Click here to learn
about this Sponsor:
Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum

Keywords: Match:
ARM9-based SoC targets low-end PMPs
Apr. 23, 2008

Korean chipmaker MagicEyes Digital has announced an ARM9-based system-on-chip (SoC) intended for low-end navigation devices and PMPs (personal media players). The Linux-friendly "Pollux" SoC features on-chip 3D graphics acceleration, an NTSC/PAL video encoder, and a video DAC with picture-in-picture capabilities.

The Pollux is produced using a 90nm process and comes in a 288-pin, 15mm x 15mm FBGA (fine pitch ball grid array) package. A 533MHz ARM926EJ core includes 16Kb caches for both instructions and data, and incorporates ARM's Jazelle Java hardware accelerator.


A block diagram of the MagicEyes Pollux

Said to be suitable for applications such as 3D mapping, the Pollux's 3D graphics accelerator supports one digital and one analog display simultaneously, with screen sizes up to 1280 x 1024 pixels. Open GL ES 1.1-compliant, the accelerator can do 3D texture mapping, lighting, shading, fogging, Z-Buffering, and alpha-blending. It can manipulate 133M texels (texture elements) or 1.33M polygons per second, MagicEyes claims.

Other features and specifications listed by MagicEyes for the Pollux include:
  • DDR SDRAM controller
    • 133MHz DDR SDRAM memory x 16bit
    • Single DDR memory bank
    • Supports up to 128MB, peak memory bandwidth 533MB/sec
  • Static bus controller
    • 16-bit data bus
    • Supports 8-bit NAND flash and 8/16-bit SRAM
    • Supports SLC/MLC NAND flash
    • Boots from NAND flash or NOR flash
    • IDE interface with PIO mode
  • Integrated peripherals:
    • USB 2.0 host/device
    • I2C
    • 4 x serial
    • SSP/SPI
    • 2-channel SD/MMC
    • I2S
  • Power management modes:
    • Individual block dynamic power controller
    • Supports various power-down modes (idle/stop)
  • Operating temperature -- 0 to 70 deg. C

The Pollux envisioned as part of a complete device


As shown in the illustration above, MagicEyes envisions the Pollux becoming the heart of a complete PND (personal navigation device) or PMP (personal media player). It would be connected to a GPS module serially, to an audio DAC via I2S, and to a television receiver via SPI.

Development kit

The Pollux has already been used in a hardware development kit, made available by fellow Korean vendor Aiji System. However, the kit appears to be available only with Windows CE 5.0 and 6.0 BSPs (board support packages), initially.

Shown below, the "Pollux DTK" offers a 4.3-inch touchscreen LCD display with 480 x 272 pixel resolution, five navigation keys, 128MB of RAM, and 76MB of flash. Offering PC-style interfaces including dual serial ports and a 10/100 Ethernet connector, it also adds an audio DAC and provides composite video output.


The Pollux DTK development board
(Click to enlarge)

Features and specifications listed by Aiji System for the Pollux DTK include:
  • Processor -- MagicEyes Pollux, with ARM926EJ core clocked at 533MHz
  • Memory:
    • 128MB of DDR DRAM
    • 64MB SLC NAND flash
    • 8MB MLC NAND flash
    • 4MB NOR flash
  • Display -- 4.3-inch touchscreeen display with 480 x 272 resolution
  • Keys -- 5 navigation buttons and power switch
  • Networking -- 10/100 Ethernet
  • Other I/O:
    • USB 1.1 host
    • USB 2.0 device
    • 4 x RS232 (2 with PC-style connectors)
    • composite video output
    • audio line in and line out
  • Expansion -- SD interface
  • Power supply -- 5VDC

A block diagram of the Pollux development board


In addition to supporting Linux, the MagicEyes Pollux SoC runs Windows CE 5.0 and 6.0. Pricing or availability information was not provided by MagicEyes, but the chip appears to be available now. The Pollux DTK comes with Windows CE 5.0 and a Windows CE board support package (BSP). For more information, see the Aiji System website, here.



Related Stories:


(Click here for further information)


FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux
Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals.

Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering
With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing¿s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size.

Data Monitoring with NightStar LX
Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn¿t leave you stranded in the dark. It¿s more than just a debugger, it¿s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that¿s positively illuminating.

Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta
This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments.

High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD
This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail.

Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source
Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss.

Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms
The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms.

Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems
This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG¿s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system.

7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.

 


Got a HOT tip?   please tell us!
Free weekly newsletter
Enter your email...
Click here for a profile of each sponsor:
PLATINUM SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
(Become a sponsor)

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)

Check out the latest Linux powered...

mobile phones!

other cool
gadgets



BREAKING NEWS

• First ALP Linux smartphone?
• First Atom-based nano-ITX board?
• New kernel boosts embedded
• First dual-monitor LTSP 5 set-up?
• Understanding Unix spells and curses
• Tools vendor touts low-cost Linux BSPs
• Debugger supports multi-core MIP64 chips
• Webinars tackle VxWorks-to-Linux ports
• Twin POS systems for Linux
• Mobile Firefox ready for download
• Miguel de Icaza on Mono 2.0
• Embedded Linux declining?
• Mobile WiMAX service launches in U.S.
• Euro Linux device conference announces speakers
• POS stack targets Linux netbooks


Most popular stories -- past 90 days:
• Open source phone goes mass-market
• Tinest Linux system, yet?
• Garmin Nav devices run Gnome Linux
• ARM9 board boots Debian in 0.69 seconds
• Low-cost laptop runs Linpus Linux
• Linux-friendly Beagle fetches $150
• Mini Linux PC breaks $100 barrier
• Open source camera records geotagged video to SATA HDD
• Open set-top box ships
• First $100 laptop runs Linux


DesktopLinux headlines:
• Mandriva 2009 debuts with KDE 4 desktop
• Debian Sid-based distro reviewed
• Miguel de Icaza on Mono 2.0
• RIP LinuxWorld
• Testers sought for Blackberry-Linux sync software
• Google updates photo editor for Linux
• Major Mono rev ships
• Intrepid Ibex beta-tests
• Linux netbook returns higher?
• Open-source image editing project launches


Also visit our sister site:


Sign up for LinuxDevices.com's...

news feed

Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum  |  About  |  Contact
 

Ziff Davis Enterprise Home | Contact Us | Advertise | Link to Us | Reprints | Magazine Subscriptions | Newsletters
Tech RSS Feeds | White Papers | ROI Calculators | Tech Podcasts | Tech Video | VARs | Channel News

Baseline | Careers | Channel Insider | CIO Insight | DesktopLinux | DeviceForge | DevSource | eSeminars |
eWEEK | Enterprise Network Security | LinuxDevices | Linux Watch | Microsoft Watch | Mid-market | Networking | PDF Zone |
Publish | Security IT Hub | Strategic Partner | Web Buyer's Guide | Windows for Devices

Developer Shed | Dev Shed | ASP Free | Dev Articles | Dev Hardware | SEO Chat | Tutorialized | Scripts |
Code Walkers | Web Hosters | Dev Mechanic | Dev Archives | igrep

Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.