VIA Technologies EPIA NL-Series User manual

January 30, 2012 Version 1.11
Operating Guide
EPIA NL-Series Nano-ITX Mainboard

EPIA NL-Series Operating Guide
January 30, 2012 - i - Version 1.11
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS .........................................................................................................................................................................I
VIA EPIA NL-SERIES OVERVIEW...................................................................................................................................................1
VIA EPIA NL-SERIES LAYOUT.........................................................................................................................................................2
VIA EPIA NL-SERIES SPECIFICATIONS.......................................................................................................................................3
VIA EPIA NL PROCESSOR SKUS .....................................................................................................................................................4
VIA LUKE COREFUSION™ OVERVIEW.......................................................................................................................................5
VIA EPIA NL-SERIES LAYOUT DIAGRAM & HEIGHT DISTRIBUTION (TOP)................................................................6
VIA EPIA NL-SERIES LAYOUT DIAGRAM & HEIGHT DISTRIBUTION (BOTTOM)......................................................7
VIA EPIA NL-SERIES HEAT SINK LAYOUT & HEIGHT DISTRIBUTION..........................................................................8
VIA EPIA NL-SERIES BOARD COOLING METHOD & HEIGHT DISTRIBUTION............................................................9
NOISE LEVEL DATA..........................................................................................................................................................................10
POWER CONSUMPTION...................................................................................................................................................................11
VIA EPIA NL 5000E...........................................................................................................................................................................11
VIA EPIA NL 8000E...........................................................................................................................................................................12
VIA EPIA NL 10000............................................................................................................................................................................14
POWER SPECIFICATIONS...............................................................................................................................................................16
VIA EPIA NL-SERIES MICROSOFT AND LINUX DRIVER SUPPORT................................................................................17
M ICROSOFT D RIVER S UPPORT ..............................................................................................................................................................17
L INUX D RIVER S UPPORT .......................................................................................................................................................................17
CONTACT ..............................................................................................................................................................................................18

EPIA NL-Series Operating Guide
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VIA EPIA NL-Series Overview
The VIA EPIA NL-Series Nano-ITX Mainboard is an ultra compact x86 motherboard using pin headers
design for low profile with unprecedented expandability and versatility for today’s ever-growing need of
embedded applications. The mainboard is based on the VIA Luke CoreFusion™ processor featuring an
embedded hardware MPEG-2 decoder and integrated VIA UniChrome™ Pro 2D/3D graphics for rich
digital media performance. With the sizable memory bandwidth of DDR400 SDRAM SODIMM, the high
data transfer speeds of ATA-133 and Serial ATA and further enhanced by support of 6-Channel AC’97
codec for Smart 5.1 surround sound, the VIA EPIA NL-Series delivers the increased performance levels
required of today’s embedded digital media applications.
The latest in high-bandwidth connectivity is supported with up to eight USB 2.0 pin header, as well as an
COM / LPC / SIR pin header and one 10/100 Fast Ethernet pin header for extended broadband
connectivity. The VIA EPIA NL-Series also offers support for a number of LVDS embedded LCD panels,
TV-out, S-Video, Video interface port, CRT VGA / SMBus / CAP0 and has one Mini-PCI slot for
expandability options. The VIA EPIA NL-Series is compatible with a full range of Nano-ITX chassis as
well as FlexATX and MicroATX enclosures and power supplies.
The VIA EPIA NL-Series is fully compatible with Microsoft® and Linux operating systems and is available
in a variety of configurations, including the fanless VIA Luke CoreFusion™ processor for silent system
designs.

