Small XScale dev board targets control, instrumentation

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Feb. 03, 2005

First Technology is shipping a low-powered, low-cost development board targeting passively cooled sensor, signal processing, control, and telematics applications. The PXA1 is based on an Intel XScale PXA255, and comes preinstalled with Linux 2.4.25 and the open source u-Boot bootloader.

(Click for larger view of PXA1)

The PXA1 is based on an Intel XScale PXA255 SoC (system-on-chip) clocked at 200MHz. Intel's PXA255, the predecessor to the PXA270 (Bulverde), was announced in June of 2003. It has since been used in Linux-based PDAs such as the Sharp Zaurus, Linux-based smartphones such as Samsung's SCH-i519, and even in a Linux-based mobile VoIP phone, the NexGen NexPaq. Processor modules based on the PXA255 have been marketed by Vibren, CompuLab, Gumstix, Strategic Test, and In-Hand, while Arcom offers a PC/104 board based on the chip.

According to First Technology, the PXA1 leverages the PXA255's built-in display controller to support the direct connection of LCD displays up to 640 x 480, as well as inverters. One targeted use for the board is to add color displays to microcontroller-based devices, such as automation equipment.

Additional I/O includes 16 GPIO (general purpose I/O) lines, a 20-button input matrix, two serial ports, a 5VDC output supporting LCDs (or other peripherals) up to 1A, a USB 1.1 device port, and a JTAG port.

The board comes preinstalled with das u-Boot bootloader, and a 2.4.25 Linux kernel. The remainder of the flash memory is mounted as a JFFS2 filesystem loaded with basic libraries, such as glibc, libSDL for framebuffers, and busybox.

The board measures 4.9 x 3.7 inches (125 x 95mm). It accepts input voltages from 9-40V, and consumes 2.5W, First claims.

Suggested applications include control, test, and measurement equipment, diagnostic and medical equipment with full graphical needs, graphical user interfaces for industrial equipment, vehicle information and communications systems, telematics, and kiosks.

Availability

The PXA1 is available now, priced at 350 Euros in lots of 5, 250 Euros in lots of 30, and 200 Euros in lots of 100.

First Technology is based in Finland.

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