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Quad-band MCM runs Linux

Jan 16, 2009 — by Eric Brown — from the LinuxDevices Archive — 26 views

Telit is shipping a multi-chip module (MCM) integrating an ARM-powered baseband processor and RF module, together with a 200MHz ARM9-based Atmel AT91SAM9260 application processor supported by 4MB of flash and 64MB of RAM. The Telit GE863-PRO is available with a development board and Linux 2.6 implementation.


The GE863-Pro, top and bottom

The GE863-PRO is offered in a compact, low-profile Ball-Grid-Array (BGA) package, and is equipped with both a 220MIPS, 200MHz Atmel AT91SAM9260 and an ARM-based “independent-form” GSM engine custom baseband processor, says Telit. Interfaces are said to include Ethernet, SPI, IIC, SD/MMC, and USB (see specification list below).


GE863-PRO block diagram
(Click to enlarge)


AarLogic C10/3
(Click for details)

The GE863-PRO appears to be aimed a wide variety of wireless devices. The company offers numerous reference designs based on the module, incorporating peripherals such as a camera, keyboard, display, WiFi, Bluetooth, SmartCard, SD Card, Ethernet, ZigBee, and GPS. The module was recently incorporated by Round Solutions in its Linux-capable AarLogic C10/3 processor module targeting custom wireless positioning and monitoring devices.

The ARM9-based Atmel application processor enables Telit to offer an optional Linux 2.6.24 development environment supporting multitasking/interrupt, SSL, and cross-compilation on a PC. The Linux implementation offers its own customized version of U-Boot, and provides access to a library of drivers for different peripherals and development environments, says Telit (see diagram below). In addition, Telit touts the GE863-PRO's extended programming capabilities, available for C++ or Python, and the stack is also said to support OTA (over-the-air) firmware updates.


GE863-PRO's Linux system architecture
(Click to enlarge)

An evaluation kit for the module, called the EVK-PRO, is available, says Telit. The kit includes a power supply, SIM card holder, RS232 serial port, level translator, and a USB host and device. Other features are said to include an SD card holder, SAM card holder, Ethernet port, and antenna connection.


EVK-PRO eval kit for the GE863-PRO
(Click to larger, labeled version)

Specifications listed for the GE863-PRO include:

  • Processor — Atmel AT91SAM9260 (ARM9) 220MIPS; plus ARM-based “independent-form” GSM engine custom baseband processor
  • Memory — 8MB to 64MB of SDRAM
  • Flash — 4MB serial flash
  • Cellular — EGSM 850/900/1800/1900MHz
  • Interfaces:
    • 1 x 10/100 Ethernet
    • 1 x USB device and 2 x USB hos
    • 88+9 GPIO
    • 2 x analog audio
    • 4 x A/D with A/D trigger
    • 6 x PWM D/A converters
    • Buzzer output
    • 2 x clock output pins
    • 2 x SPI buses
    • 1 x IIC
    • 1 x SSC digital audio
    • 1 x SD/MMC card and SAM/SmartCard ISO7816
    • 1 x image sensor
    • 6 x USART
    • 1 x UART
    • 1 x debug trace serial port
    • ARM JTAG debug
    • Serial flash
  • Other features — SIM access profile; serial-port multiplexer; embedded TCP/IP stack, and FTP and SMTP client
  • Power — 3.22-4.5 Volts DC supply voltage
  • Dimensions — 1.63 x 1.24 x 0.14 inches (41.4 x 31.4 x 36mm); RoHS compliant
  • Operating temperature — -22 to 176 deg. F (-30 to 80 deg. C)
  • Operating system — optional Linux 2.6.24 system

Availability

The GE863-PRO module and EVK-PRO evaluation kit are available now, at an undisclosed price, according to Telit. More information on the module may be found here, and more on the EVK-PRO evaluation kit may be found here.


 
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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