Re: Need Evaluation Board suggestion?

From: Grant Edwards (grante_at_visi.com)
Date: 06/07/05 

Date: Tue, 07 Jun 2005 14:50:47 -0000

On 2005-06-07, T Marchini <a.marchini@ohknow.com> wrote:
> wuulong wrote:
>> Hi:
>>
>> I want to learn embedded system.
>> Can anyone suggest me that a easy, cheap evaluation board that I can
>> use it to learn embedded linue.

> There are several levels of "embedded" computing to go for.
> You could go small embedded computing, like the microchip PIC or the
> Zilog Z8 encored (I have seen a lot of cheap development kits for these,
> zilog is rather agressive in getting these into peoples hands...and they
> should be... I think freescale needs to learn something here).

I don't think Linux will run on a PIC or Z8.

> There are midrange embedded systems www.zworld.com has rabbit
> based devices based on a proprietary chip, there is Zilog and
> their acclaim processor, and a whole slew of 186 proto boards
> out there (though they are replaced with RDC look alikes).

You can probably get uCLinux running on a '186 if it's got
enough RAM. No chance for a PIC or Z8.

> Also usefull for mid range education is www.xess.com and their
> XSA-200 product. It is relatively inexpensive but allows you
> to learn very useful device programming techiniques.

I think it's going to be an uphill battle running Linux on it.
:)

> Up in the queue are the system based devices, VIA Eden
> embedded PCs

As long as you don't have to deal with the startup stuff --
starting up and configuring an IA32 mobo is a nightmare.

> and baby linux based embedded arm devices (I
> think www.embeddedarm.com 's product is fun to play/learn on
> and relatively cheap). It also maters where you are, I imagine
> these things are not so cheap if they need to ship out of the
> states.

The OP needs to decided if he wants to do uCLinux or a "full
up" Linux kernel with VM. If the former, any of the cheap ARM7
or 68K solutions will work nicely. A Linksys wireless hub
running a uCLinux on a Samsung ARM7 can be had for $40, and
there's a fairly active development community:

  http://www.bettina-attack.de/jonny/view.php/hardware/soho_routers/

If he want's to run a kernel with VM, I'd recommend something
with a StrongARM or maybe ARM9 or PPC. The gumstix products
(StrongARM) are pretty cool:

  http://www.gumstix.com/
  http://www.gumstix.org/ 

-- 
Grant Edwards                   grante             Yow!  Make me look like
                                  at               LINDA RONSTADT again!!
                               visi.com

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