products from the short-lived mass market, which brings considerable expenses to the entire product cycle, or design in the graphics functions themselves. This approach carries the great risk that components used will be canceled ahead of schedule,”

“At the same time, the expense and the design risk for implementing the latest graphics chipsets are enormous,” continued Finstel. “In order to eliminate both problems, Kontron has decided to develop the first embedded graphics card standard, or more precisely the first universal graphics-on-module standard, the UGM.“

“By working closely with the leading manufacturer in the field of industrial PC, it has again shown XGI’s determination not only be a participant but a leader in the industry. In addition, the UGM was defined based on Kontron’s experience in long term available industrial PC and XGI’s expertise in graphics; Therefore, we will be looking forward to its future success”, said Wei Wei Yin, Sales Director of XGI Technology.

The feature set
Via the 220 pins of the connector, which is also used for COM Express / ETXexpress Computer-On-Modules, UGM cards receive PCI-Express signals, over 1, 4, 8, or 16 lanes (PEG), and video signals, process them – including video capture functions and up to 512 MB DRAM – and then deliver the converted signals back to the baseboard, also via the connector. For playback sources, the UGM 1.0 specification currently supports Dual LVDS, Dual DVI, and Dual VGA.

On the baseboard itself, the developer can decide which signal combinations ultimately will be made available to the external connector, such as sound, USB, and DVI for HDMI. This reduces the effort for the graphics layout and driver development to the allocation of the appropriate circuits, the plug, and any peripheral components necessary for additional features, such as HDCP copy protection. The graphics processing core is already finished and all necessary drivers are already implemented.

This design also completely avoids cables. Thus, UGM differs from current standard graphics cards, in which today interfaces are led out via breakout cables, because the narrow expansion card slot bracket does not offer enough room for external interfaces. Furthermore, with a 5V DC power supply, up to 45 W thermal design power is allowed in accordance with the UGM specification. As a result, the UGM can perfectly support even absolutely high-end games with the highest frame rates and all graphics optimization algorithms.

Key Features :
- Supports PCIe 1X standard Revision 1.1 compliant
- High Performance 2D Accelerator
- Z11 Supports 16bit DDR2 DRAM data bus
- Supports 230 MHz pixel clock
- Supports graphics mode up to 1600×1200
- Supports 12-bit, 18-bit, 24-bit and dual 12-bit digital interface
- Digital interface to an external LVDS/TMDS transmitter
- Digital interface (DVO) to KVM for remote panel interface
- 256-balls, 19mm x 19mm BGA package, ball pitch 1.0mm

The driver can be downloaded at the following address : http://www.xgitech.com/sd/sd_download.asp

Included are some tweaks for LCD users – such as enabling more resolutions and the ZoomIn feature (the CaptureDriver must be installed for ZoomIn)

Please note that this is NOT an Xtreme driver! and no performance tweaks have been made for games.

The file can be downloaded at: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=18JO3BG0

Thanks to KillBill for this driver.

The PCA-5630 AGP graphics card, with XGI Volari V3XE GPU and 128 MB DDR SDRAM memory, supports the latest multimedia 3D, HDTV and output for dual display. Adopting XGI Volari Z9s GPU with 32 MB DDR2 SDRAM onboard, the PCA-5612 PCI graphics card provides a price-wise graphics solution which features the low power requirement less than 1.5 W. and supports both VGA and DVI output.

The cards are intended to drive several power-conscious graphical applications, including industrial automation, HMI (Human Machine Interface), POS (Point of Sales), TV Wall displays and many more commercial and technical applications.

The PCA-5630 AGP graphics card brings multimedia power to industrial and harsh environment applications that require high quality video and graphical performance.

The PCA-5630′s 32/64-bit DDR memory bandwidth, 3D processing engine and S-video/Composite port supports HDTV output up to 720p/1080i. The V3XE GPU includes an MPEG-2 Video Decoder and Video Enhancer, freeing the CPU for improved system performance. Dual display supports CRT resolutions up to 2048 x 1536 at 85Hz and CRT2 (DVI + Adapter) up to 1600 x 1200 at 60Hz. DVI output supports a single link TMDS for superior UXGA resolution (1600 x 1200 at 60Hz). OS support includes Microsoft Windows XP/2K and Linux.

The PCA-5612 PCI graphics card is a market leader for a combination of value, performance and low power operation. The Z9s is one of the lowest power consuming GPUs on the market, with a power level of about 1 ~ 1.5 W. The PCA-5612′s 16-bit DDR2 memory supports VGA, DVI and mirror mode dual displays.

CRT resolution up to 1600 x 1200 at 60Hz as well as DVI for single link TMDS up to UXGA resolution (1600 x 1200 at 60Hz) are supported. Microsoft Windows XP/2K and Linux/Unix/FreeBSD OSs are also included in the OS support.

