Friday, January 11 2008 @ 10:05 AM MST Contributed by: paulz Views: 282
New Compact Computer released from C Data Solutions.
C Data Solutions who developed a complete uclinux SBC in CompactFlash format has released the successor. The new computer call CoCo (Compact Computer) is a direct result of customer feedback. It is still in CompactFlash format (42*37*5mm) but increases performance and features. This allows it to address many new application areas.
It is based on the Analog Devices BF533 Blackfin processor. Entry level systems are clocked at 500MHz with 32Mbyte SDRAM and 8Mbyte FLASH. The systems can be upgraded to 600 or 750MHz processors, 64Mbyte SDRAM and 16MB FLASH.
CoCo provides two 50 way connectors. The top connector provides access to Blackfin peripherials. These include
ˇ Parallel peripheral interface PPI/GPIO, supporting ITU-R 656 video data formats (supports LCDs)
ˇ One dual-channel, full duplex synchronous serial ports, supporting eight stereo I2S channels
ˇ SPI-compatible port
ˇ Three timer/counters with PWM support
ˇ UART with support for IrDAŽ
ˇ Debug/JTAG interface
What makes CoCo different is the bottom connector. This provides 46 digital I/O lines from an FPGA. The FPGA is programmed as a CompactFlash COM port. This allows CoCo to be plugged directly into a CF slot on any host computer. This could be a laptop, PDA or legacy equipment. This now opens up new markets
ˇ secure applications/encryption on laptops or PDAs.
ˇ Software acceleration for existing products and legacy equipment nearing the end of life.
ˇ Adding additional IO
ˇ FPGA acceleration
The current interface also supports a host mode. This allows CoCo to drive the CompactFlash and control other CompactFlash cards. This allowing miniature systems to be constructed.
The FPGA can also be re-programmed to provide any interface. Whether this is used to mop up system glue logic, provide propriety buses or build multi processor systems using shared memory or message passing is completely up to the user.
The CoCo FPGA can be reprogrammed to mimic any CF interface. It can be programmed to be a storage card. Plugged into any equipment as a storage card and the stored data could be available via RS232 or SPI. This could then be send via GSM modem. Remote data monitoring on legacy systems.
For more information see www.cdatas.com or e.mail info@cdatas.com.
PC chipset and board-maker Via Technologies today announced availability of the "world's smallest mainboard" -- the first shipping board based on its recently unveiled, incredibly small (3.9 x 2.8 inches) "pico-ITX" motherboard format. The Epia PX10000G is "available now for developers...
Starting with Ubuntu 5.10 and the helloworld module at http://www.embeddedlinuxinterfacing.com/source/helloworld_proc_module_symbol.c
1) uname -a to determine what version of the kernel we're running.
In our case, the output was:
Linux tbdev1 2.6.12-10-386 #1 Tue Jul 18 22:08:27 UTC 2006 i686 GNU/Linux
2) sudo apt-get install linux-source-2.6.12
3) cd /usr/src
4) sudo tar -xvjf linux-source-2.6.12.tar.bz2
5) sudo ln -s linux-source-2.6.12 linux to create /usr/src/linux
6) sudo apt-get install build-essential
7) cat /proc/version to see what version of gcc the kernel was compiled with
In our case, the output was:
Linux version 2.6.12-10-386 (buildd@terranova) (gcc version 3.4.5 20050809 (prerelease)
(Ubuntu 3.4.4-6ubuntu8.1)) #1 Tue Jul 18 22:08:27 UTC 2006
8) sudo apt-get install gcc-3.4 to have the command "gcc-3.4"
Now, we can issue make CC="gcc-3.4"
9) build the kernel using sudo make CC="gcc-3.4" bzImage so the kernel module build had something to link against.
10) Building a module in 2.6.10 isn't the same as 2.4, and we need a Makefile, so use the following:
11) wget http://www.embeddedlinuxinterfacing.com/source/helloworld_proc_module_symbol.c
12) make
Oops, the output shows some warnings about EXPORT_SYMBOL_NOVERS, and an unreferenced variable (int rv at line 170), and a redefinition of MODULE_VERSION. Some research shows the EXPORT_SYMBOLS_NOVERS macro is now deprecated. So, removing lines 213 and 214 will fix that warning. Removing line 170 (unreferenced variable, rv) will fix that warning. Modifying references of MODULE_VERSION to hwMODULE_VERSION will fix the redefinition warning. Note that a MODULE_VERSION macro added to 2.6.3(?), so a better solution would be to use another #define to indicate the version string, but this will do for a quick and dirty fix.
13) make clean;make ---> should now produce a clean (no warnings or errors) build of helloworld_proc_module_symbol.ko
15) sudo insmod helloworld_proc_module_symbol.ko
16) cat /proc/helloworld produces "helloworld Default"
17) sudo rmmod helloworld_proc_module_symbol
SCALE 5x, the Southern California Linux Expo has issued a call for papers. SCALE 5x will be held on Feb 10-11, 2007 at the Los Angeles Airport Westin. Past speakers have included Chris Dibona, Jon "maddog" Hall, and Andrew Morton. If you are working on an interesting open-source / Linux related project, or just want to address the community, SCALE welcomes you to submit a presentation proposal.
An embedded Linux distribution aimed at helping users learn Linux by creating bootable Linux images "virtually from scratch" has achieved a new release. Eagle Linux 2.3 is currently distributed as a concise, 26-page PDF documenting the creation of a minimalist, network-ready Linux image for bootable CDs, floppies, or flash drives.
