Product category:
Embedded Computing and Control
News Release from: DSP Design | Subject: AuroraPDA
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 09 October 2003
Tiny SBC embeds PDA functionality
The AuroraPDA is a new generation of embedded computers that provides the functionality and performance found in the latest generation of PDA devices in the form of a board-level system component.
The AuroraPDA is a new generation of embedded computers that provides the same functionality and performance found in the latest generation of PDA devices in the form of a board-level system component for OEMs working in the industrial market For many years, DSP Design has been a leading supplier of embedded computers designed to the PC/104 and its own GCAT credit card sized formats
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 17 Dec 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
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Aurora is designed to provide OEMs with a PDA computer board that provides the highest possible levels of performance and functionality for unit size.
Unlike conventional products of this size, which require extensive knowledge of assembly language in order to create and implement applications, AuroraPDA runs industry standard operating systems Windows CE.NET or Linux.
The first member of the AuroraPDA range is the Aurora 1100.
This is based on the 400MHz AMD Alchemy Au 1100T high performance, high integration system-on-chip RISC processor and provides remarkable performance and an impressive feature set and yet is mounted on a PCB measuring only 85.4 x 63.8mm - about the size of a standard credit card.
Provided as standard is 64Mbyte DRAM and 32Mbyte Flash memory, an LCD interface for TFT, CSTN and mono screens at resolutions of up to 800 x 600, three serial ports, analogue resistive touch screen and keypad interfaces plus CompactFlash support.
Additional features include 10/100Base-T Ethernet and USB ports as well as an AC97 audio codec with microphone, stereo line inputs and line outputs for mono or stereo speakers.
Also onboard is an SIR compatible IrDA interface and a four-channel 12bit A/D convertor as standard.
Unlike normal PDAs that may have one or two slave USB ports, the Aurora 1100 is fitted with two USB host ports that can control other equipment via the USB interface.
Despite this high level of functionality, power consumption is a miserly 800mW before any of its highly efficient, onboard power-saving features are enabled.
Aurora 1100 is supplied as an instantly usable board that features an ingenious interconnection system that allows the board to be used either as a super-component in a cableless system or as a stand-alone processor with conventional wiring.
Also available is a version of the popular LaunchPad application development kits.
LaunchPad for Aurora 1100 is delivered ready for the application to be downloaded over Ethernet into solid-state memory allowing a dramatic reduction in development time and cost.
The Aurora 1100 is ideal for all types of handheld battery-operated equipment such as analytical and measuring instruments, data collection devices, industrial control terminals and all types of vehicle mounted instrumentation products.
The low power consumption of the AuroraPDA range also makes it ideal for use in powered-over-Ethernet kiosks, information signs, data entry terminals and loggers, point-of-sale advertising, door entry systems and many others.
In addition to battery-powered devices, it will also be ideal for solar powered applications.
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