Fanless "embeded" linux computers.

[nmiljac]

Originally Posted by nyc_paramedic

I _would_ like to get together with other folks who have different embedded systems, though I'm in New York and you're in Germany. :/

Me too. - this looks like an idea ... when the time and money allow.

[owenhamburg]

The hardware on my old rooter was nothing like this stuff, this even has HDMI out!

Texas Instruments OMAP35xx
Dual-Issue, ARM Cortex-A8 @ 600MHz ( Does this mean duel core?)
64x+DSP @ 430MHz
Peak MMACS 3440
64-Ch EDMA,32-Bit Channel SDMA
256 MB DDR
512 MB NAND
SD/MMC
10/100 Mbps RJ45 Ethernet jack
1 x USB 2.0 HS USB host port
1 x debug serial port
1 x IrDA receiver (over serial port)
Bluetooth module (optional)
HDMI display output at connector
Display signals also at 0.100" headers
Audio line-out at RCA connectors
12 x 32-Bit GP Timers
2 x 32-Bit WD
Display Graphics accelerator
5VDC input voltage at power jack or PoE module

[anbello]

@nmiljac
i would like to know if you had to write your own (audio) driver for your system based on ARM9 + I2S + DAC or it is possible to use alsa driver, i saw on alsa sources many drivers for SOC based on ARM also for ATMEL, OMAP and others:
Linux/sound/soc/

for example on this:
Linux/sound/soc/atmel/atmel_ssc_dai.c
i see the SSC port on ATMEL ARM can be used as I2S both master and slave

ciao
andrea

[nmiljac]

I actually wrote the ALSA driver for my custom DAC.

[DonkeyFurr]

Hi......First Post!

I need a board to feed a DAC via USB and am considering the ALIX (because of the recommendation on this thread) or a fanless atom mobo.

I am wondering if anyone has used the ALIX board with a wifi card? Has anyone used a fanless atom solution with a wifi card? Would the only major difference between the ALIX and Atom be power consumption?

I like the idea of hacking a router (seems like the cheapest option), but I don't think my skills are up to it.

Thanks

Matt

[nyc_paramedic]

Originally Posted by DonkeyFurr

Hi......First Post!

I need a board to feed a DAC via USB and am considering the ALIX (because of the recommendation on this thread) or a fanless atom mobo.

I am wondering if anyone has used the ALIX board with a wifi card? Has anyone used a fanless atom solution with a wifi card? Would the only major difference between the ALIX and Atom be power consumption?

I like the idea of hacking a router (seems like the cheapest option), but I don't think my skills are up to it.

Any Linux supported Wi-Fi card should work with the Alix boards. I highly recommend wired ethernet, though.

Also, you won't easily find an inexpensive fanless Atom board that is stripped down and/or headless like the Alix is. There are some SBC Atom's on the market, but they're very expensive in single quantities. Sokeris should be coming out with a fanless Atom board later this March, but it won't nbe cheap. And, you don't need the power an Atom CPU to feed unmolested data to a USB DAC, even at 24bit/192Khz.

[DonkeyFurr]

@ nyc_paramedic

Thanx for your quick response.

I think I will go with an Alix board. Can you elaborate on the problem with using WiFi with Alix? Did you mean wifi in this general application is problematic? I will be using mpd on the Alix (probably using Voyage Linux) via NFS to my Arch server. I could get an Ethernet to where my stereo sits but it will not be "clean". However, I do not want to trade off wifi for quality.

[nyc_paramedic]

Originally Posted by DonkeyFurr

@ nyc_paramedic

Thanx for your quick response.

I think I will go with an Alix board. Can you elaborate on the problem with using WiFi with Alix? Did you mean wifi in this general application is problematic? I will be using mpd on the Alix (probably using Voyage Linux) via NFS to my Arch server. I could get an Ethernet to where my stereo sits but it will not be "clean". However, I do not want to trade off wifi for quality.

One could assume that the radio could contribute more EMI/RFI to the Alix and surrounding components. Also, you might get dropouts depending on how big your music files are (16/44 vs. 24/192), interference, how reliable your router is, etc.

From what I've read, none of the high end music server manufactures, (Linn?) recommend Wi-Fi streaming when you want the best fidelity. Stay with wired ethernet.

Also, it's not difficult at all to drill small holes between walls to route Cat5/6. My first time doing it was very easy. Borrow a staple gun to keep the cable nice an tidy against the trim.

[PedroDaGr8]

Umm:
Fanless Atom Board requires ATX power supply (which still can be fanless using a variety of options such as the picoPSU which integrates an ATX psu, HD plug, etc. into a small factor and requires just a wall wart to supply initial power)

Another Fanless option which uses a self contained power supply (no fans)

[error401]

Consider also the Seagate Dockstar boards. They can be had on sale for < $50, are easily hackable (ie. no hardware mods required), have a bunch of USB ports, and are more than powerful enough for a remote media player. I don't see a reason to pay 4 times as much for a more power-hungry, larger x86 solution (though the ALIX boards do make fantastic pfSense routers...); don't forget to factor in the additional cost for a CF card, power supply and case. Once you've got Debian installed (which is easy), there's not going be much difference. Install Debian to the internal flash memory, add a USB sound card (and maybe an IR receiver) and you're done.

It's a popular 'hacking' platform, so there's a decent community around it.

Expand your NAS is a good resource for these.
Debian on the Seagate Dockstar - David Darts Wiki is a nice tutorial

Haven't actually built one just yet, but it's on the list so I don't have to use my HTPC when I just want to listen to music.

I think WiFi would work fine; audio is crazy low bandwidth, unless you've got a really crappy dongle or really terrible signal conditions it'll work fine. You might get more EMI etc, but that hasn't really been a problem for me.