By Eric Brown
Technologic Systems has announced an engineering sampling program for a wireless- and data acquisition focused SBC with open specifications that runs Debian Linux on NXP’s low-power i.MX6 UL SoC. The -40°C to 85°C tolerant TS-7180 is designed for industrial applications such as industrial control automation and remote monitoring management, including unmanned control room, industrial automation, automatic asset management and asset tracking.
TS-7180, front and back
(click images to enlarge)
Like the TS-4100, the new SBC includes an FPGA. On the TS-4100 this was described as a Lattice MachX02 FPGA with an open source, programmable ZPU soft core for controlling GPIO, SPI, I2C and daughtercards. Here, the manual mentions only that the unnamed FPGA enables the optional, 3x 16-bit wide quadrature counters, which are accessible via I2C registers. The “quadrature and edge-counter inputs provide access to” dual, optional tachometers, says Technologic.
TS-7180 (left) and block diagram
(click images to enlarge)
Technologic boards typically have a lot of wireless options, but the TS-7180 goes even further by adding a cellular modem socket that supports either MultiTech or NimbeLink wireless modules. You also get Wi-Fi/BT, optional GPS, and a socket for Digi’s XBee modules, which include modems for RF, 802.15.4, DigiMesh, and more. There are also dual 10/100 Ethernet port with an optional Power-over-Ethernet daughtercard.
— ADVERTISMENT—
—Advertise Here—
TS-7180 with cellular socket populated with NimbeLink wireless module (left) and with populated XBee socket
(click images to enlarge)
The SBC provides a USB 2.0 host port, as well as micro-USB OTG and serial console ports. There’a also mention of a “coming soon” internal USB interface. Five serial interfaces, including TTL and RS485 ports, are available on screw terminals along with a CAN port.
Other features include an RTC and an optional enclosure and 9-axis IMU. The board runs on an 8-30V input with optional external power supply and Technologic’s TS-SILO SuperCap for 30 seconds of battery backup.
As usual, the board is backed up with open schematics and comprehensive documentation. If it wasn’t over our $200 limit, it would be included in our new catalog of 122 open-spec hacker boards. Two SKUs are available: a basic $315 model with 512MB RAM and a $381 model with 1GB RAM that adds GPS and IMU.
Specifications listed for the TS-7180 include:
- Processor — NXP i.MX6UL (1x Cortex-A7 core @ up to 696MHz); FPGA
- Memory/storage:
- 512MB or 1GB DDR3 RAM
- 2KB FRAM
- 4GB MLC eMMC; opt. standard eMMC up to 64GB (special request)
- MicroSD slot
- Wireless:
- 802.11b/g/n with antenna
- Bluetooth 4.0 BLE
- Cell modem socket (MultiTech or NimbeLink)
- Optional GPS
- XBee interface
- Networking – 2x 10/100 Ethernet ports with optional PoE via daughtercard
- Other I/O:
- USB 2.0 host port
- Micro-USB OTG port
- Micro-USB serial console device port
- 4x serial (1x TTL UART, 3x RS-232) via screw terminals
- RS-485 (via screw terminal)
- CAN (via screw terminal)
- SPI, I2C headers
- DAQ I/O:
- 7x DIO (30 VDC tolerant) via screw terminal
- 4x analog inputs (10V or 4-20 mA) via screw terminal
- 4x digital inputs via screw terminal
- PWM header
- 2x optional quadrature counters
- 2x Optional tachometers
- Other features — battery backed RTC; temp. sensor; optional 9-axis accelerometer/gyro; TS-SILO Super Capacitor; optional enclosure
- Power — 8-30 DC input; 0.91W typical consumption (0.59 min to 6.37 max); optional 24V external DIN-rail mountable “PS-MDR-20-24” power supply
- Operating temperature — -40 to 85°C
- Dimensions — 122 x 112mm
- Operating system — Linux 4.1.15 kernel with Debian image
Further information
The TS-7180 is available in an engineering sampling program for $315 with 512 MB RAM or $381 model with 1GB RAM, GPS, and IMU. 100-unit pricing is $254 and $320. More information may be found in Technologic’s TS-7180 announcement and product page.
This article originally appeared on LinuxGizmos.com on January 4.
Technologic Systems | www.embeddedarm.com
— ADVERTISMENT—
—Advertise Here—
Sponsor this Article
Circuit Cellar's editorial team comprises professional engineers, technical editors, and digital media specialists. You can reach the Editorial Department at editorial@circuitcellar.com, @circuitcellar, and facebook.com/circuitcellar