VersaLogic Hawk User manual

Reference
Manual
REV. March 2020
Hawk
(VL-EPU-3310)
Intel®Atom™ E38xx-based
Embedded Processing Unit with
SATA, Ethernet, USB, Serial,
Video, HD Audio, Mini PCIe
Socket, and microSD.

VL-EPU-3310 Reference Manual ii
WWW.VERSALOGIC.COM
12100 SW Tualatin Road
Tualatin, OR 97062-7341
[phone]
Fax [phone]
Copyright © 2015-2020 VersaLogic Corp. All rights reserved.
Notice:
Although every effort has been made to ensure this document is error-free, VersaLogic makes no
representations or warranties with respect to this product and specifically disclaims any implied warranties
of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose.
VersaLogic reserves the right to revise this product and associated documentation at any time without
obligation to notify anyone of such changes.
† Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

VL-EPU-3310 Reference Manual iii
Product Revision Notes
Revision 1.06 Updated the Ground note on page 5
Revision 1.05 Updated broken links
Revision 1.04 Updated Tables 6, 12 and 14. Updated Console Redirection and CMOS sections
Revision 1.03 Updated
Thermal Considerations
chapter
Revision 1.02 Corrected power requirements data in Technical Specifications section
Revision 1.01 Added Thermal Considerations chapter
Revision 1.00 First release
Support Page
The Hawk Support Page contains additional information and resources for this product
including:
Operating system information and software drivers
Data sheets and manufacturers’ links for chips used in this product
BIOS information and upgrades
VersaTech KnowledgeBase
The VersaTech KnowledgeBase contains useful technical information about VersaLogic
products, along with product advisories.
Customer Support
If you are unable to solve a problem after reading this manual, visiting the product support page,
or searching the KnowledgeBase, contact VersaLogic Technical Support at [phone].
VersaLogic support engineers are also available via e-mail at [email protected].
Repair Service
If your product requires service, you must obtain a Returned Material Authorization (RMA)
number by calling 503-747-2261. Be ready to provide the following information:
Your name, the name of your company, your phone number, and e-mail address
The name of a technician or engineer that can be contacted if any questions arise
The quantity of items being returned
The model and serial number (barcode) of each item
A detailed description of the problem
Steps you have taken to resolve or recreate the problem
The return shipping address
Warranty Repair All parts and labor charges are covered, including return shipping
charges for UPS Ground delivery to United States addresses.
Non-warranty Repair All approved non-warranty repairs are subject to diagnosis and labor
charges, parts charges and return shipping fees. Specify the shipping
method you prefer and provide a purchase order number for invoicing
the repair.
Mark the RMA number clearly on the outside of the box before returning.

VL-EPU-3310 Reference Manual iv
KNOWN ISSUES
Hardware
A microSD card will not function if the Hawk is using Microsoft†Windows†7
The eMMC Flash device will not function if the Hawk is using Microsoft Windows 7

VL-EPU-3310 Reference Manual v
Contents
Introduction ...................................................................................................................1
Description..........................................................................................................................1
Features and Construction.....................................................................................1
Technical Specifications.....................................................................................................3
Block Diagram....................................................................................................................4
Cautions..............................................................................................................................5
Electrostatic Discharge..........................................................................................5
Handling Care........................................................................................................5
Grounding..............................................................................................................5
Thermal Considerations......................................................................................................6
CPU Die Temperature ...........................................................................................6
Thermal Options....................................................................................................6
Configuration and Setup...............................................................................................7
Initial Configuration ...........................................................................................................7
Basic Setup .........................................................................................................................7
Operating System Installation............................................................................................. 9
BIOS Setup.........................................................................................................................9
Physical Details...........................................................................................................10
Dimensions and Mounting................................................................................................10
Hawk Dimensions................................................................................................ 10
VL-HDW-405 Mounting Plate Dimensions........................................................11
Hardware Assembly............................................................................................. 12
External Connectors .........................................................................................................14
Baseboard Connector Locations..........................................................................14
Hawk Connector Functions and Interface Cables ...............................................15
Jumper Blocks ..................................................................................................................16
Jumper As-Shipped Configuration ...................................................................... 16
Jumper Configuration Summary..........................................................................17
System Features..........................................................................................................18
Power Delivery.................................................................................................................18
Power Requirements............................................................................................18
Power Delivery Considerations...........................................................................18
CPU...................................................................................................................................19
System RAM.....................................................................................................................19
Flash Storage ....................................................................................................................19
Real-Time Clock (RTC) ................................................................................................... 19
Watchdog Timer...............................................................................................................20
Default BIOS Settings ......................................................................................................20
Default BIOS Setup Values.................................................................................20
Resetting CMOS to Factory Settings...................................................................20
Console Redirection .........................................................................................................20

