High-performance automation for an increasingly connected world

At the dawn of the “Industrial Internet,” the ante is being upped for modular embedded systems. More and more machines are being connected, many in remote and challenging environments such as oil and gas, locomotives, transportation, and ship-propulsion systems. To meet the demand for more data in less time, these systems must work faster and longer. Accelerating with the demand for data is the evolution of computer processors. But businesses can’t afford the downtime required to replace processors, or the expense of replacing the carrier board when upgrading the processor. According to a 2006 Department of Energy study, idle industrial machinery can cost as much as $800 per minute.

What’s needed is a modular embedded computing architecture that addresses these cost and downtime issues. Perhaps the most compelling of the modular architectures available today is COM Express. COM Express provides the requisite computing power for today’s increasingly connected world while also extending the lifespan of the underlying system. As chip technology evolves, users can switch out the module without adverse effect on the underlying hardware and assets – saving time and money. The modularity, simplicity, and reliability of COM Express technology help businesses remain competitive, profitable, and flexible.

Leveraging upgrades in processing power

COM Express-based technology was developed in 1994 by PICMG, a 250-company consortium that develops open specifications for high-performance computing applications. Today, the COM Express form factor comes in four sizes:

Mini: 55 x 84 mm
Compact: 95 x 95 mm
Basic: 95 x 125 mm
Extended: 110 x 155 mm
These different sizes of COM Express modules help businesses to remain competitive by maximizing the performance of critical infrastructure systems in an increasingly connected world in any conceivable industrial application.

refer to:http://industrial-embedded.com/articles/rugged-increasingly-connected-world/