Diamond Systems DS-MPE-GE210 Rugged Gigabit Ethernet Mini PCIe Module

Adding a network link to a finished embedded design is easier when it does not mean a new board in the stack. The DS-MPE-GE210 is a Gigabit Ethernet MiniCard from Diamond Systems that adds one more Ethernet port through a full-size PCIe MiniCard socket, built for embedded and OEM equipment in vehicles and outdoor installations where temperature swings are wide.

An Intel 210IT Ethernet controller provides 10/100/1000 Mbps operation with industrial temperature range capability, and Wake-on-LAN is supported, so a host can be woken over the network. Because the DS-MPE-GE210 uses the MiniCard socket, it leaves the host’s PC/104 or PCIe/104 stack free for I/O modules, and drivers are available for Windows 7, Windows XP and Linux 2.6 kernels.

Four status LEDs show link, activity, 100 Mbps and 1000 Mbps speed, which helps when commissioning or fault-finding a network. The Ethernet signals leave on latching connectors for retention under vibration, and the card ships with one panel-mountable Gigabit Ethernet cable and a hardware kit of mounting screws. The MRC-424-XT adds four 10/100 ports and digital I/O on a PC/104-Plus module, and the DS-MPE-SER4M adds four serial ports in the same MiniCard form factor.

Power is 3.3 V DC at 0.46 W from the MiniCard socket, a small load on the host supply. The DS-MPE-GE210 operates from -40 to 85 °C at 5 to 95% humidity, non-condensing, and is RoHS compliant. Diamond Systems lists it as a wide-temperature model, suited to enclosures that see temperature extremes in vehicles or outdoors, where a standard commercial network card may not be rated to run.