Industrial single board computer (SBC) supplier WinSystems has created a $300 embedded Linux development kit based on Red Hat that supports many of its x86-based PC/104, EBX, and STD SBCs. WinSystems markets its ruggedized, temperature-tolerant boards for heavy manufacturing, COTS/military, communications, transportation,… pipeline, networking, and machine control applications.

WinSystems says its embedded Linux software package includes a web server, Telnet access, FTP, and serial terminal support. Development kits include board specific drivers, documentation, cables, and a quick start guide. Scripts are also provided to simplify the creation of solid state disk drives using M-Systems' DiskOnChip, according to WinSystems.

“We have taken a standard Red Hat distribution and boiled it down to the essentials required for a small, royalty-free embedded operating system for use on our industrial-grade SBCs,” explained WinSystems vice president Bob Burckle. “Designers can start their project with proven, debugged hardware, and just focus on their applications software development.”

More particulars about the WinSystems Linux distribution are available in a downloadable datasheet.

WinSystems Embedded SBCs range from PC/104 to EBX

Supported hardware

WinSystems' SBCs are designed for space-sensitive and extended temperature requirements needed by its industrial clients. Its smallest SBC is a 3.6 x 3.8 in. PC/104 bus 486DX, while the largest is a 5.75 x 8.0 in. EBX-compatible high-performance Pentium III with integrated video and Ethernet controllers. Most of its SBCs operate from -40 to +85 deg. C. They include networking capabilities, multiple data storage choices, and digital and analog I/O support and expansion options.

The ten Linux-supported SBCs are:

• EBC-C3, a 733MHz Via C3 EBX board
• EBC-BX, a 700MHz Pentium III EBX board
• EBC-LP, a 266MHz Pentium EBX board
• MCM-TX, a 266MHz Pentium STD bus board
• MCM-586, a 133MHz 586DX STD bus board
• PPM-TX, a 266MHz PC/104-Plus module
• PPM-520, a 133MHz AMD 520 PC/104-Plus module
• PCM-586, a 133MHz 586DX PC/104 module
• SAT-520Plus, a 133MHz AMD 520 SBC with PC/104-Plus expansion
• SAT-DX, a 100MHz 486DX4-100 SBC with PC/104 expansion

Pricing and availability

Prices of the development kits begin at $300, with no additional operating system royalties or runtime license fees. SBCs and processor modules start at under $300 in moderate volumes. Delivery is from stock to three weeks, according to WinSystems.

 
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