I recently had a chance to check out Eurotech's Helios Edge Controller (Fig. 1) to see how their OSGi-based Everyware framework operates. Everyware is the more significant of the two as it runs on a number of Eurotech's hardware platforms. The Java-based framework provides a portable platform for delivering distributed applications. More on Everyware later. First a quick look at the hardware.
Helios Edge Controller
The specs for the Helios speak for themselves. A quick look at the figures (Fig. 2) reveal its compact nature and its interesting expansion options. It's cover lifts (Fig. 3) to reveal three USB ports. These can be used for any kind of device from a USB flash drive to a wireless adapter or GPS. There are three holes for antenna or cable outlets. Opening the case to access the ports does not provide access to the processor. Then entire system needs to be taken apart for that type of access. Opening the cover only requires removal of a pair of screws. Mounting holes are provided for permanent attachment to a frame.
|
Eurotech's Helios
|
Description |
|
Processor
|
1.6 GHz Intel Atom Z5xx with Intel System Controller Hub (SCH)
|
|
Graphics/video/audio
|
Intel SCH
|
|
Memory
|
512 Mbytes DDR2
|
|
Storage
|
2 Gbyte Compact Flash card
PATA flash (optional)
internal SATA drive (optional)
USB flash (via 3 internal USB sockets)
|
|
Peripherals
|
8 status LEDs
Pushbutton
Battery backed up real time clock
|
|
Communications
|
3 external antenna connections
USB bay with 3 USB 2.0 sockets
2 USB 2.0 ports
Gigabit Ethernet
Serial port
GPS with external antenna (optional)
|
|
Power
|
12 VDC
up to 36 VDC (optional)
|
|
Operating Systems
|
Linux
Windows Embedded Standard
Windows CE 6.0
|
|
Software Frameworks
|
Eurotech's Everyware
|
|
Physical
|
25.9cm by 12.1cm by 4.5cm
Removable side plates
-40C to +85C, 0C to 70C optional
|
The hardware arrived with Linux and Everyware installed. The Windows versions come the same way. All I had to do was plug in a monitor, USB keyboard and mouse and turn on the power. The system is powerful enough to do some development work but this is really a delivery vehicle. Cross development on this system was trivial given the range of tools available. For testing and development I normally have an NFS share with all the applications.
And now a look at Everyware.