Medallion based PC takes Java onboard

After designing custom and semicustom embedded computers for years, Techsol is now offering a standard, off-the-shelf computer with a Sun-certified Java Virtual Machine. This SA2410 Medallion CPU module compatible computer features: ultra-low-power operation, consuming less than 2W at full speed; a 200MHz ARM-920T processor running Techsol's proven Medallion Linux OS for performance and reliability; a low-power 10-BaseT Ethernet interface; an RS232 serial interface on a DE-9 connector; either an RS485 serial interface on RJ12 connector or a Multi-tech socket modem on RJ12 connector; two ultra-efficient SMPSUs with the primary supply providing 5V for USB, GPS and audio, and a secondary switcher generating 3.3V for digital circuits; high-quality 16bit audio out (for MP3s, announcements etc); a low-power real-time clock with battery backup; a memory card connector for SD or MMC cards; a USB host port (USB-A connector) plus a USB device (gadget) port (USB-B connector); four pushbuttons; and, like all Medallion CPU module powered devices, it ships with Linux 2.6 plus drivers pre-installed. All this is packaged into a space measuring barely 145 x 140 x 38mm.

But the most interesting features are that it includes a Sun-certified port of J2ME/CDC with additional database connectivity classes available, and that it consumes so little power, that when used instead of a PC it will pay for itself in energy savings within 2 years.

'This little computer provides many big computer features', said Brian Empey, PEng, CEO of Techsol.

'It comes with a Java Runtime Environment (JRE) that is a Medallion-targeted configuration of IBM's WEME (WebSphere Everywhere Micro Environment)'.

'It is comprised of Techsol Medallion-Linux/ARM920T-specific ports of the CDC-J2ME-specific J9 VM and Foundation Class Library (FCL)'.

'Then we've added additional database-connectivity classes, as well as Javax.COM from J2SE.

The result is a JRE with the light foot-print and speed of J2ME, but with most of the useful functionality of J2SE'.

And for serious developers, there is also a custom JDE based on WebSphere Device Developer 5.6 for Linux.

That's enterprise-grade tools for fanless, diskless, embedded industrial computers.

The Gateway Express is available from stock, with the Medallion Linux Distribution powering it.

It features 32Mbyte SDRAM and 64Mbyte NAND Flash (in addition to the 2Mbyte of NOR Flash for fault-tolerant boot-loaders).

Pricing starts under US $300 each at quantities of 1000 pieces, including the JRE.