That is quite a long-winded email.
A couple of things:
* ts7400 - does not have audio on it. I don't think any of the other
ts boards do. You will need to wire up an audio board for the ts7400 if
you want audio output.
* All of the arm based boards will need a fixed point audio decoder.
The floating point decoders will be far too slow to get realtime audio
playback. MAD works great on these boards. You will need to check
which decoder xmms is using.
I have connected a WM8510 to the TS7400 and ported ASOC to the board;
it does work, but requires a heavy investment in time to get it going.
Can't you just buy a pre-existing solution and hack it to your desires?
Alternatively, I'd suggest working with an Atom board. The boards
are tiny and you don't need to piss around with cross compilers, tool
chains, audio drivers, or any of the nonsense that comes along with arm.
-Brett
On 07/27/2010 07:51 PM, wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I'm need of some clarification before I can decide for a hardware platform
> for my project. The TS-7xxx SBCs look very interesting but I'm unsure
> whether it's the right choice. I'll with no doubt also be needing some help
> implementing some of this =)
>
>
>
> First let me describe my project and the scope I have in mind:
>
> * It's basically a mp3 player for my car, but on a Linux platform which
> enables me to do so much more. I'll use xmms which can easily be interfaced
> with from my separate application which handles all I/O with the real world.
>
> * I'm going to make an "old-fashioned" interface with push buttons and a few
> dials. The platform will require DIO for the push buttons, and DACs for the
> dials (old dial resistance for volume control). I've done a little testing
> with a Phidget DIO/ADC board which works quite well, but if it not too
> difficult, it would be preferably (cheaper) to use the SBC's own pins for
> this.
>
> * I'll be needing a little display (e.g. 2x20) to show what song is playing
> etc. I have model from Phidget in mind which should be relatively easy to
> work with, nice API, possible to make custom fonts etc.
>
> * I'll also need WLAN (for maintenance and mp3 sync), possibly GPS (for route
> logging, maybe speed measurement, distance travelled), and maybe even
> GPRS/GMS (for surveillance notifications over SMS). I imagine all these
> should be connected via USB. That way I can easily do all development on a
> standard PC, and move device and software to the SBC.
>
> * I'd like the platform to able to run on the car's battery for a long time
> (weeks) without draining it. I could be running in a low power state, but
> still be able to run jobs that don't require much CPU. I'd also like the
> platform to be able to wake up upon car ignition.
>
> * I need enough RAM and enough flash ;) and 32MB/32MB seems more than enough.
> (My apps will be written in C btw.; I don't think I'll be needing Java).
> MP3 files will be stored on external HDD though USB.
>
> * Finally the SBC should have stereo audio out, and preferably also input for
> voice memo recording and possibly for use with cabin ambience noise
> compensation of the volume. The sound should be of an acceptable quality.
>
>
>
> Now, I've been looking at some of the TS boards, but it's difficult to
> decide, so I have a few question. It's mainly about whether the particular
> option is important to me or not.
>
> * Let me start by saying that I've looked out these two:
> - TS-7400, mainly because of its ultra-fast bootup, 4 ADCs, and audio.
> - TS-7260, mainly because of its low-power specs (car battery, remember).
> But this only has 2 ADC =(
> - TS-7200, mainly because of an option of 8 ADC.
>
> * "Ultra-fast Linux Bootup". This sounds like a nice feature. But since I'd
> really like for the device to be powered on always, and thereby really rarely
> do a cold boot, I don't think I'll be needing it. Also, I'm unsure what this
> bootup really includes. If it only counts for a specialized kernel, and not
> a custom kernel with my own drivers and a minimum of real-world apps, then I
> don't think it's of any interest.
>
> * Audio. The TS-7400 has on-board audio. Does this include output as well
> as input? And is it just a matter of soldering two mini jacks sockets on to
> the proper pins, or do I need more hardware to make it work? And isn't a USB
> audio stick just as good? And can anyone recommend any that play (and
> record) well and most importantly: Are supported on ARM9 and? I've been
> looking at this: http://www.terratec.net/en/products/Aureon_Dual_USB_9842.html
>
> * More audio: My car is an old Mercedes-Benz 300GD. I could imagine it
> makes some electrostatic noise. Will such a board be able to work under
> these circumstances? Will I be able to get any decent audio out or will it
> drown in noise?
>
> * GPRS/GSM. I see TS sell this as an add-on. I'm not sure how important
> that is, but it will definitely be new to me to develop for this. Therefore
> a USB device would be preferable so I can develop and test on my PC without
> pulling the SBC out of my car. Anyone who can recommend such a device? I've
> found this, but it would be shaky =)
> http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12057
> Also, how difficult is it to actually attach a "raw" GPRS/GSM modem? Is it
> just a matter of using attaching a few pins from the computer's serial port
> to something like this:
> http://www.multitech.com/en_US/PRODUCTS/Categories/Embedded_Device_Networking/embedded_cellular_modems/
> ?
>
> * Is it insane to let my car's battery power such an SBC 24/7? How long will
> it run? I know I can insert some protection that guards my battery from
> being drained, which under every circumstance will be a good idea.
>
>
> That's all I can think of right now. Any other considerations I forgot to
> make? I've never made something like this before, so I'm on quite new
> grounds. I'm a electrical engineer but have mostly written software. I've
> worked with embedded ARM9 and Linux, but not from scratch like this.
>
> Allot of talk, I know! Any help is much appreciated =)
>
>
> (Oh, and yes, I know I can buy a stock car mp3 player much cheaper and with a
> whole less sweat, but that's not what I want. Also, I've been looking at the
> Hawkboard and BeagleBoard which have on-board audio, but I don't think they
> are as low-powered as these board, and I like the DIO/ADC of the TS boards.)
>
>
------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ts-7000/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ts-7000/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
|