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VIA EPIA NL-Series Layout

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VIA EPIA NL-Series Specifications
Core Logic - VIA Luke CoreFusion™ processor
- VIA VT8237R-series South Bridge
System Memory - DDR400/333/266 SODIMM socket
- Up to GB memory size
VGA - Integrated VIA UniChrome™ Pro AGP Graphics with MPEG-2
Decoding
Expansion Slot - Mini-PCI
Onboard IDE - 2 UltraDMA 33/ 00/66 connectors (Secondary 2.0mm 44-pin
header)
Onboard S-ATA - Serial ATA connector
Onboard LAN - VIA VT6 03L 0/ 00 Base-T Ethernet PHY
Onboard Audio - VIA VT 6 7A 6 channel AC’97 Codec
Onboard TV Out - VIA VT 625 HDTV Encoder
Onboard I/O onnectors - USB pin header for 8 additional USB 2.0 ports
- SIO pin header (including COM port, SIR and LPC support)
- KBMS pin header (Switchable for KB/MS connector)
- 2 FAN connectors (CPU FAN and SYS FAN)
- LVDS / DVI connector (an add-on card is required)
- Audio pin header for Line-out, Line-in, Mic-in, CD-in and
S/PDIF out
- TV Out pin header for S-Video, Composite, and Component
(YPbPr/Scart/D-Terminal)
- LAN pin header for 0/ 00 Ethernet LAN port
- CRT pin header (including VGA port, SMBUS and CAP0)
- Front-Panel pin header
- + 2V Nano-ITX power connector
BIOS - Award BIOS
- 4/8Mbit flash memory
System Monitoring &
Management
- CPU temperature monitoring
- CPU voltage monitoring
- Wake-on-LAN, Keyboard-Power-on, Timer-Power-on Watch
Dog Timer, FAN control
- System power management
- AC power failure recovery
Operating Temperature - 0°C up to 47°C ~ 50°C (by different product items)
Operating Humidity - 0% ~ 95% (relative humidity; non-condensing)
Form Factor - Nano-ITX (8 Layer)
- 2 cm x 2 cm
* The specification is subject to change without prior notice.

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VIA EPIA NL Processor SKUs
The VIA EPIA NL-Series is available in 533MHz, 800MHz and 1.0GHz speed grades. The VIA EPIA NL
utilizes VIA’s ultra low power VIA Luke Core Fusion™ processor.
PadLock ACE US government
approved Advanced Encryption
Standard (AES), performing
cryptographic functions for
securing e-mails, personal files,
online transactions, and networks.
PowerSaver 3.0 tech-
nology, extends battery life by
dynamically altering the voltage
and clock frequency to reduce
power consumption when the
processor is not required to run
at full speed
.
The VIA FliteDeck™ Suite, an
advanced system management
suite that enables to user to
effortlessly track and monitors
mission critical system data and
enable seamless live Windows®-
based BIOS updates as well as
comprehensive BIOS status
information.

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VIA Luke CoreFusion™ Overview
The Luke CoreFusion™ Processor is a high performance, cost-effective and energy efficient processor
with integrated UniChrome Pro graphics / video controller. The Luke CoreFusion™ Processor integrates
VIA’s most advanced system controller with high-performance UniChrome Pro 3D / 2D graphics and
video controller, DVI monitor and TV-Out interfaces. And provides superior performance between the
DRAM, V-Link and internal or external AGP 8x graphics controller with pipelined, burst and concurrent
operation. The VT8237R-series South Bridge is a highly integrated peripheral controller which includes
Serial ATA, Ultra DMA IDE, USB 2.0, 10/100 MB networking MAC, AC’97 and system power
management.
The complete system consists of the Luke CoreFusion™ Processor and the VT8237R-series V-Link
South Bridge on the EPIA NL board.

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VIA EPIA NL-Series Layout Diagram & Height Distribution (Top)

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VIA EPIA NL-Series Layout Diagram & Height Distribution (Bottom)

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VIA EPIA NL-Series Heat Sink Layout & Height Distribution

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VIA EPIA NL-Series Board Cooling Method & Height Distribution

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Noise Level Data
VIA and the EPIA series have been at the forefront of the quiet computing initiative. The VIA EPIA NL-
Series has been designed to be totally non-obtrusive with noise levels equivalent to a person whispering.
With noise levels ranging from the totally silent VIA EPIA NL10000, VIA EPIA NL8000E, and VIA EPIA
NL5000E, a new wave of system design innovation and exciting opportunities are being created in an
almost limitless number of emerging new market segments - ranging from fanless thin clients, flat panel
small form factor desktop replacement systems, LCD PCs and a host of other space and power saving
systems.
Common Sounds dBA Level
Threshold of hearing 0 dBA
VIA EPIA NL5000E 0 dBA
VIA EPIA NL8000E 0 dBA
VIA EPIA NL10000 20 dBA
Normal breathing 10 dBA
Whispering at 1 meter 20 dBA
Conventional PC 35 – 50 dBA
Rainfall 50 dBA
Normal speech 60 dBA
The dBA scale is logarithmic, i.e. 10 dBA represents a doubling in volume. dBA values are measured at
a distance of one meter.

