AlbertPacino
Skilled
German electronics company Kleinhenz is shipping a network-enabled Linux system barely larger than a standard RJ-45 Ethernet jack. "Picotux" is based on the DigiConnect ME module from NetSilicon, along with a 2.4.27 uClinux port that was probably developed by German embedded system specialist FS Forth Systeme.
The Digi Connect ME
NetSilicon's DigiConnect ME measures 0.75 x 0.75 x 1.4 inches (19 x 19 x 36mm), and weighs 0.64 ounces (18 grams), packaged in a metal housing only slightly larger than a standard RJ-45 module.
The DigiConnect ME is based on a NetSilicon NS7520 SoC (system-on-chip), which features a 32-bit ARM7TDMI core supporting clock rates of 36, 46, or 55MHz. Kleinhenz lists 55MHz as the clockspeed for Picotux. The NS7520 integrates a 10/100 Ethernet MII and ENDEC MAC, as well as a serial port, external memory controller, JTAG, and 13-channel DMA.
The NetSilicon NS7520 includes an Ethernet MAC
The DigiConnect ME has a 20-pin male connector supporting a serial interface with data rates up to 230,400bps, full modem control, and GPIO ports, NetSilicon says. The tiny system also includes link status and activity LEDs. A developers version adds a JTAG connector.
The DigiConnect ME is available with 2MB or 4MB of Flash, and Kleinhenz lists 2MB of Flash for the Picotux product, along with 8MB of RAM. The device requires 3.3V of DC power, and draws 250mA. Operating temperature range runs from -40 to 85 degrees Celsius.
NetSilicon offers a generously-sized development board for the DigiConnect ME. Kleinhenz, however, bundles a small application board with Picotux (pictured below). The board offers a serial port and five pins for GPIO.
NetSilicon also offers a DigiConnect ME-WI model (pictured below), which supports wireless 802.11b networking and includes an RP-SMA antenna port in place of the RJ-45 port. The ME-WI measures 0.75 x 0.75 x 1.85 inches (18 x 18 x 46mm), not including the antenna port, and is available from NetSilicon in both standard and developer (with JTAG interface) models. A version of Picotux based on the ME-WI is not yet available, however.
uClinux port
According to Kleinhenz, Picotux is based on a 2.4.27 uClinux kernel, and includes a shell based on busybox 1.0.
NetSilicon has previously partnered with German embedded software specialist FS Forth Systeme on uClinux development kits for embedded modules based on the NS7520 processor. And, Forth Systeme says it is currently working on Linux ports for several of NetSilicon's "Digi" products, including the DigiConnect ME. Thus, Kleinhenz may have based Picotux on Forth Systeme's "LxNETES" uClinux port for the NS7520. The companies did not immediately confirm this to be the case, however.
Availability
Picotux is available now, priced at 99 Euros, from Kleinhenz.
Additional details about Picotux are available from Kleinhenz. Details on the DigiConnect ME, including an extensive hardware PDF manual, are available from NetSilicon. Details about Forth Systeme's LxNETES and Linux ports can be found here.
Lantronix also offers a webserver built into an RJ-45, although that device is not based on Linux.
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