ADLINK ETX-NR667 Core2 Duo Module Selection and Deployment

ADLINK ETX-NR667 Core2 Duo Module Selection and Deployment

In the field of industrial embedded systems, the ETX (Embedded Technology eXtended) specification has long dominated the mid to high end application market due to its compact size (95mm × 114mm) and flexible carrier board design. ADLINK's ETX-NR667 series is based on Intel ®  945GME chipset, supporting Core ™ 2 Duo and Core ™  Duo processors provide a reliable upgrade path for traditional ETX systems that require high-performance computing and rich I/O. This article will provide engineers with a complete selection and deployment reference from the dimensions of processor model, chipset characteristics, storage display interface, heat dissipation scheme, and carrier compatibility.

Model Overview and CPU Selection Strategy

ETX-NR667 offers four BGA package CPU options, covering different gradients of power consumption and performance:

Model Processor Frequency L2 Cache TDP Core Architecture

ETX-NR667-L7400 Core ™ 2 Duo L7400 1.5 GHz 4 MB 17 W Merom（65nm）

ETX-NR667-L2400 Core ™  Duo L2400 1.66 GHz 2 MB 15 W Yonah（65nm）

ETX-NR667-U7500 Core ™ 2 Duo U7500 1.06 GHz 2 MB 10 W Merom (ultra-low voltage)

ETX-NR667-423 Celeron ®  M 423 1.06 GHz 1 MB 5.5 W Yonah (single core)

Selection suggestion:

Performance priority: L7400 has 4MB L2 cache, suitable for data intensive applications such as video analysis and data processing.

Power sensitive: U7500 and Celeron M 423 have a power consumption of less than 10W and are suitable for fanless or passive cooling chassis.

Compatibility: All models support Intel 64 bit architecture (except for Celeron M 423 which may only be 32-bit), but it should be noted that Core Duo L2400 is a 32-bit dual core, while Core2 Duo is 64 bit.

Note: L7400 and U7500 are Core2 architectures and support Intel VT-x virtualization; L2400 is Yonah core and does not support VT-x. If you need to run a virtual machine, please prioritize the Core2 model.

Chipset and Memory Configuration

The chipset is manufactured by Intel ®  Composed of 945GME GMCH and ICH7-M, it provides the following key features:

Memory: Single DDR2 SO-DIMM slot, supporting up to 2GB non ECC 533/667MHz SDRAM. Note that 667MHz needs to be paired with the corresponding CPU FSB (L7400 is 667MHz FSB, U7500 is 533MHz, matching is required).

Integrated graphics card: 945GME integrated with GMA 950 graphics core, supports dual independent display, and dynamic memory allocation (DVMT).

PCI/ISA bus: PCI 2.3 32-bit/33MHz, supports 4 main devices; ISA 16 bit (via LPC bridge), but does not support DMA (same as ETX-BT), please note that older ISA DMA cards are not compatible.

SMBus/I ² C: Used for system management and peripheral configuration.

Deployment Tip: If using 2GB of memory, be sure to use SO-DIMM that complies with DDR2-667 specifications and ensure SPD timing compatibility. Some low-voltage versions of CPUs may only support 533MHz and automatically run at a reduced frequency.

Detailed explanation of display interface

945GME integrated graphics support up to dual independent displays, with output types including:

3.1 VGA（CRT）

Simulate RGB output with a maximum resolution of 2048 × 1536 (60Hz), using R/G/B/HSY/VSY signals through X3 connectors. Suitable for standard displays or projectors.

3.2 LVDS

Supports single/dual channel 18/24 bit and can directly drive industrial LCD screens. Panel resolution, data mapping (VESA/JEIDA), and clock polarity need to be configured in BIOS. Note that the LVDS signal level is 1.8V or 3.3V, which needs to be adjusted according to the panel specifications (usually determined by the level conversion of the carrier board).

3.3 TV-out

Supports NTSC/PAL composite video output, up to 1024 × 768, as well as HDTV 480p/720p/1080i/1080p (excluding Macrovision copyright protection). Through signals such as COMP/Y/SYNC/C from X3 (some are NC, actual TV out may be through dedicated pins, marked as "NC" in the manual but may actually have functions, please refer to the complete pin definition).

Dual display configuration: The boot display device (CRT/LVDS/TV) can be set in the BIOS, and the operating system can be extended or mirrored through Intel graphics drivers.

Storage and I/O interface

4.1 Storage Interface

PATA (IDE): Dual channel IDE, supports UDMA 33 (note that only UDMA33 is supported, not UDMA66/100), and each channel only supports Master devices (without Slave). Suitable for connecting DOM, CF cards, or old hard drives.

SATA: Two SATA ports (3Gb/s), natively supported by ICH7-M, supporting AHCI mode, capable of connecting high-speed SSDs or HDDs.

Important: IDE and SATA can be used simultaneously, but if using a SATA optical drive or hard drive, SATA mode (IDE or AHCI) needs to be set in the BIOS. Windows XP requires AHCI driver to be loaded, otherwise the screen will turn blue.

4.2 Serial parallel port and PS/2

COM1/COM2: Standard RS-232C, full signal (DCD, DSR, CTS, RTS, RI).

Parallel Port (LPT): Supports SPP/EPP/ECP mode and is multiplexed with the FDD pin (LPT or FLPY can be selected through pin 51 of X3, default LPT).

PS/2: Keyboard and mouse, standard 5V interface.

4.3 USB and Network

USB: 4 USB 2.0 ports, supporting 480Mbps, compatible with USB 1.1.

