New Kontron SMARC-sAL28 Module with up to Five TSN-Capable 1GB Ethernet Ports

Cost-efficient solution for networks with guaranteed latency and QoS to control Industry 4.0 architectures based on the NXP Dual Cortex A72 LS1028 processor

Kontron, a leading global provider of IoT/Embedded Computing Technology (ECT), has introduced the SMARC-sAL28 module. The SMARC-sAL28 marks the first time Kontron has offered a SMARC module with up to five integrated TSN-capable 1GB Ethernet ports directly from the controller. It meets IEEE 802.1 TSN (Time Sensitive Networking) specifications, and is ideally suited for use in industrial IoT or industrial 4.0 systems based on stardard Ethernet protocols. The module features a NXP Dual Cortex A72 LS1028 processor with 3D GPU in a SMARC small form factor and is perfect for use at industrial temperatures according to category E2 between -40°C and +85°C.

The TSN specifications guarantee a timely and highly available delivery of data packets. In industrial environments, such as machine control in production, Ethernet-based TSN with guaranteed latency and Quality of Service (QoS) with time synchronization can replace proprietary fieldbus systems and simultaneously communicate seamlessly to the IT level. This makes real IIoT or Industry 4.0 based on standard Ethernet possible.

The new SMARC-sAL28 module will be available in two standard versions. The first version provides 2 TSN-capable 1 GB switched Ethernet ports that can be directly used by the carrier. The second version supports 4 switched TSN-capable 1 GB ports via the QSGMII interface with an additional TSN-capable Ethernet interface, providing a total of 5 TSN-capable 1 GB ports using a quad-PHY on the carrier. The highly integrated module is currently the most cost-efficient solution for implementing TSN-capable IoT gateways. Both versions support up to 4GB DDR3L non-ECC or ECC soldered down memory and feature a 3D GPU as well as eMMC 5.1 onboard memory with a capacity from 2 to 64 GB. A dual channel LVDS interface for HDMI, DP, or eDP displays (as BOM option) and two PCI Express (PCIe) x1 interfaces are also available.

In addition, the SMARC-sAL28 has one SDIO, four serial, one I2S, two I2C, two SPI, twelve GPIO and one CAN interface. The module utilizes Uboot as the bootloader and Yocto Linux as the operating system. It complies with the SMARC 2.0 standard in a small form factor of only 82 x 50 mm.

SMARC-sAL28 supports the Kontron APPROTECT security solution powered by Wibu-Systems. Based on an optional permanently integrated security chip from Wibu-Systems (CodeMeter) combined with a software framework specifically designed for this chip, it provides IP and third party software copy/reverse engineering protection. Kontron APPROTECT Licensing also allows individual application functions, e.g. demo purposes, pay per use, time based trial versions, or to enable/disable features.

For more information please visit: https://www.kontron.com/products/boards-and-standard-form-factors/smarc/smarc-sal28.html