The PICMG subcommittee currently defining the COM Express 3.0 specification is chaired by Jeff Munch, CTO of Adlink’s American operations. The preview of the Type 7 pinout definition is intended to allow module manufacturers and customers to start designs before the full COM Express 3.0 specification is published, which is expected to by the end of Q3 2016.
The Type 7 pinout does away with all graphics support, replacing it with up to four 10GbE ports and eight additional PCI Express. This brings the total PCIe support to up to 32 PCIe lanes. In addition, the Type 7 pinout brings out 10GBase-KR signals, meaning board designers can choose between KR-to-KR, KR-to-optical fibre or KR-to-copper. A Network Controller Sideband Interface bus is also supported, allowing for Intelligent Platform Management Interface Board Management Controller support on the carrier board.
