As the demands on embedded systems continue to grow, system designers have been forced to move from simple microcontroller-based system designs to more complicated microprocessor designs. This move took designs from a single device with a single power rail to multiple devices requiring sophisticated high-speed routing and complex power sequencing. In order to cope with this increasing complexity many designers have turned to using modules instead of designing discrete microprocessor systems. Modules remove the complexity of working with a microprocessor system. The module will typically include the processor, power management, and all the highspeed signals, removing the need for the designer to deal with these tasks. Using a module means the designer can continue to focus on the parts of the system that truly differentiate their product while getting it to market quicker. (Read More…)
Developed by an Industry Expert the open source reference design has everything you need to develop a building automation controller. This design features the OSD335x C-SiP which integrates an entire Embedded Linux system into a single IC, Relays, Analog Sensor inputs, RS-485, CAN and many other features required in industrial and building automation environments.
Figure 1 Let’s have better control and put AM335x based system in package into all these Air Conditioner units!
Some applications of IoT are still being debated. Does your refrigerator really need an operating system and be connected to the internet? Should it try to detect when you’re out of milk and automatically order more? What if there’s an error and 50 gallons shows up on your doorstep? Just like many others, I do not know the answers to all these questions. One thing I know for sure is that IoT does belong in air conditioning and the control systems of medium-to-large buildings. The OSD335x family of System-in-Package products featuring the AM335x, provides an excellent foundation for the design of an Open-Hardware Building Automation System Controller. This article introduces a series of technical application notes for building a reference design with the OSD335x-SM.
It is always worth our while to review the state of the art of integrated circuit technology. As one who has been in the middle of it for over 40 years, it is interesting to see how we have advanced the technology by driving the learning curve, exploiting the physics of silicon and creating new ways to design billions of transistors into functioning, reliable, affordable products. The products that have revolutionized the world we live in.
I believe we are only at the beginning of a transition from integration at the component level to integration at the system level. The new heterogeneous integration method known at System-in-Package (SiP) will be the technology of choice.
That is why Octavo’s products and strategy are based on this proven technology platform known as SiP. Although the technologies associated with SiP integration have been around for over a decade and are well established in the semiconductor industry, they have not been exploited for system integration. Our goal is to develop these existing technologies, along with new concepts, to deliver to you unprecedented integration and design flexibility.
SiP technology will help increase the performance of products while increasing their reliability.
At Octavo Systems, we are always looking for ways to help designers be more productive, be it with application notes, tutorials, reference designs, or design collateral. The goal of our System-in-Package technology is to create modular building blocks that abstract away tedious, repetitive, and complex tasks that designers are forced to spend time on, but don’t really add value to the end system so that they can create better, more innovate products.
Today we took another step in making designing with Octavo Systems devices easier by adding an Altium symbol library for the OSD335x-SM for you to download from our website. Scroll down to the link to download.
Due to its openness, flexibility, and tremendous community support and development, Linux has become the operating system of choice for most new embedded systems. Be it Industrial control systems, robotics applications, or IoT devices, Linux distributions pull together drivers, utilities, libraries, and application software that reduce time to market and development costs. However, the challenge with Linux is:
How does one get started using Linux on a new Embedded System?
With the exciting upsets, shoot-outs and close matches of the FIFA World Cup games this year, predicting who will win each game has been challenging. Therefore, we turned to technology and built an electronic Magic 8-Ball to help make decisions for our bracket.
Decide New Features Quickly with Rapid Prototyping
Fortunately, developers can now rapidly prototype with the OSD3358 System-in-Package (SiP) using the BeagleBoard.org® PocketBeagle®and MikroElektronika click boards™. BeagleBoard.org® is a 501c3 Foundation focused on education. PocketBeagle® is a completely open source, highly affordable super tiny single board computer featuring the OSD335x-SM SiP. One of the most exciting things about the BeagleBoard.org® PocketBeagle® is that is conforms to the standard of the MikroElektronika mikroBUS™ click boards™. This is an open standard interface for which over 400 compatible add-on boards have been created. These compact boards provide a range of added functionality and features from sensors to connectivity and storage. The OSD3358 SiP has the performance capability to process multiple sensor inputs, process information quickly and perform actions such as driving displays, motor control, or communication.
You’re busy. We get it. You ask: Do I really have time to learn about Linux? You don’t have time NOT to. 8 reasons why MCU users love switching to Linux on OSD335x :
1. Code is written while you sleep
The software libraries and device drivers for Linux are supported by a huge open-source community that stretches around the globe with thousands of passionate programmers and developers. This means that device drivers and software libraries, like OpenCV, an image processing library, or the TCP/IP stack, a complete set of networking protocols, are already available for most hardware components in your design. Even with new hardware that has just hit the market, there is a good chance that someone has already started developing or has developed the software you need. It is like having your own world-wide team of software developers.
2. A friend has started your hardware design for you
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
