ETRAX 100LX Multi Chip Module
A full Linux computer on a single chip
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Just
add power to the chip and you have a Linux computer with network
connection and a wide range of I/O options. Axis has designed a new
ASIC with ease of design as one of the primary goals. This new ASIC
takes into account the total system cost and tries to reduce costs in
both the design cycle and in the production cycle. The powerful ETRAX 100LX MCM allows you to build extremely small and cost effective embedded devices. |
The Module
The
ETRAX 100LX Multi Chip Module (MCM) is using High Density Packaging
(HDP) technology. HDP enables the integration of bare dies (i.e.
un-encapsulated chips such as ETRAX 100LX, SDRAM, Flash) and other
components (like resistors) to provide smaller, lighter and more
cost-effective products. The MCM is built around the ETRAX 100LX
system-on-chip processor. We have added almost all mandatory components
for building a networked device.
In one single 256-pin PBGA capsule measuring only 27x27 mm we have integrated the following components:
- ETRAX 100LX System-On-Chip
(see specifications )
- 4Mbyte of Flash memory
- 16Mbyte of SDRAM memory
- Ethernet transceiver
- Reset circuitry
- ~55 passive components
(resistors and capacitors)
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Inside view of the MCM
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The
MCM includes enough Flash and RAM for m any designs. It is possible to
add more Flash memory and SDRAM outside of the Multi Chip Module if
your application should need it.
Mandatory components outside the MCM are a 3.3 V power source and a 20 MHz crystal oscillator.
Read more about the technical specifications
Have a look at the ETRAX 100LX MCM Designer's Reference for detailed technical information.
The pinout of the chip is available as a PDF document (32 KB).
Advantages with using the MCM over traditional board design
By
using the Multi Chip Module in your designs, you will significantly
decrease your hardware development time and also greatly reduce the
risk of errors in your design. We allow you to focus on your
application specific design and not having to worry about the
essentials that are just supposed to work.
Advantages in development:
- Decreased development time
- Reduced risk of errors in the design
- Reduced electromagnetic interference (EMC)
Advantages in system cost, bill-of-materials and product management:
- Reduced production costs -
There are a lot less components to mount and this will result in a
smaller PCB with fewer layers. In most cases you can use a 2- or 4-
layer PCB instead of a 4- or 6- layer PCB.
- Reduced BOM (bill-of-materials)
- All components included in the MCM are sourced by Axis from the
suppliers in very high volumes and at better rates than can be achieved
for smaller volumes. Buying the MCM is normally cheaper than buying all
the components separately - at least for volumes less than 10K per
year. After that, the cost advantage wears off.
- Increased production yield - There are less components that can fail during production and the hardware is much simpler in design.
- Lower inventory costs
- Instead of keeping stock and sourcing some 50 different components
you only need one component which will also reduce logistical problems.
- Decreased footprint - The
ETRAX 100LX measures only 27x27 mm, which will makes it possible to
design products with a very small footprint. In practice, the
connectors of your product will be the thing that decides the size of
it.
Example design - A single port serial server
To
give an example of how easy it is to design hardware using the ETRAX
100LX Multi Chip Module we have created a reference design for a single
port serial server.
All we needed to do was to add:
- RS-232 transceiver and connector
- RJ-45 connector for the 100 MBit Ethernet port
- Reset switch
- Power logic
- 20 MHz crystal oscillator
- A couple of passive components
This is a complete embedded Linux system running Linux 2.4 and includes a web server for management.
The schematics are available as a PDF document ( 518 kB).
Availability
| Part |
Memory |
Type |
Availability |
Comment |
ETRAX 100LX MCM 2+8
Part# 18896 |
2MB Flash
8MB SDRAM |
Pb |
Obsolete. |
Replaced by 20016 |
ETRAX 100LX MCM 4+16
Part# 20016 |
4MB Flash
16MB SDRAM |
Pb |
Obsolete. |
Replaced by 22545 |
ETRAX 100LX MCM 4+16
Part# 22545 |
4MB Flash
16MB SDRAM |
Pb |
Not in stock. |
|
ETRAX 100LX MCM 4+16
Part# 22546 |
4MB Flash
16MB SDRAM |
RoHS |
Not in stock. |
|
ETRAX 100LX MCM 4+16
Part# 26766 |
4MB Flash
16MB SDRAM |
Pb |
Available Oct/Nov 2006 |
|
ETRAX 100LX MCM 4+16
Part# 26662 |
4MB Flash
16MB SDRAM |
RoHS |
Available Oct/Nov 2006 |