Embedded computers users usually require more than the standard functionality of an office computer.

We have taken these requirements into account when designing our BIOS functionality. By drawing on the wealth of information that has been gathered as a result of more than 40 manpower years of combined experience in BIOS development, we have implemented the special requirements of an embedded BIOS into our range of ETX and XTX boards.

Multi-stage Watchdog

All our boards are equipped with a multi stage watchdog. This two-stage solution can be triggered by software and external OEM hardware. The watchdog can either trigger a NMI, hardware reset, or both. In the case of both the first being the NMI and then the reset. This approach allows for a more flexible monitoring of the embedded software application.

Fast Mode I²C Bus

Many embedded devices such as sensors, converters, or data storage can be connected to the I²C bus interface. Because of the simple protocol and the high availability of devices, the I²C Bus is a frequently used low speed bus interface in embedded applications. AMC understands this and therefore has chosen to offer a Fast Mode (400kHz) multi-master I²C Bus that provides maximum I²C bandwidth to ensure the accurate transmission of large amounts of data.

Customer specific CMOS defaults

Most embedded module customers want to have their own CMOS ROM default settings. The embedded BIOS allows the customer to store their own defaults in flash memory. This helps reduce the need for customized BIOS versions.

Manufacturing Data Storage

The board controller provides a rich data set of manufacturing and board information. This information includes:

• Serial number
• Article number
• EAN code
• Manufacturing and repair date

User Data Storage area

Some embedded applications might require storage of critical and important data. AMC™ boards provide 32 bytes of non volatile storage in the EEPROM. Even if the storage media that holds the operating system is not working anymore and must be changed, the stored EEPROM data is still available.

CMOS Battery Backup

A backup copy of the BIOS CMOS settings is held in flash memory. This allows for battery-less applications. If a backup battery is present it will also help prevent 'Non-booting systems' when the backup battery has failed. Customer Logo In order to hide the PC functionality in an embedded PC application, the BIOS can display a custom logo instead of the traditional diagnostic output during POST. With the boards embedded BIOS customers can now integrate an OEM logo into the standard BIOS by themselves.

Hardware Monitoring

In order to maintain system reliability all critical components should have the ability to be monitored. The boards BIOS already has the routines implemented that are necessary to do this. Fans, operating voltages and several temperature sensors can be monitored without incurring additional development costs.

Battery Support

Thanks to the optional AMC battery support, mobile battery-operated systems can be implemented without additional BIOS expense. The required communication link to the battery system is already part of the ACPI support within the AMC Embedded BIOS.

Flexible BIOS expansion

Customer specific code can be executed while booting the system. During power on self test (POST) the AMC BIOS gives control to customer code. This gives customers more flexibility to initialise special hardware extensions.

System Statistics

The BIOS also keeps track of dynamically changing running time and boot count data. When using the uniform API you can access this information. ACPI Support

Power Management and System Configuration is supported by the AMC BIOS according to the ACPI specification in order to fully support modern ACPI compliant operating systems.

Flat Panel Support

By understanding the basic EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) data structure, the BIOS can automatically detect and configure an attached flat panel. Even when a display is changed and substituted with another the BIOS parameters do not need to be reconfigured. Also the BIOS can automatically detect and configure most flat panels available on the market today. AMC also has the ability to adapt exotic panels upon customer request.

32 Bit Uniform Operating System API

The BIOS features are accessible through a uniform 32 bit API. Additionally when upgrading or performing a system change within the AMC family, these functions remain the same and are available on all operating systems. Altering the application software is not necessary.

Windows Tool

All Embedded BIOS features are accessible through the use of a special Windows tool. This includes all manufacturing and statistical information; e.g. serial number, running hours, boot counter etc.

Onboard Microcontroller

An onboard µc plays an important role for most of the BIOS features. It fully isolates some of the embedded features such as system monitoring or the I²C bus from the x86 core architecture, which results in higher embedded feature performance and more reliability - even when the x86 processor is in standby mode.

Hardware BIOS Dongle

This feature allows customers to protect their software application by ensuring that it can only be executed on a certain AMC platform.

Board Support Packages

AMC offers advanced BSPs, which will include both the latest tested drivers from silicon vendors and the boards specific drivers for accessing all of our additional embedded BIOS and board features.

Software support will be available for:

• Microsoft® Windows XP
• Microsoft Windows XP Embedded
• Microsoft Windows 2000
• Microsoft Windows CE 5.0
• LINUX
• VxWorks