New micro PC for M2M communication

Paul Boughton

With its new M-5360-A, the distributor Acceed presents module PC in credit card format. High processor power, a large on-board memory as well as a large number of interfaces allow the use of demanding multimedia and machine-to-machine applications.

Miniature PC modules, also called System on Modules (SOMs), are particularly suitable for space-critical applications in automation and building services engineering, for example for portable devices and monitors.

M 5360 A is based on an 800MHz Freescale processor and is equipped with 1GB DDR3 working memory

The new Linux-based M 5360 A from Acceed is based on an 800MHz Freescale processor and is equipped with 1GB DDR3 working memory as well as 4GB NAND flash memory. The memory can be extended via an SD interface for memory cards with up to 32GB. Thanks to its compact dimensions of a mere 80×50 mm, the Board PC is easy to fit into the smallest of housing, cable ducts, connection boxes or other surroundings with restricted space. The powerful module’s electricity consumption here is less than 2 watts.

The M-5360-A offers a large number of interfaces: 4×UART, 1 × USB 2.0 (480MBit/s), 1×I²C, 1×I²S, 1×SPI, 1×Ethernet, 1×CAN and an interface for audio output. With two independent LVDS interfaces, two LCD monitors or also touchscreens can be controlled simultaneously. At the same time, it supports monitors up to a resolution of 1600×1200 pixels. Eight GPIOs provide sufficient flexibility for input and output programming.

The pre-installed system Ubuntu 10.4 is supplemented by the GNU tool chain and also enables beginners to develop their own software. Android and Windows CE are also supported. Should the application software work uncontrolled at any point in time, the integrated watchdog timer independently ensures a safe system reboot.