Techsol New Product Announcement: Low-power embedded Linux Computer with POE

Delta, British Columbia, Canada - September 29, 2010

Techsol is offering another standard, off-the-shelf embedded computer with POE as an option. This SA2410 Medallion CPU Module compatible Computer features:

• Ultra‑Low‑Power operation: consuming less than 2 watts at full speed
• ARM‑9 processor running Techsol’s proven Medallion Linux OS for performance and reliability
• 32 MB or 64 MB of SDRAM
• at least 130 MB of flash memory (2 MB NOR, at least 128 MB NAND)
• Fast Ethernet (10BaseT/100BaseTX) interface with integrated status LEDs
• 1 × RS‑232 serial interface on DE‑9 connector
• 2 × RS‑485 or RS‑232 serial interfaces on DE‑9 connectors (jumper‑selectable configuration)
• 4 USB Host ports (USB Type A connectors) offer easy integration of peripherals
• plus a USB Device (Gadget) port (USB Type B connector)
• 2 × ultra‑efficient SMPS reduce power consumption and heat
• Input range of 10–30 VDC or 7–24 VAC or POE expands your power options
• There is a low‑power Real‑Time Clock with Battery Backup (RTC)
• There is a Memory Card Connector for microSD cards, enabling low‑cost storage expansion
• Power and Error LEDs, plus 4× user‑programmable LEDs
• And, like all Medallion devices, it ships with Linux 2.6 plus drivers preinstalled
  

all packaged into a rugged, aluminum enclosure barely 5.7″ × 5.5″ × 1.5″

"This little computer solves many customer problems." said Brian Empey, P.Eng., CEO of Techsol. Customers said "When we work with someone from industrial controls, they want RS-485, but customers in building controls want RS-232. We'd like one computer that does both." So, we obliged by putting in drivers for both RS-232 and RS-485, and simple jumpers on each serial port. Set the jumpers once and forget it. It's configured for good.

Customers say "Once we pay for a computer, we don't want to have to pay again to unlock SW features." So, our Medallion Linux offers access to myriad open-source SW packages, from Apache to HSQL to Perl and Python. Techsol does not charge royalties on any SW.

Customers ask "We're running an Ethernet cable, so why should we run power too?" Our answer? POE available. But, if you want to go wireless, then plug in a supported USB WiFi dongle, and wire the power in. But you never have to wire both if you don't want to.

"The cost-savings from using POE (Power Over Ethernet) are substantial, particularly in industrial environments and metal buildings," said Brian Empey, P.Eng., CEO of Techsol, "Compared to having your electrical contractor run power and communications lines to the location of each unit, with POE you just run a single CAT 5 cable and you're done. And since it’s 'low-voltage' per the NEC, you usually don't need a certified electrician. Your IT person can normally take care of this for you. This has the potential to save hundreds of dollars per unit installed."

Our sustainable designs extend beyond recyclable materials. If you deploy the Gateway Express 2 instead of a PC, it will usually pay for itself in energy savings, in as little as 2 years.

Techsol customers have deployed these computers in field trials for a year now in applications ranging from monitoring power-generation plants to robot controls.

Pricing for units with POE and rugged all-metal enclosure:

Every unit is tested running Linux before it ships. Single units of the Gateway Express 2 are available as development kits with full SW development tools and support. Call for pricing. Application Software Development kits are available from stock. Production volumes are typically 6 to 8 weeks.

Embedded Engineering is the same all over the world. Engineers face the same challenges of having too much to do, and not enough time or money to do it with. Techsol's Medallion CPU modules address this issue. We provide a solution that extends into the production stages of a product, not just the proof-of-concept stage like most SBCs.

Techsol's Medallion system is unique in the embedded computer world. Over time, the Medallion Single-board computer product line will encompass many CPUs. However, the pin-out and form-factor will remain the same. There will be one Medallion module that best matches your application.

By designing with the Medallion system, you are out-sourcing your CPU design and Linux porting with no NRE fees. That lets your team concentrate on the hardware and software portions of your product that your customers see. The result is that you can create a higher-quality product in a fraction of the time (and cost) of designing everything yourself. Plus, the interchangeable modules extend product life-cycle times.

For more details please visit our Web site at <medallionsystem.com>, call 888 TECHSOL (888 832 4765) or 604 946 8324, or e-mail <sales@techsol.ca>.

Techsol is headquartered in Delta, British Columbia, Canada, where the mighty Fraser River meets the Pacific Ocean.

See also

• GWX2 product page
• DevKits