
EmbeddedDNA 
®
PC/104 CPU Module 
CPU-1220; Ethernet Aapter 
Rev. 1.0  Apr 2004
COPYRIGHT 1994-2005 Eurotech S.p.A. All Rights Reserved. 
An003
 
 

2 Application Note 
ABOUT THIS MANUAL 
This application note is intended to help users detecting which Ethernet interface is installed over the CPU-1220. 
Via J. Linussio 1 
33020 AMARO (UD) 
ITALY 
Phone: +39 0433 485 411 
Fax:  +39 0433 485 499 
web:  http://www.eurotech.it
e-mail: mailto:sales@eurotech.it
NOTICE 
Although all the information contained herein has been carefully verified, Eurotech S.p.A. assumes no 
responsibility for errors that might appear in this document, or for damage to property or persons 
resulting from an improper use of this manual and of the related software. Eurotech S.p.A. reserves the 
right to change the contents and form of this document, as well as the features and specifications of its 
products at any time, without notice. 
Trademarks and registered trademarks appearing in this document are the property of their respective owners 
 
 

Application Note    3 
Conventions 
The following table lists conventions used throughout this guide. 
Icon Notice Type  Description 
Information note 
Important features or 
instructions 
Warning 
Information to alert you to 
potential damage to a program, 
system or device or potential 
personal injury 
 
 

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Contents 
Conventions ................................................................................................................................................... 3 
Contents ........................................................................................................................................................... 5 
Chapter 1  CPU-1220 Ethernet interface ................................................................................................... 7 
Detecting the Realtek chipset version installed into your CPU-1220 ............................................................ 7 
Ethernet interface........................................................................................................................................... 8 
J4: CPU-1220 Ethernet connector .......................................................................................................... 8 
J9: Status LEDs....................................................................................................................................... 9 
Ethernet physical adapter .............................................................................................................................. 9 
Related Documents ....................................................................................................................................... 13 
 
 

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Chapter 1 CPU-1220 Ethernet interface 
The CPU-1220 Ethernet interface features a single-chip Fast Ethernet controller Realtek RTL8139 that 
provides 32-bit performance, 10/100Mbps auto-sensing, and full compliance with IEEE 802.3u 100Base-T 
specifications and IEEE 802.3x Full Duplex Flow Control. 
The versions of the Relatek RTL8139 chipset installable over the CPU-1220 board are: 
- RTL8139 B 
- RTL8139 C 
Between the two devices there are only different electrical characteristics. It is important to know which 
version of RTL8139 is installed on the board to select the proper Ethernet physical adapter and to connect or 
to develop custom circuitry. 
Detecting the Realtek chipset version installed into your CPU-1220 
To detect which version of Realtek chipset is installed on the CPU-1220, read the printed label on the 
Realtek RTL8139 chip. 
Figure 1.  The Realtek RTL8139 chip 
 
 

8 Application Note 
Comparing the CPU-1220 serial number
1
 with the following table is possible to detect the installed chipset 
version: 
Table 1.  CPU-1220 RTL8139 chipset version 
CPU-1220 Eurotech s/n  Realtek RTL8139 version 
Till S.N. 229904389  B 
Starting from 03M241 S.N. 229904390  C 
Ethernet interface 
The CPU-1220 module provides the following interfaces: 
 J4 for a 10/100 Ethernet (LAN) connection. J4 is a 5x2 pin – 2.54mm step connector 
 J9 for status LEDs: one for the HDD status, three for the Ethernet status. J9 is a 3x2 pin - 2mm step 
connector 
J4
LED
IDE
Ethernet
Figure 2.  J13 IDE Connector layout 
J4: CPU-1220 Ethernet connector 
The J4 Ethernet connector is a 5x2 pin with 2.54-mm step. Refer to the following table for the Ethernet 
connector assignment. 
Table 2.  J4 Ethernet Connector 
Pin# 
Signal  Function 
1  +5V or +3,3V
2
Power Supply 
2  LED0  On sending packets 
3  RX+  100/10Base-T receive data 
4  RX-  100/10Base-T receive data 
5  LED1  Link 10/100 
1
 The Serial number of the CPU-1220 board is a bar code label printed on the PC/104 connector and 
consists of a 10 characters length code. 
2
 Depending on the Realtek chipset installed: if Realtek RTL8139B is installed power supply is +5V, if 
RTL8139C is installed +3,3V supplied. For detailed electrical information please refer to the chipset 
datasheet. 
 
