Today we announced another solution for the Texas Instruments Sitara line, our Orion reference solution. Much like the Beagle Bone CAM I/F solution we announced a few weeks ago, our Orion solution allows OEMs using the Sitara platform to expand the capabilities of their systems through alternative connectivity interfaces.
The Orion solution allows for connectivity of peripherals like 2G wireless modules, GPS, Bluetooth, and others through a UART interface. It also allows an OEM to connect to smartcard systems or SAM Modules. In turn, the QuickLogic Orion CSSP bridges those peripheral devices into a single SDIO port to the TI Sitara processor. By allowing the connection of multiple discrete devices into a single SDIO path, Orion allows system designs a known-good solution for adding peripherals to their Sitara-based system without concern of running out of interface ports.
The concern about interface ports is very valid—as with all products (semiconductor or otherwise), product designers have to make decisions on what to include and what not too. TI, like everyone else, can’t add an unlimited amount of support interfaces and types. QuickLogic is able to address the applications where more peripherals are needed than the Sitara platform can readily support, and do so in a known good system design (that also happens to include Linux software!).
As we noted in the press release, QuickLogic does have the ability to increase and decrease the number of peripheral devices supported through UART and HSP SAM, allowing us to provide devices to our customers that are ‘right-sized’ for the application, ensuring they receive devices that are both cost- and size-effective. This is in keeping with our CSSP product approach—our customers get all that they need and nothing they don’t. Further, this solution can be customized to other Application Processors/CPUs from TI and other vendors.
From a company perspective, we’re really happy to be able to demonstrate our expanding relationships with processor OEMs, and think that our reference design approach will continue to drive increasing interest in QuickLogic CSSPs. We’re looking forward to the multiple of different applications and systems Orion can enable, and stand ready to answer any questions about Orion you may have.
