Kontron today announced that its Kontron microETXexpress-SP has been selected for the "Editor’s Tech Choice" award from eg3.com, a leading technology website for embedded systems. eg3.com editors singled out the Kontron microETXexpress-SP, a Computer-on-Module built around the Intel® Atom® Z500 series processor and US15 System Controller Hub, as a cutting-edge product that simplifies the integration, development and deployment process for engineers. The awards highlight the competitive nature of the embedded landscape, focusing on the most interesting and innovative product developments in the areas of Computer-on-Modules, embedded processors, multicore, security, and software. The recently announced Kontron microETXexpress-SP received editor recognition in the Computer-on-Module category, a sharply competitive field noted for its intelligent engineering and next generation design features.

eg3 readers are encouraged to visit the site at http://www.eg3.com/techchoice/, survey the winners and further vote for their own “reader’s choice” picks as the best of the best in embedded technology.

“The Kontron microETXexpress-SP was developed to answer industry needs for smaller, even more energy-efficient designs requiring increased performance and high-end graphics. Its sophisticated features enable palm-size, handheld devices for medical or multi-media applications, small mobile data systems and a host of new applications that prior to now have not been possible due to size or power consumption limitations,” said Matthias Huber, Director of the North America Embedded Modules Division at Kontron. “The Kontron microETXexpress-SP has generated tremendous response from our design partners and customers worldwide. We are very pleased with the recognition from eg3 as it demonstrates the impact of Kontron’s Computer-on-Module technology.”

The Kontron microETXexpress-SP, based on the Intel® Atom™ processor, is compatible with the COM Express™ COM.0 type 2 connector and includes SDVO graphics. Thanks to its especially small and energy efficient design, the Intel® Atom™ processor (13 x 14 mm) and single chip chipset (22 x 22 mm), now called the Intel® System Controller Hub, have a TDP of < 5 watts.  This makes the Kontron microETXexpress-SP ideal for ultra-mobile applications that require energy-saving x86 processor performance, high-end graphics, PCI Express, USB 2.0 and Serial ATA combined with longer battery power availability. Solar-powered distributed devices and stationary devices used in medical, POS/POI and kiosk applications as well as automation applications will benefit from its graphics performance and extended, sophisticated feature set. 

“The eg3 awards allow us to feature innovative products that impact how and what embedded designers can achieve, directing readers to the most exciting and promising products in the market,” said Jason McDonald, senior editor, eg3.com.  “We recognize the Kontron microETXexpress-SP on that level – it is a highly advanced embedded design tool that combines energy savings with high-level graphics, making it ideal for extremely energy-efficient multimedia devices as well as for mobile test and measurement applications.”

Equipped with space- and energy-saving 45nm high-end processors, the new Kontron ETXexpress®-PC COM ExpressTM Computer-on-Module sets new performance-per-watt standards for embedded applications with high demands on data processing and/or multi-media conversion and output.

Based around the also recently introduced high performance and low-power 45nm Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor SP9300 and Intel® GS45 chipset, this very robust COM Express™ module excels over the previous 65nm dual core processor offerings by enabling faster core speeds (up to 2.26 GHz), more L2 cache (6MB) and a faster FSB (1066 MHz), but without a comparable increase in energy consumption.

“Due to the smaller processor footprint, the 45nm technologies are also the ideal basis for developing a new range of cost-effective and energy saving embedded computer applications. Computer-on-Modules are a perfect fit for such applications since the location of the external interface connectors is flexibly determined by the application specific carrier board”, explains Dirk Finstel, VP of Global Research and Engineering at Kontron.