Contents
VL-EPU-3310 Reference Manual vi
Interfaces and Connectors .........................................................................................22
I/O Connector ...................................................................................................................22
Ethernet Interface..............................................................................................................24
Ethernet Connector..............................................................................................24
Correctly Installing the VL-CBR-0804 Latching Ethernet Cable.......................25
Ethernet Status LEDs...........................................................................................27
SATA Interface................................................................................................................. 28
Mini PCIe / mSATA Socket.............................................................................................28
W_Disable# Signal..............................................................................................30
Mini PCIe Card Wireless Status LEDs................................................................31
USB Interface ...................................................................................................................31
microSD Socket................................................................................................................32
Serial Ports........................................................................................................................32
UART0 ................................................................................................................32
UART1 ................................................................................................................32
COM Port Configuration.....................................................................................32
Serial Port Connectors.........................................................................................32
Video.................................................................................................................................33
LVDS Flat Panel Display Connector...................................................................33
VGA Output......................................................................................................... 34
External Speaker...............................................................................................................34
Audio ................................................................................................................................35
Push-button Reset.............................................................................................................35
Power Button....................................................................................................................35
Supported Power States.......................................................................................35
LEDs.................................................................................................................................36
mSATA Activity LED.........................................................................................36
Power LED ..........................................................................................................36
VL-CBR-5016 Paddleboard.........................................................................................37
Connectors and Controls ..................................................................................................37
Connector and Control Locations........................................................................37
J6 Terminal Block ...............................................................................................39
Indicators/LEDs................................................................................................................39
mSATA Activity LED.........................................................................................39
Power LED ..........................................................................................................39
Dimensions .......................................................................................................................40
Thermal Considerations .............................................................................................41
Selecting the Correct Thermal Solution for Your Application ........................................41
Heat Plate.............................................................................................................41
System-level Considerations ...............................................................................41
CPU Thermal Trip Points....................................................................................42
Thermal Specifications, Restrictions, and Conditions ........................................44
Overall Restrictions and Conditions:................................................................... 44
Heat Plate Only Restrictions and Conditions:.....................................................44
Heat Sink Only Considerations: ..........................................................................44
Heat Sink with Fan Considerations:.................................................................... 44
EPU-3310 Thermal Characterization ...............................................................................45

Contents
VL-EPU-3310 Reference Manual vii
Test Results..........................................................................................................46
Installing VersaLogic Thermal Solutions......................................................................... 50
Installing the VL-HDW-406 Passive Heat Sink..................................................50
Installing the VL-HDW-411 Heat Sink Fan........................................................51
Installing the VL-HDW-408 Heat Pipe Block.....................................................52
Appendix A – Mounting Options ................................................................................53
Hawk Mounting Configuration.........................................................................................53
Mounting Plate Configurations ........................................................................................54
Tables
Table 1: Connector Functions and Interface Cables.....................................................................................15
Table 2: Jumper Block V6 – Endpoint Termination ....................................................................................17
Table 3: Jumper Block V2 - Serial Port Mode.............................................................................................17
Table 4: Jumper Block V1 - Wireless Radio Disable Configuration............................................................17
Table 5: J1 Main Power Connector Pinout...................................................................................................18
Table 6: J12 User I/O Connector Pinout .......................................................................................................23
Table 7: J6 Ethernet Connector Pinout..........................................................................................................24
Table 8: On-board Ethernet Status LEDs (D4)..............................................................................................27
Table 9: J2 SATA Port Pinout.......................................................................................................................28
Table 10: Mini PCIe / mSATA Pinout..........................................................................................................29
Table 11: Mini PCIe Card Wireless Status LEDs (D5/D6)...........................................................................31
Table 12: COM1 and COM2 Pinouts – VL-CBR-5016 Connector J2..........................................................32
Table 13: J4 LVDS Flat Panel Display Connector Pinout.............................................................................33
Table 14: User I/O Connector Pinout Mapped to VL-CBR-5016 Paddleboard............................................38
Table 15: J6 Terminal Block Pinout (on VL-CBR-5016 Paddleboard) ........................................................39
Table 16: CPU Thermal Trip Points..............................................................................................................42
Table 17: Temperature Monitoring Programs...............................................................................................43
Table 18: Absolute Minimum and Maximum Air Temperatures...................................................................44
Table 19: EPU-3310 Thermal Testing Setup ................................................................................................45
Table 20: Heat Pipe Additional Configuration Details..................................................................................49

