Beagle Board
Encyclopedia
The BeagleBoard is a low-power, low-cost open source hardware
single-board computer
produced by Texas Instruments
in association with Digi-Key
. The BeagleBoard was also designed with open source software development in mind, and as a way of demonstrating the Texas Instrument's OMAP3530 system-on-a-chip
. The board was developed by a small team of IT engineers as an educational board that could be used in colleges around the world to teach open source hardware and open source software capabilities. It is also sold to the public under the Creative Commons
share-alike
license.
CPU
(which can run Windows CE
, Linux
or Symbian
), a TMS320C64x+
DSP
for accelerated video and audio decoding, and an Imagination Technologies PowerVR SGX530 GPU
to provide accelerated 2D and 3D rendering that supports OpenGL ES 2.0
. Video out is provided through separate S-Video
and HDMI
connections. A single SD
/MMC
card slot supporting SDIO, a USB On-The-Go
port, an RS-232
serial connection, a JTAG connection, and two stereo 3.5 mm jacks for audio in/out are provided.
Built-in storage and memory are provided through a PoP
chip that includes 256 MB of NAND
flash memory and 256 MB of RAM
(128 MB on earlier models).
The board uses up to 2 W of power and can be powered from the USB connector, or a separate 5 V power supply. Because of the low power consumption, no additional cooling or heat sinks are required.
jack, and 4 port USB hub. The BeagleBoard-xM lacks the on board NAND and requires the memory and OS to be stored on to a microSD card. The addition of the Camera port to the -xM provides a simple way of importing video via Leopard Board cameras.
development board with a ARM Cortex-A8 processor running at 720 MHz, 256 MB of RAM, two 46-pin expansion connectors, on-chip Ethernet, a microSD slot, and a USB host port and multipurpose device port which includes low-level serial control and JTAG hardware debug connections, so no JTAG emulator is required. The BeagleBone is initially priced $89(US).
Open source hardware
Open source hardware consists of physical artifacts of technology designed and offered in the same manner as free and open source software . Open source hardware is part of the open source culture movement and applies a like concept to a variety of components. The term usually means that...
single-board computer
Single-board computer
A single-board computer is a complete computer built on a single circuit board, with microprocessor, memory, input/output and other features required of a functional computer. Unlike a typical personal computer, an SBC may not include slots into which accessory cards may be plugged...
produced by Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments Inc. , widely known as TI, is an American company based in Dallas, Texas, United States, which develops and commercializes semiconductor and computer technology...
in association with Digi-Key
Digi-Key
Digi-Key is the fourth largest electronic component distributor in North America and a broad-line distributor of board level components. It ranks as the 8th largest electronic component distributor in the world. Ronald Stordahl founded the company in 1972 and its name was derived from the digital...
. The BeagleBoard was also designed with open source software development in mind, and as a way of demonstrating the Texas Instrument's OMAP3530 system-on-a-chip
System-on-a-chip
A system on a chip or system on chip is an integrated circuit that integrates all components of a computer or other electronic system into a single chip. It may contain digital, analog, mixed-signal, and often radio-frequency functions—all on a single chip substrate...
. The board was developed by a small team of IT engineers as an educational board that could be used in colleges around the world to teach open source hardware and open source software capabilities. It is also sold to the public under the Creative Commons
Creative Commons
Creative Commons is a non-profit organization headquartered in Mountain View, California, United States devoted to expanding the range of creative works available for others to build upon legally and to share. The organization has released several copyright-licenses known as Creative Commons...
share-alike
Share-alike
Share-Alike is a descriptive term used in the Creative Commons project for copyright licenses which include certain copyleft provisions. The Share-Alike license comes in two varieties, CC-BY-SA and CC-BY-NC-SA.-Share-alike license types:...
license.
Features
The BeagleBoard measures approximately 75 by 75 mm and has all the functionality of a basic computer. The OMAP3530 includes an ARM Cortex-A8ARM architecture
ARM is a 32-bit reduced instruction set computer instruction set architecture developed by ARM Holdings. It was named the Advanced RISC Machine, and before that, the Acorn RISC Machine. The ARM architecture is the most widely used 32-bit ISA in numbers produced...
