$10 System-on-Module Drives Full HD Smart Displays via SigmaStar SSD201 SoC

SigmaStar makes some of the cheapest processors for cameras on the market such as MStar MSC313E SoC. I’ve now been informed about a new low-cost module – IDO-SOM2D01 – based on SigmaStar SSD201 dual-core Cortex-A7 Full HD SoC with 64MB embedded DDR2, 128MB flash, as well as support for Ethernet and WiFi.

As far as I understand, there’s no camera input, and instead, the SSD201 processor targets applications leveraging Full HD display for the Smart Home, industrial HMI, and home control systems.

Industio IDO-SOM2D01 system-on-module specifications:

• SoC – SigmaStar SSD201 dual-core Cortex-A7 processor @ 1.2 GHz with 2D GPU, 64MB DDR2 RAM (QFN128 package)
• Storage – 128MB SPI NAND flash (option up to 2GB)
• Video  Decoder – H.264/H.265 up to 1920×1080 @ 60 fps
• 96x castellated holes (1.1mm pitch) with
  • Video Output – 4-lane MIPI DSI up to 1080p60
  • Audio – 1x analog microphone input, 2x DMIC inputs, 1x Line Out
  • Networking – 2x 10/100M Ethernet interfaces
  • USB – 1x USB 2.0 host notably usable to add WiFi via SigmaStar SSW101B module
  • 4x UART, 1x SDIO 2,  2x I2C, 1x I2S, 1x SPI, 4x PMW, GPIOs
• Dimensions – 2.95 x 2.95 cm
• Weight – 8 grams

There’s a Linux BSP that is said to boot within one second. But good luck getting the SDK from the company… We do have a block diagram from a Chinese website that shows more details about the processor itself.

Note the block diagram above is for both SSD201 and SSD202D processors both of which have two USB 2.0 host ports, while the module only exposes one. The SSD202D processor also comes with 128MB DDR3 RAM instead of just 64MB DDR2 for SSD201.

A good way to find out more about SigmaStar processors and Linux support is to check out linux-chenxing website which documents the processors in English. SSD201 and SSD202D are part of the infinity2m family,  which can currently boot Linux to shell from initramfs using an SSD202 development board.

Sourcing the module and development board is possible, but you’d have to do so on Taobao with the IDO-SOM2D01 system-on-module going for 68 RMB (~$10), and the development board for around $200.

Thanks to dgp for the tip.

Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)

Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.

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