| Start-up touts "chip-on-film" mobile Linux core |
Aug. 16, 2006
 A Silicon Valley startup is preparing to ship a mobile Linux wireless development kit that utilizes new "chip-on-film" technology. Unicon Systems expects the MKit to help designers create Linux-powered handheld gadgets such as PMPs (portable media players), UMPCs (ultra mobile PCs), and wireless-enabled PDAs.
Unicon's MKit dev-kit aims to simplify Linux device development
(Click to enlarge)
Unicon's chip-on-film platform folds up to squeeze into handheld gadgets
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The MKit includes a fold-up chip-on-film Linux computer (shown at right), along with a keypad and other development aids. The chip-on-film computer electonics appears to be only a few millimeters thick, including the depth of its soldered-on, 266 MHz ARM-based Samsung SoC (system-on-chip) processor. The company says its chip-on-film technology is similar to the electronics used within Motorola's line of ultra-thin Razr phones.
The MKit dev-kit comes with 32 or 64 MB each of soldered-on RAM and flash memory. I/O, according to the company, includes:- 2 x 480 Mbit/s USB 2.0
- USB OTG
- IrDA
- Stereo I/O
- 6/12 function buttons
- SD/MS/XD/MMC slot
- 2D motion sensor
- 802.11b WiFi
- RS232, JTAG, PIOs
- Rechargable 1200 mAh battery
On the software side, the MKit comes with a Linux 2.6 kernel, GNU cross-development toolchain, FLTK graphics toolkit, and "comprehensive" power management, Unicon says.
Unicon's ultra-thin MCopy USB bridge
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Device reference designs
Additionally, Unicon is offering two ready-to-produce reference designs based on the same Linux-powered chip-on-film platform that comes with the MKit. The MCopy (shown at left) and MBridge reference designs can be used to create devices that allow users to transfer files between USB-enabled gadgets, such as portable media players, game players, and mobile phones, without using a PC.
In other news, Unicon recently named Richard de Soto as its CEO. De Soto has taken two companies public, and brokered two through acquisitions, he said.
Availability
The MKit development kit is available now, priced at $499, de Soto says. Pricing of the fold-up Linux-based computer-on-film platform subsystem, for embedding into custom products, varies by quantity, but can be expected to be "around $200" in quantity, he adds. The company is willing to supply the platform in volumes "as low as 300 per year."
Availability of the MCopy device is expected in November. Additional details about MCopy can be found in our previous coverage, here.
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