CPU
Central processing unit
The central processing unit is the portion of a computer system that carries out the instructions of a computer program, to perform the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations of the system. The CPU plays a role somewhat analogous to the brain in the computer. The term has been in...
(which can run Windows CE
Windows CE
Microsoft Windows CE is an operating system developed by Microsoft for embedded systems. Windows CE is a distinct operating system and kernel, rather than a trimmed-down version of desktop Windows...
, Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
or Symbian
Symbian
Symbian is a mobile operating system and computing platform designed for smartphones and currently maintained by Accenture. The Symbian platform is the successor to Symbian OS and Nokia Series 60; unlike Symbian OS, which needed an additional user interface system, Symbian includes a user...
), a TMS320C64x+
Texas Instruments TMS320
Texas Instruments TMS320 is a blanket name for a series of digital signal processors from Texas Instruments. It was introduced on April 8, 1983 through the TMS32010 processor, which was then the fastest DSP on the market....
DSP
Digital signal processor
A digital signal processor is a specialized microprocessor with an architecture optimized for the fast operational needs of digital signal processing.-Typical characteristics:...
for accelerated video and audio decoding, and an Imagination Technologies PowerVR SGX530 GPU
Graphics processing unit
A graphics processing unit or GPU is a specialized circuit designed to rapidly manipulate and alter memory in such a way so as to accelerate the building of images in a frame buffer intended for output to a display...
to provide accelerated 2D and 3D rendering that supports OpenGL ES 2.0
OpenGL ES
OpenGL for Embedded Systems is a subset of the OpenGL 3D graphics application programming interface designed for embedded systems such as mobile phones, PDAs, and video game consoles. OpenGL ES is managed by the not-for-profit technology consortium, the Khronos Group, Inc.- Versions :Several...
. Video out is provided through separate S-Video
S-Video
Separate Video, more commonly known as S-Video and Y/C, is often referred to by JVC as both an S-VHS connector and as Super Video. It is an analog video transmission scheme, in which video information is encoded on two channels: luma and chroma...
and HDMI
HDMI
HDMI is a compact audio/video interface for transmitting uncompressed digital data. It is a digital alternative to consumer analog standards, such as radio frequency coaxial cable, composite video, S-Video, SCART, component video, D-Terminal, or VGA...
connections. A single SD
Secure Digital
Secure Digital is a non-volatile memory card format developed by the SD Card Association for use in portable devices. The SD technology is used by more than 400 brands across dozens of product categories and more than 8,000 models, and is considered the de-facto industry standard.Secure Digital...
/MMC
MultiMediaCard
The MultiMediaCard is a flash memory memory card standard. Unveiled in 1997 by Siemens AG and SanDisk, it is based on Toshiba's NAND-based flash memory, and is therefore much smaller than earlier systems based on Intel NOR-based memory such as CompactFlash. MMC is about the size of a postage...
card slot supporting SDIO, a USB On-The-Go
USB On-The-Go
USB On-The-Go, often abbreviated USB OTG, is a specification that allows USB devices such as digital audio players or mobile phones to act as a host allowing a USB Flash Drive, mouse, or keyboard to be attached.- Architecture :...
port, an RS-232
RS-232
In telecommunications, RS-232 is the traditional name for a series of standards for serial binary single-ended data and control signals connecting between a DTE and a DCE . It is commonly used in computer serial ports...
serial connection, a JTAG connection, and two stereo 3.5 mm jacks for audio in/out are provided.
