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From: "Dmitry A. Kazakov" <mailbox@dmitry-kazakov.de>
Newsgroups: comp.lang.ada
Subject: Re: Help with embedded hardware/software platform selection for ADA
Date: Tue, 2 Jul 2013 10:26:22 +0200
Organization: cbb software GmbH
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Date: 2013-07-02T10:26:22+02:00
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On Mon, 1 Jul 2013 23:35:54 +0000 (UTC), Simon Clubley wrote:

> On 2013-07-01, Dmitry A. Kazakov <mailbox@dmitry-kazakov.de> wrote:
>>
>> Don't be. Meanwhile, there are plenty of Intel Atom and AMD Geode SBCs.
>>
>> E.g. an ALIX board is under 100 EUR.
>>
>>    http://www.pcengines.ch/alix.htm
>>    http://pcengines.ch/pic/alix2b3.jpg
> 
> That is way, way too big for some embedded environments (for example if
> someone wants to drop a board into a model aircraft, ground based robot
> or handheld device).

Well, yes and no. Unless it is a hobby project you will also need sensors
and actuators, wireless network, industrial bus and other stuff which is
not small. The motherboard is not always the major contributor to the size
and weight.

If you are ready to pay higher price, there are smaller boards. E.g.

http://us.kontron.com/products/boards+and+mezzanines/embedded+sbc/pitx+25+sbc/pitxsp.html

> ARM is ideally suited for this market; take a look at the latest Olimex
> boards for some examples of ARM board form factors. The ones Olimex have
> produced over the last year or so in response to the Raspberry Pi are
> rather capable boards.

Since there is no Ada for ARM I had no opportunity to evaluate such boards
for our embedded solutions. E.g. how to access GPIO and CAN. How good (bad,
of course) GPIO is etc.

For instance ALIX boards have an AMD companion chip with GPIO. But the
contacts of AI/AO are not soldered!

P.S. If people wrote about ARM to AdaCore sales as frequently they do in
c.l.a. we would have GNAT for ARM.

-- 
Regards,
Dmitry A. Kazakov
http://www.dmitry-kazakov.de