Embedded Webblog
Technical editor Warren Webb comments on board-level embedded hardware, development tools, and software. No chips!
Controller targets mobile robots
Robot technology is appealing to embedded designers not only because of the mechanical control aspect but also because of the potential it has to shield humans from dangerous and even life threatening situations. Targeting the high end of this technology, Roboteq recently introduced an intelligent dual channel DC motor controller capable of directly driving up to 120Amps on each channel at up to 6 ...... Read More
Comments (1)ETX module offers seven-year production support
Targeting high performance applications in medical imaging, gaming, test, and industrial automation, ADLINK Technology recently announced the ETX-AT single board computer as the newest member of its Computer-on-Module (COM) family. Measuring 3.7 x 4.9 inches, the module is based on the ETX (Embedded Technology eXtended) 3.02 form factor standard maintained by the ETX Industrial Group. A very low p ...... Read More
Comments (0)$39 USB tool eases real-time development
A new Piccolo family of microcontrollers from Texas Instruments (TI) offers real-time embedded designers a higher level of integration by combining the CPU and memory with a series of built-in peripheral modules including a 12-bit analog to digital converter, enhanced pulse width modulators (ePWMs), on-chip oscillators, analog comparators, communication interfaces, and general purpose I/O. To simp ...... Read More
Comments (3)Deploying intelligent networks
Internet traffic is growing exponentially as more and more users employ high-bandwidth applications such as on-demand, real-time video. As the network data rates approach and exceed 10 Gbps current communications processing strategies are becoming inadequate. In a new EDN on-line article entitled “The evolution to network flow processing”, Nabil Damouny of Netronome Systems delivers ...... Read More
Comments (0)STD Bus keeps on ticking
A prime requirement for products used in embedded applications is long term availability. This means that designers must select components and architectures that will be available for a sustained period. Silicon suppliers like Intel and AMD identify a portion of their product line as extended life devices to support the embedded market. Users expect typical embedded products to remain in service f ...... Read More
Comments (0)Solid-state drive handles harsh environments
In applications where shock and vibration are a concern, the industry’s transition from rotating storage to solid state drives is on the fast track. Joining this transition, Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing recently introduced the XMC/PMC-550 solid state drive card for media storage in harsh environments found in the aerospace and defense market. The XMC/PMC-550 NAND Flash solid s ...... Read More
Comments (0)Universal submodule delivers reconfigurable I/O
Unique I/O requirements are often difficult to incorporate into a COTS-based design. Many times designers are forced to modify an existing module or create an additional board just to support the non-standard I/O. Stephen Cunha of MEN Micro offers a possible solution to the I/O problem in his new EDN article entitled “Universal submodule concept cuts I/O design costs, time-to-market” ...... Read More
Comments (0)New RTOS on the block
Real time software is the heart of most complex, safety-critical embedded systems in military and aerospace applications. Many of these systems require software that is certified to development standards such as DO-178B “Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification.” Operating systems from Wind River, Green Hills, and LynuxWorks are among the safety-critica ...... Read More
Comments (0)Down converter module fits critical applications
A growing number of commercial board manufacturing companies are exploiting FPGA technology to satisfy complex design requirements while allowing for future changes. Pentek is one of the pioneers in FPGA-based board design specializing in data acquisition, software radio, and digital signal processing. Their latest product is the Model 7153 digital down converter (DDC), a four-channel, high-speed ...... Read More
Comments (0)Quadrature input boards target motion control
PC/104 architecture offers designers a wide variety of low-cost, off-the-shelf modules for reduced budget or short turn-around projects. For example, ACCES I/O Products recently announced a new line of PC/104 quadrature input boards supporting embedded motion control, instrumentation, robotics, industrial machinery, and process control applications. The 104-QUAD-8 series suits users in the motion ...... Read More
Comments (13)Robot dog hauls 340 lb load across rough terrain
One of the most unusual and interesting embedded projects that I have run across lately comes from Boston Dynamics. They are working with Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) to create robots that have extreme rough-terrain mobility. According to the Boston Dynamics website, their latest project, BigDog, is a quadruped robot powered by a gasoline engine driven hydraulic system. An on-b ...... Read More
Comments (14)EPIC computer eases industrial communications
One of the principal challenges in managing a large industrial or manufacturing facility is continuously monitoring the condition of remote sensors and equipment. A new approach gaining in popularity is to combine existing wired communications with wireless technologies to enable flexibility and easy expansion without the cost and delays needed to install new wiring. At last week’s Embedded ...... Read More
Comments (4)