Built-in storage and memory are provided through a PoP
Package on package
Package on package is an integrated circuit packaging method to combine vertically discrete logic and memory ball grid array packages. Two or more packages are installed atop each other, i.e. stacked, with a standard interface to route signals between them...
chip that includes 256 MB of NAND
Nand
NAND may stand for:*Nand , an Indian classical raga.*Logical NAND , a binary operation in logic.**NAND gate, an electronic gate that implements a logical NAND....
flash memory and 256 MB of RAM
Random-access memory
Random access memory is a form of computer data storage. Today, it takes the form of integrated circuits that allow stored data to be accessed in any order with a worst case performance of constant time. Strictly speaking, modern types of DRAM are therefore not random access, as data is read in...
(128 MB on earlier models).
The board uses up to 2 W of power and can be powered from the USB connector, or a separate 5 V power supply. Because of the low power consumption, no additional cooling or heat sinks are required.
Rev C4 Specifications
- Package on Package POPPackage on packagePackage on package is an integrated circuit packaging method to combine vertically discrete logic and memory ball grid array packages. Two or more packages are installed atop each other, i.e. stacked, with a standard interface to route signals between them...
CPU/Memory chip.- Processor TI OMAPOMAPOMAP developed by Texas Instruments is a category of proprietary system on chips for portable and mobile multimedia applications. OMAP devices generally include a general-purpose ARM architecture processor core plus one or more specialized co-processors...
3530 Processor - 720 MHz ARMARM architectureARM is a 32-bit reduced instruction set computer instruction set architecture developed by ARM Holdings. It was named the Advanced RISC Machine, and before that, the Acorn RISC Machine. The ARM architecture is the most widely used 32-bit ISA in numbers produced...
Cortex-A8 core - 'HD capable' TMS320C64x+Texas Instruments TMS320Texas Instruments TMS320 is a blanket name for a series of digital signal processors from Texas Instruments. It was introduced on April 8, 1983 through the TMS32010 processor, which was then the fastest DSP on the market....
core (520 MHz up to 720p720p720p is the shorthand name for 1280x720, a category of High-definition television video modes having a resolution of 1080 or 720p and a progressive scan...
@30 fps) - Imagination Technologies PowerVRPowerVRPowerVR is a division of Imagination Technologies that develops hardware and software for 2D and 3D rendering, and for video encoding, decoding, associated image processing and Direct X, OpenGL ES, OpenVG, and OpenCL acceleration....
SGX 2D/3D graphics processor supporting dual independent displays - 256 MB LPDDR RAMRam-Animals:*Ram, an uncastrated male sheep*Ram cichlid, a species of freshwater fish endemic to Colombia and Venezuela-Military:*Battering ram*Ramming, a military tactic in which one vehicle runs into another...
- 256 MB NAND Flash memory
- Processor TI OMAP
- Peripheral connections
- DVI-D (HDMI connector chosen for size - maximum resolution is 1280×1024)
- S-Video
- USB OTG (mini AB)
- 1 USB port
- SD/MMC card slot
- Stereo in and out jacks
- RS-232 port
- JTAG connector
- Power socket (5 V barrel connector type)
- Development
- Boot code stored in ROM
- Boot from NAND memory, SD/MMC, USB, or Serial
- Alternative Boot source button.
- Has been demonstrated using Android, Angstrom LinuxÅngström distributionThe Ångström distribution is a Linux distribution for a variety of embedded devices. The distribution is the result of a unification of developers from the OpenZaurus, OpenEmbedded, and OpenSIMpad projects...
, FedoraFedora (operating system)Fedora is a RPM-based, general purpose collection of software, including an operating system based on the Linux kernel, developed by the community-supported Fedora Project and sponsored by Red Hat...
, UbuntuUbuntu (operating system)Ubuntu is a computer operating system based on the Debian Linux distribution and distributed as free and open source software. It is named after the Southern African philosophy of Ubuntu...
, GentooGentoo LinuxGentoo Linux is a computer operating system built on top of the Linux kernel and based on the Portage package management system. It is distributed as free and open source software. Unlike a conventional software distribution, the user compiles the source code locally according to their chosen...
and Maemo Linux distributions, the Windows CEWindows CEMicrosoft Windows CE is an operating system developed by Microsoft for embedded systems. Windows CE is a distinct operating system and kernel, rather than a trimmed-down version of desktop Windows...
operating system, SymbianSymbianSymbian is a mobile operating system and computing platform designed for smartphones and currently maintained by Accenture. The Symbian platform is the successor to Symbian OS and Nokia Series 60; unlike Symbian OS, which needed an additional user interface system, Symbian includes a user...
