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ISA-based SBC runs Linux

Jan 21, 2008 — by LinuxDevices Staff — from the LinuxDevices Archive — 1 views

Acrosser has announced a single board computer (SBC) using a half-size ISA form-factor and featuring a 600MHz Celeron processor. The AR-B5070CM6C, which runs Linux, is intended for installation on a passive backplane, according to the company.

(Click here for a larger view of Acrosser's AR-B5070CM6C)

As Acrosser notes, ISA is no longer common. But, the original PC expansion card format is still used by motion control cards and other industrial automation devices.

Because “fewer and fewer chipsets have the ISA function incorporated,” the company says, the AB-B5070CM6C uses the ITE IT8888 PCI-to-ISA bridge. This is teamed here with an Intel 852GM chipset and ICH4 southbridge.

The AR-B5070CM6C includes a low-power CPU, the 600MHz Celeron M, to reduce heat inside control systems, according to Acrosser. It comes with 128MB of soldered-on DDR SDRAM, plus an SO-DIMM socket that accepts up to 1GB of additional DDR 200/266 SDRAM.

Notably, the device also includes 512MB of on-board SRAM, along with a 3-Volt, 220 mAH lithium battery to back it up. The company says many industrial automation machines require this type of memory, to back up important data in case of power failure.

The integrated graphics circuitry can use up to 64MB of shared video memory, and outputs to an onboard VGA port. A dual-channel 16-bit LVDS interface is also included, which supports 3.3V and 5V LCDs.

The AR-B5070CM6C additionally offers a PC/104 expansion connector, plus a full complement of ports. Serial, Ethernet, and VGA ports are accessible externally on the board's mounting bracket, and the remainder — as detailed below — are accessible via pin headers.

Specifications provided by Acrosser for the AR-B5070CM6C include the following:

  • Processor — 600MHz ULV Celeron M
  • Memory:
    • 128MB of soldered DDR SDRAM
    • SODIMM socket accepts up to 1GB of DDR 200/266 SDRAM
    • 512MB of SRAM with onboard battery backup
  • Display — VGA and dual-channel 16-bit LVDS interface, supports 3.3V and 5V LCDs
  • Networking — 1 x 10/100 Ethernet
  • Other I/O:
    • 1 x EIDE, supports Ultra DMA 100
    • 1 x floppy disk
    • 1 x RS232 (DB9 connector)
    • 1 x RS232/422/485 (pin header)
    • 1 x parallel (pin header)
    • GPIO (8 independent, TTL level)
    • 2 x USB 2.0 (pin headers)
    • 2 x 7-pin audio connectors (optional)
    • 1 x PS/2 (accepts keyboard and mouse via Y-adapter)
  • Expansion:
    • 1 x PC/104
    • 1 x CompactFlash
  • Operating temperature — 0 to 60 deg. C

Information about pricing and availability was not provided, but the AR-B5070CM6C appears to be available now. It runs Linux Fedora 2.6.4/Redhat 2.4.x and above, according to the company, as well as Windows CE and Windows XP Embedded.


 
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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