Build Your Own Linux Powered Pda Options

[Tom61]

I've had the idea about rolling my own Linux powered PDA for some time, but I've been busy with another project of mine. So, I haven't posted about this idea, but recently Da_Blitz posted:

the iMX3 is a custom PDA idea as the 2700G chip is VERY hard to get. dont want to hijack this thread anymore so if you want more info then contact me direct or make another post

Definately looking for some more info on that!

Here's some interesting ideas to get the thread started:

GumStix ( www.gumstix.com www.gumstix.org ): Very small, proprietary, stackable modules. Very hobbyist friendly, but current models are still based around the Intel PXA255.

Colibri Module : PXA270 with most of the needed chips built in, and connections for most of the rest, in a formfactor of a DDR SODIMM. Moderately hobbyist friendly, with boards only 119Euros for the 520MHz version, but with a fixed handling fee for Hardware of 100 EUR and shipping of 45 EUR. You'll want to order more than one to be price effective with this supplier.

CM-X270 Computer-On-Module: I stubbled on to this site last night. No idea about this supplier's ablity to handle hobbyists, or even the cost of the module. However, you can configure a pretty impressive COM on that page. Up to PXA270 520Mhz, 128MB of RAM, Intel 2700G with 8MB of its own RAM, audio codec, and 512 MB of NAND flash!


Take a look at the Google Ads when you do a search for 'Arm development board', as quite a few Ads hit the mark for what we would want, if they could be had cheap, and single unit quanties (which most aren't ).

[iignotus]

Do we have any semblance of a schematic yet? With the number of features this thing is supposed to have, it sounds like it's going to be huge like Xbox.

[stampsm]

Do we have any semblance of a schematic yet? With the number of features this thing is supposed to have, it sounds like it's going to be huge like Xbox.

actually most of the chips are surface mount so they are quite small. the processor itself is close to the size of a postage stamp (14mm x 14mm)

[iignotus]

Do we have any semblance of a schematic yet? With the number of features this thing is supposed to have, it sounds like it's going to be huge like Xbox.

actually most of the chips are surface mount so they are quite small. the processor itself is close to the size of a postage stamp (14mm x 14mm)

Schematic probably wasn't the right word. I'm talking more along the line of things like the D-Pad, Trackball, 3 Card Slots, 2 Cameras, Full Keypad, Fingerprint Reader, Speakers, 2 USB Ports, etc.; almost all of those things have to be of a decent size of they're not even of any use. I'm not worried much at all about SMCs because most of the internals can be handled SoC-style, I'd imagine.

But it sounds like you guys want to build a ultraportable laptop and not a PDA. If I can see some good drawings, I'd be much less concerned.

[stampsm]

Do we have any semblance of a schematic yet? With the number of features this thing is supposed to have, it sounds like it's going to be huge like Xbox.

actually most of the chips are surface mount so they are quite small. the processor itself is close to the size of a postage stamp (14mm x 14mm)

Schematic probably wasn't the right word. I'm talking more along the line of things like the D-Pad, Trackball, 3 Card Slots, 2 Cameras, Full Keypad, Fingerprint Reader, Speakers, 2 USB Ports, etc.; almost all of those things have to be of a decent size of they're not even of any use. I'm not worried much at all about SMCs because most of the internals can be handled SoC-style, I'd imagine.

But it sounds like you guys want to build a ultraportable laptop and not a PDA. If I can see some good drawings, I'd be much less concerned.

for the basic shape think zaurus c series
well for the CF one on each side(left and right) (one external one internal same as c3XX series or if we could manage it have both external). sd slots are small so we could stack two of the on top of each other in the front of the pda, or possible have one regular sd slot and one transflash if we run into space concerns since they are the same connections just smaller. camera only 1 and you would most likely put it on the top with the display since it would work good there and you would have space availible. on keyboard note it would not be a full size it would be like the cxxx series with possibly a few buttons added/moved around. for fingerprint reader they are about 1cm^2 and surface mount and most of the work is done by the processor which will consume about 20-100 mhz of power depending how fast you want to compute it(i talked to an engineer who designed fingerprint readers at a comdex a few years ago). they also make a slide type that takes up less room but you don't just put your finger on it you slide it across it. speaker and mic are small and can take as little as about 1 cm^3 combines i estimate. for USB we would use the small OTG connector most likely and possibly 1 full size if we dont use the port internally.