Single Board Computer utilizing Embedded Systems
Using Locustworld for Wireless Mesh Networking and Trixbox (Asterisk) for Telephony these two open source solution can utilize and embedded single-board systems. I have been using mini-itx, WRAP, and PC in various configurations. Embedding these systems into separate computer has a significant advantage in performance rather than using a general purpose PC like Windows, Macintosh or Linux. An embedded system is a special-purpose system in which the computer is completely encapsulated by or dedicated to the device or system it controls. Unlike a general-purpose computer, such as a personal computer, an embedded system performs one or a few pre-defined tasks, usually with very specific requirements. Since the system is dedicated to specific tasks, design engineers can optimize it, reducing the size and cost of the product. Embedded systems are often mass-produced, benefiting from economies of scale. Single-board computers (SBCs) are complete computers built on a single circuit board. The design is centered on a single microprocessor with RAM, IO and all other features needed to be a functional computer on the one board.
I noticed that mini-itx and now Nano-itx boards are very popular and have maintained their retail price even with slower process speeds these devices have stop evolving in terms of processing speed. It looks like embedded system and single board computers are driving new economic indicators and are now eluding Moore’s law. This means that processing speed does no longer double and the cost does not go down. Too bad for us innovators we are stuck with a higher price but if you use a general purpose computer near the end of its lifecycle you can get some real bargains; however, for us who still want to innovate and bring mobility to wireless mesh and telephony having access to SBC are essential. I started to look for WRAP board’s replacement as these items are near their lifecycle as indicated by PC Engine web site. A good explanation on SBC can bee seen at LinuxDevices.com http://linuxdevices.com/articles/AT2614444132.html .
If you come across some SBC at low cost that have 128 megs of RAM, 2 mPCI, and CF-Flash adapter utilizing POE please drop me a line 647-476-2231 ext 2007 or don@moskaluk.com
Thanks
Don
I noticed that mini-itx and now Nano-itx boards are very popular and have maintained their retail price even with slower process speeds these devices have stop evolving in terms of processing speed. It looks like embedded system and single board computers are driving new economic indicators and are now eluding Moore’s law. This means that processing speed does no longer double and the cost does not go down. Too bad for us innovators we are stuck with a higher price but if you use a general purpose computer near the end of its lifecycle you can get some real bargains; however, for us who still want to innovate and bring mobility to wireless mesh and telephony having access to SBC are essential. I started to look for WRAP board’s replacement as these items are near their lifecycle as indicated by PC Engine web site. A good explanation on SBC can bee seen at LinuxDevices.com http://linuxdevices.com/articles/AT2614444132.html .
If you come across some SBC at low cost that have 128 megs of RAM, 2 mPCI, and CF-Flash adapter utilizing POE please drop me a line 647-476-2231 ext 2007 or don@moskaluk.com
Thanks
Don
Labels: Open Source
