Embedded Linux product development may have just gotten easier, thanks to Embedded Planet's “Linux Planet 1.2” application development platform. The system contains most of the computer functions usually required for embedded designs, including operating system software, and is targeted to developers planning to use embedded Linux along with Motorola's MPC823e PowerPC processor.

The ready-to-run system comes complete with a 640×480 color LCD with touch screen panel, power supply, I/O and DC cables, a PC/104 form-factor MPC823e-based single board computer (SBC), and an I/O expansion motherboard. Functions included on the SBC and motherboard include: MPC823e CPU; 16 Mbytes of flash memory; 16 Mbytes of SDRAM; 10Base-T Ethernet controller; RS232C serial port; debug serial port; USB host or slave port; PCMCIA socket; LCD display controller; touch screen interface; 16-bit sound.

As for software, Linux Planet ships with a full suite of tailored embedded Linux support, in the form of MontaVista Software's latest Hard Hat Linux distribution CD. A second CD contains Embedded Planet's “PlanetCore” firmware/software suite which includes a boot loader, Flash burner, and comprehensive diagnostic utilities. Another important feature of the software suite is the inclusion of IBM's VisualAge Micro Edition Java SDK, which enables the use of Java within embedded targets.

To support the system's unique USB host/slave capabilities, Embedded Planet is currently developing a suite of USB host/slave drivers for embedded Linux applications based on PowerPC processors. Once completed, the new USB support will be released as GPL open source software.

 
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