uClinux without Ethernet

Altera_Forum · ‎05-01-2006

I'm just curious to know how many users (if any) have applications for uClinux that don't involve Ethernet? This involves making a decision of whether to include Ethernet capability in a new dev. board, or to offer it as an addon. I current feel that most people would benefit from integrated Ethernet as opposed to an addon.

Thanks, J

Altera_Forum · ‎05-01-2006

Good to see you back again J :-)

My vote is for integrated ethernet.

* This means the board can be used for high-speed data-capture applications, sending data to host via socket protocol.

* Also, with a web-server like BOA, the board can be configured via any browser.

Altera_Forum · ‎05-01-2006

Hi jdhar,

I'm voting for including ethernet, I think all embedded systems got to offer at least one ethernet connectivity.

Altera_Forum · ‎05-01-2006

hi all,

what ? no eth http://forum.niosforum.com/work2/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/blink.gif

for me, I can't imagine a board without eth connectivity, it's realy very important !

Altera_Forum · ‎05-01-2006

ok ok, so I guess everyone is for integrated net http://forum.niosforum.com/work2/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif There are reasons not to have it however... this board I am putting out will be THE smallest uClinux board to date. And having said that, I have to choose very carefully what to put on it - and an RJ45 jack is quite large when the board is small. But I agree, Net is very important, and I feel most people would buy the addon anyway.

If people are interested, I can put out more details of the board - but the general goal is to make it very small, and very power efficient.

Altera_Forum · ‎05-01-2006

--- Quote Start ---

originally posted by jdhar@May 1 2006, 11:38 AM

ok ok, so i guess everyone is for integrated net http://forum.niosforum.com/work2/style_emoticons/<#emo_dir#>/smile.gif there are reasons not to have it however... this board i am putting out will be the smallest uclinux board to date. and having said that, i have to choose very carefully what to put on it - and an rj45 jack is quite large when the board is small. but i agree, net is very important, and i feel most people would buy the addon anyway.

if people are interested, i can put out more details of the board - but the general goal is to make it very small, and very power efficient.

<div align='right'><{post_snapback}> (index.php?act=findpost&pid=14903)

--- quote end ---

--- Quote End ---

IMO, your're right and I think Ethernet is not mandatory, especially for application as you described. For example, replacing Ethernet with other IP (such as VGA controller) may be more valuable for some kind of application.

And yes , I'm definitely very interested having more details about your board http://forum.niosforum.com/work2/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

Regards.

Altera_Forum · ‎05-01-2006

Thanks for your feedback, always appreciated:

- While I'm targetting the small factor, I do also have to consider what the majority of users will require in order for me to make back what it will cost me. For that reason, I think more people would be interested in buying if it had integrated Ethernet.

Now, regarding some more details, first.. if anyone has suggestions as to what they like/don't like, please post or message me - it will only help development of this project. And as usual, my hardware is all open-source, so it can benefit the community too.

- I am targeting a 3x1" form factor right now, and it will include everything on board to boot a fully functional uClinux system from powerup. This will likely include Ethernet and an MMC slot.

- Power efficient, so use with batteries is now possible.

- Cyclone II FPGA

- One .1" prototyping header for easy access to signals, and then two high-speed connectors for docking.

The docking is the expandable part of the project - I have many ideas for docking addons... such as creating a carrier board for multiple modules on a shared bus, enabling multiprocessor communication. Or an addon board that will turn the base module into a router... and as you just mentioned, VGA is another possibility. The addons are where the flexibility comes in, so if anyone has any suggestions, throw them out there!

Altera_Forum · ‎05-02-2006

--- Quote Start ---

originally posted by jdhar@May 1 2006, 01:10 PM

thanks for your feedback, always appreciated:

- while i'm targetting the small factor, i do also have to consider what the majority of users will require in order for me to make back what it will cost me. for that reason, i think more people would be interested in buying if it had integrated ethernet.

now, regarding some more details, first.. if anyone has suggestions as to what they like/don't like, please post or message me - it will only help development of this project. and as usual, my hardware is all open-source, so it can benefit the community too.

- i am targeting a 3x1" form factor right now, and it will include everything on board to boot a fully functional uclinux system from powerup. this will likely include ethernet and an mmc slot.

- power efficient, so use with batteries is now possible.

- cyclone ii fpga

- one .1" prototyping header for easy access to signals, and then two high-speed connectors for docking.

the docking is the expandable part of the project - i have many ideas for docking addons... such as creating a carrier board for multiple modules on a shared bus, enabling multiprocessor communication. or an addon board that will turn the base module into a router... and as you just mentioned, vga is another possibility. the addons are where the flexibility comes in, so if anyone has any suggestions, throw them out there!

<div align='right'><{post_snapback}> (index.php?act=findpost&pid=14909)

--- quote end ---

--- Quote End ---

Hi jdhar,

what do you mean by "power efficient" ? SRAM FPGA are by nature known to be power hungry, even when clock is "off" ( I mean static power is high) http://forum.niosforum.com/work2/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

Altera_Forum · ‎05-02-2006

Hey,

Well, efficiency is irrelevant of the absolute power draw http://forum.niosforum.com/work2/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif Yes, you are quite correct, FPGAs are quite power hungry as it is... so all one can do is make sure that whatever poewr it does happen to draw gets converted efficiently. That, and any other peripherals have power-off capability. I'm not hoping for days of operation on batteries.. but maybe something to approach a few hours of operation on typical batteries. Power isn't the number one priority for me however; modularity and size is.. there's not much more I can do about the FPGA being a power hog!

J