[Technology Report]
Developers Refine Their Embedded Wares For ESC
This spring's edition of the Embedded Systems Conference will serve up an array of announcements that build on existing platforms and standards.
BOARDS AND SYSTEMS Quite a few boards and systems will debut at ESC, including a new platform from Diamond Systems. The Neptune and Chameleon combine to form a modular system with PC/104 expansion capabilities (Fig. 2).
The Chameleon-based board has an EPIC form factor. Its connector interface plugs into the Chameleon, allowing for easy customization without modifying the main board or module. The Neptune ETX single-board computer attaches to the bottom of the Chameleon.
The approach builds on standard interfaces while providing access to a 250-kHz, 16-bit, autocalibrated analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with 32 single-ended or 16 differential analog inputs, as well as a 2048-entry FIFO, a four-channel 12-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC), the 8-bit I/O ports, and a pair of timers. The Chameleon also provides access to the Neptune’s gigabit Ethernet, IDE, floppy, parallel, LCD, and TV-out ports. It offers VGA, audio, and 10/100 Ethernet, plus six serial, four USB, and two PS/2 ports off the connector adapter as well.
Keep an ear out for announcements from the Small Form Factor SIG (SFF-SIG). The group is addressing the small modular and stackable board arena, where standards have been slow to emerge lately. VIA Technologies will show off a form factor based on its Pico-ITX line, which uses a new expansion system.
Known as Stackable Unified Module Interconnect Technology (SUMIT), the system is based on a high-density, bladed Samtec connector. The connection supports PCI Express and USB ports, which allow support for ExpressCard, as well as SPI, I2C, and the LPC bus.
For a more systems-oriented approach, check out Applied Data’s fanless netCast Player HD. It brings IP set-top-box capabilities to automotive entertainment systems and digital signage applications. Moreover, it can handle video resolutions up to HD 1080p. The Linux-based system supports wired or wireless networks in addition to features like touchscreens and password protection.
Planar Systems’ 12-in. LX1201PTI Mariner Touch Monitor presents a more basic system (Fig. 3). This monitor/touchscreen targets marine environments. Planar also will present its 24-in. LB2411W Widescreen Open-Frame Kiosk LCD system.
FPGAS AND MICROS Expect to see a whole new crop of FPGAs and chips at ESC. Altium will display its FPGA-based Innovation Station, a reconfigurable NanoBoard hardware platform (Fig. 4). The development platform is great for prototyping and clean enough to be deliverable. The boards include a number of case options. In this setup, developers start with Altium Designer and the Desktop Nano-Board. The design then can move to a deployment NanoBoard platform like the Innovation Station. This looks to be a hot item.
In addition to FPGAs, the show will host an array of new microcontrollers. Silicon Labs will reveal a 25-MHz, mixed-signal, 8051 powerhouse that runs on as little as 0.9 V, enabling it to run off a single AAA cell. The C8051F9xx line is designed for batteryoperated applications.
Its low power requirements, on-chip dc-dc converter, and analog peripheral set suit it for sensor applications, low-power portable multimedia devices, and general control applications. Peripherals include a 32-channel, 10-bit ADC; two comparators; a UART; a pair of SPI ports; SMBus support; and 24 I/O ports.
Microchip will unveil its 40 MIPS dsPIC33F, which fits in a 6- by 6-mm package (Fig. 5). It packs up to 128 kbytes of flash and 16 kbytes of RAM into a chip that starts at $3.67. The device also includes a dual-channel, 16-bit DAC plus a 12- or 10-bit ADC. On top of that, there’s eight-channel direct memory access (DMA), a pair of UART/LIN/IrDA ports, two SPI ports, an I2C port, and a controller area network (CAN) port. The motor control support includes pulse-width modulators (PWMs) and power-factor-correction (PFC) PWMs, plus a pair of quadrature encoder interfaces.
"MODULES, WIRELESS, ETC. DLP Design will showcase a few new modules, including a UHF RFID reader and a 900-MHz transceiver module that’s designed to compete with 802.15.4 and ZigBee (Fig. 6). The module incorporates its own protocol and targets low-power applications. The company will also have a temperature/humidity acquisition system on hand that logs data to a server and can send e-mail notifications.
Also in the wireless space, Digi International’s Drop-in Networking line will be on display, including some new products. For example, the ConnectPort X2 gateway supports ZigBee and Wi- Fi. The company’s XBee adapters and Watchport wireless sensors will be on display, too. For wider ZigBee network coverage, check out Digi International’s XBee Wall Router unit.
As usual, ESC will have hordes of attendees and new products for them to peruse. The announcements covered here represent just the tip of the iceberg.
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