Android 6.0 Running on i.MX6 Embedded Computers

We're back! Hopefully you are all rested and the new year diets are going well.

It's our first blog post of 2017, and our friends at DAVE Embedded Systems have put together a great video showing the new Android 6.0 'Marshmallow' OS running on a custom i.MX6 board.

Porting Linux Kernel 4.1.x and Android 6.0 "Marshmallow" is a a new step in the Application SW support. The video shows the complete standalone start up, including splashscreens from UBoot, Linux and Android. All of these are customisable, and this complete solution is available from DAVE Embedded Systems' team.

I.MX6 from DAVE Embedded Systems

The i.MX 6 series of applications processors from NXP is a feature and performance scalable multicore platform that includes single-, dual- and quad-core families based on the ARM® Cortex® architecture, including Cortex-A9, combined Cortex-A9 + Cortex-M4 and Cortex-A7 based solutions.



DAVE Embedded Systems has designed the AXEL product family around the i.MX6 processor. The AXEL boards are Single - Dual - Quad Core ARM Cortex CPU modules, and there are 4 options available.

AXEL Ultra - 85mm x 50mm.
Wide range DDR3 RAM memory up to 4GB
High mechanical retention up to 100G shock thanks to 3x140pins and 4 screw holes
Dual CAN, USB, Ethernet GB, PCIe, SATA and native 3.3V I/O

AXEL Esatta - 85mm x 50mm
Wide range DDR3 RAM memory up to 4GB
Dual CAN, USB, Ethernet GB and native 3.3V I/O

AXEL Lite - 67.5mm x 45mm
Wide range SODIMM DDR3 RAM memory up to 2GB
Dual CAN, USB, Ethernet GB and native 3.3V I/O

AXEL ULite -  67.5mm x 25.4mm
Ultra low power - ARM Cortex A7 MPCore @ 528 MHz
Pin to pin compatibility with AXEL LITE SOM based on i.MX6
Advanced security thanks to TRNG, Crypto Engine, etc
Up to 2 x Ethernet 10/100 Mbps with integrated switch
Highly flexibile with up to 4 different scalable CPU versions

There are a few things to consider before making your decision, our sales engineers can talk you through all the options available.

Different form factors: Axel Lite has a SO-DIMM DDR3 204pin connector whereas the Ultra has 3x140pin with 4 screw holes. That means the Lite isn't suitable for environments where vibrations are present, whereas the Ultra version has been designed for applications requiring rugged, high reliability modules.

Connectivity: The Axel Lite due to the limited pin-out (compared to the Ultra) doesn't provide all of the available connectivity the i.MX6 CPU can offer, so you need to choose your connectivity carefully. The Ultra version can provide more connectivity due to the higher pin-count.

Peripherals: Ultra also provides a SATA II (3Gb/s) interface, mainly for storage, and a 5ppm RTC (Real Time Clock) The Lite version offers a simple RTC. Ultra has 2.8-4.5V wide range input voltage, and the Lite has Single 3.3V input. 

For more information please contact Sarsen Technology on +44 1672 511166 or send us an email: info@sarsen.net

DAVE Embedded Systems Wiki Update

Following their recent website overhaul, DAVE Embedded Systems has updated the look and feel of their brilliant wiki, designed to ensure easy navigation for users.

As well as a new graphic layout they have included a host of new products and content to the wiki, making it an even more useful tool in the design of embedded systems. Whether you're searching by manufacturer or board class the interface is easy to use and makes finding what you need a much quicker process.

VISIT DAVE WIKI

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DAVE Embedded Systems is a well-established Italian company, focussed on the design of highly complex, miniaturised embedded electronic systems. They offer a complete line of CPU modules, from entry level models right through to high end ruggedised boards.

If you'd like to find out more you can see the complete range of SoMs from DAVE Embedded Systems at the Embedded Design Show, October 21-22.

