Open embedded hardware for open source development

When it comes to embedded hardware there are certain aspects that have to be taken into consideration. It must be reliable, small, cost and energy effective. Learning curve and development ime should be as short as possible. Our hardware platforms are designed with the possibilities of extension and inter-operation in mind. You can combine different CPU architectures and software platforms to suit your needs. Depending on the CPU choice you can either use embedded C or a fully-fledged Linux OS (OpenWRT, OpenEmbedded or FreeRTOS). We can offer two different hardware platforms with 8, 16 and 32-bit processors:

• 8, 16, 32-bit module-based system in Mini PCI-E form factor
• 32-bit PowerPC-based system with extender interface 

Module-based system in Mini PCI-E formfactor

Our revolutionary platform goes beyond the usual idea of attaching expansion hardware to the main processor. In this case the mainboard acts as a connector between modules in Mini PCI-E form factor. It is possible to combine different architectures together with ease. With only one standardized form factor you won't have to worry about upgrades, development will become even faster since you will be the one who decides which CPU architecture to use. The freedom of choice is what makes our embedded hardware platform "open".

OpenRB PowerPC platform

OpenRB embedded microcontroller is created to meet advanced demand of high quality, trouble-free boards with capability to adapt for various installations targeted at telecommunication and industrial applications. OpenRB is designed to work in harsh outdoor and indoor environments – very high and low temperatures, dust and humidity – with features like industrial grade temperature support, ESD protected Ethernet and power ports, PoE support for each Ethernet port, very low power consumption, low heat emission, HDD-less and fan-less design. Currently there are no products on the market enabling so huge different interfaces connection to the board – built-in Ethernets; MiniPCI expansion for wi-fi radio cards, VGA cards, Ethernet cards, SATA or IDE disk modules and additional serial interfaces; Extender expansion for ZigBee, HSDPA, GPS, GPRS modules and various sensors; USB for plug-and-play peripherals like flash disks, web cameras and others.

OpenRB platform is preinstalled with one of the OpenWRT, DD-WRT, FlashSYS, OpenEmbedded or eCOS open source operating systems thus making the board fully opened, feature-rich and very customizable. Among the list of supported features there are such things as DHCP, NAT, Port forwarding, PPTP, PPPoE, EoIP, serial tunnels, very comprehensive firewall and QoS with traffic prioritization, GEO IP filtering and shaping, HotSpot, RADIUS, VRRP, WMM, DFS, TCP, WDS, Wireless channel selection from 4.9GHz-6.1GHz and 2.3GHz-2.5GHz with step of 5MHz available thanks to modified ODFM, next generation AJAX based GUI.

OpenRB is a carrier grade all-in-one green technology based open microcontroller delivering high performance, is standards-compliant and extendible with latest expansion technologies to accommodate future hardware needs. Yet OpenRB hardware is very competitively priced.

Powerful

• Based on the PowerPC 32-bit RISC processor designed by IBM
• Flexible, fast hardware solution to satisfy the demands of high-performance embedded applications. Implemented in the scalable PowerPC Architecture

Extendable

•  PCI bus for wireless interfaces, video, Ethernet and other miniPCI devices

• I2C bus for serial memory, A/D and D/A converters, temperature/voltage monitors

• RS232/RS485 for keyboard, LCD and other devices for industrial applications

• USB hostwith two ports for various serial devices from flash disks to web cameras

• GPIO for relays, LEDs, etc.

• Extender connector for ARM based Micro board with optional interfaces – ZigBee, HSDPA, GPRS, GPS and others
  

Memory

• RAM: up to 512 MB

• Flash: 8MB on board, expendable up to 64 GB using CompactFlash socket for proxy, logs, data bases, FTP
  

Green and energy saving

• Fully ROHS compliant
  

• Power over Ethernet support anebling AC adapter. Free operations in 100m radius of the power outlet

• Processor power consumption (typical): 0.72 W at 266 MHz

• High reliability thanks to HDD-less and fan-less design

• Low heat emission
  

Stable

• Hardware watchdog timer

• Industrial temperature grade (real -30C - +85C)

• ESD protected Ethernet and power ports

• Reliable tantalum capacitors on board except for only one electrolytic cap
  

Software

Ported to:

• OpenWRT Linux

• DD-WRT Linux

• OpenEmbedded Linux

• FlashSys Linux with revolutionary AJAX interface

• eCOS Real Time operating system
  

Created for:

• Wireless and wired router solutions

• Machine2Machine (M2M) applications

•   Industrial applications

• Home wireless AP and media servers

• Automatic devices
  

Technical details:

• PowerPC processor: 266 or 333 MHz clock frequency

• 1 or 2 ESD protected Ethernet ports

• 2 x miniPCI sockets for 802.11 wireless cards and other expansions

• 32-512 MB SDRAM, 64 bit wide for high memory bandwidth

• 8 MB FLASH for system BIOS and programs

• True IDE CompactFlash (CF) header for custom OS and applications

• 7 to 36 V DC supply through DC jack or passive power over LAN connector

• 2 x RS232 serial ports (1 DB9 male socket), RS485 interface header

• JTAG interface header

• Hardware and software watchdog timers

• LM75 thermal monitor

• GPIO header

• 2 x USB 2.0 hosts

• I2C bus header (can be used for front panel interface)

• 2 x LEDs and 1 x push button switch, freely programmable

• Size 135(185 with swivel antenna) x 105 x 50 mm

• CE certified
  

Casing

• Aluminium extrusion and polished stainless steel cover

• Case is completely conductive throughout for the highest EMC-shielding requirements

• Can be used with a DIN rail module or a wall mounting module