Embedded Intel Atom® Processors
Technological Conversations about Intel Atom® Hardware, Software, Firmware, Graphics
1149 Discussions

Simplistic Intel single board computers that custom bootloaders can be used with

SManc5
Novice
1,125 Views

There are a multitude of things that I will attempt to describe about the solution I am looking for in this post.

What is needed is a single board computer that:

  • has an Atom processor.
  • does not use a BIOS or UEFI.
  • has all peripheral connectors on the same board, meaning carrier boards are out of the question.
  • uses a bootloader solution similar to most ARM based devices
  • comes without VGA or LVDS and uses either an HDMI or a USB connection in place of those two.
  • the boot ROM (SPI flash) can be modified.

The reason for the lack of a BIOS or UEFI is a design goal of moving some of their functions into software (a bootloader). The hope is to have a device who's first stage bootloader shares similar functionalities as those in mobile phones or other consumer electronics devices.

The reason for preferring an Atom processor is because the bootloader solution described above is usually for SoCs.

As for the absence of LVDS and VGA, one board I found uses USB ports and an HDMI port though it was never mass produced (Toradex's Xiilun PC).

This may evolve into consumer electronics device.

0 Kudos
1 Reply
FMcNu1
Valued Contributor I
294 Views

Hello

There are numerous off-the-shelf Atom-based boards available. Your best bet is to search the solutions directory here: https://www.intelcommsalliance.com/kshowcase/view/ https://www.intelcommsalliance.com/kshowcase/view/

Note that most of these board vendors do not constnatly monitor this forum so you will have to do a little legwork in your search.

I hope this helps.

Felix

J. Felix McNulty

Community Moderator (Intel contractor)

0 Kudos
Reply