[PLUG-ANNOUNCE] PICO-TUX !!!
GLL
guy1656 at ados.com
Wed Mar 30 06:44:35 UTC 2005
http://linuxdevices.com/news/NS8386088053.html
German electronics company Kleinhenz is shipping a network-enabled Linux
system barely larger than a standard RJ-45 Ethernet jack. "Picotux" is based
on the DigiConnect ME module from NetSilicon, along with a 2.4.27 uClinux
port that was probably developed by German embedded system specialist FS
Forth Systeme.
NetSilicon's DigiConnect ME measures 0.75 x 0.75 x 1.4 inches (19 x 19 x
36mm), and weighs 0.64 ounces (18 grams), packaged in a metal housing only
slightly larger than a standard RJ-45 module.
The DigiConnect ME is based on a NetSilicon NS7520 SoC (system-on-chip), which
features a 32-bit ARM7TDMI core supporting clock rates of 36, 46, or 55MHz.
Kleinhenz lists 55MHz as the clockspeed for Picotux. The NS7520 integrates a
10/100 Ethernet MII and ENDEC MAC, as well as a serial port, external memory
controller, JTAG, and 13-channel DMA.
The DigiConnect ME has a 20-pin male connector supporting a serial interface
with data rates up to 230,400bps, full modem control, and GPIO ports,
NetSilicon says. The tiny system also includes link status and activity LEDs.
A developers version adds a JTAG connector.
The DigiConnect ME is available with 2MB or 4MB of Flash, and Kleinhenz lists
2MB of Flash for the Picotux product, along with 8MB of RAM. The device
requires 3.3V of DC power, and draws 250mA. Operating temperature range runs
from -40 to 85 degrees Celsius.
NetSilicon offers a generously-sized development board for the DigiConnect ME.
Kleinhenz, however, bundles a small application board with Picotux (pictured
at left). The board offers a serial port and five pins for GPIO.
NetSilicon also offers a DigiConnect ME-WI model (pictured at right), which
supports wireless 802.11b networking and includes an RP-SMA antenna port in
place of the RJ-45 port. The ME-WI measures 0.75 x 0.75 x 1.85 inches (18 x
18 x 46mm), not including the antenna port, and is available from NetSilicon
in both standard and developer (with JTAG interface) models. A version of
Picotux based on the ME-WI is not yet available, however.
According to Kleinhenz, Picotux is based on a 2.4.27 uClinux kernel, and
includes a shell based on busybox 1.0.
NetSilicon has previously partnered with German embedded software specialist
FS Forth Systeme on uClinux development kits for embedded modules based on
the NS7520 processor. And, Forth Systeme says it is currently working on
Linux ports for several of NetSilicon's "Digi" products, including the
DigiConnect ME. Thus, Kleinhenz may have based Picotux on Forth Systeme's
"LxNETES" uClinux port for the NS7520. The companies did not immediately
confirm this to be the case, however.
Picotux is available now, priced at 99 Euros, from Kleinhenz.
Additional details about Picotux are available from Kleinhenz. Details on the
DigiConnect ME, including an extensive hardware PDF manual, are available
from NetSilicon. Details about Forth Systeme's LxNETES and Linux ports can be
found here.
Lantronix also offers a webserver built into an RJ-45, although that device is
not based on Linux.
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