New BeagleBoard-xM from Digi-Key breaks 1GHz barrier for embedded design innovators and developers

Answering developer community demand for increased speed and memory, Digi-Key to supply latest ARM®-based embedded development board for $179

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Texas Instruments

Jun 07, 2010, 02:52 ET

THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn., June 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Innovators, engineers, developers and hobbyists can develop the next wave of computing innovations utilizing low-power, high-performance embedded ARM®-based processors and the BeagleBoard.org open source innovation community. Greater capability and reduced complexity are delivered with more memory and incorporation of an on-board USB hub with Ethernet on the new 1GHz pocket-size BeagleBoard-xM – available from Digi-Key for $179 at www.beagleboard.org/buyxm-prhome.

BeagleBoard-xM is perfect for embedded application innovations based on the concepts of home media centers, in-vehicle entertainment, robotics, web kiosks and digital signage. Equipped with 512MB of memory, the BeagleBoard-xM allows users to run multiple applications on a fully loaded open platform, including the smooth operation of open source office applications such as OpenOffice.org and Firefox. Users can also perform native development of various operating systems, such as Ubuntu™.

Developers can take their BeagleBoard-xM innovations and turn them into mass-produced products to share with the world by utilizing the compatible Sitara™ line of products from Texas Instruments (TI) and off-the-shelf products from system-on-module vendors www.beagleboard.org/resources-prhome. For more information on the BeagleBoard, please visit www.beagleboard.org/xm-prhome.

BeagleBoard-xM features and benefits:

Features	Benefits
Additional expansion headers provided	Enables developers to directly add connected small camera modules for on-board image signal processing and external audio converters
Boots from external media, such as microSD slot, serial port or USB port	Developers are easily able to boot new operating systems from external media without any dependencies on fixed non-volatile memory like NAND flash
More than 2,000 Dhrystone MIPS using the superscalar ARM Cortex™-A8	Runs a full Linux operating system with desktop windows managers and office applications
Open GL® ES 2.0 capable 2D/3D graphics accelerator	Achieves photo-realistic, real-time pixel-shaded graphics for gaming and 3D user interface acceleration
On-board Ethernet and four USB 2.0 ports that support low, full and high speeds	Can be used for USB peripherals like keyboard, mouse, WiFi, Bluetooth, web cameras or additional USB hubs
MMC/SD connector	Adds multiple gigabytes of storage for your boot image and data
DVI-D port	Can add a digital computer monitor
S-Video port	Allows addition of an NTSC or PAL television
USB miniAB connector	Can act as a PC peripheral, such as a virtual USB-to-serial adapter or storage device, even providing power to the BeagleBoard-xM, or used to connect additional USB peripherals

About the BeagleBoard.org community-driven support and expertise

A small group of enthusiastic engineers interested in creating powerful, open and embedded devices are pioneering some new ground in open hardware and have worked together on the concept and realization of the BeagleBoard and BeagleBoard-xM. The resulting roughly three-inch by three-inch board bridges desktop and embedded development, allowing developers to design to their specification and collaborate with the open source community on creative new applications.

The BeagleBoard-xM aims to engage passionate developers and fuel their innovations in the open development community, whether they are designing projects for work or fun. With communities hosting the latest software developments, live forums and chats for easy collaboration, developers have easy access to support and exchange of ideas at http://beagleboard.org/prcommunity.

Pricing and availability

The BeagleBoard-xM (Digi-Key part number 296-25798-ND) will be available soon for $179 from Digi-Key Corporation. Check availability status at www.beagleboard.org/buyxm-prhome. For community information, mailing lists, links to discussion forums and updates on BeagleBoard development, please visit www.beagleboard.org/xm-prhome.

About Digi-Key Corporation

One of the world's fastest growing distributors of electronic components, Digi-Key has earned its reputation as an industry leader through its total commitment to service and performance. As a full-service provider of both prototype/design and production quantities of electronic components, Digi-Key has been ranked #1 for Overall Performance for 18 consecutive years (EE Times Distribution Study/August 2009). Offering more than a million products from more than 440 quality name-brand manufacturers Digi-Key's commitment to inventory is unparalleled. Access to the company's broad product offering is available 24/7 at Digi-Key's top-rated website, www.digikey.com.

Trademarks

Sitara is a trademark of Texas Instruments. ARM and Cortex are trademarks of ARM Limited. OpenGL is a registered trademark of SGI. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE Texas Instruments