Wandboard was one of the first to launch boards based on Freescale i.MX6 Solo, Dual and Quad in early 2013. The boards are comprise of an EDM system-on-module and a carrierboard, that makes it not only suitable as a single board computer, but you could also use the boards to start developing software, while making your own carrierboard to match your application. Wandboard.org community sent me an email last night to let me know about their latest board called Hobbitboard, or in full “Hobbitboard Made for Brillo”, powered by NXP i.MX6 UltraLite Cortex A7 processor, which follows the same principle, and includes Hobbit Compute Module and Hobbit I/O Carrierboard.
Hobbit Compute Module specifications:
- SoC – NXP i.MX6 UltraLite Cortex A7 processor @ 528 MHz
- System Memory – 256MB DDR3
- Storage – 4GB eMMC flash
- Connectivity – 802.11ac WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0 (Ampak AP6335)
- Board Connectors – Two Pico Expansion header and one Intel Editon compatible headers
- Power Management – NXP PF300
- Dimensions – 40 x 36 mm
If the design look familiar, especially with the Intel Edison compatible design, it’s because Hobbit Compute Module appears to be a variation of TechNexion PICO-iMX6 System-on-Module with the new NXP, previously Freescale, i.MX 6UltraLite processor and less RAM, and even a closer variation of the new PICO-IMX6UL SoM, also used for Brillo.
To get started with development easily, Wandboard also designed Hobbit I/O Carrierboard with the following specifications:
- SoM Connectors – 2x Pico header and 1x Edison compatible header
- Connectivity – Ethernet port (RJ45)
- USB – 1x USB host port, 1x USB type C port
- Audio – 3.5mm audio In/Out jack
- Expansion Headers
- Two 8-pin headers with UART, I2C, GPIO and SPI signals (2.54mm pitch)
- Four 2×10-pin headers with TTl, I2C, GPIo and SPI signals
- Power Supply – 5V via power barrel
- Dimensions – 100 x 45mm
As the name implies, the board has been made to run Google’s Brillo operating system for the Internet of Things, and targets applications such as home automation, drones, 3D printer, climate control, robot or remote sensor network, and more.
Hobbitboard can be pre-ordered on ARMKits for $69, and it’s also listed on AVNET for $90.04 and DigiKey for $81.24, with shipping scheduled for the end of March. The code name for the board is HOBBIT6UL-BRILLO, which implied there could also be another version later on. Documentation is currently limited, but should be shortly available on Hobbitboard Brillo product page.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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