Compact module embeds full PC functionality
Available now from BVM, the EPC-200 is a complete PC in a tiny, palm-sized 115 x 115 x 35mm housing, designed for applications where raw processing power is not required. Typical embedded uses would be in POS kiosks, protocol convertors, machine controllers, display managers and similar uses. The unit does not need forced cooling and, despite its compact dimensions, it is a fully featured PC, able to run the Linux operating system from a bootable CompactFlash card or USB memory stick for desktop applications if required. Read more.
FPGAs suit portable applications
Actel has released M1-enabled Igloo FPGAs, which offer significant power, cost and size advantages for portable applications. As standards and platforms continue to emerge and evolve, designers need to be able to quickly adapt. Reprogrammable FPGAs offer the flexibility required to address these changing standards and speed time to market. Actel"s first portable solution phase is focused on storage. Actel offers three different platforms to demonstrate how storage controllers and interfaces can be programmed into the FPGA and made to work with processors such as the Marvell PXA and Freescale i.MX. Targeted at smart phones, GPS devices or PDAs, the first platform is a storage daughter card for Marvell Semiconductor"s Littleton PXA 300/310 handheld platform development kit. Read more.
ZigBee PRO standard gets the all clear
LONDON, October 12, 2007 — The ZigBee Alliance has approved the ZigBee PRO profile stack that adds advanced features and greater flexibility to the original specification, particularly related to ease-of-use and support for larger networks.
Speaking exclusively to EE Times Europe Bob Gohn, vice president of marketing at Ember Corporation (Boston, MA.) — a leading supplier of silicon and protocol stacks for the wireless mesh home networking technology — said :"ZigBee PRO has passed through the required balloting process and is now a standard." ... What is being referred to as "ZigBee 2007" will now incorporate the original feature set standardized and published in 2006 and the new ZigBee PRO, which "maximizes all the capabilities of ZigBee and facilitates ease-of-use and advanced support for larger networks." Read more.