Embedded Star » Reference Design

AMD T48L, T30L, and T24L Embedded G-Series Processors

Ken Cheung — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 21:22:32 +0000

AMD announced three new low-power AMD Embedded G-Series processors: T48L, T30L, and T24L. AMD also announced SMB/SOHO storage Reference Design Kit and a new Systems and Technology track for the AMD Fusion Partner Program. In addition, AMD has released source code for coreboot (an open-source BIOS option that initializes hardware and boot logic for systems based on Microsoft Windows and Linux).

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PrimeSensor Reference Design for Xbox 360 Kinect Sensor

Ken Cheung — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 15:25:10 +0000

Microsoft’s new Xbox 360 Kinect sensor is based on the PrimeSensor Reference Design, which is an end-to-end solution that enables a device to perceive the world in three dimensions and to translate these perceptions into a synchronized image, in the same way that humans do. The solution features a sensor component for observing the scene (users and their surroundings), and a perception component, or brain, that comprehends the user interaction within the surroundings. As we all know by now, the technology does not require a body suit with sensors for the system to track user movements.

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Microchip Digital LED Lighting Development Kit

Ken Cheung — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 11:05:34 +0000

Microchip Technology introduced their Digital LED Lighting Development Kit. The Digital LED Lighting Development Kit enables engineers to develop LED lighting products with a dsPIC33 GS Digital Signal Controller (DSC). Designers can create a 100% digitally controlled ballast function while including features like dimming and color hue control. Complete documentation for Microchip’s Digital LED Lighting Development Kit, including software and Gerber files, can be downloaded for free.

Microchip DC/DC Converter Reference Designs

Ken Cheung — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:45:06 +0000

Microchip Technology introduced the Quarter Brick DC/DC Converter Reference Design and DC/DC LLC Converter Reference Design. The reference designs feature intelligent control of the power converter and serial system communication, remote control and monitoring, and full fault protection. The reference designs are implemented using Microchip’s dsPIC33F GS digital-power Digital Signal Controllers (DSCs), which provide fully digital control of the power-conversion and system-management functions. The DC/DC Reference Designs (software, Gerber files, MATLAB models, Webinars and application notes) can be downloaded for free.

PMC-Sierra PAS65823A-KIT Pluggable GPON ONT Reference Design

Ken Cheung — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 00:02:17 +0000

PMC-Sierra introduced the PAS65823A-KIT pluggable GPON Optical Network Terminal (ONT) reference design. The PAS65823A-KIT pluggable ONT reference design enables OEMs and ODMs to easily and cost-effectively connect any customer premises equipment (CPE) using a standard SFP port to a high-speed Passive Optical Network (PON) without any hardware or software redesign. The PAS PAS65823A-KIT pluggable GPON ONT reference design is available now.

Freescale Smart Meters Reference Designs

Ken Cheung — Tue, 25 May 2010 11:01:09 +0000

Freescale Semiconductor announced the MCF51EM256, MC9S08LH64, and MC9S08GW64 microcontroller (MCU) reference designs for electricity and flow meters. Freescale’s microcontrollers enable smart meters to be designed with tamper detection mechanisms and real time usage monitoring. Freescale’s MCF51EM256 device for single and three-phase electricity meters are available now for suggested resale pricing of $3.97 (USD) for quantities of 10,000 units. The MC9S08LH64 devices are available for suggested resale pricing of $2.79 (USD) for quantities of 10,000 units. General availability of the MC9S08GW64 products will be announced later this year.

u-blox N731 UMTS/HSPA Modem Reference Design

Ken Cheung — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 17:33:04 +0000

u-blox announced the N731 UMTS/HSPA modem reference design. The high-speed wireless connectivity reference design features full High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) capabilities: 7.2 Mb/s download and 5.8 Mb/s upload speeds. The N731 is a design that combines a baseband processor, RF transceiver, antenna multiplexer, and power amplifier components to support eight bands of HSPA / UMTS / EDGE / GPRS / GSM functionality including data, voice, and SMS.

Freescale Smartbook Reference Design

Ken Cheung — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:02:57 +0000

Freescale Semiconductor announced a smartbook reference design. The tablet reference design features a 7-inch touch screen with up to four times the viewing area of a typical smartphone and has a form factor that is about one-third the size and volume of a typical netbook. The reference design is based on the Freescale i.MX515 processor with ARM Cortex-A8 technology. It also includes Freescale’s MC13892 power management IC, SGTL5000 audio codec and MMA8450Q 3-axis accelerometer. The smartbook solution is expected to be available for evaluation in February of this year.

eDVR92 H.264 HD Reference Design

Ken Cheung — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:02:06 +0000

Aptina and eASIC teamed on a H.264 High Definition (HD) reference design that is capable of supporting up to 720p/30fps rates. The eDVR92-based H.264 HD reference design is aimed at enabling and simplifying the development for a new class of low-cost HD applications and making low-cost HD solutions available for the masses. It is ideal for low-cost HD camcorders, baby monitors, public transportation, wireless surveillance, medical, and industrial/automotive vision systems. The eDVR92-based H.264 HD reference design is available now from eASIC. Pricing for the eDVR9200 CODEC IC starts at $4.95 in high volume.

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Atmel, HMT Microelectronic, MESCO Engineering IO-Link Reference Design

Ken Cheung — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:26:39 +0000

Atmel, HMT Microelectronic, and MESCO Engineering teamed together to create a turnkey solution for integrated IO-Link devices. The solution provides designers overall savings in bill-of-material and board space. The IO-Link reference design combines Atmel’s AVR , HMT’s PHY IC, and MESCO’s IO-Link stack to create the industry’s smallest IO-Link reference design. IO-Link is the upcoming industrial control communication standard that will introduce several benefits for the end user, including easier cabling, remote diagnostics, and configuration.