[aklug] Intel's new Galileo: Arduino-compatible x86, 400MHz, 512KB ram, & sub-$60

A friend just sent me this - I have included his entire message. Anybody
here looking at this?

> -
> This time it is Intel's new Galileo board which moves the goalpost.
>
> Galileo does NOT use an ARM processor.
>
> Instead, it uses Intel's low power x86 chip, called the Quark
> X1000 SoC (=System On a Chip).
>
>
> This is intended as "FYI-only" and not to start a discussion thread.
>
> Several related links have been culled and are PASTEd below.
>
>
> I hope that this will be of interest; please_do_ feel free to FORWARD this to others, too.
>
>
> One minor musing...: At 400MHz and $60, I wonder if this conforms to Moore's law, as compared to the original IBM x86 PC, from thirty years ago. It would be an interesting comparative "dollars and thruput" calculation...
>
>
>
> Enjoy! Mike
>
>
>
> +_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_...and some embellishments...:
>
>
>
> The subject line describes the key points.
>
>
> Also of note...:
>
> Price will be "below $60"
>
> Available for purchase (PASTEd from the FAQ) ''...on or about November 29, 2013 from distributors...''
>
> Pinouts are Arduino-compatible, with the exception of_no_ AREF : Brilliant!
>
> +
>
> Support for_both_ 3.3 and 5 volt sourcing, which explains the "no AREF"
> +
> Yes: External, regulated source is explicitly supported: Great!
> +
> Often required for hefty "accessory boards" and powering hungry USB devices. <---<<
>
>
>
> 32 bit Pentium instruction set with 512KB of embedded SRAM-
> (UNclear if x86 virtual / TLB's functions all would work with the 32GB of external flash)
> (This is a key point: Only 512KB of "real" memory would be a severe limitation)
>
>
>
> Supported: RS-232, SPI, I2C, Ethernet, and both USB client_and_ host services
>
>
> N.B.
>
> ------
>
> There_is_ external support for PCI-Express.
>
> This is both "nice" and seemingly_necessary_.
>
> &
>
> ?Why? Because UNlike Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone Black, and other boards,
> there does NOT seem to be ANY (and I've looked pretty carefully) native support
> for either VGA nor HDMI. Really! Video output: Seemingly _none!
>
> Maybe I should look a bit more, since this seems like a*huge* feature to omit...
>
> -
> Using Galileo's mPCIe (mini PCI-Express) slot_is_ a way to feed an external video card.
> A poor way, but still a way. I must be missing something here...
>
>
> ====================================================URL's / links...:
>
>
> Partial links-chain which I used in preparing this posting...:*
> N.B....: FULL datasheet is link 5, below <---<<
>
>
>
> 1.http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-10/03/intel-arduino-galileo <---UK_Wired item---<<
>
>
> 2.http://tinyurl.com/n69mhbx <---anandtech's useful overview---<<
>
> +
> A SNIPPET from this link...:
>
> -
>
> ''... Today Intel is announcing a microcontroller board based on the Quark
> X1000 SoC called Galileo. The Quark implementation on the board is a
> single-core running at 400MHz (single speed, there's no speedstep
> equivalent here). There's a 16KB L1 cache and 512KB on-die embedded
> SRAM. ...''
>
>
>
> 3.http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/do-it-yourself/galileo-maker-quark-board.html <--Intel---<<
>
>
> 4.http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/education/university/galileo-for-universities.html <--Intel strategy--<<
>
> -
> Arduino is often far too under-powered for many serious college-level projects.
>
> Galileo's competition appears to be in the computing "capability range of the
> Raspberry Pi, the BeagleBone Black, and similar development boards.
>
> +
> /* Writer's priviledge: I digress for just a moment...:
>
> &
>
> Of_special_note_ is that Galileo can_directly_ use Arduino "shields" (i.e., Arduino
> accessory boards.) Galileo does this_without_ any intermediate adapter boards.
>
> -
>
> The number of existing shields is large. This is a substantial "plus" for Galileo.
> However, it is_not_ surprising, since the Arduino organization co-developed Galileo
> with Intel.
> +
>
> Example: I've used the $50 "Propeller Shield", fromhttp://mghdesigns.com/ <---<<
>
> with an Arduino, on several designs. These were highspeed data sampling / reduction
> applications, including process control, robot sensors, and haptic normalizing.
>
> For readers UNfamiliar with the 8 core, 32 bit Parallax Propeller RISC chip, please see...:
> +
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallax_Propeller <--put_that_ on your Arduino!--<<
> Now imagine it as an x86 Galileo co-processor, with Linux, DOS, or an_RTOS_!
> << This could be the rebirth of one of the lightweight multi-tasking DOS clones. >>
>
> &
> Intel's brilliant strategy is seen in this long list of shields:http://shieldlist.org/ <---<< just take a look!
> -
> ,,, end of digression ... */
>
>
>
> 4.http://www.intel.com/support/galileo/index.htm <---support---<<
> +
> Surprisingly, there __are__ numerous "fact-nuggets" buried in the_links_ in the
> left panel (i.e., FAQ, etc.), which do not seem to appear elsewhere.
> Reader sleuthage is necessary. <grin>
>
>
> !
>
> 5.http://download.intel.com/support/galileo/Galileo_Datasheet_329681_002.pdf <---<< !
>
> +
> Thirteen page "datasheet", which is quite complete. Additional details USB (client and host)
>
> support is necessary and will certainly be forthcoming.
>
> !
>
>
> 6.https://confirmsubscription.com/h/r/DAB4574EF4BAC685 <---More_Info_subscribe---<< ! NB
>
>
> 7.http://www.intel.com/support/galileo/documents.htm <--add'l supporting documentation---<<
>
>
> 8.http://www.intel.com/support/galileo/faq.htm <---FAQ, if you missed it, above---<<
>
>
> ...and a closing aside...:
>
>
> +_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+
>
> The "Internet of Things" is upon us. A low power / low cost x86 computer has arrived at the right time, IMHO.
>
>
> Galileo seems ideal for running a
> web-attached device, running embedded CSnobol4 (from Phil Budne) and Spitbol
> (from DES).
>
> Either Linux or (a multi-tasking) DOS would be suitable platforms, as both are stable.
>
> -
> (DES = Robert Dewar/Mark Emmer/Dave Shields)
> -
> About one hundred folks on the planet -- maximum -- will understand this arcane fantasy. So, if this is UNfamiliar to you, try switching timelines to a different and_better_, yet parallel universe. <grin>
>
>
>
> +_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+
>
>
> -
> -
> -=[eot]=-
> -
> -
>

-- 
Greg Schmitz
Alaska Moving Image Preservation Association (AMIPA)
Anchorage, Alaska
v: 907.786.4983
f: 907.786.1834
e: greg at amipa dot org
The Alaska Moving Image Preservation Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to media preservation and education to ensure long-term access to Alaska's moving image heritage.
www.amipa.org
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