Octavo has squeezed a 1GHz Arm-based computer into a 27 x 27mm module.
Called OSD335x C-SiP, is has an Arm Cortex-A8 Sitara AM335x processor from Texas Instruments,
Arm Cortex-A8 processor, up to 1Gbyte of DDR3 ram, 4kbyte of EEPROM, two power supplies, up to 16Gbyte of eMMC flash, a MEMS clock oscillator and over 100 passive components on the 400 ball BGA.
“The addition of the eMMC and oscillator to the processor, ram, and power supplies, makes it a complete system,” said Octavo CTO Gene Frantz. “It has everything you need for a Linux computer, all you need to do is add power and a couple of resistors.”
Power can come from any of three sources: external adaptor providing 5V, 5V rom a USB port, and from a single Li-ion or Li-polymer battery (3,7V nominal) – although is only powered by the battery, one of the 3.3V can no longer be used.
The firm emphasises that buying-in a ready made computer module removes the need to layout the critical DDR3 memory interfaces, sort out power sequencing, or handle EMI around the oscillator.
Applications are expected from building automation, to industrial control, to consumers goods.
Modules are not generally available yet, and will be on the market by the end of the year.
The first variation will be built on the AM3358 processor, and have 512Mbyte of DDR3 and 4Gbyte of flash. There will be industrial and commercial temperature versions.