Contents
VL-EPU-3310 Reference Manual viii
Figures
Figure 1. The Hawk (VL-EPU-3310)..............................................................................................................1
Figure 2. Hawk (VL-EPU-3310) Block Diagram............................................................................................4
Figure 3. Typical Development Configuration................................................................................................8
Figure 4. Hawk Dimensions and Mounting Holes.........................................................................................10
Figure 5. Mounting Plate Dimensions...........................................................................................................11
Figure 6. Hardware Assembly with Heat Plate Down ...................................................................................12
Figure 7. Hardware Assembly with Heat Plate Up........................................................................................13
Figure 8. Baseboard Connector Locations.....................................................................................................14
Figure 9. Jumpers As-Shipped Configuration................................................................................................16
Figure 10. J1 Main Power Connector Pin Orientation...................................................................................18
Figure 11. Wiring for a DB9 to DB9 RS-232 Adapter for Console Redirection...........................................21
Figure 12. Pin Orientation of J12 User I/O Connector..................................................................................22
Figure 13. J6 Ethernet Connector Pin Orientation.........................................................................................24
Figure 14. Correct Alignment of VL-CBR-0804 Cable to J6 Ethernet Connector........................................25
Figure 15. Correct Installation of VL-CBR-0804 Cable ...............................................................................26
Figure 16. Onboard Ethernet Status LED......................................................................................................27
Figure 17. Mini PCIe Wireless Status LEDs.................................................................................................31
Figure 18. VL-CBR-2014 LVDS to VGA Adapter Card..............................................................................34
Figure 19. VL-CBR-5016 Connectors and Controls .....................................................................................37
Figure 20. Pin Configuration of J6 Terminal Block on the VL-CBR-5016 Paddleboard..............................39
Figure 21. VL-CBR-5016 Dimensions..........................................................................................................40
Figure 22. EPU-3310-EAP Single Core Temperature Relative to Ambient Temperature.............................46
Figure 23. EPU-3310-EBP Dual Core Temperature Relative to Ambient Temperature...............................47
Figure 24. EPU-3310-EDP Quad Core Temperature Relative to Ambient Temperature..............................48
Figure 25. EPU-3310-EDP Quad Core with Heat Pipe - Temperature Relative to Ambient.........................49
Figure 26. Installing the Passive Heat Sink...................................................................................................50
Figure 27. Installing the Heat Sink Fan.........................................................................................................51
Figure 28. Installing the Heat Pipe Block......................................................................................................52
Figure 29. Bolt-through Heat Plate................................................................................................................53
Figure 30. Mounting Plate Option 1..............................................................................................................54
Figure 31. Mounting Plate Option 2..............................................................................................................55

VL-EPU-3310 Reference Manual 1
Introduction
Description
Figure 1. The Hawk (VL-EPU-3310)
Features and Construction
The Hawk (VL-EPU-3310) is a feature-packed Embedded Processing Unit (EPU) engineered and
tested to meet the embedded industry’s evolving requirements to develop smaller, lighter, and
lower power embedded systems while adhering to stringent regulatory standards.
Roughly the size of a credit card and less than one inch thick, the Hawk is the embedded
industry’s smallest, lightest, ultra-rugged, embedded x86 computer. This embedded computer,
equipped with an Intel†Atom†38xx processor, is designed to withstand extreme temperature,
impact, and vibration. Its features include:
1

