If you want a tiny single board computer that runs Linux on Arm Cortex-A processor, some options include Raspberry Pi Zero (W), PocketBeagle, or FriendlyElec NanoPi Duo with the latter being smaller and more powerful than RPi Zero although it lacks video output.
Another potential option that may become available soon is the Giant Board, which as its name clearly does not imply, is a really tiny board powered by Microchip Atmel SAMA5 Cortex-A5 processor, and leveraging Adafruit Feather form factor.
Giant board preliminary specifications:
- SiP – ATSAMA5D27C-D1G with Microchip SAMA5D2 Arm Cortex-A5 Processor 500MHz, 128MB DDR2 RAM
- Storage – Micro SD slot for OS and storage
- Peripherals & I/Os
- 6x 12-Bit ADC with 3.3V Reference
- 4x 16-Bit PWM
- ADC external trigger
- PWM external trigger
- 1x I2C, 1x SPI, 1x UART
- Misc- Power button
- Power Supply
- 5V via micro USB port
- 3.7V LIPO support for portable projects
The Microchip / Atmel SAMA5 SiP is really what made possible the super small form factor possible, as the system-in-package integrates the Cortex-A5 processor, 128MB RAM, and peripherals.
The board currently support Linux 4.14. There’s limited information on the product page, and you may find more details on the developer’s (Groguard) twitter account, where we can learn the board is now supported by Adafruit CircuitPython and has been tested with various Adafruit add-ons such as TFT FeatherWing.
What is unclear is whether the board will ever be for sale. For reference, Groguard also worked on an alternative to the now defunct Next Thing C.H.I.P. board, with Nebula One board featuring Octavo Systems OSD3358-SM SiP, so it’s not his first adventure with small boards powered by a system-in-package.
Via OSH Park
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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