Farnell, a leading distributor of electronic components, has recently unveiled a new embedded system that promises to be a great choice for early adopters who are looking to get started with a simple Linux experience that they can expand on without having to learn how to read schematics. The new device, called BeaglePlay, boasts an impressive array of features that make it a versatile platform for a wide range of applications.
One of the standout features of BeaglePlay is its connectivity options. According to Farnell, the device has “built-in wired connectivity and wireless connectivity. This includes innovative single-pair Ethernet options and sub-GHz wireless options. This allows it to connect with a wide variety of sensor and prototyping system with thousands of options.” This means that users can easily integrate many devices with minimal code, making it a great choice for hobbyists and professionals alike.
In terms of hardware, BeaglePlay measures 80x80mm and is powered by a TI AM625 SoC and 2Gbytes of RAM. It has four Cortex A53 cores at 1.4GHz, a 400MHz Cortex M4F, two Texas Instruments sub-systems at 333MHz, and an Imagination PowerVR rogue GPU. The Imagination PowerVR rogue GPU is a graphics processing unit (GPU) designed by Imagination Technologies that is known for its efficient use of power, making it well-suited for portable devices with limited battery life. It also offers advanced features such as support for high-resolution displays, 3D graphics, and video playback.
BeaglePlay also boasts an impressive range of connectivity options. Interfaces include Gbit Ethernet, single-pair Ethernet (with power-over-data-line), HDMI (full-size, full-HD/1080P, 24bit RGB), USB type-C (power and data) and USB type-A (host) for wired communication, and 5GHz, 2.4GHz, and sub-1GHz (IEEE 802.15.4) radios for wireless communication. BeagleConnect Freedom, which is based on TI’s CC1352P7 Microcontroller, supports both short-range 2.4GHz as well as long-range subGHz wireless protocols.
In addition, BeaglePlay features QWIIC, Grove, and mikroBUS add-on module ports that allow users to create custom connectivity options. The device also has connectors for touchscreen display ribbon-cable connectors and a camera.
BeaglePlay comes pre-loaded with Debian GNU/Linux, and users can easily integrate many devices with minimal code using BeaglePlay-hosted kernel drivers and collaborative support codes. According to Farnell, it is even possible to “cut and paste sensor interface samples.” Users don’t have to depend on microcontroller codes libraries because the Linux kernel has all the intelligence necessary to interact with external devices.
Overall, BeaglePlay is a versatile and powerful embedded system that offers a wide range of features and connectivity options. Its ease of use and expandability make it a great choice for early adopters who are looking to get started with embedded systems without having to learn complex schematics.
