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EPIC module powers robotic shadow plays

Apr 15, 2011 — by LinuxDevices Staff — from the LinuxDevices Archive — 1 views

Habey announced an EPIC-format SBC (single board computer) that features a 1.1GHz Intel Atom Z510P processor, 512MB of onboard memory, plus PC/104, PCI, and Mini PCI expansion. The EMB-4650 also includes CompactFlash and SD slots, dual video outputs, and eight USB 2.0 ports, according to the company.

Habey says its EMB-4650, now being offered to resellers, system integrators and OEMs for the first time, was first released to Intel China for its 2010 Intel Cup Embedded System Design Contest. The board was employed by student participants to create robots, voice recognition systems, 3D video conferencing systems, industrial control systems and much more, according to Habey. It's said to have featured in the winning device (below), designed to automate traditional Chinese shadow plays.


These shadow play robots were powered by the EMB-4650, according to Habey

The EMB-4650 obviously packs a lot of versatility into its 6.5 x 4.5-inch EPIC form factor, since expansion interfaces include PC/104, PCI, and Mini PCI. Equipped with IDE and SATA connectors, the board also includes both CompactFlash and SD expansion slots, according to Habey.


Habey's EMB-4650
(Click to enlarge)

Habey says the EMB-4650 uses Intel's Atom Z510P CPU and SCH US15WP companion chip, which help provide a rated operating range of 32 to 140 deg. F. A Winbond W83627-DHG-P chip provides the device with its legacy connections (PCI, Mini PCI, and PC/104), and there's 512MB of RAM, apparently soldered on.


The front and back of the EMB-4650
(Click either to enlarge)

According to Habey, the EMB-4650's coastline has the SD slot, an RJ45 connector for gigabit Ethernet, a VGA port, two USB 2.0 ports, and a single serial port. Onboard headers, meanwhile, provide access to another serial port, six more USB 2.0 ports, an LVDS video output, audio (mic in, line in/out), and 6-bit GPIO.

Specifications listed by Habey for the EMB-4650 include:

  • Processor — Intel Atom Z510P clocked at 1.1GHz
  • Chipset — SCH US15WP
  • Memory — 512MB of RAM
  • Storage:
    • IDE
    • SATA
    • CompactFlash slot
    • SD slot
  • Expansion:
    • PC/104 connector
    • PCI slot
    • Mini PCI slot
  • Networking — gigabit Ethernet
  • Other I/O:
    • VGA
    • LVDS (via header)
    • 2 x serial (1 x RS232; 1 x RS232/422/485)
    • 8 x USB 2.0 (6 headers, 2 Type A connectors)
    • 1 x parallel (via header)
    • 8-bit GPIO
    • audio — mic in, line in, line out (via headers)
  • Power — 12VDC; consumption n/s
  • Operating range — 32 to 140 deg. F
  • Dimensions — 6.5 x 4.5 inches

Further information

Said to support Windows Embedded, Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Linux, the EMB-4650 is available both from Habey and from its parent company Norco. More information may be found on the Habey product page or the Norco product page.

Jonathan Angel can be followed at www.twitter.com/gadgetsense.


This article was originally published on LinuxDevices.com and has been donated to the open source community by QuinStreet Inc. Please visit LinuxToday.com for up-to-date news and articles about Linux and open source.



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