COM Express Modules for Industrial and Embedded Computing
Written by: Stephen Athokpam, Embedded Computing & Industrial Systems Specialist, Portwell India
Published On: 07 September 2026
Table of Contents
A COM Express module is a Computer-on-Module (COM) that packages a processor, memory, and core I/O onto a single credit-card-to-notebook-sized board, which plugs into an application-specific carrier board. COM Express is governed by the PICMG COM.0 standard, letting OEMs upgrade the processor module later without redesigning the carrier board.
Portwell offers COM Express Type 6, Type 7, and Type 10 modules for industrial and embedded computing applications.
How a COM Express Module Works?
A COM Express module integrates the processor, memory, graphics controller, and core I/O onto one board. The carrier board supplies the application-specific connectors and interfaces the end system needs, so the module and the carrier board together form the complete embedded computer.
Because every COM Express Module follow the PICMG COM.0 standardized mechanical and connector architecture, with different module Types defining different pinouts and I/O capabilities.
For OEMs and system integrators, that standardization is the main draw: a processor upgrade later in the product’s life doesn’t require a carrier board redesign.
COM Express Type 6 vs Type 7 vs Type 10: Key Differences
The three current COM Express types differ mainly in pinout focus: graphics and legacy I/O (Type 6), high-speed networking lanes (Type 7), or a smaller footprint for space-constrained designs (Type 10).
| Type | Best for | Typical applications |
|---|---|---|
| Type 6 | Balanced processing, graphics, and general I/O | Industrial automation, HMI, robotics, machine vision, edge computing |
| Type 7 | High-speed networking and high-bandwidth I/O. | Edge servers, network appliances, communication systems, high-throughput computing. |
| Type 10 | Compact Mini form factor for space- and power-constrained designs | Space-constrained embedded systems where footprint matters more than raw I/O count |
COM Express Form Factors
Portwell’s current COM Express modules ship in Compact and Basic form factors. The PICMG COM.0 standard defines four sizes in total: Mini, Compact, Basic, and Extended.
| Form factor | Dimensions | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Mini | 55 × 84 mm | Space-constrained or portable embedded designs (paired with Type 10) |
| Compact | 95 × 95 mm | Balance of I/O and footprint for most industrial systems |
| Basic | 95 × 125 mm | Maximum I/O and expansion; space is not the limiting factor |
| Extended | 110 × 155 mm | Highest I/O count, mainly seen on Type 7 High Speed Networking designs; limited market adoption to date |
COM Express Carrier Boards and Connector
A COM Express module plugs into the carrier board through a high-density mezzanine connector defined by the PICMG COM.0 specification.
Type 6 and Type 7 modules use two 220-pin connectors for 440 pins total, split across an A-B row and a C-D row.
Carrier board design differs by type because the pinout differs: a COM Express Type 6 carrier board routes display and general I/O signals, while a Type 7 carrier board is wired for high-speed networking lanes instead.
A COM Express Carrier Board built for Type 6 will not accept a Type 7 module, even though both use the same 440-pin connector arrangement.
COM Express Vs COM-HPC, QSeven, and SMARC
COM Express, Qseven, and SMARC are all Computer-on-Module standards, but they target different size and power classes. COM Express generally supports higher performance and more I/O, while Qseven and SMARC are smaller and lower-power, aimed at compact or battery-powered designs.
COM-HPC is a newer, higher-performance PICMG standard positioned alongside COM Express rather than replacing it. It targets designs that need more I/O bandwidth and power than the COM Express connector can deliver, while COM Express remains the broader, more established standard for current industrial and embedded designs.
How to Choose the Right COM Express Module?
Start from the workload, not the module. The processor and type should follow from what the system needs to do; form factor and carrier board follow from what will physically fit.
- Processor: match required CPU/GPU performance to the workload (e.g., machine vision inferencing vs. basic HMI control).
- Memory: DDR generation and capacity the application needs now and after a planned upgrade.
- I/O: count required PCIe, USB, SATA, Ethernet, and display interfaces — this is usually what decides COM Express Type 6 vs COM Express Type 7.