“The enhanced performance-per-watt from the 45nm Intel® Core™ 2 processor SP9300 enables system designers to improve system efficiency, including DDR3 memory support, fanless designs, improved EMC and MTBF, and longer battery life” says Joe Jensen, general manager, Intel® Embedded Computing Division

For high-end data and media-propcessing applications that requirie maximum performance, the 2.26 GHz (1066 MHz FSB) version of the ETXexpress®-PC module offers uncompromising processing power with a CPU TDP of just 25W. For intensive data-processing applications, the Kontron ETXexpress®-PC is Kontron’s first COM Express™ pin-out type 2 Computer-on-Module to support up to 8 GB of dual-channel memory via two DDR3 SO DIMM sockets for even faster bus speeds and higher peak throughput. The low voltage version of the Kontron ETXexpress®-PC with the 1.3 GHz Intel® ULV Core™ 2 Duo processor (800 MHz FSB) requires a TDP of only 10 W, making it the ideal choice for power-sensitive applications. A 1.86 GHz processor version rounds off the selection of Kontron ETXexpress®-PC modules that together provide enhanced performance-per-watt ratios to suit a wide spectrum of next generation embedded applications in the automation, medical, infotainment, kiosk, POS/POI and portable computing sectors.

In addition to outstanding performance, these latest members of Kontron’s COM ExpressTM Computer-on-Modules family will support the built–in, comprehensive Intel® vPro™ technology 4.0 that offers enhanced security and remote management for easier maintenance, higher system availability and, therefore, reduced total costs of ownership. System managers benefit from Intel® vPro™ technology because they can remotely carry out tasks such as installation of a new OS or setting BIOS parameters without the need for additional remote management hardware or an on-site presence. If there is an operating system failure, managers can run diagnostics, update patches and reboot the system via an out-of-band connection from a central service system within a few minutes. State-of-the-art system security is provided by Intel® Trusted Execution Technology and there is an on-board trusted platform module – TPM 1.2 – for software and data protection. These features make the Kontron COM Express™ Computer-on-Modules ideal for distributed systems. For example, railway operators and utility companies (gas, water, electricity) as well as operators of traffic lights, toll collection systems and cash, vending, ticket and gaming machines.

Extensive I/O flexibility for the Kontron COM Express™ ETXexpress®-PC Computer-on-Modules is provided by 5x PCI Express® x1 lanes, 4x SerialATA ports, 1x IDE and 8x USB 2.0 ports along with Gigabit Ethernet. Via the multiplexed PEG pinout, SDVO and Display-Port deliver additional video signals for VGA and DVI monitor outputs, SDTV and HDTV television outputs and TV tuner inputs that greatly simplify system graphics design. All the Kontron COM Express™ Computer-on-Modules provide PCI Express®, PCI 32, USB 2.0 and SerialATA available on the PICMG® Type 2 connector, guaranteeing scalability within the product family. In particular, the SerialATA ports and native RAID support make the Kontron ETXexpress®-PC ideal for data sensitive applications. There is also continued support for non PCI Express® legacy components such as plug-in cards via the PCI 2.1 interface.

The new Kontron COM Express™ ETXexpress®-PC modules support Windows® XP, 2000, XPe, CE and Linux operating systems. With full DirectX® 10 capability, Windows Vista® is also perfectly supported.

Samples of the Kontron ETXexpress®-PC supporting the new DDR3 SO-DIMM memory modules are available now. Series production is scheduled to start in Q4 2008.

TCSJOHNHUXLEY is delighted to announce the appointment of Jo Purvis to the position of Sales Director Europe, commencing on 2nd September 2008. Reporting directly to David Heap, Group CEO, Jo will head up the Mainland European Sales Division and be responsible for developing and strengthening sales across the continent.

Jo brings extensive knowledge and experience to the role, with over 18 years in the Gaming and Leisure Industry.  Her most recent position held as Sales Manager for WMS International. She states, “TCSJOHNHUXLEY have always been at the forefront of the live gaming market and I am really looking forward to be a part of that and to further develop the company’s interests.”

David Heap comments, “Jo is highly regarded within the industry and we are delighted she is joining the company. This appointment reflects TCSJOHNUXLEY’s continued emphasis on developing and strengthening our European sales presence and we are confident she will lead the division to further success.”

