company.
(Click for larger view of the Puma module)The low-power, RoHS-compliant Puma CPU module is based on a 500 MHz-equivalent AMD Geode GX500 microprocessor, and is equipped with with 256 MB of soldered-on DDR SDRAM and an extensive set of I/O and peripheral interfaces.
Other key features and specifications of the Puma module, as listed by VersaLogic, include:
- Four USB 2.0 ports
- Autoselecting 10BaseT/100BaseTX Ethernet
- Four COM ports
- Parallel port
- ATA-5, UDMA66 IDE interface
- Analog and 18/24-bit digital video interface supporting 24-bit color rendition at formats up to 1280 x 1024 pixels
- AC97 stereo audio in/out
- CompactFlash expansion socket
- PC/104-Plus form-factor with ISA and PCI expansion bus headers
- Supports fanless operation
According to VersaLogic, the Puma module has seen use in a
Trek Aerospace unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) called the OVIWUN, said to be the first UAV to employ powered-lift technology.
Windows CE BSPThe new BSP, based on the GeodeGX BSP distributed by AMD, provides drivers, utilities, and various support elements for all the basic functions provided by the Puma, including audio, video, USB ports, etc., VersaLogic said. The BSP also adds support not included in the standard AMD BSP distribution, such as for the Puma's Intel 82551ER Fast Ethernet controller.
"We know that developers would rather be spending their time working on their application development than configuring the operating system," said VersaLogic VP Tom Barnum.
AvailabilityThe Windows CE BSP for the Puma is available as a no-cost download from the company's
software download area.
The Puma module itself, which has been shipping for approximately one year, also supports Windows XP Embedded, QNX, VxWorks, and Linux, according to the company. Pricing was not disclosed.
Related stories: 
