Tibbo Project System is a Modular Linux IoT Prototyping Platform based on TI Sitara Cortex A8 Processor

If you’ve found yourself needing to quickly demo a system that does not look like a mess of wire to a customer, or your project is requires low production volumes, making the cost of designing your own and mass-producing the hardware prohibitive, Tibbo Project System might be worth looking into. It features an almost bare board powered by Texas Instruments Sitara processor, and a large area for Tibbit blocks to add features as needed, as well as an enclosure.

Size 3 Linux Project PCB (LTPP3) specifications:

SoC – Texas Instruments Sitara AM335x Cortex A8 processor up to 1.0 GHz
System Memory – 512 MB DDR3
Storage – 512 MB NAND flash, 2KB EEPROM, optional micro SD slot
Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet (RJ45), optional WiFi (via LW1000 module) and GPRS connectivity (via Tibbit #47)
Expansion – 51 I/Os:
- 7x tiles
- 14x sockets for Tibbit module including 4x with UART capability up to 921,600 bps, 2x for CAN socket, 8x for “interrupt” blocks, and 1x for PoE
- 14x sockets for Tibbit connectors
- 1x extra socket for Tibbit #37 (RF connector)
- Support for up to 25 relays, up to 47 opto-inputs, PWM outputs, open-collector outputs, or other I/O.
Audio – Optional 96KHz stereo audio LINE Out, MIC In (via Tibbit #48).
Misc – 8x LEDs for status and connectivity; setup (MD) and reset buttons; buzzer
Power Supply – 5V via power barrel. Tibbit blocks allow for other power inputs such as rterminal block, PoE, etc…
Dimensions – 165×94 mm
Operating temperature range – -40 ~ +70C.

“Size 3” refers to the different size of Tippo Project System, as they also have older smaller systems based on Size 1 & 2 that do not run Linux. That’s what the bare board looks like.

Now to have a complete project as shown in the first picture, you need to get Size 3 Tibbo Project Box (TPB3) and purchase a few Tibbit blocks and connectors. Tibbit blocks have all their own number, and you can choose the ones you need among about 50 modules that include I/O terminals, serial ports, relays, isolated inputs, power supply blocks, DAC and ADC blocks, sensors and so on. For example, in the picture below I have Tibbit #19 (DB9M connector), #20 (9x terminal blocks), and #22 (Non-isolated PoE).

There are four options on the software side:

Embed ded AggreGate – Tibbo’s “Internet of Things integration platform that employs modern network technologies to control, configure, monitor and service different electronic devices.” with support for more than 100 supported communications protocols. A middleware C library allows to access GPIO lines, serial ports, and Tibbit modules.
Run Node.js applications – Node.js is pre-installed with support with libraries such as serialport and socket.io, and the company’s own.
Execute TiOS applications – The company’s Tibbo OS (TiOS) is currently being ported to Linux, and once it’s done you’ll be able to run Tibbo BASIC and Tibbo C code with minor modifications. This is especially useful for customer who run such apps on previous platform. Tibbo IDE is used to develop such apps.
Use the LTPP3 as a generic Linux board – Since the board runs a Red Hat derived Linux distribution, it can be used as any Linux single board computer

System Configurator Example (Click to Enlarge) — Online Configurator Example (Click to Enlarge)

The company has also designed an Online Configurator to let customers design and order their own custom system.

LTPP3 board starts at $130, Size 3 Tibbo Project Box (TPB3) at $44, and Tibbit blocks and connectors go for between $2 to $44 (GPRS modem) each. The new system is scheduled to start shipping in May. More details can be found on Tibbo Technology website.

Via HackerBoards

Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)

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.