Press Room
ETX : Time to Market is the Key
Date : May 12, 2003
Arbor Technology Corp. today announced its new ETX that keeps in step with the trend.The ever-increasing "need for speed" in product development makes those companies difficult to keep up. Although many companies still prefer to develop embedded computer cores for their products inhouse, they simply lack the time to do so. Since to get to the market in time directly relates to the amount of market share that one can take, many embedded projects fail because of delays in the development phase.
How to solve this development problem. Subcontracting the complete computer logic part as an OEM case? If that would mean faster development it would make sense. However, if the amount of time spent is the same, subcontracting would be meaningless, especially when there might be a misleading integration.
A hybrid approach
The introduction of modular cores such as ETX are supposed to solve these problems. Although a standard like many others (PICMG SBC, EBX and PC/104), ETX is special in a way it focuses on short development times. Unlike other standards, the core module itself does not allow for direct connection of peripherals. Instead four system connectors lead PCI/ISA and peripheral signals onto a carrier board. In this set-up, the carrier board is the only part that needs to be developed (either by the customer inhouse or subcontracted to the ETX core manufacturer) and the ETX core module is an off-the-shelf product. This means the most critical and time-consuming part of the design is a standard product while the simplest design part is a custom design different for every application. The carrier board can include additional functions, such as extra LAN ports, flash storage, etc. Besides the added functions, the carrier board is designed to physically match the preferred position of peripheral connectors to suit the whole system in a way that cabling becomes obsolete. Being able to get rid of cabling shortens assembly time during production and contributes to overall system quality.
In short, ETX is a production and development oriented form factor that shortens product development time and offers a flexible time-to-market solution for OEM/ODM customers. ETX reduces custom product development time from four to six months to just four to six weeks, while enabling the developer to validate its full application with the production of the ETX core module from the start of the project. The ETX form factor works well and is price competitive in quantities from 500 to 50,000 pcs.
ETX Desing Steps
ARBOR Technology Corp. specializes in embedded computing and networking solutions, has been delivering numerous successful projects for our customers in terms of adopting advanced embedded design, severe test & measurement and quick response to market changes. ARBOR Tech provides full fleet of embedded computing and networking products, which lets you cover the needs of networking communication, DVR surveillance, industrial control, process control, transportation control, POS & kiosk and Tablet PC.
ARBOR is an ISO-9001 certified embedded & networking manufacturer and commits to deliver high quality products with international standard and well-defined production process. Also, ARBOR has being awarded by "Taiwan Symbol of Excellence" with its products, which verifies its efforts and commitment to embedded computing. As an affiliate member of the Intel® Communications Alliance, ARBOR realizes your embedded computing vision with most advanced Intel® embedded computing solutions. ARBOR Tech has intensive operations across the world, deploys embedded computing solutions to every corner wherever you are.
Media Contact : marcom@arbor.com.tw
Inquiry Contact : arbor@arbor.com.tw