Summary of GARZ AND FRICKE’S LAUNCHES NEW SBC THAT RUNS LINUX ON I.MX6 ULL AND I.MX6 SOLO
Garz & Fricke released two new IoT single-board computers: the Nallino Core and the Santvend Battery Core. Nallino Core uses an i.MX6ULL (ARM Cortex-A7), supports Linux or optionally Android, includes Bluetooth 4.0 BLE, RTC, micro SD, micro USB OTG, 4GB eMMC, DDR3 RAM, 24-bit RGB TTL display, speaker/buzzer, and measures 113×47×18 mm. Santvend Battery Core uses i.MX6Solo (ARM Cortex-A9), supports Yocto Linux only, includes 3G/4G modem, MDB interface, optimized power management for battery operation, micro USB OTG, micro SD, HDMI, 4GB eMMC, 1GB DDR2, CAN, LVDS, and audio interfaces.
Parts used in the Nallino Core and Santvend Battery Core:
- i.MX6ULL CPU (Nallino Core)
- i.MX6Solo CPU (Santvend Battery Core)
- ARM Cortex-A7 core (Nallino Core)
- ARM Cortex-A9 core (Santvend Battery Core)
- 4GB MLC eMMC (both boards)
- DDR3 RAM (Nallino Core)
- 1GB 32-bit DDR2 RAM (Santvend Battery Core)
- Bluetooth 4.0 BLE module (Nallino Core)
- Micro SD slot (both boards)
- Micro USB OTG port (both boards)
- Real Time Clock (RTC) (both boards)
- 1W speaker and mic interfaces (Santvend Battery Core)
- Speaker and extra buzzer interface (Nallino Core)
- 24-bit RGB TTL display interface (Nallino Core)
- HDMI port (Santvend Battery Core)
- CAN interface (Santvend Battery Core)
- LVDS display interface (Santvend Battery Core)
- 3G/4G modem (Santvend Battery Core)
- MDB interface (Santvend Battery Core)
- Power management system with standby and wake from sleep (Santvend Battery Core)
Garz & Fricke is a German-based company, which deals with the production of single board computers (SBCs), embedded systems and smart vending machines. Ever since it was founded in 1992, the company has grown and is releasing two new IoT boards, a compact “Nallino Core” SBC and i.MX6 Solo based “Santvend Battery Core” SBC. The IoT boards will be distributed by a UK-based company called Crystal Display Systems (CDS) in Europe and in the UK.
The Nallino Core SBC is equipped with a Bluetooth 4.0 BLE module, a micro SD slot and a micro USB OTG port. Compared to the Santvend model which is equipped with the DDR 3L RAM, the Nallino core module uses DDR 3 RAM. It also has a Real Time Clock (RTC) and buzzers. The Nallino Core has been created to support Linux Operating systems however it also has the option of an Android operating system. As compared to other Linux driven compute modules, the Nallino SBC is slighter bigger than most of boards, it measures for about 113mm by 47mm by 18mm, and weighs 55 grams.
Specifications of the Nallino Core Module:
- Operating Temperature: 0 to 60 degree Celsius
- Storage Temperature: -20 to 70 degree Celsius
- Type of CPU: i.MX6ULL
- Core Type: ARM Cortex – A7
- Memory: 4GB MLC eMMC
- UART & SPI
- Display: 24 – bit RGB TTL.
- 1 speaker and extra buzzer interface.
Santvend Battery Core is an SBC built for the Internet of Things. Unlike the Nallino Core SBC, the Santvend Battery Core supports only Linux Yocto operating systems. However, it comes with a 3G/4G modem which makes it a good option for working on the Internet of Things (IoT) related projects.
The Santvend battery core comes with an optimized power management system with standby and wake from sleep functions, and it enables uninterrupted operation which is independent of the mains power supply. Fitted with a 3G/4G modem and MDB interface, SANTVEND core battery is ready for the Internet of Things. The platform is available in a version prepared specially for outdoor use. SANTVEND core battery can be operated by a 12V battery.
The board comes with an ARM Cortex –A9 and has i.MX6Solo as its CPU. It also comes with a real-time clock like the Nallino core. There is a micro-USB OTG, a micro SD slot, and HDMI ports. A 4GB MLC eMMC serves as the memory and 1GB 32 bit DDR2 as the RAM. The SBC provides a 1W speaker, mic interfaces, CAN for communication, LVDS for display.
The Nallino and Santvend Battery Cores are still under the coming soon class, but it is expected to be sold in Europe and the UK very soon. No information regarding the price has been made public yet or when it will. Further information about the boards can be found their product pages. Product for the Nallino SBC is here and the product page for the Santvend battery core is here.
- What operating systems do the Nallino Core and Santvend Battery Core support?
Nallino Core supports Linux and optionally Android; Santvend Battery Core supports Yocto Linux only. - Does the Nallino Core include Bluetooth?
Yes, it is equipped with a Bluetooth 4.0 BLE module. - Can the Santvend Battery Core operate without mains power?
Yes, it has optimized power management with standby and wake from sleep and can be operated by a 12V battery. - What cellular connectivity does the Santvend Battery Core offer?
It comes fitted with a 3G/4G modem. - What memory and RAM sizes do the boards use?
Both boards use 4GB MLC eMMC; Nallino uses DDR3 RAM and Santvend uses 1GB 32-bit DDR2 RAM. - Do both boards include a real time clock?
Yes, both the Nallino Core and Santvend Battery Core include a real time clock. - What display interfaces are available on each board?
Nallino Core offers 24-bit RGB TTL; Santvend Battery Core offers LVDS and HDMI. - Are the boards currently available for purchase?
They are listed as coming soon and expected to be sold in Europe and the UK, with no pricing or release date announced yet.
