Canadian Linux PDA specialist Empower Technologies has opened a US subsidiary in Redmond, Wash. The subsidiary will demonstrate a Linux environment running on a dual-core Texas Instruments (TI) RISC/DSP chip at the TI Developer Conference (TIDC), set for Feb. 15-17 in Houston, Texas.

According to Empower, TIDC will offer more than 100 technical sessions and hands-on workshops where attendees can learn about signal processing technologies, such as HPA (high-performance analog), DSP (digital signal processing), DLP (digital light processing), microcontroller, microprocessor, FPGA (field programmable gate array) and complementary technologies.

Empower joined TI's DSP third-party network in December of 2004, and its US subsidiary is among five top-level sponsors of TIDC for 2005.

Empower's LinuxDA for OMAP5910

Empower announced it would port its LinuxDA Embedded O/S (LEOs) to the TI OMAP5910 in September of last year, adding a month later that it planned to ship a $200 PDA and a RISC/DSP development kit for portable data terminals (PDTs) based on the platform. The company says it will demonstrate both offerings at TIDC, along with a compact multi-function home entertainment device codenamed “Osaka.”

The PowerPlay 1x PDA

Empower describes the PowerPlay 1x as an inexpensive PDA that will support add-on modules such as an MP3/4 player, digital voice recorder, camera, and mobile phone. It will have a 16-bit color display, 32MB of Flash, and 64MB of DRAM.

PDT SDK

Empower's LDK5910 will include an embedded processor module based on an OMAP5910 CPU, which integrates an ARM925 core with a TI TMS320C55x DSP (digital signal processor). The LDK5910 also includes:

• Interface display module and NEC QVGA (320 x 240) 16-bit TFT LCD
• LAN/expansion module with USB host and client ports, 10baseT Ethernet, and HP logic analyzer debugging port
• I2S AIC 23 power amplifier, speaker, headphones, and microphone connections
• LEOs runtime and development kit

The LDK5910 will be priced at $900. No availability date has been set.

Osaka

The Osaka is a compact, all-digital audio system expected to ship next fall, according to Empower. The device will include a clock radio, MP3 player, CD player, and a DVD player, in addition to a PDA with a QVGA display.

 
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