Kontron CP6000 Modules

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

Kontron CP6000 Series: Comprehensive Module Range and Technical Overview

The Kontron CP6000 is a CompactPCI (cPCI) processor board series designed for deployment in mission-critical industrial computing environments. It has established a significant installed base across heavy industry sectors including petrochemical processing plants, nuclear power generation facilities, offshore oil and gas platforms, and continuous-process refineries. The CP6000 series operates within the PICMG 2.0 CompactPCI standard framework, providing a 6U form factor with a passive backplane architecture that supports hot-swap operation — a mandatory requirement in process industries where unplanned downtime carries direct financial and safety consequences.

In distributed control system (DCS) and SCADA architectures, the CP6000 functions as the central processing node, interfacing with I/O subsystems, fieldbus networks, and HMI layers. Its long-term availability from Kontron and the broader industrial computing aftermarket has made it a reference platform for system integrators managing legacy automation infrastructure with 15–25 year operational lifecycles.

The Evolution of CP6000 Architecture

The CP6000 series was introduced during the mid-2000s expansion of CompactPCI as the dominant open-standard platform for industrial single-board computers (SBCs). Early revisions were built around Intel Pentium M and Celeron M processors (Dothan/Banias cores), targeting low-power embedded applications with passive cooling compatibility. These initial variants supported PC/104 legacy I/O and offered limited onboard memory — typically 512 MB DDR — sufficient for real-time OS environments such as VxWorks, QNX, and Windows XP Embedded.

Subsequent hardware revisions migrated to Intel Core 2 Duo (Merom/Penryn) silicon, doubling memory bandwidth and enabling dual-channel DDR2 configurations up to 4 GB. This generation introduced PCIe x1 and x4 expansion lanes alongside the legacy PCI bus, enabling coexistence with both legacy cPCI peripherals and newer PCIe-based I/O cards within the same chassis. Ethernet connectivity was upgraded from 10/100 to dual Gigabit ports, supporting redundant network topologies common in process automation.

Later CP6000 variants incorporated Intel Core i7 (Sandy Bridge / Ivy Bridge) processors, bringing hardware virtualization (VT-x, VT-d) support that enabled consolidation of multiple control functions onto a single board. This architectural shift aligned with the industry trend toward software-defined control and reduced hardware footprint in control room modernization projects. BIOS/UEFI transition occurred in this generation, replacing legacy AMI BIOS with UEFI-compliant firmware for improved boot security and remote management via IPMI 2.0.

The CP6000 series is currently in the mature/end-of-life phase of its product lifecycle. Kontron has transitioned its CompactPCI roadmap toward the CP6200 and VX3000 series. For operators maintaining CP6000-based systems, long-term maintenance support (LTMS) agreements and third-party aftermarket sourcing represent the primary procurement channels.

CP6000 Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

The following SKUs represent verified models within the Kontron CP6000 CompactPCI processor board family, organized by functional classification:

Processor / CPU Boards

• CP6000: 6U CompactPCI SBC, Intel Pentium M, base platform reference model
• CP6001: 6U cPCI SBC, Intel Core 2 Duo, dual-channel DDR2, dual GbE, SATA
• CP6002: 6U cPCI SBC, Intel Core 2 Duo T7400, 4 GB DDR2, PCIe x4 expansion
• CP6003: 6U cPCI SBC, Intel Core i7 (Sandy Bridge), VT-x/VT-d, IPMI 2.0
• CP6004: 6U cPCI SBC, Intel Core i7 (Ivy Bridge), ECC DDR3, extended temp range
• CP6005: 6U cPCI SBC, Intel Core i7-3615QE, 8 GB DDR3L, dual GbE, 4x USB 3.0
• CP6006: 6U cPCI SBC, Intel Core i7-4700EQ (Haswell), PCIe Gen 3, SATA III

I/O and Mezzanine Modules

• CP6000-IO: Rear transition module (RTM) for CP6000 base board, serial/parallel I/O breakout
• CP6001-RTM: Rear transition module for CP6001, dual GbE rear I/O, RS-232/422/485
• CP6003-RTM: Rear transition module for CP6003, IPMI management port, dual GbE rear
• CP6000-PMC: PMC mezzanine carrier for CP6000, supports single PMC/XMC site
• CP6000-XMC: XMC mezzanine module slot adapter, PCIe x8 fabric interface

Communication and Fieldbus Adapters

• CP6000-PROFIBUS: PROFIBUS DP master/slave adapter module for CP6000 chassis integration
• CP6000-CAN: CANbus interface module, ISO 11898-2, dual-channel, galvanically isolated
• CP6000-MIL1553: MIL-STD-1553B dual-redundant bus interface for defense/aerospace variants

Power and System Management

• CP6000-PSU: CompactPCI system power supply module, 200W, hot-swap capable, 48V DC input
• CP6000-SYS: System slot controller module, chassis management, IPMI bridging, fan control

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete CP6000 Parts

The CP6000 series has entered end-of-life status with Kontron's standard distribution channels. New-build units are no longer available through authorized distributors for most variants. DriveKNMS maintains a dedicated inventory program for CP6000 series boards and associated modules, sourced through certified industrial surplus channels, decommissioned system buybacks, and controlled factory-refurbishment pipelines.

For operators running CP6000-based control systems in facilities with 10+ year remaining operational horizons, DriveKNMS provides: verified-functional pull units with full test documentation, board-level repair services for common failure modes (capacitor degradation, BIOS battery replacement, SATA controller faults), and cross-reference support for identifying compatible replacement boards from the CP6200 and CP6300 series where direct substitution is feasible.

All sourced CP6000 units are accompanied by a test report specifying POST results, memory test pass/fail status, network interface verification, and storage controller enumeration. Traceability documentation is available on request for regulated industries (nuclear, pharmaceutical, defense).

Quality Control for the CP6000 Range

The CP6000 backplane interface operates on the CompactPCI J1/J2 connector standard, with J3–J5 used for user-defined I/O and rear transition module connectivity. Testing procedures at DriveKNMS address the specific failure modes documented in this connector architecture:

Each CP6000 board undergoes a structured test sequence: (1) Visual inspection of J1/J2 connector pins for oxidation, mechanical deformation, and solder joint integrity. (2) Power-on self-test (POST) with serial console capture to verify BIOS/UEFI initialization, memory training, and PCI bus enumeration. (3) Memory stress test using MemTest86+ for a minimum of two full passes across all installed DIMM slots. (4) Storage interface verification via SMART attribute read and sequential read/write throughput benchmark on all SATA/mSATA ports. (5) Network interface loopback test on all GbE ports at 1000BASE-T. (6) PCIe link training verification using lspci enumeration under a Linux live environment. (7) Thermal cycling soak test at 0°C to 60°C for boards designated for extended temperature service. (8) IPMI interface functional test for boards equipped with baseboard management controllers (BMC).

Boards that fail any stage are quarantined for component-level diagnosis. Boards that pass all stages are issued a DriveKNMS QC certificate with technician ID, test date, and serial number cross-reference.

For CP6000 procurement inquiries, cross-reference requests, or lifecycle support consultation:

• Email: [email protected]
• WhatsApp: +86 18359293191
• Web: driveknms.com