Diamond Systems ZETA : ZETA-E3950-8G128D

Overview

The Zeta COM Express SBC family of ultra-small embedded computer boards from Diamond Systems combines a COM Express Mini CPU module with a same-size carrier board to create a complete embedded PC. Designed in the COM Express Mini Type 10 form factor (84 x 55mm/ 3.3 x 2.2 in), Zeta provides an ultra-compact, industry-standard form factor solution.

3 key components pre-assembled:

•  A Computer on Module (COM) providing the core CPU functionality
• A carrier board providing the I/O transceivers and connectors, power supplies, and expansion sockets
• A heat spreader with a flat exterior surface for direct mounting and heat transfer to the system enclosure

This layered architecture offers the highest functional density for any given footprint. As a comparison, Zeta offers functionality and performance equivalent to Diamond’s top-selling Aries SBC at just 40% of the size.

Zeta currently supports three processor options:

• Intel Bay Trail E3845 1.91GHz Quad Core CPU with 4GB RAM
• Intel “Apollo Lake ” E3940 1.6GHz quad-core CPU with 8GB RAM and 64GB eMMC
• Intel “Apollo Lake ” E3950 1.6GHz quad-core CPU with 8GB RAM and 128GB eMMC

Zeta’s small size and high feature density make it an ideal choice for mobile applications. It stands ready to meet the challenges of these environments with a wide range 6-36VDC input voltage, a -40 to +85C operating temperature range, and fanless heat spreader cooling (heat sink options are available).

Benefits of COM-based SBCs

The use of interchangeable industry-standard CPU modules on Zeta offers two important system designer benefits:

• Performance scalability: You can design multiple applications based on a consistent hardware platform and select the CPU that best fits the price / performance / power requirements of each one. In addition, as time goes on and your application needs more horsepower to support increased functionality, you can simply upgrade to a newer CPU with minimal to no redesign effort.
• Long product life: The majority of today’s x86 embedded processors offer limited lifecycles of 5-7 years, so any long-life product dependent on an x86 single-board computer (SBC) is likely to require redesign sometime during its lifecycle. Using industry-standard COMs lets you easily migrate to a new generation CPU module in the exact same form factor and containing the same feature set, with virtually no hardware or physical redesign efforts. Zeta is ideal for long-life applications such as Military, Medical, and Transportation.

Conduction Cooling

The bottom side heat spreader on Diamond Systems’ Zeta provides the most efficient cooling solution in a size-optimized design, enabling Zeta to run reliably at up to 85 degrees C. The heat spreader conducts heat directly to the system chassis for maximum heat dissipation to the ambient environment and minimum radiation into the enclosure interior. By reducing the interior temperature, Zeta helps to improve overall system reliability. In addition the bottom side heat spreader leaves the entire top side of the board free for expansion and simplifies system configuration and maintenance.

Available Models

Zeta from Diamond Systems is available with 3 different processor options. Each CPU may be paired with both the digital I/O baseboard and the full analog/digital I/O baseboard.

Operating System Support

Operating system support is available for Linux (Ubuntu 16.04 LTS) and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSB. Drivers and instructions are available for free download on the Diamond website. Software development kits / board support packages are available as well and consist of the selected operating system installed and pre-configured on a solid state flashdisk (SSD).

Development Kits

Diamond Systems’ Zeta is available in a complete development kit that includes a full set of I/O cables and the selected SDK. Simply install the pre-configured flashdisk, attach cables / keyboard / mouse / monitor, power up, and the system is ready to run.

Cable Kit

The Zeta cable kit includes cables for all I/O features on Zeta except LCD. Details are provided below. Individual cables are available as a special order item; minimum order quantities and lead-times may apply.

Data Acquisition Circuit

Zeta from Diamond Systems is available with two different data acquisition circuits, denoted by either A or D in the model number. Both circuits are available with any processor option.

All digital and analog I/O features are supported by Diamond�s industry-leading Universal Driver software, which provides a C language programming library that supports all features in an easy-to-use, high-level fashion. Demo programs with source code and executables are included to demonstrate the use of each library function. A graphical monitor and control program provides easy access to all the I/O features and lets you prototype your application quickly as well as debug problems. Universal Driver is available as a free download from our website upon acceptance of our software license agreement.

“A” Model Full Data Acquisition

Zeta “A” models include a complete data acquisition circuit with a combination of analog and digital I/O features. The circuit controller is an FPGA that interfaces to the host CPU via the LPC bus.

A/D Features

• 16 analog voltage inputs
• 16-bit resolution (1 part in 65536)
• Programmable input ranges: 0-5V, 0-10V, +/-5v, +/-10V
• Single-ended and differential input configuration options
• Precision, low-drift 2.5V reference voltage
• 100KHz maximum total A/D sample rate (all active channels combined)
• Integrated 2048-sample FIFO and interrupt service for efficient high-speed sampling

D/A Features

• 4 analog voltage outputs
• 16-bit resolution (1 part in 65536)
• Single-channel and multi-channel simultaneous update modes
• Programmable output range: 0-5V, 0-2.5V
• 30KHz update rate capability
• Waveform generator on 1 to 4 outputs with user-defined waveforms and 2048-sample waveform buffer

Digital I/O features

• 27 digital I/O lines
• User-selectable 3.3V / 5V logic levels
• User-selectable 10K pull-up / pull-down resistors
• Programmable direction in 8-bit and 1-bit groups
• 8-bit programmable edge detection circuit
• Buffers for protection and higher current drive
• 8 32-bit counter/timers with up counting, down counting, pulse output, and interrupt features
• 4 24-bit pulse-width modulators with programmable duty cycle and output polarity
• Interrupt support on ISA bus for A/D, digital I/O, and counter/timer circuits

D” Model Digital I/O

Zeta “D” models include a digital I/O (GPIO) circuit based on the popular PCA9535 GPIO expander chip with the following features:

• 16 digital I/O lines
• User-selectable 3.3V / 5V logic levels
• User-selectable 10K pull-up / pull-down resistors
• Programmable direction in 8-bit groups
• Buffers for protection and higher current drive

Mass Storage Options

Systems which do not require any additional I/O beyond the baseboard features may use the baseboard�s MiniCard/mSATA socket to contain the system bootable mass storage. For Linux operation, the Micro SD socket may also be used for bootable mass storage, leaving the MiniCard socket available for expansion. A system running Windows which requires additional I/O must use the optional daughterboard. In this case the designer has the choice of either the baseboard mSATA socket or the daughterboard�s M.2 socket for the bootable mass storage. If the M.2 socket is used,then both the baseboard and the daughterboard minicard sockets are available for I/O module installation.

Zeta Daughterboard

Zeta includes an expansion connector which supports the installation of a daughterboard with additional I/O and expansion features:

• Full/half-size MiniCard socket with PCIe x1 and USB2.0 connectivity
• M.2 M-keying SSD connector for 2242 size M.2 SATA flashdisk
• HD Audio with Line In, Mic In, Line Out
• 16 Digital IO lines with configurable 3.3V/ 5V logic levels and Pull-up/down resistors