Which embedded module to buy

[RoboButler]

I intend to buy one of NI embedded module, but I don't know for which to decide. I would like someone to give me some useful information about Embedded module for ARM microcontrollers and for ADI Blackfin Processors. What are main differences between them and what are their specifications. Which one is better and why? What are your experiences of working with them? Any useful information??? Thanks

[Karunya_R]

Hi,

The main difference between the Embedded modules are the different architectures they support. The best way to decide which module appropriate way to see which architecture  and which operating system is more applicable

The ARM module supports, as the name suggests, ARM architecture (originally the Advanced RISC Machine)which is a 32-bit RISC processor architecture. ARM is used in low power applications. The module includes Keil uVision C toolchain and the royalty-free RTX real-time operating system. 

The Blackfin processors use a 32-bit RISC MCU programming model on a SIMD architecture. This module includes the VisualDSP++ IDDE as well as source code for the VisualDSP++ Kernel (VDK). 

[fredfy]

hello,

one of the benefits of the blackfinprocessor is the low power usage and the power management. it is also a very general controller wich can be used for many different applications as robotics, handheld audio/video devices, ethernet, usb, touch panel, lcd etc, etc. Also there is many supplyers of many different developer/evaluation kits, here is two examples:

 BF Handy board: http://www.cs.uml.edu/blackfin/index.php

IPT-shark537: http://www.ipthinking.dk/default.asp?active_page_id=1

i use Blackfin my self,  and i was soon able to build different applications with system services as ethernet tcp/ip, timers, flags, callbacks and diverse  others.

The labview for blackfin also supports ulinux operating system since lw 8.5

Here is also a performance test

Industry News More
	ADI Blackfin Outperforms ARM-Based Freescale i.MX Processors in EEMBC 'Out-of-the-Box' C Benchmarks 1 year 7 months ago

http://www.embedded-computing.com/news/db/?5705

[sankah2k]

Hi RoboButler,

I too think that a better choice would be the LabVIEW embedded module for Blackfin (if the type of architecture is not fixed in your project). Currently the LabVIEW ARM module only supports two eval boards out of the box. Any other ARM target needs to go through a porting procedure. Unless you are well versed about the new ARM target and LabVIEW, this might take some time and exploring.

The Blackfin module on the other hand has a wider selection of processors for you to begin with and the libraries given in the module is also quite extensive compared to the ARM module. Another thing to take note is that the ARM module is in its first revision (if I remember correctly) (a very new module), whereas the Blackfin module has gone through a couple of design cycles from 7.1 all the way until now.

Hope this would be of help in your decision.

Cheers!

Sanka

[SamoraJ]

Hi,

@fredfy:

If you have been successfull with LabVIEW on ipt-shark357, I would be Interested in tips and tricks and perhaps you could even help me out with the required files (ldf etc)

I recently got hold of a board and would like to try using it with LabVIEW.