, QNXQNXQNX is a commercial Unix-like real-time operating system, aimed primarily at the embedded systems market. The product was originally developed by Canadian company, QNX Software Systems, which was later acquired by Canadian BlackBerry-producer Research In Motion.-Description:As a microkernel-based...
and a development version of RISC OS 5 made available by RISC OS OpenRISC OS OpenRISC OS Open Ltd. is a limited company engaged in computer software and IT consulting. It is managing the process of publishing the source code to RISC OS...
.
Features
A modified version of the BeagleBoard called the BeagleBoard-xM started shipping on August 27, 2010. The BeagleBoard-xM measures in at 82.55 by 82.55 mm and has a faster CPU core (clocked at 1 GHz compared to the 720 MHz of the BeagleBoard), more RAM (512 MB compared to 256 MB), onboard EthernetEthernet
Ethernet is a family of computer networking technologies for local area networks commercially introduced in 1980. Standardized in IEEE 802.3, Ethernet has largely replaced competing wired LAN technologies....
jack, and 4 port USB hub. The BeagleBoard-xM lacks the on board NAND and requires the memory and OS to be stored on to a microSD card. The addition of the Camera port to the -xM provides a simple way of importing video via Leopard Board cameras.
Specifications
- Package on Package POPPackage on packagePackage on package is an integrated circuit packaging method to combine vertically discrete logic and memory ball grid array packages. Two or more packages are installed atop each other, i.e. stacked, with a standard interface to route signals between them...
CPU/memory chip.- Processor TI DM3730 Processor - 1 GHz ARMARM architectureARM is a 32-bit reduced instruction set computer instruction set architecture developed by ARM Holdings. It was named the Advanced RISC Machine, and before that, the Acorn RISC Machine. The ARM architecture is the most widely used 32-bit ISA in numbers produced...
Cortex-A8 core - 'HD capable' TMS320C64x+Texas Instruments TMS320Texas Instruments TMS320 is a blanket name for a series of digital signal processors from Texas Instruments. It was introduced on April 8, 1983 through the TMS32010 processor, which was then the fastest DSP on the market....
core (800 MHz up to 720p720p720p is the shorthand name for 1280x720, a category of High-definition television video modes having a resolution of 1080 or 720p and a progressive scan...
@30 fps) - Imagination Technologies PowerVRPowerVRPowerVR is a division of Imagination Technologies that develops hardware and software for 2D and 3D rendering, and for video encoding, decoding, associated image processing and Direct X, OpenGL ES, OpenVG, and OpenCL acceleration....
SGX 2D/3D graphics processor supporting dual independent displays - 512 MB LPDDR RAMRam-Animals:*Ram, an uncastrated male sheep*Ram cichlid, a species of freshwater fish endemic to Colombia and Venezuela-Military:*Battering ram*Ramming, a military tactic in which one vehicle runs into another...
- 4 GB microSD card is supplied with the BeagleBoard -xM loaded with Angstrom.
- Processor TI DM3730 Processor - 1 GHz ARM
- Peripheral connections
- DVI-D (HDMI connector chosen for size - maximum resolution is 1280×1024)
- S-Video
- USB OTG (mini AB)
- 4 USB ports
- Ethernet port
- MicroSD/MMC card slot
- Stereo in and out jacks
- RS-232 port
- JTAG connector
- Power socket (5 V barrel connector type)
- Camera port
- Expansion port
- Development
- Boot code stored on the uSD card
- Boot from uSD/MMC only
- Alternative Boot source button.
- Has been demonstrated using Android, Angstrom LinuxÅngström distributionThe Ångström distribution is a Linux distribution for a variety of embedded devices. The distribution is the result of a unification of developers from the OpenZaurus, OpenEmbedded, and OpenSIMpad projects...