Introduction
VL-EPU-3310 Reference Manual 2

Intel Atom E3845 (1.91 GHz, Quad
Core), E3827 (1.75 GHz, Dual
Core), or E3815 (1.46 GHz, Single
Core) processor
4 GB or 2GB soldered-on
DDR3L-1333 RAM
A 10BaseT/100BaseTX/1000BaseT
Ethernet interface with a ruggedized
8-pin latching connector
Integrated Intel Gen 7 graphics core
Full ACPI support
Four USB 2.0 ports
Two RS-232/422 COM ports
One microSD socket
One LVDS interface
One Mini PCIe/ mSATA socket

One SATA II port, 3.0 Gbits/s
Intel High Definition Audio (HDA)
interface
Watchdog Timer, prescaler of
approximately 1 μs to 10 minutes.
Speaker out
Standard heat plate with optional
thermal solutions
Optional mounting plate
Field upgradeable AMI UEFI BIOS
with enhancements
RoHS compliant
Extended temperature operation
Customization available
The Hawk is compatible with popular operating systems including Microsoft†
Windows† 7/WES7, and Linux (see the VersaLogic OS Compatibility Chart).
Hawk EPUs are subjected to 100% functional testing and are backed by a limited five-year
warranty. Careful parts sourcing and US-based technical support ensure the highest possible
quality, reliability, service, and product longevity for this exceptional EPU.

Introduction
VL-EPU-3310 Reference Manual 3
Technical Specifications
Specifications are typical at +25 °C with a +12 V supply unless otherwise noted.
Board Size:
55 x 84 x 22 mm (2.17 x 3.31 x 0.87 inches)
Storage Temperature:
-40° to +85°C
Operating Temperature:
-40° to +85°C. Derate -1.1°C per 305m (1,000 ft.)
above 2,300m (7,500 ft.).
Airflow Requirements:
Zero airflow to 85°C based on customer supplied heat
removal system. User must keep the heat plate
below 90°C, measured topside center point of heat
plate.
Power Requirements: (at +25°C and +12V supply
running Windows 7 with LVDS display, SATA, GbE, COM,
and USB keyboard/mouse. Typical power computed as the
mean value of Idle and Maximum power specifications.
Maximum power measured with 95% CPU utilization.)
VL-EPU-3310-EAP:
5.2W Idle, 6.1W Typical, 7.0W Max, 0.9W S3
VL-EPU-3310-EBP:
5.5W Idle, 6.8W Typical, 8.2W Max, 0.9W S3
VL-EPU-3310-EDP:
5.9W Idle, 7.4W Typical, 8.8W Max, 0.9W S3
DRAM:
Soldered-on DDR3L SDRAM, 1333 MT/s
VL-EPU-3310-EAP: 2 GB
VL-EPU-3310-EBP: 2 GB
VL-EPU-3310-EDP: 4 GB
System Reset:
Push-button power reset via paddleboard
Watchdog timeout (warm/cold reset)
Video Interface
LVDS – 3.3V compatible, 18/24-bit, up to 1280 x 768
resolution (60 Hz)
SATA Interface:
One SATA II port, 3 Gbits/s
Flash Storage:
One microSD socket, up to 32 GB
Mini PCIe/mSATA socket
On-board eMMC Flash -
VL-EPU-3310-EAP: none
VL-EPU-3310-EBP: 4 GB
VL-EPU-3310-EDP: 8 GB
Ethernet Interface:
One IEEE802.3 compliant Gigabit Ethernet MAC,
10BaseT/100BaseTX/1000BaseT
COM Interface:
COM1/COM2 – RS-232/422 to DB-9 connectors on
paddleboard
USB:
Four USB 2.0 host ports to Type-A connectors on
paddleboard
Audio:
Intel High-Definition Audio CODEC
Stereo HD audio line in/out
BIOS:
AMI Aptio UEFI BIOS with OEM enhancements, field
programmable
Weight:
3.6 oz (102 grams)
Specifications are subject to change without notification.