 

Application Note    9 
6  GND  Ground signal 
7  LED2  On receiving packets 
8  GND  Ground signal 
9  TX+  100/10Base-T transmit data
10  TX-  100/10Base-T transmit data
J9: Status LEDs 
The HDD and Ethernet activity LEDs are implemented on the J9 connector. It is a 3x2 pin - 2mm step. 
The following table shows the J9 connector pinout: 
Table 3.  J9 LED Connector 
Pin  Signal  Function 
1 
VDD  IDE LED anode 
2 
IDE LED  IDE LED cathode 
3 
5V_LAN  LAN LEDs 
common anode 
4 
LAN LED 2  LAN LED cathode 
5 
LAN LED 0  LAN LED cathode 
6 
LAN LED 1  LAN LED cathode 
The meaning of LAN LEDs is the following: 
 LAN LED 0: TX 
 LAN LED 1: Link 10/100 (LAN LED 1 signals that the correct connection is established) 
 LAN LED 2: RX 
Ethernet physical adapter 
Note: To establish a connection to the Ethernet, the Eurotech Ethernet Adapter can be plugged 
between the CPU board (to the J4 connector) and the net cable. 
It is shown below. 
RJ45 Connector
To CPU Board
Ethernet
Connector 
Figure 3.  Eurotech Ethernet Adapter 
The green led is fixed, and signals the correct connection of the module. 
The yellow led blinks when there is activity (data IN/OUT) on the net connection. 
With RJ45 connectors, only twisted pair cables can be used. 
 
 

10 Application Note 
Important Note. Connection to a 100BASE-TX hub for 100 Mbps operation requires Cat. 5 
Unshielded Twisted-Pair (UTP) cable or Cat. 5 Shielded Twisted-Pair (STP) cable. The maximum 
length between the 100BASE-TX hub and the adapter is 100 meters. Connection to a 10BASE-T hub 
for 10 Mbps operation requires a Cat. 3, 4, 5 UTP cable or Cat. 5 STP cable. Preferred maximum 
cable length between CPU-1220 module and Ethernet adapter is 10 cm (4”) 
Ethernet physical adapter Versions 
This physical adapter is available in two different versions: 
Table 4.  Physical Adapter code 
EurotechCODE  Description 
Valid for 
RTL8139 
ACS-9071-00  RJ45 ETHERNET ADAPTER FOR CPU-1220 AND CPU-1231  B 
ACS-9071-03  RJ45 Ethernet adapter for CPU-1232 and CPU-1220  C 
Warning: To prevent incorrect data transmissions select the proper physical adapter device 
depending on the Realtek RTL8139 chipset installed on the CPU-1220. 
Integration of the Ethernet physical adapter 
If the Ethernet physical adapter has to be integrated over a custom circuitry, please refer to Eurotech for 
detailed information about schematics. 
Regarding schematics, a good choice is isolating the Ethernet adapter section from the rest of the power 
supply section. Derive the supply directly from the J4 Ethernet Connector of the CPU-1220. In this way if 
different versions of Realtek RTL8139 chipsets are installed no damage occurs when you connect J4 to the 
carrier board. 
Warning: please take care on the Realtek RTL8139 version used in order to avoid short-circuits 
between +5V and +3.3V when deriving power supply. 
 
 

Application Note    11 
Generic Ethernet adapter 
Eurotech has developed a fail-safe circuitry that can be installed to prevent faulty and damages. To prevent 
wrong connections between the CPU-1220 and the Ethernet adapter Eurotech has developed a generic 
adapter that can be used together with the CPU-1220 for installing both the Realtek chips. 
The following drawing describes the solution for a generic Ethernet adapter tolerant regarding the supply 
voltage present on pin 1 of J4 CPU-1220 Ethernet connector and based on the version of the Realtek 
RTL8139 chipset installed, and that may be integrated into a carrier board. 
Figure 4.  Generic Ethernet Adapter Schematics 
For detailed information regarding the Ethernet Adapter please contact Eurotech. 
Auxiliary 
 
 

12 Application Note 
Chapter 2  Drivers 
Visit the Eurotech web site for the latest driver availability. 
 
 

Application Note    13 
Related Documents 
For detailed information on the CPU-1220 board please refer to the User Manual. 
For further information about the Realtek RTL8139X please refer to the technical Data Sheet.