Monday, March 30 2009 @ 01:04 AM MDT Contributed by: holla Views: 3202
I switched from loyal debian user to ubuntu after the tremendous success with my HTPC. I'm re-tooling my scripts to use jaunty, ubuntu 9.04. Here are the instructions to create a minimal bootable drive.
An embedded Linux training and consulting firm in the South of France has published some 360 pages of free training presentations on embedded Linux topics. The Free Electrons presentations cover topics including Linux changes since 2.6.10, power management, device driver development, and porting Linux to ARM platforms, says the company.
Free Electrons has always released its training materials under a Creative Commons documentation license. The company also routinely posts extensive video transcripts from conferences such as CELF's Embedded Linux Conference.
Last week I bought a T-Mobile G1, HTC hardware running Google's Android for a customer project. Its quite a phone with direct application to control embedded devices either through Wifi, cell GSM/3G or bluetooth (bt not ready for prime yet). I've also read two books.
Both books are excellent and complimentary to each other. Murphy has extremely simple and numerous android activity projects which clearly outline the many new facets behind Android application development. I'm not going to recommend one over the other, I recommend you buy both!
Thursday, May 29 2008 @ 11:29 AM MDT Contributed by: holla Views: 1824
I'm starting a new hardware design using the Technologic Systems TS-7400 'system on module' single board computer. Why the TS-7400? Fast boot times, I/O, price and support. When I first powered up my 7400, I got a prompt in a couple seconds. Thought it was the bootloader, nope busybox. The 3 boot modes come up really fast, good enough for my projects. There's 2 extremely simple interface 0.1 headers, great for breadboarding. At $130, with low +5V power consumption, its a winner. Technologic Systems offers great, and I mean great, support. When you call them, a friendly person answers the phone, who immediately redirects your call to an informed person, yes someone with a serious clue. OK, enough about that.
Start Here by reading my trac site's ts7400 README.txt file.
Friday, January 11 2008 @ 10:05 AM MST Contributed by: paulz Views: 2176
New Compact Computer released from C Data Solutions.
C Data Solutions who developed a complete uclinux SBC in CompactFlash format has released the successor. The new computer call CoCo (Compact Computer) is a direct result of customer feedback. It is still in CompactFlash format (42*37*5mm) but increases performance and features. This allows it to address many new application areas.
It is based on the Analog Devices BF533 Blackfin processor. Entry level systems are clocked at 500MHz with 32Mbyte SDRAM and 8Mbyte FLASH. The systems can be upgraded to 600 or 750MHz processors, 64Mbyte SDRAM and 16MB FLASH.
CoCo provides two 50 way connectors. The top connector provides access to Blackfin peripherials. These include
ˇ Parallel peripheral interface PPI/GPIO, supporting ITU-R 656 video data formats (supports LCDs)
ˇ One dual-channel, full duplex synchronous serial ports, supporting eight stereo I2S channels
ˇ SPI-compatible port
ˇ Three timer/counters with PWM support
ˇ UART with support for IrDAŽ
ˇ Debug/JTAG interface
What makes CoCo different is the bottom connector. This provides 46 digital I/O lines from an FPGA. The FPGA is programmed as a CompactFlash COM port. This allows CoCo to be plugged directly into a CF slot on any host computer. This could be a laptop, PDA or legacy equipment. This now opens up new markets
ˇ secure applications/encryption on laptops or PDAs.
ˇ Software acceleration for existing products and legacy equipment nearing the end of life.
ˇ Adding additional IO
ˇ FPGA acceleration
The current interface also supports a host mode. This allows CoCo to drive the CompactFlash and control other CompactFlash cards. This allowing miniature systems to be constructed.
The FPGA can also be re-programmed to provide any interface. Whether this is used to mop up system glue logic, provide propriety buses or build multi processor systems using shared memory or message passing is completely up to the user.
The CoCo FPGA can be reprogrammed to mimic any CF interface. It can be programmed to be a storage card. Plugged into any equipment as a storage card and the stored data could be available via RS232 or SPI. This could then be send via GSM modem. Remote data monitoring on legacy systems.
For more information see www.cdatas.com or e.mail info@cdatas.com.
PC chipset and board-maker Via Technologies today announced availability of the "world's smallest mainboard" -- the first shipping board based on its recently unveiled, incredibly small (3.9 x 2.8 inches) "pico-ITX" motherboard format. The Epia PX10000G is "available now for developers...
