November 22, 2005

From LiPPERT Automationstechnik GmbH

MIPS-based PCI-104 board features wireless interface, runs Linux

Contact Name: Peter Kannegiesser
Contact Email: pkannegiesser@lippert-at.com
WebSite: http://www.lippert-at.com/index.php?motemaster

For all those who want to operate a wireless sensor network, now there is a capable gateway node in the PCI-104 format. LiPPERT's »Cool MoteMaster« board features an IEEE 802.15.4 transceiver as well as a traditional Ethernet port. Using an AMD Alchemy Au1550 processor, LiPPERT designed a module that has PCI extensibility using a standard PCI-104 connector and also a miniPCI slot, which can be used for standard Laptop WLAN cards. The 90 mm by 96 mm board runs the Linux operating system. (Kernel 2.6.13 from www.linux-mips.org) Consuming only 2.5 watts from a 5V supply, the computer features 500 MHz clock speed and 128 MB soldered RAM. Three serial ports, USB host and device ports, analog and digital I/O complete the system. The board can be powered using either Power over Ethernet (PoE), or a single 5V supply. 
The various communication interfaces and the large computing power make the Cool MoteMaster a versatile gateway between the different network technologies. 
The distinctive features of the Cool MoteMaster are: 
- Processor: AMD Alchemy™ Au1550™, no cooling necessary  
- Memory: 128 MB soldered RAM  
- Storage:  
o 256 MB NAND Flash 
o 16 MB NOR Flash 
- Communication 
o IEEE 802.15.4 compliant wireless transceiver. 
o 10/100 BaseT Ethernet 
- Extensibility 
o miniPCI slot 
o PCI-104 standard connector 
- Input/Output 
o 2 x USB 1.1 host ports 
o 1 x USB 1.1 slave port 
o 3 x serial, RS232 levels 
o 10 digital I/O signals, 3.3V 
o LED's for power, watchdog, Ethernet and user-defined life signalization 
- Power supply 
o Power over Ethernet  
o 5V from the PCI-104 connector