Virtualcogs

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By Phillip Torrone
Posted 2008/01/21 @ 11:00 am
Category Electronics

We’ve had BUGLabs up here on MAKE a lot lately, so here’s another one to check out if you’re digging the idea of a module embedded platform. Here’s the i.MX21 (VCMX212) COG -

A stackable system based around the Freescale Semiconductor i.MX21 multimedia ARM9 processor. This SBC measures only 2″x1.75″ in size and features 64MB SDRAM, 16MB of FLASH memory, onboard USB and is compatible with any of the Virtual Cogs VC21 series accessory boards.

Specifications:

Freescale Semiconductor i.MX21 ARM9 Multimedia Processor

Onboard 64MB Highspeed SDRAM

Onboard 16MB NOR FLASH

Power Over USB Capability

USB to Serial Port for Easy Interfacing

Pass-Thru Bus Design Allow Stacking with Many Accessory COGS

Full JTAG Access

Two M2 mounting holes

Virtualcogs -Â Link.

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6 Responses to Virtualcogs

Ryan O'Horo on January 21st, 2008 at 11:21 am said:

Well, now I’m getting a little concern the microcontroller market is getting a little diluted. All these new arduino variants, wiring, et al… perhaps we’re now moving backwards having branched off so quickly, much like linux’s distribution nightmare?

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niwnfyc on January 21st, 2008 at 1:00 pm said:

@Ryan O’Horo

I completely agree.

However I must say that this i.MX21 board is very useful solely because the processor only comes in a BGA package, so this allows people to use a processor with a lot more horsepower than a PIC or AVR without having to worry about getting it on a PCB.

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pt on January 21st, 2008 at 1:05 pm said:

i say let a thousand flowers bloom, the market will pick the best one. there are sooooooo many specific applications that any all-in-one solution just isn’t going to work. that said, maybe we’ll see arduino become the ubuntu of physical computing…

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Thomas on January 21st, 2008 at 1:34 pm said:

Ryan: I’m not sure why you think it’s diluted. You site Arduinos as an example, yet all of the various forms can still be programmed using the same environment/software. The microcontroller market was not cohesive to begin with, and the wealth of easy to use, integrated platforms that are coming out are a movement in a better direction.

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Steve-o on January 21st, 2008 at 1:41 pm said:

Nice! I think a big plus here is the pass-thru system. We’re not limited to just a few accessories at a time– very PC/104-esque in a more appealing form factor…

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Russell Nelson on January 21st, 2008 at 6:14 pm said:

PASS-THRU++ PASS-THRU++ As far as I can see, the buglabs design limits you to four devices connected to a “motherboard”. What if you want five devices?? Looks to me like you’re hosed. Of course, the advantage of the buglabs device is that the housing is included.

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