Publication date: 02 March 2010
Avnet Memec, the highly specialised semiconductor distributor of Avnet Electronics Marketing EMEA, has collaborated with Ka-Ro and kernel concepts to produce and distribute WarpComm, a Marvell MPU Single-Board Computer based development platform with a flexible Linux operating system and accompanying ‘µCross’ tool chain.
The WarpComm Kit is based on the Ka-Ro TK71 QSeven Single-Board Computer; itself based upon the 88F6281 1.2GHz Kirkwood Processor from Marvell. It has a custom Linux OS image on board, and is a breakthrough in giving universal access to the superior Marvell Sheeva™ ARM Core technology. This Single Board Computer is flexible and versatile enough to be used in a number of applications, such as network storage, digital video recorders and more.
Avnet Memec, Ka-Ro and kernel concepts have come together to design, produce, supply and support the industry-standard QSeven format TK71. It will be sold as WarpComm, a low-cost development kit incorporating a baseboard which gives designers the benefit of all of Kirkwood’s superior feature set.
This powerful Single Board Computer offers customers a plug and play embedded solution featuring:o High-performance ARM-compliant CPU in excess of 1.0 GHz operating speed o 256KB L2 cache o 16-bit DDR2 memory interface o 2 x Gigabit Ethernet Ports o PCI-Express o USB 2.0 hub with up to 7 ports o SATA 2.0 o Other features such as security engine, TDM Channels, SDIO, SPI, TWSI, & UART interfaces
The hardware will ship with a light version of the µCross embedded Linux distribution from kernel concepts, which will comprise:
o a cross-compiler suite and SDKo configuration for OpenOCD JTAG in-system debugger o UBoot boot-loader source code & binary o Linux Kernel source code (v2.6.32 or later) o pre-compiled kernel image o ready-made extensible run-time system (known as root filesystem)
Jon Ellis, Vice President Technical Marketing Avnet Memec, said: “WarpComm represents the technical differentiator of Avnet Memec. By careful selection of leading edge technology from Marvell, as well as other suppliers such as Maxim and SMSC, and in collaboration with expert design, manufacture and software partners Ka-Ro and kernel concepts, WarpComm is a clear example of why Europe is still at the forefront of product innovation.”
WarpComm will be formally launched at the Embedded World expo in Nuremberg (2-4 March 2010) by the three WarpComm partners: Avnet Memec, Ka-Ro, and kernel concepts together with Marvell. Demonstrations and information will be available at both the Avnet Memec and Ka-Ro booths at Embedded World.
Avnet Memec, a business unit of Avnet Electronics Marketing EMEA, is a highly specialised semiconductor distributor, operating on a pan-European basis and employing a significant number of engineers to support customers’ design efforts. Avnet Memec specialises in highly innovative suppliers and technologies, which will help a variety of customers to differentiate their designs. Its area of specialisation extends from Analog and Microcontrollers to RF, Datacom and Networking. The business unit operates out of 31 offices in 19 European countries and represents major semiconductor franchises on a pan-European basis. www.avnet-memec.eu
