Posts Categorized: Windows CE

Posted by Martin Welford & filed under Topaz, Windows CE.

Customer Story | B-cycle

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We have customers making some really interesting products which have Topaz as a component, and we are excited to share this one with you. 

If you are in North America you may have B-cycle in your city.  B-cycle is a bike sharing system that tracks your ride and records distance, duration, calories burned and carbon offset.  Topaz enables the data gathering and transfer at the kiosks from the bike to the B-cycle servers. 

Read more about B-cycle here, and vote to get them in your city – if they are not already!  This page has more details about the development of the bike computer and how Topaz was used.

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Posted by Martin Welford & filed under Opal, Windows CE.

Windows Embedded Compact 2013 on Opal

GuruCE have been hard at work porting the latest version of Windows Embedded Compact to the Opal i.MX53 module and development kit.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwW8tLxhxRU]

Contact GuruCE for more information on the i.MX53 port and us (Device Solutions) for information on Opal.

MVP Logo

We also want to congratulate Erwin Zwart from GuruCE on his Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) award!  This award recognizes technical excellence in Windows Embedded, and Erwin joins Michel Verhagen (APAC branch) who also has the MVP award.

GuruCE provide Windows CE and Windows Embedded Compact BSPs for our Topaz, Opal and Quartz products.

Posted by Martin Welford & filed under .NET Micro Framework, Linux, Topaz, Windows CE.

Announcing the Topaz i.MX25 CPU Module and Development Kit

We are very pleased to announce the Topaz i.MX25 CPU Module and Development Kit.  Topaz is a new CPU module designed for portable, industrial and automotive applications.

Topaz i.MX25 CPU ModuleThe Topaz module includes a Freescale i.MX25 (400MHz ARM926), 64MBytes mobile DDR, 128MBytes NAND flash, Freescale Power Management IC and Ethernet PHY.  Like Meridian, Topaz is a surface mount module.  This is easy to mount on new hardware and scales well in volume production.

Topaz i.MX25 CPU Module Topaz includes 10/100 Ethernet (just add a MagJack), USB Host and High-Speed OTG ports, LCD controller, Touch-controller, ADC, SD card, CAN, 5x serial ports, PWM, One-Wire, SPI, I2C, Security and more.  Check out the product page and data sheet for all the technical details.

For Topaz, we worked with partners to support Windows CE and Linux, as well as the .NET Micro Framework.  We are shipping today with Windows CE 6.0 R3 in conjunction with GuruCE.  The .NET Micro Framework and Linux are in development.

Topaz is ideal for portable applications as it uses low-power memory and can be powered from a LiIon cell.  For HMI applications, the built-in LCD and touch-screen controllers make it simple to connect a variety of display types.   For automotive applications, Freescale supply specific variants of the i.MX25 and these are supported by the Topaz module.

Topaz Development Kit

The Development Kit is great for evaluating the Topaz CPU module and development devices.

It includes 10/100 Ethernet, Serial, USB host and OTG ports, SD card and audio out.  All other signals are available on 0.1” interface headers for easy connection.

You have a choice of LCDs for use with the kit:

4.3inclLcd 4.3” 480×272 TFT LCD with touch-screen.

7inchRunningNoCable-small 7” 800×480 TFT LCD with touch-screen.

The development kit is priced at US$299 and the LCD kits are US$199 for the 4.3” option and US$299 for the 7” option.  These are available from our web shop now, and will be with distributors in the next 2-3 weeks.

Posted by Martin Welford & filed under Topaz, Windows CE.

New Windows CE release for Topaz

GuruCE have released an update for their Windows CE support on Topaz.

The new update includes a fully configurable GPIO driver and updated SDK libraries.  There is also access to CAN, SPI and GPT drivers from your application.

The update page includes an image you can flash into your Topaz (using the Topaz Flasher application), a getting started guide, and a binary Board Support Package (BSP) which you can use to create a custom Windows CE image.  GuruCE can also support the BSP in source form along with custom development services and support.  Pricing for these options is on the GuruCE Topaz web page.

Posted by Martin Welford & filed under Topaz, Windows CE.

Topaz Windows CE update from GuruCE

GuruCE have released an update to the Topaz BSP for Windows CE 6.0.  The best new feature is support for a splash screen on boot.  This is very simple to use – just pick an image and download using the updated Topaz Flasher.

The release also includes updates to the FlexCAN driver and serveral other features and fixes.

You can download the binary BSP and pre-built Topaz i.MX25 Development Kit image here.

Posted by Martin Welford & filed under Linux, Topaz, Windows CE.

Announcing the Topaz SO-DIMM module

TopazSO-DIMM

Meet the latest addition to the device solutions module family: the Topaz i.MX25 CPU module in a plug-in, 200-pin SO-DIMM form factor.

This is the same circuit as the surface-mount version, so transitioning a design from one to the other is easy.

It also has the same world-class operating system support for Windows Embedded CE from GuruCE and Linux from Trygtech.

The new form-factor offers excellent flexibility for prototyping new designs, and makes production easier – especially for low-volume products. The surface-mount module is still available and ideal for applications that need a low profile module, or operate in high-vibration environments.

The Topaz web page has all the details including an updated Technical Reference Manual and schematic library symbols.

Contact us for samples – they are in stock now!

Posted by Martin Welford & filed under Linux, Opal, Windows CE.

Announcing the Opal i.MX53 CPU Module

Module-TopWe are very pleased to announce the Opal i.MX53 CPU Module and Development Kit.

Opal is based on the Freescale i.MX53 processor, and includes up to 1GB DDR3 RAM, NAND flash, power management and an Ethernet PHY. It uses two 168-pin HiRose connectors to interface to a product-specific board.

Opal is perfect for devices that have demanding graphics requirements. The i.MX53 supports multiple displays, and includes outputs for TFT LCD panels with parallel and LVDS interfaces, as well as support for analog VGA. There is hardware acceleration for video as well as 2D and 3D graphics up to 1080p.

Connectivity highlights include Ethernet, USB and FlexCAN, as well as the usual embedded interfaces like serial, I2C and SPI.

Module-BottomOpal is a 60mmx60mm plug-in module. With complex processors like the i.MX53, it can be difficult to strike a balance between exposing all the features, system cost, physical size and mechanical strength. We think the Opal form-factor achieves this for the types of industrial, automotive and medical devices our customers create.

For the development kit, we have gone with the “more is more” approach :-) and included Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS. There is also support for 2 LVDS panels (you can connect the Freescale 10.1″ panel used for the Quick Start Board), 7″ touch-screen LCD, CAN transceivers and digital I/O.

Another feature we hope will be useful on the development kit is the USB to serial converter for the debug serial port – you no longer have to go looking for your adapter!

Initial operating system support will be for Windows Embedded Compact 7 from GuruCE, with Linux and Android to follow from Trygtech.

We will have hardware available in July for beta customers with full availability shortly after that. If you think Opal might fit your application we would love to hear from you, and get you on the list for a beta unit.

Posted by Martin Welford & filed under Linux, Opal, Topaz, Windows CE.

FAQ: Designing with Device Solutions Processor Modules

OpalModule-Top  TopazCPUModule-Top  TopazSO-DIMM

Designing with a processor module is about more than making sure the technical specs meet your needs.  Hardware and software design support are essential to making projects successful.

We have put together some of the frequently asked questions to give you an idea of how the design process works with our modules.  It includes hardware design and the support we provide, operating system support and how that is delivered in conjunction with our software partners, and manufacturing questions.

We are pretty sure this document is not going to answer all your questions, but even if it does, we would love to talk to you about your project.