EMBEDDED DESIGN SHOW 2015

Find us on Stand G32, where DAVE will be showcasing a brand new demo - BORA Xilinx Zynq SoM with Lumineq Display, and introducing the SBC AXEL for the first time in the UK. You can also see a host of embedded boards based on FPGA technology, ARM Cortex-A architecture, Freescale and Texas Instruments processors and Xilinx SoC.

Embedded Design Show 2015

Following a very successful event last year we will once again be taking part in the Embedded Design Show, held at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry - 21-22 October.

Created to support the growing embedded electronics market, the Embedded Design Show offers a focused event for the industry. The exhibition will provide visitors with face to face access to a range of leading suppliers, offering design solutions for embedded requirements across all sectors.

A dedicated conference programme will address issues of direct relevance to the embedded sector, and high quality practical workshops will be taking place on both days within the two theatres on the show floor. The subjects covered range from software design and rapid prototyping, to material selection and test and measurement.

The Embedded Design Show will take place alongside the award-winning Electronics Design Show, which caters for the more general electronics issues.

Joining us on stand G32 is DAVE Embedded Systems, who will be hosting two live demos including the proof of concept BORA Xilinx 'Zynq' SoM with Lumineq display, and the very first UK outing for the brand new SBC AXEL, based on the Freescale i.MX6 S/D/Q core processor.

We'd like to invite you as our VIP guest to the 2015 Embedded Design Show - register for your free entry badge by clicking this link - REGISTER FOR SHOW


About
Now in its 4th year, the Engineering/Electronic/Embedded Design Show is the go-to event for the UK's design engineering community. Whether you want to meet new suppliers, discuss design issues with technology experts or participate in practical workshops, then EDS is the place to be 21-22nd October.

DAVE Embedded Systems Gets a Facelift

Author - Laura

The team over at DAVE Embedded Systems have just unveiled their shiny new website, and it’s pretty impressive. With new graphics and clean, simple lines the new site provides a more streamlined user experience, without losing any of the familiar DAVE branding. 

 

With an emphasis on technical support the site now links directly to the DAVEWiki;
a fantastic archive full of documentation, user guides and software tools that provides developers with everything they need to get started.


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Check out their efforts by going to the all-new DAVE Embedded Systems website – www.dave.eu

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DAVE Embedded Systems is a well-established and constantly growing Italian company, focused on designing, manufacturing and selling of miniaturised embedded systems solutions. Since its foundation, back in 1998, DAVE Embedded Systems has developed its business and now provides CPU modules solutions or System-On-Module (SoM) based on the latest technologies including Multi-Core ARM Cortex, PowerPC, X86 and FPGA.

Less Than 1 Week To Go... Have You Registered?

Author: Laura Biddiscombe

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This time next week it will all be coming to an end. But don't panic - you still have 5 days in which to register for your FREE Visitor badge for the Embedded Design Show 2014. 

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Sarsen Technology will be on Stand G32, where you can see the complete range of System-on-Module (SoM) and CPUs from DAVE Embedded Systems, which are based on the latest technologies, including the Freescale i.MX6 and Texas Instruments ‘Da Vinci’ DM814x and ‘Sitara’ AM387x processor families, and the brand new Xilinx ‘Zynq’ XC7Z010 / XC7Z020 SoC.

Laura, Manuele, Alberto and Nigel will be at the show so please stop by and say hello, and take a look at the exciting demo featuring the BORA module.

To be our guest at the exhibition, register for your free entry badge by clicking here, and if you'd like to attend any of the Conference sessions as our guest you can sign up for free by simply entering entering this discount code ENG14C.

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We look forward to seeing you there! 

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Sarsen Technology and DAVE Embedded Systems Team Up for the Embedded Design Show 2014

Author: Laura Biddiscombe

Here at Sarsen we really like doing things with our principals. Which is why we are very excited about taking part in the Embedded Design Show 2014 with our friends at DAVE Embedded Systems.

Launched to fill a gap in the growing embedded electronics market, the Embedded Design Show will offer a focused event for the industry.

