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Abstract: The CharmIT Pro is a open source Crusoe based wearable built with
off the shelf components like an SBC from Boser.
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The CharmIT Pro Wearable Computer
The concept behind the CharmIT Pro wearable computer is one that follows along with the open source
programming community closely, but in this case with hardware instead of
software code. The CharmIT Pro is a open source Crusoe based wearable built with
off the shelf components like an SBC from Boser and created from the minds at
MIT's Media Labs.
The device uses an 800MHz TM5800 Crusoe processor
and contains 256MB SDRAM, a 20GB hard drive, and an SBC motherboard which boasts
10/100 Ethernet, serial ports, USB ports, a 32-bit Mini PCI expansion slot,
and video controller. Battery life for the 1.75lb unit isn't quite specified as we could see from the Charmed website, but
the makers believe it is twice that of other wearable designs, due in
part no doubt to the low power requirements of the Crusoe
processor.
Charmed actually have most of the plans required to build
the CharmIT Pro available on their website, so if you happen to be a
technophile looking to make your own "wearable" computer this may be a good kit
to consider. The pictures of the unit show that it is a it rough around the
edges, and not a heavily commercial product looking for new markets. Single
board computers are commercially available, so you could source out the products and
build your own system, but it is interesting to see CharmIT bring the
components, and the ideals of open source to a project such as
this.
Obviously this the CharmIT is not going to replace
the need for Transmeta to get its TM5800 processor into leading-edge subnotebooks, but
it is at least an indication that the processors are available and making
it into the marketplace where low power processing requirements are finally being
satisfied.
Full Spec Sheet
| Features |
CharmIT Transmeta 800Upgrade |
| CPU Board |
BoserHS-1600 |
| Processor |
Transmeta Crusoe TM5800 800 Mhz, 64kb data cache 64kb instruction cache
512kb write-back cache |
| RAM |
1 SO-DIMM socket256MB SDRAM maximum |
| BIOS |
Award PnP Flash BIOS |
| Timer |
Watchdog Timer |
| Interrupts |
15 levels |
| DMA |
7 channels |
| Periheral Chipsets |
VIA
VT82C686A SMC FD37C699 |
| Expansion Bus |
32-bit Mini PCI100-pin socket on
mainboard |
| IDE Controller |
2 EIDE Drives, PIO and DMA modes, Dual Channel
DMA Dedicated FIFO, UltraDMA-33 support, UltraDMA-66
support, SFF-8038i v1.0 compliant,
ATAPI device support, DVD device support,
44-pin header on main board |
| FDD Controller |
1 Floppy Drive1Mbps Data rate16 byte
FIFO26-pin header on main board |
| Flash Disk |
DiskOnChip Supports 288MB |
| Video Controller |
C&T
69000 CRT and Flat Panel, 64-bit graphics engine, 2 MB Video RAM, 256 gray shades16.7M colors 640x480
24 bpp, 800x600 24 bpp, 1024x768
16 bpp, 1280x1024 8 bpp, DB15 VGA
connector on enclosure, 40-pin LCD Header on main
board |
| Audio |
ESS
ES1938S 36-bit stereo 48 kHz sampling full duplex operation, Spacializer 3D
sound, Speaker Output jack on enclosure,
Microphone Input jack on enclosure |
| USB Ports |
2 USB PortsRoot USB hub onboardUSB v1. 1 compliant, Universal
HCI v1. 1 compliant, 2 USB connectors on
enclosure |
| Serial Ports |
4 Serial Ports2 RS232 (16550)1 RS232
(16C550)1 RS232/422/485 (16C550)16 byte FIFO buffers230Kbps
and 460Kbps2 DB9 connectors on enclosure2 DB9 connectors
inside case |
| IrDA |
IrDA TX/RX5-pin header on main
board |
| Parallel Port |
1 Parallel PortStandard Parallel Port
(SPP)Enhanced Parallel Port (EPP)Extended Capabilities Port
(ECP)26-pin header on main board |
| Keyboardand Mouse Controller |
Keyboard/Mouse Controller1 PS/2 port on
enclosuresupports both keyboard and mouse |
| Ethernet LAN |
Realtek
RTL8139C10/100 Base-T / TXMAC and PHYIEEE
802.3ACPI and PCIRJ45 connector on enclosure |
| CPU Board Size |
112.5 x 102 mm |
| Power Supply Information |
The CPU board operates on a 5V only power source. The
board is powered from lithium-ion camcorder batteries. Batteries connect
to the CharmIT power board, which has protection diodes, a fuse, and a 5V
3A (15 watt) DC/DC converter. The converter can also accept power from an
AC/DC adapter for stationary use. |
| Power Consumption |
Idle 6 wattsTypical 9 wattsMaxium 12 watts
(includes 2.5" HDD) |
SEARCH PCSTATS NEW - TRY IT OUT!
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Use the power of Google to search all of PCSTATS and the PCSTATS Forums. Tell us what you think of this new feature - FEEDBACK? |
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20.11.09 | 11:05P
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