Introduction
VL-EPU-3310 Reference Manual 4
Block Diagram
Figure 2. Hawk (VL-EPU-3310) Block Diagram

Introduction
VL-EPU-3310 Reference Manual 5
Cautions
Electrostatic Discharge
CAUTION:
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage circuit boards, disk drives, and other
components. The circuit board must only be handled at an ESD workstation. If an
approved station is not available, some measure of protection can be provided by
wearing a grounded antistatic wrist strap. Keep all plastic away from the board, and do
not slide the board over any surface.
After removing the board from its protective wrapper, place the board on a grounded,
static-free surface, component side up. Use an antistatic foam pad if available.
The board should also be protected inside a closed metallic antistatic envelope during
shipment or storage.

Note:
The exterior coating on some metallic antistatic bags is sufficiently conductive to cause
excessive battery drain if the bag comes in contact with the bottom side of the Hawk.
Handling Care
CAUTION:
Avoid touching the exposed circuitry with your fingers when handling the board. Though
it will not damage the circuitry, it is possible that small amounts of oil or perspiration on
the skin could have enough conductivity to cause the contents of CMOS RAM to
become corrupted through careless handling, resulting in CMOS resetting to factory
defaults.
Grounding
CAUTION:
All mounting standoffs are signal ground. For example, if metal standoffs are used to
mount to an earth-grounded chassis, it is highly recommended to isolate the standoffs
from the chassis.

Introduction
VL-EPU-3310 Reference Manual 6
Thermal Considerations
CPU Die Temperature
The CPU die temperature is affected by numerous conditions, such as CPU utilization, CPU
speed, ambient air temperature, air flow, thermal effects of adjacent circuit boards, external heat
sources, and many others.
The thermal management for the Intel Atom E38xx series of processors consists of a sensor
located in the core processor area. The processor contains multiple techniques to help better
manage thermal attributes of the processor. It implements thermal-based clock throttling and
thermal-based speed step transitions. There is one thermal sensor on the processor that triggers
Intel's thermal monitor (the temperature at which the thermal sensor triggers the thermal monitor
is set during the fabrication of the processor). Triggering of this sensor is visible to software by
means of the thermal interrupt LVT entry in the local APIC. (See the Intel Atom Processor
E3800 Series Datasheet for complete information.)
Thermal Options
The following thermal options are available for the Hawk:
VL-HDW-405 – Secondary 75 mm x 84 mm mounting plate. Attaches to heat plate on
standard product. Refer to page 11 for more information.
VL-HDW-406 – Passive heat sink to mount on product heat plate
VL-HDW-408 – Heat pipe connector plate. Mounts to standard product
VL-HDW-411 – Cooling fan for HDW-406 passive heatsink. Operates at 12 V and
includes an ATX-style connection

VL-EPU-3310 Reference Manual 7
Configuration and Setup
Initial Configuration
The following components are recommended for a typical development system with the Hawk
EPU:
ATX power supply
VL-CBR-5016 paddleboard and cable. Refer to the chapter titled “VL-CBR-5016
Paddleboard”, beginning on page 37 for details on the VL-CBR-5016 paddleboard.
USB keyboard and mouse
SATA hard drive
USB CD-ROM drive
LVDS monitor
A thermal solution (using either VersaLogic accessories or a customer-designed
solution)
You will also need an operating system (OS) installation CD-ROM.
Basic Setup
The following steps outline the procedure for setting up a typical development system. The Hawk
should be handled at an ESD workstation or while wearing a grounded antistatic wrist strap.
Before you begin, unpack the Hawk and accessories. Verify that you received all the items you
ordered. Inspect the system visually for any damage that may have occurred in shipping. Contact
[email protected] immediately if any items are damaged or missing.
Gather all the peripheral devices you plan to attach to the Hawk as well as their interface and
power cables.
It is recommended that you attach standoffs to the board (see Hardware Assembly on page 12) to
stabilize the board and make it easier to work with.
Figure 3 shows a typical setup for the Hawk in the development environment.
2

