18 November 2008

Digi Debuts ARM9 Powered Petit Linux Embedded Device Server

Digi International has launched Digi Connect ME 9210 - about the size of a pair of dice, the ARM powered device is the smallest embedded device server available with Linux, according to the company.

Digi Connect ME 9210 is coupled with Digi Embedded Linux - the latest version of Linux optimized for development on Digi embedded modules and microcontrollers. This allows OEMs to easily add secure Ethernet connectivity using Linux in space-constrained devices, the company explained.

“The Digi Connect ME 9210 with Linux enables Linux development in small devices like programmable logic controllers (PLCs), power distribution units (PDUs) and building environment controls,” said Joel Young, CTO and senior vice president of research and development, Digi International.

Digi Embedded Linux supports the 2.6.26 version of the Linux kernel. It also includes the Digi Package Manager, a feature that allows updates, enhancements and bug fixes to be downloaded and installed directly in Digi ESP, Digi’s Eclipse-based development environment for Linux.

The Digi Connect ME 9210 incorporate3s a 75 MHz ARM9 processor, 8 MB RAM and 2 or 4 MB Flash. It also features peripheral interfaces including 10/100 Ethernet, serial, SPI, I2C, GPIO, CAN, 1-wire and integrated Flexible Interface Modules (FIMs). FIMs provide custom interfaces for tailoring the module to the users’ exact application needs.

The Digi Connect ME 9210 features an integrated, NIST-certified AES accelerator that provides secure network communication. The accelerator provides 10 times the encryption speed of software only solutions, according to the company. The Digi Connect ME 9210 also features power functionality, including power-over-Ethernet (PoE) support to allow the design of devices that require no external power; and Digi Dynamic Power Control, a complete set of hardware and software features for product designs that demand low-power consumption and advanced power management. This reduces the power required to operate the Digi Connect ME 9210 and saves power on PoE networks.

Based on Digi’s recently introduced NS9210 ARM9 microprocessor, the Digi Connect ME 9210 will support the extended lifecycle of embedded products. The NET+OS operating system also includes support for advanced secure networking protocols such as IPv6, SNMPv3 and SSL further supporting long-term usability.