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Power Consumption
Power consumption tests were carried out comparing the VIA EPIA NL5000E (running the 533MHz VIA
CoreFusion™ processor), VIA EPIA NL8000E (running the 800MHz VIA CoreFusion™ processor) and
VIA EPIA NL10000 (running the 1.0GHz VIA CoreFusion™ processor). The following tables are a
comprehensive breakdown of the EPIA platform’s voltage, amp and wattage values while running
common system applications.
VIA EPIA NL 5000E
A. Playing DVD – Power DVD 5.0
Measured Voltage Measured Amp. Watts
Main Board +3.3V 3.235 2.971 9.611
Main Board +5V 5.045 0.914 4.611
Main Board 5VSB 4.915 0.053 0.260
Main Board +12V 11.996 0.102 1.224
15.706
Main Board Power Consumption
B. Playing MP3 – Media Player
Measured Voltage Measured Amp. Watts
Main Board +3.3V 3.236 2.815 9.109
Main Board +5V 5.043 0.794 4.004
Main Board 5VSB 4.912 0.053 0.260
Main Board +12V 11.992 0.104 1.247
14.621
Main Board Power Consumption
C. Running NetworkApplication – File Copy
Measured Voltage Measured Amp. Watts
Main Board +3.3V 3.252 2.650 8.618
Main Board +5V 5.063 0.511 2.587
Main Board 5VSB 4.927 0.060 0.296
Main Board +12V 11.995 0.106 1.271
12.772
Main Board Power Consumption

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D. Idle
Measured Voltage Measured Amp. Watts
Main Board +3.3V 3.252 2.571 8.361
Main Board +5V 5.059 0.441 2.231
Main Board 5VSB 4.921 0.053 0.261
Main Board +12V 11.983 0.101 1.210
12.063
Main Board Power Consumption
E. Run C.C. Winstone 2001
Measured Voltage Measured Amp. Watts
Main Board +3.3V 3.244 2.754 8.934
Main Board +5V 5.052 0.886 4.476
Main Board 5VSB 4.922 0.057 0.281
Main Board +12V 12.005 0.103 0.000
13.691
Main Board Power Consumption
F. S3 Mode
Measured Voltage Measured Amp. Watts
Main Board +3.3V 0.000 0.000 0.000
Main Board +5V 0.000 0.000 0.000
Main Board 5VSB 4.963 0.160 0.794
Main Board +12V 0.000 0.000 0.000
0.794
Main Board Power Consumption
VIA EPIA NL 8000E
A. Playing DVD – Power DVD 5.0
Measured Voltage Measured Amp. Watts
Main Board +3.3V 3.230 2.968 9.587
Main Board +5V 5.041 1.081 5.449
Main Board 5VSB 4.912 0.055 0.270
Main Board +12V 11.996 0.104 1.248
16.554
Main Board Power Consumption

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B. Playing MP3 – Media Player
Measured Voltage Measured Amp. Watts
Main Board +3.3V 3.239 2.839 9.196
Main Board +5V 5.046 1.053 5.313
Main Board 5VSB 4.918 0.055 0.270
Main Board +12V 12.005 0.105 1.261
16.040
Main Board Power Consumption
C. Running NetworkApplication – File Copy
Measured Voltage Measured Amp. Watts
Main Board +3.3V 3.252 2.644 8.598
Main Board +5V 5.064 0.585 2.962
Main Board 5VSB 4.927 0.056 0.276
Main Board +12V 11.995 0.104 1.247
13.084
Main Board Power Consumption
D. Idle
Measured Voltage Measured Amp. Watts
Main Board +3.3V 3.258 2.566 8.360
Main Board +5V 5.064 0.496 2.512
Main Board 5VSB 4.928 0.057 0.281
Main Board +12V 11.993 0.110 1.319
12.472
Main Board Power Consumption
E. Run C.C. Winstone 2001
Measured Voltage Measured Amp. Watts
Main Board +3.3V 3.238 2.735 8.856
Main Board +5V 5.044 1.143 5.765
Main Board 5VSB 4.917 0.055 0.270
Main Board +12V 12.008 0.101 0.000
14.892
Main Board Power Consumption
F. S3 Mode
Measured Voltage Measured Amp. Watts
Main Board +3.3V 0.000 0.000 0.000
Main Board +5V 0.000 0.000 0.000
Main Board 5VSB 4.962 0.160 0.794
Main Board +12V 0.000 0.000 0.000
0.794
Main Board Power Consumption

