Robotics Technology Center

Brains for Hot Robots Have Gone Cooler

Intelligent robots have brains! Yes, it's true. The brains are like your computer CPU that processes all activities inside. Just recently, DAVE, an Italian Linux firm, announced the launch of CPU module based on TIs' ARM Cortex-A8-based AM3505 and AM3517 system-on-chips (SoCs). The 2.7 x 2/0-inch "Lizard" module offers connectivity including CAN, I2C, Ethernet, and serial I/O, provides extended temperature support, and is available with a Linux-ready evaluation board.

The new module, Lizard is built to withstand extreme temperatures ranging from -40 F to 185 F. The Superscalar ARM Cortex-A8 processor clocks in at 500MHz. You get 256MB of DDR2 RAM, 2GB of NAND flash, 2 SD flash expansion ports, OpenGL acceleration, fast ethernet port, 2 USB host ports, 1 USB OTG port, CAN, 3 UARTs, 2 I2C, SPI, I2S, a keypad controller, JTAG, and some GPIO.

The module also provides display subsystem that supports up to 24 bit, 74.25MHz pixel clock, video processing front-end (VPFE), video input and output, 16-bit video input port and touchscreen controller. The Lizard Embedded Linux Kit Lite (LELK-L), which includes the Lizard-equipped LizardEVB-Lite "Zefeer" board, is available now for 500 Euros (about $748 U.S.) + VAT, says Dave. The Windows CE kit is said to be "coming soon."