•  
• EDN Europe MAGAZINE
•  
• Free SUBSCRIPTION
• Subscription Renewal
• View Media Kit

• EDN
• EDN Australia
• EDN Asia
• EDN China
• EDN Japan

Embedded computer module hosts WinCE

h2>

 

UK-based distribution company Direct Insight has produced its own embedded-system computer platform, the SwiftModule, which it describes as a production- ready platform. Modules are preconfigured and an operating system, Windows CE 6.0, is pre-installed. The company targets its modules at applications such as GPS location systems, industrial controllers, instruments, medical systems, and a range of handheld devices. You can develop your own base board to host the module, and accommodate it in your system; alternatively, Direct Insight can also undertake that design as a service.

The SwiftModule implements a wide range of interfaces, such as Ethernet, USB, LCD controllers, touch, audio, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, RS232, or SD Cards; you can add others with suitable connectors on a standard or custom baseboard, extending the feature set with LVDS, GPRS, a GPS module, A/D, CAN, and a Li-ion battery). A production-quality BSP (board-support package) for Windows CE 6.0 R2 supports this range of interfaces. According to the company’s managing director, David Pashley, “the key difference between this and other module offerings is completeness. Windows CE brings an unrivalled range of communications interfaces without the need for any porting. Typical Windows CE applications almost always require certain interfaces. The module’s processor— a Marvell PXA320—was designed for PDA use, but many embedded designers will want Ethernet, so we added it as standard. The Marvell chip also provides the touch-screen interface, while the module has audio and power management [in a Wolfson Microelectronics chip].” Adaptive power management, adjusting both core voltage and clock frequency of the processor, is an integrated feature of the PXA320.

The CPU runs at 806 MHz, with up to 256 Mbytes of DDR SDRAM and up to 1 Gbyte of NAND Flash, and —according to its designers— it is one of the most powerful ARM-based modules available. It consumes under 1W in most applications; you can use it in small-form-factor, battery-powered, and fanless applications. The platform- based design approach can reduce NRE and frees the developer from high-frequency hardware design and OS porting, says Pashley. Direct Insight, which is a Microsoft Windows Embedded Gold Partner, developed the SwiftModule in conjunction with Tel-Aviv-based manufacturing specialist Variscite; the board measures 6040 mm and includes features such as rapid-boot capability via a BinFS-fi le-system implementation, while a user-defi ned splash screen makes it easy for the user to introduce graphical branding without modifying the platform confi guration. You can connect a large touch screen, directly to the PXA320’s on-chip display controller. For development purposes, the module sits on the SwiftKit baseboard, which comes complete with an 800480 touch-screen display and adds a Li-ion battery charger and fuel gauge, LVDS and VGA display interfaces. The module costs €79 (100).

Direct Insight, www.swiftmodule.com.