Arcom has updated its Linux Development Kit for two XScale-based PC/104 SBCs (single-board computers). The Entry-Level Viper/Viper-Lite Development Kit includes a 2.6-series kernel, supports boards with 200MHz or 400MHz PXA255 processors, and targets wired/wireless information terminals,… instrumentation controllers, data acquisition systems, and communication products.

(Click for larger view of Arcom's Linux Dev Kit)

Arcom's new Linux Development Kit supports its venerable Viper board, as well as its later Viper-Lite, a slimmed-down “processor module” version.

Arcom's Viper is a 3.6 x 3.8 inch SBC module based on a 400MHz Intel PXA255 XScale processor (ARM v.5TE compliant). The board was launched in September of 2002, possibly the first PC/104 module based on an XScale processor. Arcom first shipped a Viper Linux development kit in July of 2003, and the board gained commercial real-time Linux support a year later.

The Viper shipping today is based on a 400MHz XScale PXA255 processor. It has 64MB of DRAM, and 32MB of Intel P30 StrataFlash. I/O includes five serial ports, USB, audio I/O, and PC/104 expansion.

The new Arcom Linux Kit also supports Arcom's Viper-Lite, a slimmed down “CPU module” version based on a 200MHz PXA255. The “Lite” version lacks PC/104 expansion, but offers 64MB of SDRAM, 16MB of StrataFlash, and three serial ports.

The Kit includes a 2.6-series kernel, journaling flash file system, and a compact operating system implementation pre-loaded and configured on the board of choice, Arcom says. The company's previous Viper Linux kit was based on a 2.4-series kernel.

In addition to serving as a development platform, the Viper Development Kit can serve as a learning aid for students studying RISC hardware, Linux technology, and embedded systems programming, Arcom says.

Availability

The Viper/Viper-Lite Development Kit is available now, priced from $500. It includes an “interface board,” VGA converter module, cables, connectors, power supply, software, and documentation. It also includes a Fedora Core 5 DVD “for installation onto your host system,” Arcom says.

 
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