This year the Embedded Design Show will be co-located with the Electronics Design Show and Engineering Design Show which will also incorporate Engineering Materials Live. These award-winning exhibitions were created to champion British engineering and are entirely targeted at electronic and design engineers, making this a must attend event for anyone working in these industry sectors.


 
The Embedded Design Show will feature two workshop theatres and a conference area. Attendance to the workshop theatres is completely free.

Registration is now open! To be our guest at the exhibition, register for your free entry badge by clicking here, and if you'd like to attend any of the Conference sessions as our guest you can sign up for free by simply entering entering this discount code ENG14C.

You can find us on Stand G32, where we will be showcasing the complete range of SoMs from DAVE, based on ARM Cortex-A architecture, Freescale and Texas Instruments processors and Xilinx SoC.  

www.embedded-design-show.co.uk

 About DAVE Embedded Systems 
DAVE Embedded Systems is a well-established and constantly growing Italian company, focused on the design, manufacture and sale of miniaturized embedded systems solutions. Since its foundation, back in 1998, DAVE Embedded Systems has developed its business, increasing its know-how and activities. Support and assistance provided to many Italian and foreign companies is based on the design of microprocessor platforms around Linux, Windows or Android OS.

Asymmetric Multiprocessing (AMP) on FREESCALE i.MX6

Author - Laura Biddiscombe

Some more excitement from our friends at DAVE Embedded Systems, who have just announced the availability of a new enhanced application of Asymmetric Multiprocessing (AMP) on the AXEL System On Module (SoM).

So what exactly is ASYMMETRIC MULTIPROCESSING?

Asymmetric Multi Processing (AMP) allows a multiprocessor system to run multiple Operating Systems (OS) that are independent of each other.

In other words, each CPU has its own private memory space, which contains the OS and the applications that are to run on that CPU. In addition, there can be some shared memory space that is used for multiprocessor communication. This is in contrast with Symmetric Multiprocessing (SMP), in which one OS runs on multiple CPUs using a public shared memory space. Thanks to AMP, developers can use open-source Linux and FreeRTOS operating systems and the RPMsg Inter Processor Communication (IPC) framework between the i.MX6 high-performance ARM Cortex-A9 processors to quickly implement applications that need to deliver deterministic, real-time responsiveness for markets such as automotive and industrial.


AXEL: a family of System On Modules (SOM) based on Freescale i.MX6

AXEL LITE, AXEL ESATTA and AXEL ULTRA are the new top-class Solo/Dual/Quad core ARM Cortex-A9 CPU modules from DAVE Embedded Systems, based on the recent Freescale i.MX6 application processor. The use of this processor enables extensive system-level differentiation of new applications in many industry fields, where high-performance and extremely compact form factor are key factors. Smarter system designs are made possible, following the trends in functionalities and interfaces of the new, state-of-the-art embedded products.

Contact Sarsen Technology for more information by email - info@sarsen.net or by calling our technical sales team - +44 1672 511166

Not Recommended for New Designs - XCalibur1002 goes EOL

All good things come to an end. And the XCalibur1002 from Extreme Engineering Solutions (X-ES) is no exception.

The XCalibur1002 uses a component that will reach end of life status in December 2013. This obsolescence event will effectively end the life of the XCalibur1002 product series.

We are offering a last time purchase of the EOL component to potentially extend the life of the XCalibur1002 for your application.

Unfortunately, after December 2013 we cannot guarantee the future availability of XCalibur1002 product.

If you are looking to replace your legacy product the recommended alternative is the XCalibur1600 - a Freescale eight-Core P4080-based 6U cPCI module. Wind River VxWorks, Linux, and Green Hills INTEGRITY Board Support Packages (BSPs) are available.

