C Data Solutions is shipping a new, smaller carrier board for its tiny Compact Flash Computer that runs uClinux. The four-slot board supports up to three CF+I/O cards, in addition to the company's CF-sized Compact Flash Computer. It targets portable, wearable, and desktop applications.

(Click for larger view of new application board)

Previously, C Data Solutions offered an 8-slot motherboard for its CF Computer. The larger board targets embedded applications where PC/104 is too big, and the application volume does not warrant custom hardware design, the company says.

C Data introduced the Compact Flash Computer in August of 2004. It is based on a Freescale Coldfire MCF5272 processor, and has 32MB of SDRAM and 8MB of Flash. Packaged in a Type II CompactFlash Card, the CF Computer measures 1.5 x 1.7 x 0.2 inches (37 x 43 x 5 mm) and comes pre-installed with uClinux.

The new carrier board has two CF slots on top, and two below. The board has an integral Bus Expansion Unit (also available in a CF form-factor), which enables the Compact Flash Computer to directly address CF+ I/O cards. The carrier board can be powered from 5-10V via a switching regulator or a 3.3V supply.

The new 4-slot dev board has a built-in Bus Expansion Unit

Four-slot dev board architecture

The new carrier board is available now as part of a $400 development kit that includes a CF computer, power supply, RS232/BDM header, RS232 cable, and source software and development tools. Development kits based on the older 8-slot board are priced at $600. The CF computer is priced at $200 in small volumes, or $100 in quantity.

 
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