AOpen AX6L User Manual
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Chapter 1
Overview
The AX6L is a new generation Pentium II based system board that utilizes Intel
82440LX chipset on ATX PCI/ISA platform. This chipset is designed for
Pentium II CPU, and supports new architectures such as high speed AGP
graphic port, SDRAM, Ultra DMA/33, Bus master IDE and USB port. It has
four Dual in-line Memory Module (DIMM) that allow to mix 3V EDO and
SDRAM memory and expand up to a maximum of 1GB. There is no second
level cache onboard, since the cache is on the Pentium II CPU card
(connector SLOT1). Also, AX6L uses 2M bit Flash ROM BIOS to reserve for
future new functions.
Not only above features, AX6L implements most advanced technology such as
user-friendly Jumper-less configuration, CMOS and RTC battery-less backup,
Synchronous switching regulator, CPU thermal protection, CPU fan
monitoring, System voltage monitoring, Over current protection, Modem Wake
Up and Suspend to Hard Drive.
Jumper-less Design
Pentium II VID signal and SMbus clock generator provide CPU voltage autodetection and allows user to set CPU frequency through CMOS setup, no
jumper or switch is needed. The correct CPU information is saved into
EEPROM, with these technologies, the disadvantages of Pentium base
jumper-less design are eliminated. There will be no worry of wrong CPU
voltage detection and no need to re-open the housing if CMOS battery loss.
The only jumper left is to clear CMOS, which is a safety hook if you forget the
password.
Battery-less Motherboard
AX6L implements EEPROM and special circuit (patent applied) that allows you
to save your current CPU and CMOS Setup configurations without the need of
battery. The RTC (real time clock) can also keep running as long as power
cord is plugged. If you lose your CMOS data by accident, you can just reload
the CMOS configurations from EEPROM and the system will recover as usual.
Overview
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Suspend To Hard Drive
"Immediately" turns on system and goes back to the original screen before
power down. You can resume your original work directly from hard disk without
go through the Win95 booting process and run your application again.
Suspend to Hard Drive saves your current work (system status, memory
image) into hard disk. Note that you have to use VESA compatible PCI VGA,
Sound Blaster compatible sound card with APM driver, for Suspend to Hard
Drive to work properly.
Internal Modem Card Wake-up
In conjunction with ATX soft power On/Off, it is possible to have system totally
power off and wakeup to automatically answer a phone call such as answering
machine or to send/receive fax. The most important break through is not only
external box modem but also internal modem card can be used to support
Modem Wake Up. The AX6L and MP56 internal modem card implement
special circuit (patent applied) to make sure the modem card work properly
without any power.
RTC Wake Up Timer
The Wake Up Timer is more like an alarm, which wakes up and power on your
system at a pre-defined time for specific application. It can be set to wake up
everyday or on specific date within a month. The date/time accurate is second.
High Efficient Synchronous Switching Regulator
Most of the current switching designs are Asynchronous mode, which from the
technical point of view, still consumes very high power as well as heat. AX6L
implements high efficient synchronous switching design that the temperature
of MOS FET is far less than Schottky diode of Asynchronous design.
Over Current Protection Circuit
The Over Current Protection was very popular implemented on the Baby AT or
ATX 3.3V/5V/12V switching power supply. But unfortunately, the new
generation Pentium II CPU uses different voltage that have regulator to
transfer 5V to CPU voltage (for example, 2.8V), and make 5V over current
protection useless. AX6L with switching regulator onboard support CPU over
current protection, in conjunction with 3.3V/5V/12V power supply provide the
full line over current protection.
Overview
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CPU Thermal Protection
AX6L has a special thermal detection circuit to have warning through
application software when the temperature is higher than a predefined value.
CPU and Housing Fan Monitoring
AX6L has one more "fan monitoring" function to prevent system overheat.
There are two fan connectors, one is for CPU and the other can be a extra
housing fan. The system will report and alarm fan malfunction though utility
software such as HWMON2 (Small Icon for Hardware Monitoring).
System Voltage Monitoring
Further more, AX6L implements a voltage monitoring system, As you turn on
your system, this smart design will continue to monitor your system working
voltage. If any of the system voltage is over the component's standard. There
will be alarm though utility software such as HWMON2 (Small Icon for
Hardware Monitoring) for a warning to user.
FCC DoC certificate
AX6L has passed FCC DoC test. The radiation is very low, you can use any
kind of housing.
Overview
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1.1 Specifications
Form Factor
ATX
Board Size
305 mm x 244 mm
CPU
Intel Pentium II Processor
System Memory
3V EDO or SDRAM, 168-pin DIMM x4, maximum
1GB.
Second-level Cache
On the CPU card (Slot1 connector)
Chipset
Intel 82440LX
Expansion Slots
ISA x3, PCI x4 and AGP x1
Serial Port
Two serial ports UART 16C550 compatible, and the
3rd UART for IR function.
Parallel Port
One parallel port supports standard parallel port (SPP),
enhanced parallel port (EPP) or extended capabilities
port (ECP).
Floppy Interface
Floppy interface supports 3.5 inches drives with
720KB, 1.44MB or 2.88MB format or 5.25 inches
drives with 360KB, 1.2MB format
IDE Interface
Dual-channel IDE interface support maximum 4 IDE
hard disks or CDROM, mode 4 , bus master hard disk
drives and Ultra DMA/33 mode hard drives are also
supported.
USB Interface
Two USB ports supported by USB bracket, the BIOS
also supports USB driver to simulate legacy keyboard.
PS/2 Mouse
Mini-Din PS/2 mouse connector onboard.
Keyboard
Mini-Din PS/2 keyboard connector onboard.
RTC and Battery
RTC within Intel PIIX4 chipset. Lithium (CR-2032)
battery is an option, no battery is needed if power cord
is plugged.
BIOS
AWARD Plug-and-Play, 2M bit Flash ROM BIOS