IBM unveils PowerPC Linux-based PDA reference design with TCPA Chip

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

------ Forwarded Message
From: "Robert J. Berger" <rberger () ibd com>
Date: Thu, 23 Jan 2003 10:47:43 +0900
To: Dewayne Hendricks <dewayne () warpspeed com>, Dave Farber IP
<dave () farber net>
Subject: IBM unveils PowerPC Linux-based PDA reference design with TCPA Chip

[Updated Jan. 22, 2003] IBM unveiled an open standards based Linux/Java PDA
reference design at LinuxWorld in New York this week. Based on the IBM
PowerPC 405LP embedded processor, the reference design, dubbed the "embedded
Linux application platform" (e-LAP), is intended to jump-start PDA
manufacturers, who can use the design as is, or can modify it to meet their
own PDA, electronic book, or "personal media device" requirements.

The e-LAP reference design PDA includes . . .

    * PowerPC 405LP Processor
    * 32MB SDRAM
    * 32MB Flash (NOR)
    * 64MB M-Systems Disk-On-Chip Flash device
    * 4-inch LCD color display (240 x 320 pixels)
    * TCPA security chip
    * Stereo speakers, audio in, audio out
    * AC power-in
    * Integrated microphone/speech input chamber
    * SDIO slot
    * Philips USB 1.1 (one client port, two host ports [one is disabled])
    * Speech-on button
    * Navigation mouse
    * 4 programmable input buttons
    * Li-Ion battery (1700 mAh)
    * Bluetooth 1.1 (via Toshiba SDIO card)
    * Xilinx XCR3128XL FPGA (128 macrocells, 3000 gates)

Additionally, a plug-in "developer sled" adds the following options, for
development and debug purposes . . .

    * USB 1.1 host
    * 10/100 Ethernet
    * Serial port
    * 8- or 16-bit PCMCIA slot
    * JTAG debug port
    * Flash programming port

IBM's PowerPC 405LP system-on-chip processor, which seems poised to compete
with Intel's XScale processors for mobile device design wins, is described
in its preliminary data sheet as a "highly integrated device offering
high-performance at ultra-low power". The chip contains a 32-bit PowerPC
405D4 RISC core processor (with MMU) which dynamically scales from 152 to
380 MHz, and also includes an SDRAM/RAM/ROM/Flash controller, DMA and
interrupt controllers, extensive power management, color LCD controller for
1/4 VGA up to XGA (2K x 2K pixels), touch panel interface, 2 16550-type
serial ports, IIC (master and slave), CODEC interface, and up to 32 general
purpose I/O lines. The 405LP implements a technology known as dynamic power
management, for both processor and memory power requirements, in order to
maximize battery life in mobile devices.

The reference design's software stack includes MontaVista Linux Consumer
Electronics Edition, Trolltech Qt/Embedded application suite, and Opera
browser. Additionally, an IBM WebSphere software development kit, which will
be made available in the second quarter, is also being previewed at
LinuxWorld. The IBM-supplied software will include a J2ME certified Java
Runtime platform for devices (IBM's WebSphere Micro Environment) along with
support for multimedia, data connectivity, and speech and handwriting
recognition.

The integrated hardware/software reference design will initially be supplied
through the IBM Microelectronics Division. In addition, the IBM Engineering
& Technology Services group will be available to assist device manufacturers
in modifying the reference design to match their specific requirements. The
reference design will become available beginning March 1, 2003, a spokesman
said.


-- 
Robert J. Berger - Internet Bandwidth Development, LLC.
In Tokyo as Glocom visiting research fellow through April 2003
Cell: +81 80-3121-6128 Work: +81 3-5411-6613 http://www.glocom.ac.jp
eFax: +1-408-490-2868 rberger () ibd com http://www.ibd.com


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