Adlink has released a hardware/software embedded Linux development kit (ELDK) for its line of ETX single board computers (SBCs) based on Via processors. The ELDK includes Linux and uClinux “demo” distributions, drivers, host development tools, and a 600MHz ETX-EV133 board with carrier board and… USB-based connectivity equipment.

(Click for larger view of Adlink ELDK)

According to Adlink, the ELDK can be used to set up a “fully operational host target environment” in a matter of minutes. It comes with a USB bootstick to start up the ETX module directly in target mode. It also includes a USB cable and converters that can be used to link the target module with legacy-free notebooks, as well as PC development hosts.

On the software side, the ELDK includes “software for the ETX host environment,” board specific drivers, example kernels, and demos of popular development environments “such as uCLinux and Gentoo,” Adlink says.

The kit comes with an ETX-EV133 SBC clocked at 600MHz, with 256MB SODIMM memory. It also includes a prototyping carrier board supporting additional PCI, mini-PCI, and ISA expansion cards.

The ETX-EV133 boasts low power use and passive cooling
Adlink's ETX-EV133 SBCs are currently available with passively cooled x86-compatible Via “ESP” embedded processors clocked from 400MHz to 1GHz. They support up to 512MB of RAM through a SO-DIMM socket. I/O ports and peripherals include 10/100 Ethernet with wake-on-LAN, an AGP 2D/3D graphics controller supporting CRT or LVDS, two channel UDMA IDE, AC97 audio, a parallel port, two serial ports, IrDA, four USB v1.1 host ports, watchdog, and an EEPROM for CMOS backup.

The Adlink boards follow the ETX “computer-on-modules” specification, measuring 3.7 x 4.4 inches. Adlink says the modular ETX format radically reduces development time compared with custom hardware implementations.

Adlink's ELDK is available now, priced at $750. Adlink ETX-EV133 boards are also available in bulk.

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