Ethernet: Realtek RTL8111C PCIe Gigabit Controller, but interface limit is 10/100 Mbps (manual labeled "Interface 10/100 Mbps", may only be 100Mbps, actual connection capability needs to be confirmed, there may be PCB wiring limitations). In practical applications, if gigabit is required, an external expansion card is needed.

4.4 IrDA and Infrared

Supports SIR IrDA 1.1 protocol for infrared communication.

Power Management and Power Consumption

Power supply mode: Supports AT (only+5V) or ATX (+5V and+5VSB), selected through BIOS or carrier jumper.

ACPI status: Supports S0 (working), S1 (sleeping), S3 (suspended to memory), S4 (suspended to hard drive), S5 (soft shutdown). Supports Wake on LAN and USB wake-up.

Typical power consumption: Approximately 18W when equipped with U7500+1GB of memory, and up to 25W when fully equipped with L7400+2GB. Reserve space when designing heat dissipation.

Power monitoring: Hardware monitoring can read CPU temperature and main power supply voltage, obtained through SEMA (if supported) or Super I/O.

Mechanical and Environmental Specifications

Size: Standard ETX v3.02114mm × 95mm.

Working temperature: 0 ℃~60 ℃ (no wide temperature option, cannot be used for -40 ℃).

Storage temperature: -20 ℃~80 ℃.

Humidity: 5%~95% non condensing.

Anti vibration and anti impact: Non operational 1.88Grms (5-500Hz), impact 15G/11ms.

Heat dissipation accessories:

HTS-NR667-B: Heat sink with threaded support (passive).

THS-NR667-B: Low profile passive heat sink.

THSF-NR667-B: High performance active heat sink with fan.

It is recommended to choose passive or active heat dissipation based on the airflow of the chassis. If the CPU is L7400 (17W), it is strongly recommended to use active heat dissipation in a closed chassis.

Operating system and driver support

Standard support:

Windows Vista 32/64 bit

Windows XP 32/64 bit

Extended Support (BSP):

Linux 2.6.x

Windows Embedded XP

Windows CE 6.0

And provide AIDI libraries (for digital I/O, etc.) to support Win32, WinCE, and Linux.

Key points for driver installation:

The chipset driver (Intel INF) should be installed first, followed by the graphics card (GMA 950), network card, and audio (ALC268).

If using SATA AHCI, press F6 to load the floppy disk driver during XP installation, or use nLite integration.

Linux kernel 2.6.30 and above already natively support 945GME and ICH7-M, but require the activation of VNet AGP-INTEL and VNet DRMI915.

Compatibility of carrier board and precautions for replacement and upgrade

ETX-NR667 follows the ETX 3.02 specification and is pin compatible with early ETX modules such as ETX-945 and ETX-PM. If replacing an old module, please note:

Power supply: Confirm that the carrier board provides AT or ATX power supply. NR667 does not support wide range input (only 5V) and cannot be connected to 12V for direct power supply.

PCI clock: The PCI bus frequency is 33MHz. If there are multiple PCI devices on the carrier board, pay attention to load and interrupt routing.

ISA bus: No DMA. If the original system relies on ISA DMA cards (such as some sound cards or data acquisition cards), it needs to be replaced with PIO mode cards or additional bridging.

LVDS panel parameters: The LVDS data mapping for different modules may vary, and the correct panel type needs to be re selected in the BIOS, otherwise abnormal display will occur.

SATA vs PATA: If the original system only uses PATA and the new module adds SATA, PATA can be retained and SATA can be added as the data disk; But if you need to boot from SATA, the BIOS needs to set the boot sequence.

Upgrade suggestion: It is recommended to record the BIOS settings of the original module (especially display, storage, COM port) before replacement, and configure them one by one on the new module. If the original carrier board has special extensions (such as custom FPGA), PCI/ISA timing compatibility needs to be verified.

Common faults and troubleshooting ideas

Fault 1: No display when powered on, fan turning

Check if the memory is properly plugged in, try replacing the slot or memory module (only one slot).

Clear CMOS: Use SW2 (similar to ETX-BT if present) or unplug the battery.

Verify if the CPU is overheating protected and check if the heat sink is installed smoothly.

Fault 2: LVDS backlight not working

Check if the carrier board provides backlight power (+5V or+12V), as the module itself does not output backlight voltage.

Measure whether the DIGON (display power) and BLON (backlight enable) signals are at high level. If they are low, check if the LCD panel settings in BIOS are enabled.

Fault 3: IDE device cannot recognize

Confirm that the device jumper is Master (only supports Master).

Check if the IDE cable is 40 cores (does not support 80 core UDMA66 cable as only UDMA33 is supported).

If using CF card to IDE, some CF cards need to be set to Master mode.

Fault 4: System Blue Screen (0x7B) on Windows XP

Since the SATA mode is set to AHCI but the driver is not loaded, it can be temporarily started in IDE mode (with SATA Mode set to IDE in BIOS) and then injected with AHCI driver.

Fault 5: PCI device cannot recognize

Check the PCI interrupt routing settings (jumper SW4 may be required, but not listed in this manual, reference can be made to similar ETX modules).

Confirm if the PCI clock is functioning properly (using an oscilloscope to measure PCICLK).

Life cycle and spare parts recommendations

The ETX-NR667 is based on the Intel 945GME platform and belongs to the previous generation product, but it is still in service in some long-term projects. Suggestions for procurement:

Prepare sufficient CPU thermal pads and heat dissipation accessories.

If the original system uses PATA DOM, it may be considered to migrate to SATA SSD (via mSATA to SATA adapter card) to improve reliability and speed.

Pay attention to the supply situation of the module. If it is discontinued, consider upgrading to the ETX-BT series (but requires heavy-duty board adaptation, as the pins are the same but there are slight electrical differences).