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SODIMM module sports TI Sitara 37xx SoCs
2010-07-27 Article Rating:  / 0
Variscite announced a SODIMM-sized COM (computer on module) based on TI's DM37xx CPUs, with ARM Cortex-A8 cores clocked at up to 1GHz. The VAR-SOM-OM37 includes up to 256MB of RAM and 256MB of flash storage, offers a touchscreen interface supporting resolution up to 2048 x 2048 pixels, and is available with a Linux 2.6.32 or Windows CE 6.0 BSP (board support package), the company says.
Israel-based Variscite produces a variety of SODIMM-sized modules, some of which we've previously encountered in versions resold by Direct Insight. For example, there's the Marvell PXA3xx-based SwiftModule-PX, plus last year's SwiftModule-OM (a.k.a. the Variscite VAR-SOM-OM35), the latter offered with a variety of TI OMAP35xx processors.  Variscite's VAR-SOM-OM37 The new VAR-SOM-OM37 (above) again employs ARM Cortex-A8 processors from TI, but this time turns to OMAP35x descendants that were announced in June: the Sitara AM37xx and DM37xx SoCs. That makes Variscite one of the first companies to adopt these parts, which are offered in 600MHz, 800MHz, and 1GHz clock speeds. In fact, the range-topping 1GHz Sitara DM3730 has not yet even been formally announced by TI. The chip has already been revealed by BeagleBoard.org, however, which spilled the beans when announcing its BeagleBoard-xM in May. A TI representative subsequently revealed to us that the DM3730 is similar to the 1GHz Sitara AM3715, but adds a video DSP. Variscite now fleshes this out further by explaining that its VAR-SOM-OM37 includes a Powervr SG 2D/3D graphics accelerator, but only when it is equipped with the DM3730. All versions of the module are said to support 720p video and resolutions of up to 2048 x 2048 pixels, along with both HDMI and LVDS video outputs.  A block diagram of Variscite's VAR-SOM-OM37 (Click to enlarge) Employing these video outputs requires a separately available baseboard (see below), because the VAR-SOM-OM37 is like other SODIMM modules in that it has no "real world" connectors on board. Rather, the 200-pin SODIMM connector carries all signals to and from the outside world, including 10/100 Ethernet, three UARTs, audio, USB host/On-The-Go, two SD/MMC interfaces, and more. According to Variscite, the VAR-SOM-OM37 offers either 128MB or 256MB of mDDR memory, and 256MB of flash storage. It accepts DC power inputs ranging from 3.3 to 5 Volts, typically uses 1 Watt, and operates in temperatures ranging from -49 to 185 deg. F (45 to 85 deg. C), the company says. The device supports either Linux 2.6.32 or Windows CE 6.0, and Variscite adds that the VAR-SOM-OM37 is "the only system-on-module with off-mode support for Windows CE," using just 5mA while suspended.  Variscite's VAR-OM35xCustomBoard (sold by Direct Insight as the SwiftLite-OM baseboard) (Click to enlarge) The baseboard for the VAR-SOM-OM37 is Variscite's VAR-OM35xCustomBoard, which also works with the VAR-SOM-OM35 and has been resold by Direct Insight as the SwiftLite-OM baseboard (it's pictured above in that guise). As well as offering a socket for the SODIMM module itself, the 3.54 x 3.54-inch VAR-OM35xCustomBoard has a 40-pin connector for an LCD, plus a separate 24-bit LVDS port, Variscite says.
Features and specifications listed by Variscite for the VAR-SOM-OM37 module and VAR-OM35xCustomBoard combo include the following:
Further information According to Variscite, the VAR-SOM-OM37 will be shipping as soon as next week, while the VAR-OM35xCustomBoard is already available, though pricing was not specified. Product pages for the VAR-SOM-OM37 and VAR-OM35xCustomBoard may be found on the Variscite website here and here, respectively. Related stories:
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Also on the VAR-OM35xCustomBoard are an HDMI port, a 10/100 Ethernet port, USB host and On-The-Go connectors, an SD slot, and four expansion headers. The latter accept the VAR-EXT-CB103 accessory (right), which features an on-board three-port USB hub, two RS232 ports, and a JTAG interface, the company says. 
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