Other times the task at hand can best be filled by a fully integrated conventional motherboard, but there are very detailed requirements and space is an issue. In that case, you'd be looking for a board with just the right functionality that also fits into the allotted space. For example, let's assume an application requires targeted computing power, sufficient memory, support of multiple displays, multiple disks, dual high speed Ethernet ports, and as many USB ports as possible. Noise, heat generation and power consumption are all issues. The system should also be bootable from CompactFlash and the board's footprint shouldn't be larger than about seven by seven inches. There should be a PCI and a mini-PCI expansion slot, but IDE and extensive legacy support isn't necessary. Enter...

The Advantech AIMB-213 Mini-ITX board

The Advantech AIMB-213 shown here brings second generation "Pineview" Intel Atom processor to Mini-ITX motherboards. The AIMB-213 supports either the 1.66GHz single core Intel Atom N455 or the 1.8GHz dual core Atom D525. Those two chips got their start as successors to the original Atom N270 that powered tens of millions of netbooks and its less successful N230 sibling targeted at low-end desktops. Intel reduced the chip count from three to two by integrating the graphics and memory controller into the CPU itself. Note, though, that the difference between the two chips is relatively large. The dual core D525 is considerably more powerful, supports twice the memory (4GB of DDR3 RAM instead of the N455's 2GB), graphics clock speed is 400 instead of 200MHz, and TDP (thermal design power) is twice as much, meaning that D525-powered boards need a small CPU fan whereas N455 versions do not. That can make a big difference.

The board uses an Award BIOS and an embedded Gen3.5+ GFX Core that supports up to 224MB of shared system video RAM. Dual displays are supported via standard rear I/O VGA and DVI connectors, as well as an internal LVDS connector on the board itself. No TV-out here, and no second LVDS port as on the earlier Atom N270-powered AIMB-210 board. If display resolution matters, note that the maximum resolutions vary between output method and even chosen CPU (see specs).

There is a single PCI expansion slot and also a mini-PCIe slot. RAM is provided via two 200-pin SODIMM slots that accommodates up to 2GB of DDR3 800 SDRAM for N455 systems, and up to 4GB for D525 systems. The use of DDR3 offers additional performance enhancement over earlier N270-based boards.

The AIMB-213 board supports dual 10/100/1000Base-T gigabit Ethernet channels, and there are two RJ45 jacks on the rear I/O panel. LAN1 uses an Intel 82567V controller whereas LAN2 uses Intel 82583V.

For disks and other drives, the board offers three 300 MB/s SATA channels. For solid state disk systems, the board also has a single Compact Flash slot for Type I/II CF cards. It is on the bottom side of the board and the system can boot off it. No IDE support here as on the older AIMB-210 board.

The rear I/O panel has four USB 2.0 ports, and two RS232 serial ports, but no more legacy PS/2 ports for keyboard and mouse. What you see on the rear I/O panel, however, is only part of what the AIMB-213 offers. On the board itself are four more USB 2.0 connectors, four additional RS232 serial connectors, the LVDS and Inverter port, as well as an 8-bit Digital I/O (DIO) connector. Also note the notebook-style power jack. It's there because the AIMB-213 offers DC12V support.

Anyone who has ever built their own PC from parts knows about the system panel connector that interacts with buttons and lights on the case or enclosure. It connects to the system power LED, reset button, power button, and hard disk activity light. That's no different on a Mini-ITX board.

The BIOS offers the usual wealth of setup options, both the common sense stuff and the arcane settings that sometimes make all the difference between an optimized system and one that tends to act up.

What's in the box

• AIMB-213 SBC Mini-ITX Main board
• CPU heatsink (only needed for D525
• CD with user manual and all drivers
• Cables/connectors for COM3 and COM4
• 3 SATA HDD cables
• 3 SATA power cables
• I/O shield/panel
• all screws needed for mounting the AIMB-213

Why pick the AIMB-213 Mini-ITX SBC?

Keep in mind that as of now, almost all Intel Atom-powered boards, including the AIMB-213, use complementing chipsets that are less future-oriented than the chips themselves. That's generally no big deal for vertical market devices, but potential users should be aware of this limitation.

Of interest to systems integrators: The AIMB-213 supports a number of Advantech's highly regarded software APIs (SMBus, H/W Monitor, Brightness, Watchdog, GPIO) and utilities (BIOS Flash, eSOS, Monitoring, Flash Lock, Embedded Security IS) that can can substantional functionality as well as reduce implementation time.

Below is a schematic of the Advantech AIMB-213:

Mini-ITX has come a long way since the early days of the standard. The Advantech AIMB-213 retains the ITX spirit of a simple, flexible, power-efficient board for a variety of embedded and/or industrial applications where small size and efficiency matter, and it does so with extremely power-efficient Intel Atom processor technology.

Advantech AIMB-213 Specs: