Arduino-programmable EtherCAT master runs FreeDOS on Vortex86EX2 x86 processor

EtherCAT Master RS485 Arduino

ICOP QEC-M-01 is an EtherCAT master system running FreeDOS based on DM&P Vortex86EX2 dual-core x86 processor. It is programmable with an industrial Arduino IDE – the 86Duino IDE – that supports an EtherCAT API for real-time field monitoring and big data collection. The system can be used for industrial automation applications that require precise timing and it can monitor the hardware’s voltage, current, and temperature to calculate/estimate carbon emissions for industrial manufacturing to assist in the tracking of a factory’s carbon footprint. ICOP QEC-M-01 specifications: SoC – DM&P Vortex86EX2 dual-core processor with the Master core clocked up to 600MHz and the Slave core up to 400MHz System Memory – 1GB or 2GB DDR3 Storage – 32MB SPI Flash, MicroSD card, optional eMMC flash Networking Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 port 2x 10/100Mbps Ethernet RJ45 ports for EtherCAT master with support for CANopen over EtherCAT (CoE), File Access over EtherCAT (FoE), Distributed Clocks […]

TinyLlama x86 retro computer uses the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W as a MIDI synthesizer

TinyLlama x86 retro computer

The TinyLlama x86 retro computer board is designed to run DOS games on a DM&P Vortex86EX 32-bit x86 processor and integrates a MIDI synthesizer based on Raspberry Pi Zero 2 running MT32-Pi firmware. Growing up playing games on 386/486-era computers, Eivind Bohler looked for similar recent hardware to play DOS games and after discovering the 86Duino x86 Arduino-compatible board, he decided to use the SOM-128-EX module powering the board to create the TinyLlama board with a Sound Blaster Pro-compatible Crystal CS4237B sound chip and a MIDI synthesizer. TinyLlama specifications: D&MP SOM-128-EX system-on-module with Processor – DM&P Vortex86EX 32-bit x86 processor @ 60 to 500 MHz System Memory – 128MB DDR3 Storage – 8MB SPI flash Storage – MicroSD card socket Video Output – VGA up to 1024×768 @ 60 Hz using the Vortex86VGA module running off an x1 PCI-e lane Audio Crystal CS4237B all-in-one audio chip MIDI synthesizer with Raspberry Pi […]

x86 system-on-module features 1GHz DM&P Vortex86DX3 processor

Vortex86DX3 x86 system-on-module

DM&P Vortex86DX3 is an x86 embedded processor launched in 2015 that we’ve previously found in single board computers and mini PCs, but I’ve just noticed ICOP was offering the SOM304D3 system-on-module based on the single and dual-core versions of the Vortex86DX3 SoC. The SOM304D3 is available with 1 or 2GB DDR3 RAM, works in a wide temperature range (up to -40°C to +85°C), and is designed for space-constrained industrial applications, especially those requiring legacy interfaces like ISA, IDE, and/or a parallel port (aka printer port). SOM304D3 specifications: SoC – DM&P Vortex86DX3 single or dual-core x86 processor @ 1 GHz, 2D GPU System Memory – 1GB or 2GB DDR3 Storage – Optional 4GB eMMC flash; SPI flash for AMI BIOS 4x 76-pin board-to-board connectors: Storage – SATA 1.0, IDE, SD Display VGA up to 1920 x 1080 @ 60Hz TFT LCD up to 1024 x 768 @ 60Hz Audio – 1x […]

ICOP VEX2-6415 SBC runs DOS, QNX, Linux, Windows on Vortex86EX2 “Dual OS” x86 processor

ICOP VEX2-6415 SBC

DM&P Vortex86EX2 is a dual-core x86 processor that supports legacy ISA and PCI interfaces, and designed in a way that makes it capable of running two OS independently, easy with its own BIOS, without the need for virtualization, nor a hypervisor. At the time, we also covered the Vortex86EX2 evaluation board from the company, but the first commercial product that has come to my attention is ICOP VEX2-6415 Vortex86EX2 SBC designed for automation and IoT, and which the company says support “Windows Embedded Compact 7, Windows Embedded Compact 6, various of (sic) Linux distribution, QNX, and even the legacy but still popular DOS”. ICOP VEX2-6415 SBC specifications: CPU – DM&P Vortex86EX2 dual-core processor with Master core @ 600MHz max with build-in FPU L1/L2 Cache for user interface Slave core @ 400MHz max with build-in FPU, L1 Cache for real-time control System Memory – 512MB/1GB DDR3 Storage – 4GB eMMC flash […]

DM&P Vortex86EX2 Dual Core Processor Targets Dual OS Systems, Support ISA & PCI Interfaces

Vortex86EX2 Block Diagram

Most people will probably think about Intel and AMD when asked about x86 processors, at least those who understand the question… But there are also other companies such as Zhaoxin (based on VIA Technologies designs) and DM&P. Last time I wrote about the latter was in 2015 with the introduction of DM&P Vortex86DX3 dual-core x86 SoC for embedded systems and the corresponding evaluation board. The company is still making new x86 processors, and I’ve just been information the company unveiled  Vortex86EX2 dual-core processor last year with master and slave cores suitable for running two operating systems at the same time without the need for virtualization, nor hypervisor. The new processor still supports ISA & PCI interfaces for legacy expansion cards and targets real-time industrial or automation applications. DM&P Vortex86EX2 specifications: Processor Cores Master @ 600MHz max with Build-in FPU L1/L2 Cache for user interface Slave @ 400MHz max with Build-in […]

Vortex86DX3 is a New x86 SoC for Embedded Systems

Intel is already making embedded version of their processor with example with Bay Trail-I or Quark SoCs, but Taiwan based DMP Electronics has also been making x86 SoC such as Vortex86EX that can be found in $39 86duino Zero board, which must be one the cheapest, if not the cheapest, x86 board on the market. Of course, this is not designed to run Windows and Office, but rather some embedded (IoT) applications. The company has recently launched Vortex86DX3, a more powerful x86 dual core processor, suited to embedded systems and communication products such as thin clients, NAT routers, gateways, etc… DMP Vortex86DX3 specifications: Dual Core x86 Processor @ 1GHz with 6 stage pipeline, x86 instruction set Floating point – Implements ANSI/IEEE standard 754-1985 for binary Floating-Point Architecture Cache – 8-way 32K I-Cache, 8-way 32K D-Cache,  4-way 512KB L2 Cache with write through or write back policy System DDR3 Control Interface – 32-bit data […]

Avalue ECM-DX2 3.5″ Single Board Computer Features DM&P Vortex86DX2 SoC

Avalue Technology, a company specialized in industrial and embedded single board computers, has recently announced ECM-DX2 3.5” single board computer (SBC) micro module powered by DM&P Vortex86DX2 SoC with up to 1GB RAM, support for LVDS, TTL, and VGA video outputs, SATA, dual Ethernet, and more. The board targets embedded applications such as industrial controls & automation, the railway industry, cleantech, transportation/vehicle construction and aviation applications. Avalue ECM-DX2 specifications: SoC – DM&P Vortex86DX2 single core @ 800 MHz with integrated graphics and chipset System Memory – 1GB DDR2 Memory Storage – 1 x SATA II, 1x CompactFlash Type I/II socket, and 2MB SPI (Flash BIOS). Expansion –  PC/104 Expansion (8/16-bit ISA), 1 x Mini PCIe Card I/O MIO – 2 x RS-232, 2 x RS-232/422/485, 1 x PS2 K/B & Mouse USB – 2 x USB 2.0 DIO – 4-bit GPI, 4-bit GPO Display Resolution – VGA Mode: 1280 x 1024 […]

$39 86Duino ZERO is an x86 Arduino Compatible Board that Supports DOS, Windows, and Linux

Intel Gallileo Development Board with a Intel Quark processor, and Arduino software and hardware, now gets some competition with DM&P Electronics’ 86Duino ZERO board powered by the company’s Vortex86EX processor and 128MB RAM, that is said to support DOS, Windows, and Linux. 86Duino ZERO Specifications: Processor – DM&P Vortex86EX 32-bit x86 processor @ 300MHz System Memory – 128MB DDR3 Storage – 8MB SPI flash, and microSD card slot Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet (at the back of the board, not RJ45) USB – USB host connector, micro USB port for development Arduino Leonardo compatible headers Misc – Reset button, PCIE bus Power Supply – DC-IN 7 to 12V, or via microUSB port. The board is comprised of a daughter board (DM-222) and a System-on-Module (SoM) either called DM-205 and or Vortex86EX SOM-128-EX which the following specs (some of which are not accessible in 86Duino Zero): Processor – Vortex86EX @ 300MHz System […]

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