RFID edge controller runs Linux/Java on XScale

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Jan. 12, 2005

Arcom is shipping a compact, rugged embedded Linux system targeting RFID (radio frequency identification) edge controllers. The RFID-EC is based on an XScale PC/104 board running Linux, Java, and an RFID software stack from IBM. A rackmount option is also available, as is a development kit.

(Click for a larger view of the industrial case version of Arcom's RFID-EC)

The RFID-EC is based on Arcom's Viper processor board, which features a passively cooled (fanless) 400MHz Intel XScale PXA255 SoC (system-on-chip) processor. The Viper, first announced in September, 2002, is a mature product that was probably the world's first PC/104 SBC (single-board computer) based on the XScale (ARM) architecture. Intel's XScale chips support advanced power management under Linux, and are often used in battery-powered mobile devices.

The RFID-EC is available with an integrated Viper UPS (uninterruptible power supply), said to provide more than two hours of battery-backed operation under normal conditions.

According to Arcom, the RFID-EC offers "a large number" of physical interfaces, including four RS-232 ports, one RS-485 port, 10/100BaseT Ethernet, a CompactFlash Type II socket, and two USB host ports. Additionally, a wide array of discrete I/O and expansion interfaces can be added using standard PC/104 interface boards, Arcom says.

The industrial case, back view
The RFID-EC is available in two versions. The RFID-EC-IC (industrial case) version is housed in a rugged enclosure measuring 7.9 x 8.2 x 4.2 inches (200 x 210 x 105mm). The RFID-EC-1U version is housed in a standard 1U 19-inch rackmount enclosure. Regardless of enclosure choice, the device weighs 3.75-pounds (1.7Kg), including UPS, Arcom says.

The 1U case option, front and back views

Linux/Java software environment

The RFID-EC includes a Linux-based software environment designed to work in conjunction with IBM's WebSphere RFID Premises Server. It provides hardware and software interfaces for RFID sensors, and for legacy sensors, discrete I/Os, and PLCs, providing a common platform interface to the remote backend system, Arcom says.

The device's RFID software stack is based on IBM's WebSphere RFID Device Infrastructure, which provides a Java-based application environment supporting the OSGi (open services gateway initiative) architecture. The IBM software stack can be expanded with a number of "OSGi Bundles," according to Arcom.

Additionally, Arcom offers an RFID Embedded Linux/Java development kit that targets OEMs needing additional functionality. The development kit includes the RFID-EC device, along with the RedBoot boot loader, Arcom embedded Linux development tools, and IBM's WebSphere Device Infrastructure OSGi components. The kit also includes a 90-day evaluation version of IBM's Eclipse-based WCTME IDE (integrated development environment) for either Windows or Linux hosts.

Availability

The RFID-EC and RFID Embedded Linux/Java development kit are available now from Arcom.

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