Both graphical cards comply with RoHS specifications, and support fanless operation up to 60° C (140° F). With proven components and strict revision control over the entire product life cycle, these boards bring a combination of reliability and superior performance that can fulfill the most demanding applications. In addition, these cards can perfectly complement the complete line of Advantech industrial motherboards.

More information is available at Advantech’s website:

PCA-5612 (based on the Z9 GPU)
PCA-5630 (based on the V3XE GPU)

Gigbyte’s GA-5EXSH-RH (1.0) Specifications :
- Fully integrate with Mukilteo-2 + ICH7R + PXH-V chip
- Support single Intel® Pentium 4/Pentium D process with Intel Mukilteo-2 chipset
- Maximum 8GB ECC un-buffered DDR2 533/667
- One PCI-E x 8 ,two PCI-X 100MHz and one PCI 33MHz slot
- Full-Length PCI card support
- XGI® Volari Z7 with 16MB VRAM
- Intel® software RAID 0,1,10,5(Windows only)
- Dual Intel® 82573 GbE controls
- Optional IPMI 2.0 module with GSMT
- Support on board four SATA connector
- VIA daughter card GC-SAS01-RH(LSI SAS 1068) for SAS function
- Standard FDD x 1 and IDE x 1 connector
- Box-Header x 2 for USB port extension

The driver can be downloaded at the following address : http://www.xgitech.com/sd/sd_download.asp

The driver can be downloaded at the following address : http://www.xgitech.com/sd/sd_download.asp

Download the Windows XP driver : Volari V3 driver version 1.16.02 for Windows XP

For those with other Volari cards (V3XT, V5, V8, Duo series), the Volari Reactor driver version 1.09.75 is also available on XGI’s website : http://www.xgitech.com/sd/sd_download.asp

Taipei, April 21st, 2006

The Korean IT industry has continuously dedicated in embedded system technology, which is the reason why SiS and Helbon decided to launch this seminar in Korea. By means of holding this seminar, SiS will be able to meet more local Korean embedded system customers and directly communicate with them to build stronger connection between each other. Moreover, since the IP-STB solution and HDTV-related application are becoming two important subjects of embedded technology nowadays, this seminar will surely take these two subjects as the key theme for discussion.

To reveal SiS’ continuous effort on developing the embedded solutions, two major SiS’ latest solutions will be demonstrated in the seminar: the SiS741CX platform and the SiS761CX platform. The SiS741CX platform is named Eagle II platform, which is developed by SiS and AMD. The Eagle II platform contains SiS741CX embedded chipset and AMD Geode NX processors, and it will be displayed as an IP-STB system in the seminar. On the other hand, the SiS761CX platform is an advanced embedded system which is based on SiS761CX embedded chipset and AMD64 processors. The SiS761CX platform will demonstrate its HDTV function in the seminar.

Taking the opportunity of holding this seminar, SiS hopes to present the local Korean market and customers the latest embedded solutions and related technologies. “SiS has complete product line of embedded systems.” Daniel Chen, President and CEO of SiS said, “By holding this seminar, SiS would like to promote our great solutions to all the local Korean customers, and eventually, will be able to endeavor with the Korean customers to create brighter perspective to the embedded system industry.”

About Helbon
Helbon is a professional distributor of semiconductor product since May, 1990.

TORONTO & SHANGHAI, China–(BUSINESS WIRE)–March 6, 2006–

“This transaction brings ATI two important elements – presence in a country that is emerging as the next big technology market, and a team of engineers that are highly skilled in our key product areas,” said Dave Orton, president & CEO, ATI Technologies Inc. “The XGI and Macrosynergy people bring additional breadth of knowledge and experience to an ATI team that is leading the graphics processor market.”

The acquisition will see approximately 100 Shanghai-based employees join ATI. An additional cadre of XGI employees in Santa Clara will relocate to ATI’s Santa Clara location.

Currently, demand for computer hardware in China is setting a pace to achieve a 5% CAGR over the next five year period with spending on IT hardware hitting $20.3 billion in 2006, surpassing $23 billion in 2009(1). With the country expected to urbanize a billion people by 2010, strong markets for handhelds and digital televisions are also projected through the next decade.

Shanghai, the country’s largest shipping port and hub to China’s mainland transportation routes, is ideally suited for commercial opportunities.

“From a worldwide perspective, China will continue to be the dominant manufacturing base as well as a major market for both computers and mobile handsets,” said Oliver Xu, principal Shanghai-based analyst with Gartner Inc.’s Semiconductor Group. “Therefore the acquisition is important for ATI’s further success in China and will enhance the company’s performance in the global market.”