At the Fer-Interazar Madrid 2008 Austrian Gaming Industries GmbH (AGI), wholly owned subsidiary of Novomatic AG, and its subsidiaries Novomatic Gaming Spain S.A. and Admiral Sportwetten GmbH will showcase their comprehensive product offering for the Spanish regions.

The Fer-Interazar gaming show will be held at the Ifema. Juan Carlos Exhibition Centre in Madrid from September 24th to 26th and can be expected to attract large numbers of Spanish as well as international visitors.

After the great success of the previous year’s premiere at the Madrid show Novomatic decided to participate again with three subsidiaries: Austrian Gaming Industries, Novomatic Gaming Spain and Admiral Sportwetten GmbH (Novomatic’s sportsbetting division). On the Novomatic booth no. C16 the companies will present a comprehensive Novomatic product offering for the Spanish market: the latest games, cabinets and popular multiplayer products as well as a complete Admiral sportsbetting installation complete with AGI’s state-of-the-art sportsbetting terminals.   

On booth no. C16 visitors will discover the latest versions of the Super-V+ Gaminator® Coolfire™ II multi-game mixes in the cabinet of the same name as well as a selection of Coolfire™ I Multi-Gaminator®  mixes and the popular Bingo+™ in the sophisticated Slant Top cabinet. The bestselling Gaminator® upright cabinet will feature the single player Multi-Wheel Roulette™ and World of Poker™.

Also on show will be a comprehensive Novo Multi-Roulette™ multi-player installation. This product has already been installed in Spain at Casino Barcelona and Casino Zaragoza and proves to be a major attraction and favourite among the casino guests.

Jordi Pedragosa, Sales Director Novomatic Gaming Spain: ”Our participation in last year’s show brought excellent results and I am convinced that with the increasing regulatory availa¬bility of our products we will have even better results at the upcoming show. The popularity of our multiplayer products has already become evident with the highly successful installations in Barcelona and Zaragoza. Especially the prompt reorder of Casino Barcelona only months after the initial installation certainly proves our market strategy here in Spain.”

Christian Reibenspiess, Managing Director, Novomatic Gaming Spain: “With the constantly growing number of licences for our products in the Spanish regions, the Madrid gaming show becomes significantly important for us as a forum to present the Novomatic product offering to the decision makers of the Spanish gaming industry.”

Casino Rodos, located on the northern tip of the island of Rhodes in Greece, has followed an increasingly popular trend by specifying the MEI CASHFLOW SC for all new games.

“The MEI banknote readers have really proven what a positive difference they make,” said Casino General Manager Mr. Vassilis Tsolekas.  “We will be specifying MEI for all future slots purchases. They provide excellent acceptance of all types of true bank notes with zero maintenance.”

Casino Rhodes has 310 slot machines, ranging from traditional reels to the latest video and interactive innovations.  Slot machines have taken on further importance as over two thirds of the casino floor, 220 machines, are practically new.

“The revenue from slot machines has continued to increase over time,” said Mr. Kostas Vlachogiannis, slots manager. “Today we are at 57%.  That growth, from 15%, has been achieved thanks to the focus on four major slot machine providers: IGT, Atronic, Bally and Novomatic.”

As the importance of slot machines to total casino revenue increased, so did the dedication to the find the right suppliers.  Based on feedback from other Greek casinos, management welcomed the chance to test the MEI Cashflow SC banknote reader through a value-added trial (VAT).

“I had a player come up to me and compliment the validators,” said Mr. Manny Culianos from the technical staff.  “The MEI products are being noticed! They accept a bill in any condition, as opposed to being choosy on the bill's condition like the others.”
Mr. Mark Greenawalt, Director of MEI Gaming Europe and Africa commented, “We are delighted yet another Greek casino is now specifying our Cashflow SC83. Typically casino operators have seen the value of the VAT’s due to more money in the cashbox. The results from this VAT expand the benefits of the Cashflow. When players take notice of the improved performance directly related to the note reader then we can say for sure that the product on the floor has been improved. We would like to thank Mr. Tsolekas and his team for specifying the MEI Cashflow SC83 in his future slots purchases”.