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VIA EPIA NL 10000
A. Playing DVD – Power DVD 5.0
Measured Voltage Measured Amp. Watts
Main Board +3.3V 3.236 2.965 9.595
Main Board +5V 5.036 1.277 6.431
Main Board 5VSB 4.911 0.064 0.314
Main Board +12V 11.987 0.158 1.894
18.234
Main Board Power Consumption
B. Playing MP3 – Media Player
Measured Voltage Measured Amp. Watts
Main Board +3.3V 3.245 2.900 9.411
Main Board +5V 5.039 1.349 6.798
Main Board 5VSB 4.915 0.061 0.300
Main Board +12V 12.002 0.157 1.884
18.392
Main Board Power Consumption
C. Running NetworkApplication – File Copy
Measured Voltage Measured Amp. Watts
Main Board +3.3V 3.254 2.641 8.594
Main Board +5V 5.060 0.673 3.405
Main Board 5VSB 4.925 0.064 0.315
Main Board +12V 11.988 0.160 1.918
14.232
Main Board Power Consumption
D. Idle
Measured Voltage Measured Amp. Watts
Main Board +3.3V 3.265 2.592 8.463
Main Board +5V 5.062 0.555 2.809
Main Board 5VSB 4.926 0.061 0.300
Main Board +12V 11.990 0.160 1.918
13.491
Main Board Power Consumption

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E. Run C.C. Winstone 2001
Measured Voltage Measured Amp. Watts
Main Board +3.3V 3.235 2.777 8.984
Main Board +5V 5.035 1.445 7.276
Main Board 5VSB 4.914 0.062 0.305
Main Board +12V 11.999 0.157 0.000
16.564
Main Board Power Consumption
F. S3 Mode
Measured Voltage Measured Amp. Watts
Main Board +3.3V 0.000 0.000 0.000
Main Board +5V 0.000 0.000 0.000
Main Board 5VSB 4.962 0.163 0.809
Main Board +12V 0.000 0.000 0.000
0.809
Main Board Power Consumption

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Power Specifications
The EPIA NL utilizes an industry standard 12-pin ATX main connector to the power supply. Due to the
EPIA NL platform’s ultra low power requirements, a 90 – 120 Watt ATX power supply is ample for even
the heaviest of multimedia system applications.
1
+3.3V
7
-PSON
2
+3.3V
8
+5V
3
+3.3V
9
GND
4
+5VSUS
10
+5V
5
GND
11
GND
6
+12V
12
PWRGD
Nano-ITX PWR
11
2
12
1

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VIA EPIA NL-Series Microsoft and Linux Driver Support
Microsoft Driver Support
VIA EPIA NL-Series offer full support for the complete range of Microsoft operating systems.
For standard operating systems, Windows 98/Me/2000/XP latest drivers downloads can be found in the
VEPD website at www.viaembedded.com.
For embedded operating systems, Windows CE.NET and XP Embedded related driver supports can be
found in the VIA Arena website at www.viaarena.com.
Linux Driver Support
VIA EPIA NL mainboards have a very high degree of support under Linux.
Support and drivers are provided through various methods including:
•Drivers provided by VIA
– Using a driver built into a distribution package
– Visiting VIA Arena website at www.viaarena.com for latest updates on a monthly basis
•Installing a third party driver (such as the ALSA driver from the Advanced Linux Sound
Architecture project for integrated audio)
For OEM clients and system integrators developing a product for long-term production, other code and
resources may also be made available. You can submit a request either through the Developers portal
on VIA Arena, or through your VEPD support contact. Alternatively, VIA can work further towards
providing additional drivers to suite your specific needs.

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Contact
For more information on the VIA EPIA NL-Series Nano-ITX Mainboard contact your sales representative
or visit our website at www.viaembedded.com
Taiwan Headquarters
1F, 531 Zhong-Zheng Road
Xindian District, New Taipei City
231,
Taiwan
TE : 886.2.2218.5452
FAX: [phone]
Email: embedde[email protected]
USA
940 Mission Court
Fremont, CA 94539
USA
TE : 1.510.683.3300
FAX: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Europe
In den Dauen 6
53117 Bonn
Germany
TE : 49.228.688565.0
FAX: [phone]
Email: embedde[email protected]
China
Tsinghua Science Park Bldg. 7
No. 1 Zongguancun East Road
Haiden District, Beijing 100084
TE : 86.10.59852288
FAX: [phone]
Email: embedde[email protected]
Japan
3-15-7 Ebisu MT Bldg. 6F
Higashi, Shibuya-ku
Tokyo 150-0011
TE : 81.3.5466.1637
FAX: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Korea
2F, Sangjin Bldg., 417
Dogok-Dong, Gangnam-Gu
Seoul 135-854
TE : 82.2.571.2986
FAX: [phone]
Email: embedde[email protected]