AMD announced a new Linux-based hardware/software reference design for develping “access equipment” based on its Alchemy Solutions Au1500 MIPS32 architecture system-on-chip processor. Applications targeted include data- and voice-enabled wireless access points, gateways, routers/firewalls, IADs (Internet access devices), cable MTAs (multimedia terminal adaptors), IP-telephony devices, and IP-PBXs (private… branch exchanges), AMD said.

The reference design is based on AMD's 500 MHz Au1500 processor, which boasts a pair of on-chip 10/100 Mbit Ethernet MACs, as well as USB host and device ports and a built-in PCI bus controller. The kit includes a PC board that also includes a four-port 10/100 Mbit Ethernet switch which, according to AMD, can be easily eliminated from the reference design if it is not required. An included PCI and Mini PCI expansion bus allows modularly adding functions such as network/communcations interfaces, video display controllers, hard drives, etc.

The kit is priced at $2000 and comes with schematics, bills of materials, gerber files, and a Linux-based embedded operating system (support for VxWorks is due later this year). Interested developers can see the kit in action in AMD's booth at the upcoming Embedded Systems Conference in San Francisco.

 
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