, FedoraFedora (operating system)Fedora is a RPM-based, general purpose collection of software, including an operating system based on the Linux kernel, developed by the community-supported Fedora Project and sponsored by Red Hat...
, UbuntuUbuntu (operating system)Ubuntu is a computer operating system based on the Debian Linux distribution and distributed as free and open source software. It is named after the Southern African philosophy of Ubuntu...
, GentooGentoo LinuxGentoo Linux is a computer operating system built on top of the Linux kernel and based on the Portage package management system. It is distributed as free and open source software. Unlike a conventional software distribution, the user compiles the source code locally according to their chosen...
and Maemo Linux distributions, the Windows CEWindows CEMicrosoft Windows CE is an operating system developed by Microsoft for embedded systems. Windows CE is a distinct operating system and kernel, rather than a trimmed-down version of desktop Windows...
operating system.
Features
Announced in the end of October 2011, the BeagleBone is a bareboneBarebone computer
A barebone computer is a partially assembled platform or an unassembled kit of computer parts allowing more customization and lower costs than a retail computer system. They are available for desktop computer, notebook and server purposes, and in nearly any form factor...
development board with a ARM Cortex-A8 processor running at 720 MHz, 256 MB of RAM, two 46-pin expansion connectors, on-chip Ethernet, a microSD slot, and a USB host port and multipurpose device port which includes low-level serial control and JTAG hardware debug connections, so no JTAG emulator is required. The BeagleBone is initially priced $89(US).
Optional expansion boards
- BeagleBoard Zippy - Feature Expander daughter Card for BeagleBoard
- BeagleBoard Zippy2 - 2nd generation Zippy. (UART, EEPROM, 100BASE-T, SD-Slot, RTC, I2C(5 V))
- BeagleTouch Display - Touchscreen 4.3" OLED panel with touchscreen, and drivers for Angstrom Linux built by Liquidware.
- BeagleLCD2 Expansion Board - 4.3" Wide Aspect LCD Panel + Touchscreen with Interface Board. Developed by HY Research.
- BeagleJuice - Lithium Ion Battery pack for portability developed and built by Liquidware.
- BeagleToy WLAN adapter featured on beaglezoo.com - This additional expansion card enables wireless connectivity functionality for the BeagleBoard.
Optional enclosures
- Beagle Board RevC Clear Acrylic Case - Just fitted case for a BeagleBoard alone. (without Zippy2)
- BeagleLCD2 Clear Acrylic Case - Just fitted case for BeagleBoard with BeagleLCD2
Clones
- Touch BookTouch BookThe Touch Book is a portable computing device that functions as a netbook, and also as a tablet. Designed by Always Innovating, it was launched at the DEMO conference in March 2009. Its designers stated at launch that it is the first netbook featuring a detachable keyboard with a long battery life...
- an hybrid netbook/tablet device that includes 512 MB of RAM, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 6 USB ports, 8.9 screen / touchscreen, keyboard and touchpad. - IGEPv2IGEPv2The IGEPv2 board is a low-power, fanless single-board computer developed and produced by Spanish corporation ISEE and is the second IGEP platform in the series.-Board Specifications:* Package on package Memory/Processor...
- a slightly larger board that includes more RAM, built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, a USB host, an Ethernet jack, and use micro SD cards instead of regular SD. - ICETEK Mini Board (Chinese)
- Tianye IT SOM35XKIT - a Development board based on TI OMAP3530 including 5 inch WVGA LCD, touch screen USB Ethernet jack.
Similar products
- Raspberry PiRaspberry PiThe Raspberry Pi is a single-board computer developed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation. Scheduled for public release in December 2011, the foundation plans to release two versions that range from US$25 to $35...
Similar to BeagleBoard xM but more powerful GPU and featuring 1080p hardware accelerated video decoding of H.264 - PandaBoardPandaBoardThe PandaBoard is a low-power, low-cost single-board computer based on the Texas Instruments OMAP4430 processor. The board has been available to the public at the subsidized price of US$174 since 27 October 2010...
