Embedded Webblog
Technical editor Warren Webb comments on board-level embedded hardware, development tools, and software. No chips!
Module merges SUMIT interface with ISM form factor
Taking advantage of the latest small form factor announcements, ADLINK Technology just introduced the CoreModule 730 single board computer combining the SUMIT (Stackable Unified Module Interconnect Technology) standard expansion interface from the Small Form Factor Special Interest Group (SFF-SIG) with the newly defined ISM (Industry Standard Module) form factor. The new embedded computer is based ...... Read More
Comments (0)Wireless module claims five year battery life
With the proliferation of Wi-Fi networks embedded designers are turning to wireless interfaces to eliminate the expensive wiring and installation costs for commercial and industrial sensing applications. The major challenge has been the relatively short battery life for remote sensors interfaced through the wireless network. RF Monolithics recently announced a potential solution with their new Wi- ...... Read More
Comments (2)VMEbus computer defies obsolescence
Although FPGAs have taken center stage in the fight on obsolescence, another approach to extending the expected life of an embedded product is to allow users to easily update plug in modules to reconfigure the hardware. For example, General Micro Systems recently announced the VS275, codenamed Maritime, a new VMEbus single board computer that combats end of life problems by enabling seamless upgra ...... Read More
Comments (0)Motherboards support old, new plug-ins
Targeting updates to legacy applications, CyberResearch recently introduced a new line of motherboards that provide one PCI Express x16 slot, four PCI slots, one ISA slot plus one more slot that supports either PCI or ISA expansion boards. The new MXGE motherboards come with a Core 2 Duo or Pentium 4 CPU and 1 GB of DDR2 RAM. In addition to the legacy and current interface slots, the motherb ...... Read More
Comments (3)Board computer features long term availability
While system manufacturers strive to deliver a steady stream of reliable products in the mist of constantly changing technology, there is always a concern that system components may become out-dated and discontinued. Addressing these concerns, WinSystems recently announced a PC/104-Plus compatible, single board computer based on the low power, AMD LX 800@0.9W CPU which has product availability thr ...... Read More
Comments (0)Rugged system-on-module supports fabric interconnects
As embedded designers confront the latest transportation, avionics, industrial automation, and medical instrumentation applications, the main challenges are to deliver a system that meets the high performance and low power requirements while surviving a hostile environment. MEN Micro simplifies this task with their latest generation of ESMexpress system-on-module (SOM) products based on the Intel ...... Read More
Comments (0)Prototyping kit shortens embedded schedules
To cope with constantly shrinking design schedules and to simplify the inevitable product updates a growing number of embedded systems designers are incorporating reconfigurable FPGA technology. Lending support to this trend, Altera just announced the Embedded Systems Development Kit, Cyclone III FPGA Edition, a complete platform to simplify the prototyping and development of FPGA-based embedded s ...... Read More
Comments (0)VPX computer delivers dual-core performance
To meet the higher performance and density requirements for many of the newer defense applications, embedded system designers are turning to VMEbus-based VPX (VITA 46) technology with built-in support for high-speed serial fabrics. One of the latest examples is the XPedite5170 from Extreme Engineering Solutions, a 3U single board computer featuring Freescale Semiconductor’s dual-core MPC864 ...... Read More
Comments (0)Kits add Wi-Fi to PIC microcontrollers
Predicting a new era in wireless connectivity, ZeroG Wireless recently announced a series of “Wi-Fi I/O” development kits for Microchip Technology’s PIC microcontrollers. The ZeroG development kits are based on the standard Microchip PICtail and PICtail Plus daughter-board connectors, allowing a designer to plug Wi-Fi connectivity into a variety of Microchip development k ...... Read More
Comments (12)COTS mezzanine module features FPGA technology
With economic conditions shrinking development budgets, system designers are turning to reconfigurable technology to minimize custom hardware and ease future product updates. FPGA-based products allow designers to create multiple system configurations plus future updates without hardware changes. For example, Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing recently announced a new I/O mezzanine card th ...... Read More
Comments (0)Rugged computer runs virtual partitions
With major parts of the industry in an economic slowdown, a growing number of embedded system suppliers are focusing their new product development efforts on military applications. Although most of the products must survive rugged and harsh military environments, there are plenty of high-performance, state-of-the-art projects that appeal to embedded designers. For example, Aitech Defense Systems r ...... Read More
Comments (0)Embedded switch boosts mobile communications
Targeting the rugged, communication-intensive applications found in transportation and other mobile environments, MEN Micro recently introduced a new 3U CompactPCI (CPCI) managed Ethernet switch. The F302 features eight Fast Ethernet channels on the front panel via RJ45, M12 or D-Sub connectors, depending upon the application, and an optional channel accessible through the rear J1 connector for fa ...... Read More
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