German embedded vendor SSV announced an add-on GSM/GPRS wireless router module for one of its miniature ARM-based SBCs (single-board computers). The “Embedded GPRS Router” module is designed to plug into SSV's Linux-ready DIL/NetPC ADNP/9200 SBC, to create a programmable router for remote equipment.

(Click for larger view of the Embedded GPRS Router module above the ADNP/9200)

The Embedded GPRS Router is a GSM/GPRS quad-band modem based on a Motorola G24 GPRS module, and further equipped with a SIM card slot and support circuitry. The modem supports GSM frequencies 850, 900, 1800, and 1900MHz, as well as GPRS Multi Slot Class 10, says SSV.

The router module plugs into a standard SSV DIL/NetPC ADNP/9200 SBC to create a working router that can be programmed with Linux. SSV first shipped the ADNP/9200 in November of 2006, positioning it as a flexible WSN platform capable of bridging various wireless networks with wired Ethernet networks. Several months later, the board's real-time Ethernet capabilities were touted.

E2W/ESL1 WiFi module (Click for details)

In 2007, SSV introduced a “E2W/ESL1” WiFi module (pictured) that, like the new router module, plugs into the ADNP/9200 via a 16-bit top-side “expansion sandwich layer” (ESL) interface. Like that device, the new GPRS add-on module is intended as a wireless interface to automation systems, but with a longer-distance cellular data connection.

The ADNP/9200

The ADNP/9200 integrates an 32-bit, ARM9-based Atmel AT91RM9200 microcontroller clocked at 180MHz, and is equipped with 64MB of SDRAM and 32MB of flash memory. It also provides dual 10/100 Ethernet ports, three UARTs, dual USB Host ports, and a USB Device port. Other I/O includes three serial ports, as well as SPI, SSI/I2C, and 20 lines of GPIO (general purpose I/O).

Like other members of SSV's DIL/NetPC family, the ADNP/9200 conforms to the company's QIL-128 form-factor, which matches the footprint of a standard 128-pin QIL (quad-in-line) socket with 0.1-inch pin centers. Footprint dimensions of the SBC are 3.2 x 1.4 inches (82 x 36 mm). The ADNP/9200 is designed to accommodate add-on radio modules of various kinds via the ESL interface.

The ADNP/9200 comes preinstalled with Linux, drivers, a TCP/IP stack, and various servers, according to the company. The following software components and features are said to be supported:

• IP-Routing via Iptables/Netfilter functions, including forwarding of IP packages between LAN and filtering IP traffic by customizable firewall rules
• SSL, SSH, and OpenVPN security functions, with the latter enabling the system to use a fixed IP address for GPRS
• Integrated proxy server for telnet, ftp, HTTP, and HTTPS
• Support for router's TCP Serial Port Redirector, with AT modem functions that can be switched on or off, enabling UARTs to connect to the Internet with or without VPN protection
• Web-based configuration

Availability

The ADNP/9200 Embedded GPRS Router appears to be available now. Pricing was not disclosed. More information is likely to appear eventually on SSV's English-language DIL/NetPC page, here.

 
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