Macraigor's OCDemon Supports Intel Atom Processor

Macraigor Systems has expanded its on-chip debug technology, OCDemon, to support the latest Intel Atom x86 processor. Built with tiny transistors, the Intel Atom processor was designed for low-power mobile internet devices and simple, low-cost PCs. JTAG debug solutions do not require an operating system on the device and is therefore suitable for firmware debugging as well as bootcode. Through the JTAG interface, the target hardware is connected to the debugger on the host system.

This allows in-depth access of IA-specific features for execution trace support and system-on-a-chip and chipset peripheral register content. OCDemon offers an optimised interface to these on-chip resources via a choice of communication channels. A host debugger communicates with a Macraigor Systems device and then to the target processor. Since there is no need for any resident code, this debug method is available for hardware initialisation and debug as well as kernel, driver and application software debug.

OCDemon has continued to be an Intel recommended JTAG debug solution for hardware manufactures that need to debug applications on host development platforms or remote TCP/IP sites. Macraigor is offering a free port of the GNU toolkit (gcc, gas and gdb) for the Atom processor on its website, as well as full support for Eclipse Ganymede. The Macraigor Eclipse Ganymede/Galileo and GNU Tools Suite is an implementation and packaging of the Eclipse Ganymede/Galileo platform, CDT (C/C++ development tooling) 5.0.x, and DSDP (device software development platform) 1.0 plug-ins, and a program called OCDRemote that provides an interface between Eclipse, the GDB debugger and a Macraigor on-chip debug device.

Macraigor's JTAG interface devices are immediately available for use with the Intel Atom-based designs as well as other Intel devices including the XScale range of processors.

Axiomtek Releases 3.5in Intel Atom Embedded Board

Axiomtek has launched a powerful 3.5in (8.9cm) Intel Atom embedded board, expanding its Atom embedded solution. The SBC84832 embedded SBC uses the Intel Atom N270 processor combined with the Intel 945GSE chipset and ICH7M Southbridge, which offers optimised power and a robust performance per watt for cost-effective embedded solutions. The onboard 1.60GHz Intel Atom N270 processor is claimed to provide good performance with low power consumption and fanless operation. The Mobile Intel 945GSE Express chipset comes with the Generation 3.5 Intel Integrated Graphics Engine and the Intel GMA 950, which provides enhanced graphics support over the previous-generation graphics and memory controller hubs.

Moreover, the SBC84832 supports CRT (2,048 x 1,536) and LVDS LCD (1,600 x 1,200) dual-view displays and delivers flexible high-bandwidth expansion capability with one PCI Express mini card for custom system configurations. The small-footprint embedded board provides a solution for digital signage, kiosks, point of sale (POS), thin clients, digital security and industrial control. One DDR2 SODIMM on board implements up to 2Gb of system memory. The SBC84832 platform comes with advanced connectivity and expansion interfaces, including two powered COM ports (RS-232), six high-speed USB 2.0 ports, dual-gigabit local-area-network (LAN) ports, one Compactflash Type-II socket, a PS/2 keyboard and mouse, AC'97 Codec audio, two SATA-150 ports and digital input/output (I/O).

Two highly integrated Realtek RTL8111B 10/100/1000 Ethernet controllers feature remote wake-up functions to increase cost efficiency in network maintenance and management. A watchdog timer is included to keep the system running smoothly. Joseph Chou, product manager of the company's Embedded Computing business unit, said: 'Axiomtek has expanded its range of single-board computers with the launch of several new embedded boards based on the energy-efficient Intel Atom processors. 'Axiomtek's SBC84832 is a small-footprint single-board computer that is configured with the Intel Atom N270 processor at 1.60GHz, FSB 533MHz and the Mobile Intel 945GSE Express chipset with the ICH7M,' he added. The SBC84832 is RoHS compliant and is available now.

EMB-9459T Supports Intel Atom N270 Up To 1.6GHz

Aaeon has introduced the EMB-9459T, which features the Intel Atom N270 processor. Intel Atom series processors offer small form-factor designs that are fanless and consume small amounts of power. Based on the Intel 945GSE+ICH7M platform, the EMB-9459T delivers mobile performance in today's most popular motherboard form factor, the mini-ITX.

The EMB-9459T supports an onboard Intel Atom N270 processor up to 1.6GHz (FSB: 533MHz) and one 240-pin DDR II DIMM that can support up to 2GB for system memory at speeds of 400/533. Two Realtek 8111C Ethernet controllers provide 10/100/1000Base-TX network connection to enable high-bandwidth communication. Ample storage expansion can be achieved through one Compactflash socket, one EIDE connector and two SATA II interfaces.

With eight USB2.0s, six COM ports and one parallel port, the demands of standard and special embedded markets are easily met. In addition to the storage and flexible I/O interfaces, the EMB-9459T offers peripheral expansion through one Mini-PCI, one PCI and two PCI-E[x1] in PCI-E[x4] through the use of a Riser Card. The onboard features, along with the available expansion capability of the EMB-9459T, offer advantages for reducing the cost of system integration.

With the integrated display chipset of the Intel 945GSE, the EMB-9459T allows for a variety of display interfaces, such as CRT, TV-out, 18-bit dual-channel LVDS (or 24-bit dual-channel through the use of the PER-V04B SDVO module), DVI and SDVO. The EMB-9459T supports CRT/LCD, CRT/DVI, LCD/DVI, CRT/TV, LCD/TV simultaneous/dual view displays. The integrated features of the EMB-9459T make it ideal for industrial automation, digital signage, entertainment, networking, transportation, banking, healthcare, interactive and multi-media applications that require high performance and reliability.