Configuration and Setup
VL-EPU-3310 Reference Manual 8
Figure 3. Typical Development Configuration
1. Attach Cables and Peripherals
Attach an LVDS monitor to connector J4 of the baseboard using the VL-CBR-2015 or
VL-CBR-2016 cable.
Attach SATA hard disk to connector J2 of the baseboard using the VL-CBR-0701 or VL-
CBR-0702 cable.
Attach the user I/O paddleboard, VL-CBR-5016, to connector J12 of the baseboard.
Connect a USB keyboard and USB mouse to one of the USB Type-A connectors (J1 or
J7) on the paddleboard.
Attach a USB CD-ROM drive to one of the USB Type-A connectors (J1 or J7) on the
paddleboard.
2. Connect Power Source
Plug the power adapter cable VL-CBR-0807 into socket J1 of the baseboard. Attach the
motherboard connector of the ATX power supply to the adapter.
Attach an ATX power cable to any 3.5-inch drive not already attached to the power
supply (hard drive or CD-ROM drive).
ATX
Power Supply
LVDS
USB Keyboard
and USB Mouse
USB CD-
ROM Drive
OS Installation
CD-ROM
HAWK
VL-CBR-
0807
J4
VL-CBR-
0701/0702
VL-CBR-5016
Paddleboard
J4
J7
J1
J2
VL-CBR-2015 or
VL
-CBR-2016
SATA
Hard Drive
J12
J1
VL-CBR-0401
Baseboard
CPU Module

Configuration and Setup
VL-EPU-3310 Reference Manual 9
3. Review Configuration
Before you power up the system, double-check all the connections. Make sure all cables
are oriented correctly, that adequate power will be supplied to the Hawk, and all attached
peripheral devices.
4. Power On
Turn on the ATX power supply and the video monitor. If the system is correctly
configured, a video signal should be present.
5. Install Operating System
Install the operating system according to the instructions provided by the operating
system manufacturer.
Operating System Installation
The standard PC architecture used on the Hawk makes the installation and use of most of the
standard x86-based operating systems very simple. The operating systems listed on the
VersaLogic Software Support page use the standard installation procedures provided by the
maker of the operating system. Special optimized hardware drivers for a particular operating
system, or a link to the drivers, are available on the Hawk Support Page.
BIOS Setup
Refer to the VersaLogic System Utility Reference Manual for information on how to configure
the Hawk BIOS.

VL-EPU-3310 Reference Manual 10
Physical Details
Dimensions and Mounting
Hawk Dimensions
The Hawk complies with the COM Express mini form factor standard. Figure 4 provides the
board’s dimensions to assist with pre-production planning and layout.
Figure 4. Hawk Dimensions and Mounting Holes
(Not to scale. All dimensions in millimeters.)
3

Physical Details
VL-EPU-3310 Reference Manual 11
VL-HDW-405 Mounting Plate Dimensions
Figure 5. Mounting Plate Dimensions
(Not to scale. All dimensions in millimeters.)

Physical Details
VL-EPU-3310 Reference Manual 12
Hardware Assembly
There are two basic assembly methods:
Heat plate down (in relation to the enclosure)
Heat plate up
These assembly methods are shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7, respectively. An optional mounting
plate, VL-HDW-405, can be used with either method. See Appendix A – Mounting Options
beginning on page 53 for mounting configuration details.
Heat Plate Down
Figure 6 shows the assembly including the mounting plate. Use this assembly method if you are
attaching the Hawk to a larger thermal solution such as a metal chassis/enclosure.
Figure 6. Hardware Assembly with Heat Plate Down
The recommended method is to attach the Hawk heat plate to the mounting plate (VL-HDW-
405), and attach the mounting plate to the enclosure.
A thermal interface compound must be applied to the heat plate to thermally bond it to the
mounting plate or other surface to which the Hawk is mounted. Spread the compound thinly and
evenly across the entire heat plate surface before mounting. The compound is supplied in the VL-
CKR-HAWK cable kit or sold separately as part number VL-HDW-401.