Similar to BeagleBoard xM, but dual-core (dual-core 1 GHz OMAP4430, 1 GB RAM). - Hawk Board Low power OMAP SBC with SATA & VGA out.
- Gumstix Overo COMs use the OMAP3503 or the OMAP3530 to provide a full product line of BeagleBoard-compatible products for hobbyist, robotic and commercial use.
- OSWALD - developed by Oregon State University students for computer science education, uses the OMAP3530.
- Empower Technologies's EMP3503 and EMP3530 single-board computers running LEOs (RTOS)
- DevKit8000 - Development board based on TI OMAP3530 from Embest
- DevKit8500D - Development board based on TI DM3730 from Embest
- SBC8530 - compact single board computer based on TI DM3730 features UART, 4 USB Host, USB OTG, Ethernet, Wi-Fi/BT, Audio, TF, LCD, DVI-D and S-Video from Embest
- SBC8018 - low-cost AM1808 SBC with SATA & 2-channel Camera interfaces from Embest
- OpenSourceMID.org - a tablet MID device based on OMAP3530 including 7 inch LCD, touch screen, Wi-Fi, 3G, Camera, GPS, G-sensor functions.*
- Tianyeit SOM35xKIT a development board based on TI OMAP3530, sold with 5 Inch WVGA LCD and Touchscreen
See also
- MinimigMinimigMinimig is an open source re-implementation of an Amiga 500 using a field-programmable gate array .Minimig started in secrecy around January 2005 as a proof of concept by Dutch electrical engineer Dennis van Weeren...
- OmapZoomOmapZoomOMAPZoom-II is a Mobile Development Platform built around Texas Instruments' OMAP 3430 processor.It has a full QWERTY keypad, a 4.1" WVGA capacitive multi touch screen, Wireless 802.11, 3G, FM and Bluetooth connectivity options. Also, expansion...
- OpenEmbeddedOpenEmbeddedOpenEmbedded is a software framework to create Linux distributions aimed for, but not restricted to, embedded devices. The build system is based on BitBake recipes, which behave similar to Gentoo's ebuilds....
- PandoraPandora (console)The Pandora is a handheld game console designed to take advantage of existing open source software and to be a target for homebrew development...
- Texas Instruments TMS320Texas Instruments TMS320Texas Instruments TMS320 is a blanket name for a series of digital signal processors from Texas Instruments. It was introduced on April 8, 1983 through the TMS32010 processor, which was then the fastest DSP on the market....
- PandaBoardPandaBoardThe PandaBoard is a low-power, low-cost single-board computer based on the Texas Instruments OMAP4430 processor. The board has been available to the public at the subsidized price of US$174 since 27 October 2010...
- Armadeus systemsArmadeus systemsArmadeus systems is a French company producing small Linux - based computers and their corresponding BSP.The latest systems use a Freescale i.MX27 processor and offer from 32 to 256MB of High Speed DDR-RAM and 128 to 512MB of 16 bits NAND FLASH .On the APF27, the i.M27 processor is coupled to a...
- Raspberry PiRaspberry PiThe Raspberry Pi is a single-board computer developed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation. Scheduled for public release in December 2011, the foundation plans to release two versions that range from US$25 to $35...
Sources
- TI launches hackable BeagleBoard for hobbyist projects
- TI Takes Wireless Chips into New Markets
- BeagleBoard Product Training Module
- beagleboard.org
- Linux-friendly Beagle fetches $150
External links
- Official website
- OMAP35x Applications Processors
- Texas Instruments OMAP Developer Network
- Google Code hosted BeagleBoard code site
- elinux.org BeagleBoard wiki page
- Link to set of BeagleBoard introductory videos (YouTube)
- PEEDI JTAG/BDM Emulator and Flash Programmer
- Hackaday reports about the BeagleBoard tablet project
- Wired article about building a Linux tablet around the BeagleBoard