XCalibur1600

XCalibur1600 features -

• Conduction or air cooling
• Up to 16 GB of DDR3-1333 ECC SDRAM in two channels
• Up to 512 MB of NOR flash (with redundancy)
• Up to 64 GB of CPU NAND flash
• Up to 128 GB of SATA NAND flash (optional)
• Three Gigabit Ethernet ports
• x4 PCI Express to XMC sites
• Up to four SATA 3.0 Gb/s ports
• Two USB 2.0 ports
• Two RS-232/422/485 serial ports
• XAUI to XMC site
• Two PrPMC/XMC interfaces

If you would like any details of the EOL or the replacement product XCalibur1600 please get in touch with Sarsen Technology on +44 1672 511166 or email the sales team - sales@sarsen.net

White Paper: The X-ES Approach to Developing COTS Boards with Freescale® QorIQ® Processors

Just published on the Sarsen Technology web site is a white paper entitled "The X-ES Approach to Developing COTS Boards with Freescale® QorIQ® Processors". Extreme Engineering Solutions (X-ES) is committed to developing COTS boards that support the entire Freescale QorIQ Communications Platforms product line, beginning with the first generation of processor families: P1, P2, P3, P4, and P5. This technical paper describes the process behind the design and development of the X-ES QorIQ products in seven different form factors, including air-cooled PMC/XMC, conduction-cooled PMC/XMC, 3U VPX, 3U cPCI, 6U VPX, 6U cPCI, and VME. Follow this link for the white paper: The X-ES Approach to Developing COTS Boards with Freescale® QorIQ® Processors.

Freescale P2020 QorIQ 3U VPX-REDI Single Board Computer

The Extreme Engineering Solutions (X-ES) XPedite5570 is a high-performance 3U VPX-REDI single board computer based on the Freescale P2020 QorIQ processor. With dual PowerPC e500 cores running at up to 1.2 GHz, the P2020 delivers enhanced performance and efficiency for demanding embedded computing applications such as airborne radar, battlefield sensor and electronic warfare.

Read more about the Extreme Engineering Solutions (X-ES) XPedite5570: XPedite5570.

Freescale P4080 Eight PowerPC e500 3U VPX-REDI Board

The Extreme Engineering Solutions (X-ES) XPedite5470 is keeping us very busy this month. The XPedite5470 is a high-performance 3U VPX-REDI single-board computer based on the Freescale P4080 processor. With eight PowerPC e500 cores running at up to 1.5 GHz, the P4080 delivers enhanced performance and efficiency for today's embedded computing applications. We are seeing great interest for demanding military, research, transportation and medical applications.

The XPedite5470 supports two separate channels of up to 4 GB each of up to DDR3-1333 ECC SDRAM, as well as up to 16 GB of NAND flash and up to 256 MB of NOR flash (with redundancy). The XPedite5470 provides the option of utilizing a PCI Express or Serial RapidIO Fat Pipe P1 interconnect, as well as two SerDes Gigabit Ethernet Thin Pipe P1 fabric interconnects. The XPedite5470 also supports dual Gigabit Ethernet, GPIO, I²C, PMC I/O, XMC I/O, and up to two RS-232/RS-422/RS-485 serial ports through the P2 connector.

The XPedite5470 provides a ruggedized, high-performance, feature-rich solution to support the next generation of rugged embedded applications. Wind River VxWorks, QNX Neutrino, Linux, and Green Hills INTEGRITY Board Support Packages (BSPs) are available.

Interesting Post - Trends in Microprocessors - High-end Military Applications Are Beginning To Shift To Intel

An interesting post from John Keller published on Miltary & Aerospace Electronics web site discusses the processor trends in the defence market place. "When it comes to military embedded computing, basically only two microprocessor manufacturers slug it out for the lion’s share of the defense and aerospace embedded computer market for applications like radar processing. While Freescale has been this market’s 500-pound gorilla for some time, Intel’s latest introduction of its Core i7 microprocessor in January is tipping the defense embedded systems community on its head in a transformation the likes of which seasoned observers have not seen in years."

Read more on the Military & Aerospace Electronics web site.