Announcing the Topaz SO-DIMM module

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!

Freescale Technology Forum 2012

We will be in San Antonio next month (18-21 June) for the Freescale Technology Forum.  This conference  has heaps of high quality technical content as well as experts to answer the tricky questions.  The location is also fantastic – especially for those of us currently experiencing the start of winter!

We won’t have a booth but would love to meet up if you are going to be there.  Please drop us a note on our contact page, and we will setup a time to get together.

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.

Topaz Windows CE BSP update

GuruCE have been hard at work on the Windows CE BSP for Topaz recently, and have a new release with several bug fixes and improvements.  The release includes updated Topaz image binaries, binary BSP and SDK.

New book: Professional’s Guide to .NET Micro Framework Application Development

If you are doing .NET Micro Framework development, then this new book from Sean Liming and John Malin is essential for your (virtual) bookshelf.  Covering the basics of application development  from the processing loop, through to graphics and networking, it is a valuable reference and time-saver.  There are over 40 projects so you are never short of an example on how to actually do something! Several of these are specifically for Device Solutions hardware, including graphics examples on the Topaz i.MX25 Development Kit.

The book is available in Kindle format from Amazon.   If you don’t have a Kindle, the PC version is free (and probably the best way to read technical books).

Announcing 192MHz Meridian-MXL

We are very pleased to announce an update to the Meridian CPU module.  This new variant uses the Freescale i.MXL processor, increasing the speed to 192MHz and adding a second SPI port.  We have also enabled this module and the original variant to be powered from 5V or 3.3V, and increased the flash to 8MBytes. 

The new module provides a significant performance boost for any applications that have a lot of graphics, or number crunching.

The Meridian-MXL is pin-compatible with the original i.MXS version.  Documentation is available on the web site. 

Samples are available now and Sytech Designs will have a selection of development systems available shortly which include the new module.

Please contact us for samples and any questions.

Customer contribution to the .NET Micro Framework codebase

It has been a pleasure to work with Pulsecor on their Cardiovascular products over the last few years, and nice to see some recognition for the work Richard Scott has put into the .NET Micro Framework recently.  Check out what Colin Miller had to say, and watch a video of the product in action.

Richard built on our open-source Board Support Package (BSP) for the Meridian CPU which we provide free-of-charge.  He added support in native C++ code for their heavy-duty algorithms, and then added more functionality including OneWire support  and enhancements to the math libraries and SD card drivers.  It is fantastic that he was able to contribute some of this work to the 4.2 codebase!

.NET Micro Framework on Topaz

We have an ALPHA version of the .NET Micro Framework port for the Topaz i.MX25 Development Kit available for download.  Features included in this release are:

- LCD
- Touch
- Serial ports
- GPIO
- SPI
- File System and Extended Weak References
- ADC and PWM

The help file and release notes have more information.  There is no SDK installer, however there are libraries included for accessing GPIO, ADC, PWM and the LCD configuration routines.

This is an alpha release, which means you will most likely find bugs! Please report any issues to support<at>devicesolutions.net.  We also want to hear from you as to which features you need.  Ethernet will be the next major feature added.

Freescale Technical Forum 2011

We will be in San Antonio, TX on the 20-23 June for this event.  Please let us know if you are going to be there – we would love to meet up!

Windows Embedded Compact 7 on Topaz

GuruCE has released a new BSP which includes support for Windows Embedded Compact 7 on Topaz.

The release also includes an update to the Windows CE 6.0 R3 BSP and the Topaz Flasher application.

You can download a binary image and a binary BSP for free, with the source code available when you purchase support.

GuruCE has done a lot of work on the BSP and it now includes enhanced support for many of the devices on the i.MX25, including a comprehensive GPIO driver.  For a small fee there are also a suite of managed wrappers making it very easy to access hardware from your Compact Framework application.