USB-powered Linux on a tiny form factor

Filed in archive Devices on August 17, 2008

I never heard of this tiny critter until my uncle sent me an e-mail asking me if I can help him develop software for it. Being unfamiliar with this new device, I searched for it and found the website, Beagleboard.org.

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It is best described as "a low-cost, fan-less single board computer that unleashes laptop-like performance and expandability without the bulk, expense, or noise of typical desktop machines."

The processor, an OMAP 3530, boasts of

Over 1,200 Dhrystone MIPS using the superscalar ARM Cortex-A8 with highly accurate branch prediction and 256KB L2 cache running at up to 600MHz

OpenGL© ES 2.0 capable 2D/3D graphics accelerator capable of rendering 10 million polygons per second

HD video capable TMS320C64x+ DSP for versatile signal processing at up to 430MHz

USB power via complete chip-set with minimal additional power-consuming logic

Now imagine the possibilities. I am hoping that my uncle sends me a kit to test. Will let you know if and when I get a chance to play with this.