Best Embedded Linux Development Kits? 31
curious-embed asks: "I'm currently involved in a project which is moving towards using Linux in an embedded environment. However, I am having a lot of trouble finding a reasonably priced dev kit to tinker with and move towards something more production ready. Linuxdevices.com has a guide The Linux-friendly Embedded SBCs Quick Reference Guide but most of the listed manufacturers won't talk to you unless you are buying 100+ kits. I'm specifically looking for something ~$200 with USB/Audio/Video that is Linux friendly. Ideas anyone?"
Build your own (Score:2)
Re:Build your own (Score:1)
Re:Build your own (Score:2)
White Dwarf (Score:3, Interesting)
What's your intended use? (Score:2)
If you're talking about hand-held Linux development, a PDA might be the right way to go.
If you're going to roll your own, I've personally had good experiences with an AMD Alchemy processor.
And uclibc and busybox are definitely the way to go for embedded linux.
Re:you are an idiot and should shut up tsarkon (Score:2)
Seriously, it would help if the guy was more clear about what he wants to embed linux for. He says he wants USB+Video+Audio, but I don't know if he wanted something that is meant to be a large ATM/Kiosk or something hand-held.
As for the AMD processor -- with a little bit of work, you can take an Au1100 and turn it into a device that will do USB + Audio + Video with a BOM cost of probably around $50 *if* he's making a bunch...
AMD Processor (Score:2)
minor endorsment. (Score:1, Informative)
The provide a Linux distro for their devices which one of the engineers there rolled up from LFS. It works pretty well.
just my 2 bits....
More specfic? (Score:3, Interesting)
On the large end, as others have suggested, you can just use a standard PC for development and prototyping. At the other extreme, you're probably going to want to just buy a packaged system like a uCdimm -- LinuxDevices has a good list.
In the middle, though, I've had good experiences with the OpenBrick; it's basically just a low-env VIA EPIA system, with onboard graphics, Ethernet, USB, etc. I actually ran one for lightweight web and MP3 serving for about a year, with it stuffed in between stacks of books on a shelf, and just the network and power cables running out the back.
Size? (Score:1)
Because the mini-itx [mini-itx.com] form factor systems fit the bill technically and pricewise.
And at 17cm x 17cm, they aren't as tiny as some SBC solutions, but they are a fair sight smaller than an ATX motherboard.
spreer
Re:Size? (Score:2)
Why not a PC (Score:2)
In other words, what will a more traditional single-board computer (SBC) get you over a PC for your development needs?
Are you wanting something with on board Flash to boot from, are you wanting something that isn't an x86, are you wanting a particular form factor?
In short, what are the needs that preclude using a PC.
Pick up the O'Reilly book (Score:2, Informative)
I'm also in the early stages of a project using Linux in an embedded system. I'll probably be going with either a PC/104 or ARM7 based solution.
Re:Pick up the O'Reilly book (Score:1)
Hollabaugh's book also has good hardware tips. (Score:2, Informative)
Try... (Score:1)
Or you might want to try
ZFx86 [zfmicro.com]
Re:Try... (Score:2)
See this [zfmicro.com]
I have not heard any news of them resuming production of the ZFx86...
Fairly small, PC architecture compatible (Score:1)
If you need everything like that.... (Score:3, Informative)
If you're concerned about paying SCO's license fees ($32 for embedded devices [linuxdevices.com], $699 for single CPU's [linuxdevices.com]), don't worry: that offer expired October 1. [caldera.com] You're in the same boat as the rest of us, buddy!
Eagle dev board (Score:2, Interesting)
It's great for quick prototyping - has flash, RS232s, network and all.
They sell it for ~$400.
When the prototype is done, I just hand it over to my hardware collegues;
they trim it down to matchbox size.
Get a LART. Or, pick a CPU and go to the vendor. (Score:1)
The LinuxDevices page on LART [linuxdevices.com]
The LART home page [tudelft.nl]
Last I checked (2 months ago) they still had LART boards available from a 'community-production run' of boards made for other LART hackers
That said, I'll give you another bit of
Axis (Score:1)
http://www.soekris.com/ (Score:1)
* Board size 4.85" x 5.7"
http://www.soekris.com/
$180 for 1 board.
* 100/133 Mhz AMD ElanSC520 * 16-64 Mbyte SDRAM, soldered on board * 1 Mbit BIOS/BOOT Flash * CompactFLASH Type I/II socket, 8 Mbyte FLASH to 1Gbyte IBM Microdrive * 1-3 10/100 Mbit Ethernet ports, RJ-45 * 1 Serial port, DB9. (optional 2nd serial port) * Power LED, Activity LED, Error LED * Mini-PCI type III socket. (t.ex for optional hardware encryption.) * PCI Slot, right a