- Power: system power budget, especially for fanless or battery-backed deployments.
- Thermal: cooling method and operating-temperature range for the install environment.
- Form factor: available space inside the enclosure — Mini, Compact, or Basic.
- Carrier board: whether a standard carrier board covers your interfaces or a custom one is needed.
Not sure which module fits your application?
Talk to a COM Express engineerCOM Express Applications
COM Express modules show up wherever an OEM needs a processor platform that can be swapped or upgraded without a full board redesign:
- Industrial automation and robotics
- Machine vision and industrial HMI
- Edge computing and Edge AI systems
- Medical equipment
- Transportation systems
- Networking and communication systems, particularly network appliances built on Type 7
- Defence and Aerospace
Portwell COM Express Modules
Portwell’s COM Express portfolio includes Intel Core Ultra Series 2 and Series 3, 13th Gen Intel Core, AMD Ryzen Embedded and Intel Atom-based platforms across Type 6, Type 7 and Type 10 modules.
| Product | Module Type | Processor / Platform | Key Features | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCOM-B65A | COM Express Type 6 Basic Module | Intel® Core™ Ultra 200 Series | DDR5 · PCIe Gen 4 · USB 3.2 · 2.5GbE | View Product |
| PCOM-B658VGL | COM Express Type 6 Basic Module | Intel® 12th / 13th Gen H/P/U Processor | DDR5 | View Product |
| PCOM-B659 | COM Express Type 6 Compact Module | Intel® 13th Gen P/U Processor | DDR5 · PCIe Gen 4 · USB4 · 2.5GbE | View Product |
Why Choose Portwell COM Express Modules?
Portwell provides Type 6, Type 7, and Type 10 COM Express modules across multiple processor, memory, and form-factor options, built for OEMs and system integrators that need compact, scalable, application-specific embedded computing platforms.
COM Express Module Supplier in India
Portwell India supplies COM Express Type 6, Type 7, and Type 10 modules to OEMs and system integrators across industrial automation, machine vision, and network appliance projects. For pricing, lead times, or a spec-matched recommendation, request a datasheet or talk directly with a Portwell India applications engineer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Type 6 modules balance processing, graphics, and general I/O for applications like industrial automation and machine vision. Type 10 uses the smaller Mini form factor and targets space-constrained embedded systems where footprint matters more than I/O count.
Type 7 COM Express modules are built for high-speed networking and server-class I/O, making them the standard choice for edge servers, network appliances, and communication systems.
No. COM Express, Qseven, and SMARC are all Computer-on-Module standards but target different size and power classes COM Express generally supports higher performance and more I/O, while QSeven and SMARC are smaller and lower-power, aimed at compact or battery-powered designs.
COM-HPC is a newer PICMG Computer-on-Module standard built for higher I/O bandwidth and power than COM Express supports. It sits alongside COM Express as a higher-performance option rather than replacing it, so COM Express remains the standard choice for most current industrial and embedded designs.
Portwell's COM Express lineup includes modules built on Intel Core Ultra 200 Series processors and Intel 12th/13th Gen H/P/U processors, paired with DDR5 memory across Type 6 Basic and Compact form factors.
Only if your application needs interfaces a standard carrier board doesn't provide. Because COM Express follows the PICMG COM.0 standard, many designs can reuse an existing carrier board and swap only the module.
Start with your I/O requirements: choose Type 6 for balanced graphics and general I/O, Type 7 for high-speed networking with more PCIe/Ethernet lanes, and Type 10 when board space is the limiting factor.
COM Express modules connect to the carrier board through a mezzanine connector defined by the PICMG COM.0 standard. Type 10 modules use a single 220-pin connector, while Type 6 and Type 7 modules use two 220-pin connectors for 440 pins total.
No. Type 6 and Type 7 use the same connector family but different pinouts, so a carrier board designed for a Type 6 module will not correctly wire a Type 7 module's high-speed networking lanes, and vice versa.
About Author
Stephen Athokpam
Stephen Athokpam is an Embedded Computing Systems Specialist at Portwell, covering COM Express modules, industrial motherboards, and edge AI systems for OEMs and system integrators.
