News

  • Home > News

        Geode EPIC dev kits support Windows Embedded

        Staff | Date: Dec 5, 2005 | Comments: 1


        Embedded boardmaker DSP Designs is shipping its first SBC (single-board computer) in the mid-sized EPIC form-factor. The EG533 runs a low power AMD Geode processor and is supported with development kits running either Windows CE or Windows XP Embedded.



        (Click here for larger image)

        The SBC is based on AMD's Geode GX533@1.1W processor, and provides an SODIMM socket that supports up to 1 GB of DDR RAM. The GX533@1.1W is equivalent in performance to the VIA Eden but at a "significantly lower power budget," according to DSP.

        Unlike most EPIC SBCs, the EG533 is PCI-104 expandable. That is, it omits the PC/104 standard's P1 connector, which carries the 16-bit ISA bus, but includes the P2 connector, which implements the 32-bit PCI bus.

        DSP lists the following key features and specifications for the EG533:
        • Processor -- AMD Geode GX533@1.1W (clock speed not specified)
        • Memory -- 128 MB to 1 GB DDR RAM in SODIMM socket
        • Display:
          • Resolution to 1024 x 768
          • TFT output digital or LVDS
          • 4-, 5-, or 8-wire resistive touchscreen interface
        • Storage -- dual IDE
          • CompactFlash socket on board
          • Second IDE device accessible through 44-pin connector
        • I/O Ports:
          • 10/100 Base-T Ethernet with on-board RJ45 socket
          • Four USB 1.1
          • Four RS232, RS485 option on one port
          • AT compatible parallel port, ECP or EPP
          • 16-bit GPIO
          • AC97 audio codec
        • Expansion -- PCI-104 connector
        • Single 5V supply
        • Dimensions -- 6.45 x 4.49 inches (164 x 114 mm)
        DSP says it offers a pair of "LaunchPad" development kits for the EG533 -- one based on Windows CE 5.0, and the other using Windows XP Embedded. The kits include an EG533 processor board, cabling, high brightness TFT display, universal 120V/240V power supply, and a CompactFlash preloaded with the respective operating system and sample programs. The LaunchPad software development tools are supplied on CDs.

        About EPIC

        EPIC is an acronym for "Embedded Platform for Industrial Computing". The form-factor was developed by five prominent SBC vendors and jointly unveiled at the Embedded Systems Conference in March of last year. At 165 x 115 mm, EPIC offers more space than PC/104 for faster CPUs or more I/O, yet requires significantly less space than the larger EBX format, according to its proponents.

        The EPIC spec allows I/O connections to be implemented as either pin-headers or PC-style (so-called "real world") connectors. The standard provides specific I/O zones to implement functions such as Ethernet, serial ports, digital and analog I/O, video, wireless, and various application-specific interfaces. And, like PC/104 and EBX, EPIC expands modularly by means of self-stacking PC/104 and PC/104-Plus expansion modules.

        In January of this year, the PC/104 Consortium added EPIC to its portfolio of embedded computer board-level specifications. Then in September, the five original developers announced plans to add PCI Express to the standard.


        Related stories: