Qseven COM Specification 1.1

October 22, 2008

The Qseven consortium recently published version 1.1 of the Qseven specification for embedded computer modules. Qseven is unlike other Computer-On-Modules (COM) standards because its primary focus is mobile and ultra mobile applications. It defines fast serial differential interfaces such as PCI Express and Serial ATA but omits support for legacy interfaces like EIDE and PCI. The Qseven standard has been developed to utilize the latest low power technology in a small footprint form factor. It also defines battery management and a maximum power consumption of 12 Watts in order to enable mobile applications. The specification is freely available and may be used without any license fees.

Qseven Applications

Automation
DIN Rail Systems
Automotive
Ultra Mobile
Mobile

Qseven is the first COM standard that defines an integrative software interface. This Application Programming Interface (API) covers these important embedded features: Watchdog Timer, I²C Bus, LCD brightness control, BIOS user memory and system temperature. Qseven[tm] modules from different manufacturers can thus be easily exchanged without modifications to hardware or software.

The SDIO interface is also a new COM feature. Rugged and cheap SD-Cards can be used as bulk memory. Qseven defines an 8 Bit SDIO interface that is capable of supporting MMC 4.0 cards thereby providing a maximum data transition rate of 52 MByte/s. The Secure Digital Standard also enables other applications such as WLAN, Bluetooth, RFID, etc. while using the same card format.

Qseven Interfaces