ProteusDevice Secure, Open-Source Linux Handheld Features Ethernet Connectivity

ProteusDevice

XXLSEC Ltd., the developer of the Privecall-TX device, has developed a near-identical, slightly bigger ProteusDevice, which runs the Linux 5.4 based PriveOS. The ProteusDevice handheld device (“not a mobile phone”) is said to have very tight security and was developed with secure access in mind.

Background and Linux Handheld Market

The market is seeing more Linux handheld and phones such as the Purism Librem 5, the PinePhone “Braveheart”  both of which are already in mass production. There are also other computing options with the handheld Pocket Popcorn Computer, which is much like the PocketChip, but decidedly improved and faster in general, as well as the Solectrix SX Mobile Device Kit which is more of a business option, for smartphone, opensource development with no cellular connectivity, but Gigabit Ethernet and USB-to-UART ports.

Some Features and Mystery Production

The ProteusDevice is in good company, and has a solid start, but is still a bit of a mystery, as to price and shipping. The phone will have end-to-end encryption and voice will be IP based. There is full protection against phishing, malware, ransomware, supply-chain attacks and unauthorized third party usage, reports XXLSEC.

ProteusDevice Specifications

The system is designed around an NXP i.MX6 ARM processor, and is equipped with 1GB RAM and 8GB eMMC. The battery has a capacity of 3500 mAh and is chargeable through the system connector or via micro USB cable.

Specifications

Device Type – Mobile Secure Computing Unit

Processor – NXP i.MX6 Arm Cortex-A9 processor

Memory / Storage

• • 1 GB RAM
  • 8GB eMMC storage

  • Auxiliary memory – 32Kbit i2c EEPROM; Onboard MicroSD, not user accessible

Physical Attributes

• • Dimensions 160 x 78 x 15 mm
  • Weight 276 grams
  • Body Aluminum, anodized black

Connectors

• • Micro USB (charging only)
  • System Connector (Charge, Ethernet, Audio, Switch) – See diagram below
  • External wifi antenna connector, SMA (option)

Buttons – 1x Power button, 2x Volume buttons, 1x Home button,  x PTT button on System Connector; All buttons are user-programmable

Indicators – On-display LED, user action, wifi, ETH ACT, ETH LNK, PFO, charger status

Display – 5” IPS TFT with PWM controlled LED backlight; Touch controller (GT928)

Connectivity

• • Wired Ethernet, 100 Mbit/s with an internal magnetic transformer
  • Wireless (option) SDIO interfaced WL1801 (with regulatory firmware required)

Audio

• • Internal audio codec (SGTL5000)
  • Internal microphone
  • Internal speaker (with controllable amplifier)
  • External HF with Mic in System Connector

Charger

• • MicroUSB charging input
  • +5 V DC charging input on System Connectors
  • Charger controlled over i2c from host
  • Fuel gauge Internal fuel gauge with i2c connectivity to host
  • Battery voltage and temperature
  • Indicates Accumulated Battery Charge and Discharge

Battery – 3,500 mAh

Operating System

• • Linux kernel
  • PriveOS for commercial developers with Linux 5.4.0

Applications

Some of the potential use cases and application areas listed by the company for the Linux handheld include critical IoT infrastructure, red team exfil tooling, authentication platform, penetration testing tool, critical comm’s, COMSEC & INFOSEC, MESH network device, and off-the-grid applications.

Further Information

No pricing as of yet, but the company has updated all the specifications on the GitHub XXLSEC ProteusDevice page.

The LinuxGizmos.com article also provides information used here as well as additional information.

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