This is the latest project from the same group of enthusiastic engineers that, since 2008, pioneered new ground in open hardware, and embedded devices. BeagleBoard.org has worked on the concept and realization of popular platforms such as the BeagleBone Black, the BeagleBone Black Wireless, and BeagleBone Blue. The BeagleBoard.org community has tens of thousands of engaged participants who aim to fuel innovations and collaboration, and the affordable PocketBeagle will just allow that community to grow.
As the BeagleBoard team states, at just 35 x 56 x 5 mm, PocketBeagle is small and flexible enough to fit in gaming, 3D printing, robotics or other electronics projects; and affordable enough to dedicate one to live permanently in each of those different projects. The PocketBeagle not only includes a 1-GHz processor, but also industrial-oriented peripherals and microcontrollers optimized for interfacing to the physical world.
This little low cost Linux computer is based on the new Octavo Systems OSD3358-SM 21mm x 21mm system-in-package that includes 512MB DDR3 RAM, 1-GHz ARM Cortex-A8 CPU, 2x 200-MHz PRUs, ARM Cortex-M3, 3D accelerator, power/battery management and EEPROM, featuring 72 expansion pin headers with power and battery I/Os, high-speed USB, 8 analog inputs, 44 digital I/Os and numerous digital interface peripherals, including microUSB host/client and microSD connectors.
It doesn't require installation of tools to get started, allowing development directly on a web browser. The board can always be easily reset to factory conditions, leaving users free to experiment.
For professionals, the PocketBeagle utilizes a simple open-source hardware design and a catalog-available, well-documented processor. The platform avoids consuming precious hardware resources, leaving them available for design goals. Most importantly, the PocketBeagle provides a solution for rapid prototyping without slowing the path to production, while the BeagleBoard.org's community of serious developers allows for crowdsourced similar attempts, answers and experiences.
The PocketBeagle is available now from Arrow, DigiKey and Mouser.
beagleboard.org/pocket
