Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 
Embedded Linux Made Easy

Microcross Releases GX-Linux™ Platforms for Cogent XScale uSBC

ATLANTA, GA  --  April 26, 2005 -- Microcross, Inc. and Cogent Computer Systems, Inc. have announced their unified embedded Linux strategy for the CSB625, Ultra-small Single Board Computer (uSBC).  The CSB625 Microcross GX-Linux™ Platform is built to run on the  Intel PXA255, XScale that runs at 400 Mhz. The CSB625 is designed for low-power, portable device applications.

The CSB625 OEM board frees a developer from the risky task of designing with Micro-BGA, Blind Via and 5 mil track technology, and allows him to accelerate his development using GX-Linux™ with confidence that he can meet development deadlines. The CSB625 forms the core of any low power, high performance device such as an intelligent front panel, networked building controller, medical life signs monitor, PDA interface, and much more. 

Cogent OEM boards derive much of their functionality from the basic CPU, but supplement that functionality with selected off-chip peripherals such as:

Feature	CSB625 - Intel® XScale™ Core
Core	400Mhz XScale, 16K I-Cache, 16K D-Cache
SDRAM	64Mbyte 32-Bit Wide SDRAM
FLASH	8Mbyte 16-Bit Wide StrataFLASH (16 or 32 by special order, QTY 100 min.)
NAND FLASH	1-Bit SD/MMC Controller via Expansion Connectors
LCD Controller	Built in up to 640x480 186-Bit LCD Controller
Serial	RS232 x 1, SPI x 2 - Three additional UARTS (TTL) via Expansion Connectors
Serial ID	Dallas DS2401
Ethernet	On-Board CS8900a Low Power 10Mbit Controller
Real Time Clock	Internal RTC With External Battery Input
Bus Expansion	25-Bit Address/16-Bit Data CPU Bus
GPIO	40+ GPIO (actual amount depends on Peripheral use)
USB	Single USB 1.1 Host Port via Expansion Connectors, External TD242LP Low Power USB Host Controller offers 2 USB Host Ports
Audio	20-Bit AC'97 Codec with Touch Controller (I2S is also available via Expansion Connector)
Compact Flash	Compact Flash Interface via Expansion Connectors
JTAG	Standard ARM JTAG signals via Expansion Connectors
Embedded Trace	None
Power	5V to 20V input, On-Board 3.3V Regulator provides up to 3A to User Board (note: a minimum of 9V (2 cell) or 14V (3 cell) input is required to charge battery)
Battery Control	On-Board 2 or 3 Cell Lithium-ION Charger with Low Battery Detect and Cutout
Board Size	44.5mm (1.75") wide x 63.5mm (2.5") long x 9mm (.355") high
uMON	MicroMonitor Boot ROM

GX-Linux™ comes with GNU X-Tools ™ development tools, BSP drivers for the Cogent uSBC, and much more:

• Visual X-Tools™ IDE
• GNU X-Tools™ with Visual GDB and GDB Server
• Linux v2.6.11 kernel and BSP
• uClibc shared and static library for embedded development
• ROM or remote NFS Filesystem
• BusyBox utilities
• Linux Drivers
• I2C
• Serial I/O
• SD / MMC
• TCP/Ethernet
• Compact Flash
• Real-time clock

"GX-Linux™ development kits are available under various free licenses and copyrights. Most important of all, software created that executes on the target processor will not place undue restrictions on embedded applications.  In other words, Linux applications are under the Lesser GPL restrictions with GX-Linux™.  Developers and commercial companies are not required to 'open-source' their proprietary applications when linking with uClibc modules. GX-Linux™ is a great alternative to other embedded Linux distributions when proprietary and time-to-market count," said  James Calvin, President at Microcross.

"The complete GX-Linux™ development kit, including a Cogent micro single board computer, Microcross toolsuite and BSP, together provides a rapid application development solution for engineers to jump start their project without incurring the typical high-costs and product restrictions associated with commercial RTOS and network solutions. With years of trial experience in many commercial systems, embedded Linux along with Cogent OEM boards are worth serious consideration in your next embedded design solution," said Michael Kelly, Vice President Engineering / Marketing at Cogent Computer Systems, Inc..

Standard GX-Linux™ development kits start at $1,000. Professional GX-Linux™ Board Support Packages (BSPs) with the Visual X-Tools toolsuite are priced at $3,000.  The Enterprise version is priced at $6,000 and includes a host computer on a 1U rackmountable chassis, a pre-installed and pre-configured software development environment, and complete target remote debugger solution.  A developer can simply plug-in and begin application development and debug.

About Cogent

Cogent Computer Systems, Inc., is a leading manufacturer of embedded OEM and development boards since 1992.  Cogent produces single board computers that can be used for both OEM use and software development. The Cogent Single Board computers (CSBs) are based upon today's leading technology and most popular integrated CPU's such as ARM, PowerPC, MIPS and ColdFire. Cogent SBCs are small in size and price, fully featured and easy to use. With over 12 years of experience, Cogent solutions are "Always Complete" and provide a cost effective platform for integration into custom systems as well as for rapid software development. For more information, please browse www.cogcomp.com .

About Microcross

Microcross is the leading international distributor of open-source embedded development tools based on GNU technology.  Microcross is making embedded systems easier to program by providing full-featured, open-source development tools that are validated and documented, so customers can affordably accelerate their development. Microcross enables customers to confidently develop and run software in embedded systems faster, more reliably and at a lower cost. Microcross' professional embedded tools solution tightly integrates a rich set of leading real-time operating systems and its own brand of embedded Linux to meet the needs of customers producing embedded devices and smart technology. For more information, please browse www.microcross.com.

Information provided by Microcross, Inc. and Cogent Computer Systems, Inc.
Contact: Audra Jean at Microcross, Inc.
(478) 953-1907 tel
sales@microcross.com