x86-compatible, part 3: “86Duino Strikes Back”
In the first part of the article, I talked about DMP Electronics , a little-known Taiwanese manufacturer of x86-compatible Vortex86 processors, as well as motherboards and computers based on them. In the second part, I promised to present the comparative characteristics of the Vortex86MX processor, and to make an overview of the eBox-3300MX computer based on it. Unfortunately, for reasons beyond my control, the second part is not yet complete, and I have to publish the third part before the second. The third part deals with the Arduino.
UPD 01/15/2014: The manufacturer asked to report that the delivery to Russia will be, and do not need to ask about it by e-mail. Unfortunately, production is delayed by 2-3 weeks for technical reasons, and the product will be available at the warehouse in the 2nd week of February.
Less than a month later, Intel announced the start of sales of the first x86-compatible Arduino controller , and DMP Electronics has already released its version of the board based on its own Vortex86EX processor. New board called 86Duino . (Click on the photo to enlarge - carefully traffic!)
The board is available in two versions: a cheaper (and less “fancy”) 86Duino ZERO , and a more expensive 86Duino ONE . Unlike Intel Galileo, both versions of the 86Duino are modular — the processor module is attached to the daughter board with a 128-pin connector. Thus, those who wish can purchase only the processor module ( pictured below ), and design the peripheral board themselves, according to their needs.
Characteristics of the processor module Vortex86EX SOM-128-EX:
The processor itself contains 32KB L1 cache (16KB data cache, 16KB instruction cache) and 128KB L2 cache. I note that the L2 cache size is 2 times smaller than the previous generation of Vortex86 family processors (apparently, due to an attempt to reduce the cost of the final product), but at the same time, this is the first processor of the line using DDR3 RAM (all other processors used DDR2). The Vortex86EX is available in a 288-pin LBGA package and has a TDP of 2 watts (max. 3 watts).
In addition to two modifications of the boards, the device is also offered in an assembled closed case “a la eBox”, but with openings on top for plugging in wires ( 86Duino EduCake ). The case size is 78.0 x 78.6 x 28.3mm. EduCake is good because all standard connectors brought out are not necessary to solder or buy special connectors, as is the case with the 86Duino ZERO / ONE. And you can also screw it on the back of the LCD monitor if it supports the VESA mounting standard.
DMP Electronics did not trust the sale of 86Duino to distributors like Mouser (as Intel did with Galileo ), but “started on its knee” its own online-shop: shop.dmp.com.tw/INT . The prices of the devices are shown in the table below (when ordering directly from their store in Taiwan, excluding shipping costs):
As we can see, the price of the base 86Duino with the processor module is comparable to the price of the Raspberry Pi model B (only $ 4 more expensive - $ 39 versus $ 35). Yes, 86Duino does not have VGA / HDMI or any video output at all (except console redirection via COM-port). But there is a RTC ( real-time clock ) and a full-fledged PCIe 1x port, which are not in the Raspberry Pi, and a separate Ethernet controller (whereas in the Raspberry Pi it is connected via USB hub).
')
Today, in the online store DMP Electronics hangs the announcement that the test batch of devices has already been sold out, and a new batch will appear on January 15, that is, in 10 days. And here KolibriOS, you ask? The answer is very simple: it is the cheapest x86-compatible computer produced today.
Design 86Duino fully open-source:
UPD 01/15/2014: The manufacturer asked to report that the delivery to Russia will be, and do not need to ask about it by e-mail. Unfortunately, production is delayed by 2-3 weeks for technical reasons, and the product will be available at the warehouse in the 2nd week of February.
Less than a month later, Intel announced the start of sales of the first x86-compatible Arduino controller , and DMP Electronics has already released its version of the board based on its own Vortex86EX processor. New board called 86Duino . (Click on the photo to enlarge - carefully traffic!)
The board is available in two versions: a cheaper (and less “fancy”) 86Duino ZERO , and a more expensive 86Duino ONE . Unlike Intel Galileo, both versions of the 86Duino are modular — the processor module is attached to the daughter board with a 128-pin connector. Thus, those who wish can purchase only the processor module ( pictured below ), and design the peripheral board themselves, according to their needs.
Characteristics of the processor module Vortex86EX SOM-128-EX:
- Processor - Vortex86EX (1x 32-bit x86 core @ 300MHz)
- Memory - 128MB DDR3 RAM (16 bit); 8MB SPI flash
- Networking - 10/100 Ethernet MAC + PHY
- Standard I / O:
- SATA
- USB 2.0
- 10x COM
- 8x ADC
- 80x GPIO
- DMA and interrupt controllers
- MTBF counter
- Configurable I / O (not all available at the same time):
- COM with TX / RX only
- RS485 auto direction
- SPI 1 or 2
- Parallel port
- SD / eMMC
- I2C, CAN, PS / 2
- HD audio
- Ethernet LED, watchdog
- MCM (motion control module)
- Expansion buses:
- PCIe control and target interfaces
- xISA bus
- Operating temperature - 0 to 60
- Operating system - Linux, Windows Compact 7.0, QNX, VxWorks, DOS
The processor itself contains 32KB L1 cache (16KB data cache, 16KB instruction cache) and 128KB L2 cache. I note that the L2 cache size is 2 times smaller than the previous generation of Vortex86 family processors (apparently, due to an attempt to reduce the cost of the final product), but at the same time, this is the first processor of the line using DDR3 RAM (all other processors used DDR2). The Vortex86EX is available in a 288-pin LBGA package and has a TDP of 2 watts (max. 3 watts).
In addition to two modifications of the boards, the device is also offered in an assembled closed case “a la eBox”, but with openings on top for plugging in wires ( 86Duino EduCake ). The case size is 78.0 x 78.6 x 28.3mm. EduCake is good because all standard connectors brought out are not necessary to solder or buy special connectors, as is the case with the 86Duino ZERO / ONE. And you can also screw it on the back of the LCD monitor if it supports the VESA mounting standard.
DMP Electronics did not trust the sale of 86Duino to distributors like Mouser (as Intel did with Galileo ), but “started on its knee” its own online-shop: shop.dmp.com.tw/INT . The prices of the devices are shown in the table below (when ordering directly from their store in Taiwan, excluding shipping costs):
| Name | Description | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vortex86EX SOM-128-EX | Processor module | $ 32 | Only by special order |
| 86Duino ZERO | Baseboard with processor module | $ 39 | |
| 86Duino ONE | Advanced board with processor module | 69 $ | |
| 86Duino EduCake | The device is in the assembled closed case | $ 49 |
')
Today, in the online store DMP Electronics hangs the announcement that the test batch of devices has already been sold out, and a new batch will appear on January 15, that is, in 10 days. And here KolibriOS, you ask? The answer is very simple: it is the cheapest x86-compatible computer produced today.
Design 86Duino fully open-source:
- Coreboot is used as BIOS
- Datasheet processor Vortex86EX
- Circuits Schematics for DM-205 (Vortex86EX SOM-128-EX)
- Circuits Schematics for DM-222 (Daughter Board)
- BOM / Part List for DM-222 (Daughter Board)
- Gerber file for DM-222 (Daughter Board)
- The 86Duino IDE (Integrated Development Environment) source is hosted on GitHub
Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/203948/
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