AAEON Reveals PICO-MTU4 Single-Board Computer with Core Ultra “Meteor Lake” CPUs

AAEON's latest release, the PICO-MTU4, is a compact and powerful single-board computer featuring Intel's cutting-edge technology and designed for industrial applications.

Compact size of just 100 mm x 72 mm
Utilizes cutting-edge Intel Core Ultra Processor platform
Offers a performance boost of up to 24% and 50% reduction in power consumption

AAEON, the premier embedded computing provider, is making waves in the tech world with its latest release, the PICO-MTU4. This tiny single-board computer is not only small in size, but also packs a punch with the new Intel Core Ultra Processor platform.

Measuring at just 100 mm x 72 mm, the PICO-MTU4 is the epitome of compactness. But don’t let its size fool you. This little powerhouse takes advantage of Intel’s cutting-edge technology, including the disaggregated die design, hybrid CPU core architecture, and integrated VPU (that’s a visual processing unit, for the uninitiated).

The result? A performance boost of up to 24% and a whopping 50% reduction in system-on-a-chip (SoC) power consumption. That means you can do more with less energy, which is a win for both your productivity and the environment.

The PICO-MTU4 comes in two variants: one featuring the Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor and another with the Intel Core Ultra 5 Processor. Both options have a thermal design power (TDP) of 15 W, and together they offer a total of 12 cores and 14 threads of processing power. That’s some serious muscle for such a small board!

AAEON has designed the PICO-MTU4 with the advanced industrial robotics market in mind. It’s perfect for applications like SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition), MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems), and system monitoring devices. In other words, if you’re in the business of building robots or managing industrial processes, this board is tailor-made for you.

But the PICO-MTU4 doesn’t stop there. It’s equipped with LPDDR5X memory for fast and efficient multitasking. It also boasts two LAN ports (one at 2.5GbE and another at 1GbE), two USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, and a range of serial interfaces for industrial protocols. Think of it as the Swiss Army knife of single-board computers.

And let’s not forget about expansion options. The PICO-MTU4 supports SATA, an M.2 2280 M-Key (PCIe 4.0 [x4]), and an M.2 2230 E-Key (PCIe 4.0 [x1]). This means you not only have plenty of storage space, but also the ability to add Wi-Fi 6 support and other wireless communication options. Perfect for edge solutions like roadside units.

Speaking of rugged environments, the PICO-MTU4 can handle them like a champ. With a temperature tolerance range of -20°C to 70°C, this board can withstand harsh conditions without breaking a sweat. Whether it’s scorching heat or freezing cold, the PICO-MTU4 keeps on ticking.

If you’re itching for more technical details, you can find them on the PICO-MTU4 product page on AAEON’s website. But trust me, this little board is a game-changer. It’s small, powerful, and built to tackle the toughest industrial challenges. So if you’re in the market for a single-board computer that punches above its weight, look no further than the PICO-MTU4 from AAEON.

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Background Information

About AAEON: AAEON is a global leader in the design and manufacturing of advanced industrial and embedded computing solutions. With a strong focus on innovation and cutting-edge technology, AAEON provides a wide range of rugged and reliable hardware products tailored to meet the diverse needs of industries such as industrial automation, IoT (Internet of Things), edge computing, and AI (Artificial Intelligence).

About Intel: Intel Corporation, a global technology leader, is renowned for its semiconductor innovations that power computing and communication devices worldwide. As a pioneer in microprocessor technology, Intel has left an indelible mark on the evolution of computing with its processors that drive everything from PCs to data centers and beyond. With a history of groundbreaking advancements, Intel's relentless pursuit of innovation continues to shape the digital landscape, offering solutions that empower businesses and individuals to achieve new levels of productivity and connectivity.

Technology Explained

CPU: The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the brain of a computer, responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations. It is the most important component of a computer system, as it is responsible for controlling all other components. CPUs are used in a wide range of applications, from desktop computers to mobile devices, gaming consoles, and even supercomputers. CPUs are used to process data, execute instructions, and control the flow of information within a computer system. They are also used to control the input and output of data, as well as to store and retrieve data from memory. CPUs are essential for the functioning of any computer system, and their applications in the computer industry are vast.

LPDDR5X: LPDDR5X is a type of computer memory technology that is used in many modern computers. It stands for Low Power Double Data Rate 5X and is a type of Random Access Memory (RAM). It is designed to be more efficient than its predecessors, allowing for faster data transfer speeds and lower power consumption. This makes it ideal for use in laptops, tablets, and other mobile devices. It is also used in gaming consoles and other high-end computers. LPDDR5X is capable of transferring data at up to 8400 megabits per second, making it one of the fastest types of RAM available. This makes it ideal for applications that require high performance, such as gaming, video editing, and 3D rendering.

M.2: M.2, also known as Next Generation Form Factor (NGFF), is a computer expansion card format that is designed to replace the outdated mSATA standard. It is thinner and longer than mSATA, which gives it a much higher data transfer rate. The M.2 format measures 22mm in width and can measure up to 110mm in length. It uses the M-key and B-key connectors to interface with PC host systems, and can connect to both SATA III and PCIe for data transfer. Due to its small size, M.2 is often used for ultra-slim laptops and netbooks, as well as in embedded SSDs for tablets and other mobile devices. It is also becoming increasingly popular in the desktop computer industry, thanks to its compactness and fast transfer speeds. This makes M.2 ideal for gaming PCs, workstations, and other demanding applications that require high levels of data throughput.

PCIe: PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for connecting components such as graphics cards, sound cards, and network cards to a motherboard. It is the most widely used interface in the computer industry today, and is used in both desktop and laptop computers. PCIe is capable of providing up to 16 times the bandwidth of the older PCI standard, allowing for faster data transfer speeds and improved performance. It is also used in a variety of other applications, such as storage, networking, and communications. PCIe is an essential component of modern computing, and its applications are only expected to grow in the future.

SoC: A System-on-Chip (SoC) is a highly integrated semiconductor device that encapsulates various electronic components, including processors, memory, input/output interfaces, and often specialized hardware components, all on a single chip. SoCs are designed to provide a complete computing system or subsystem within a single chip package, offering enhanced performance, power efficiency, and compactness. They are commonly used in a wide range of devices, from smartphones and tablets to embedded systems and IoT devices, streamlining hardware complexity and facilitating efficient integration of multiple functions onto a single chip.