Reply by August 7, 20082008-08-07
In article <JQjlk.6204$np7.4145@flpi149.ffdc.sbc.com>, Vladimir Vassilevsky 
<antispam_bo...@hotmail.com> wrote: 

> > nospam@isp.com wrote: > > > So then what device/configuration would you advise for a > > black & white 80 char wide, probably 20 lines, reader from > > eg. CF, running from 2 to 4 rechargable AA cells & no-frills > > miminal cost ? > > The task is stated very vaguely; it can be anything from as simple > as PIC/AVR to as complex as iPod/TabletPC depending on what the > device should be capable of. >
It starts from the belief that the 'one laptop per child' hyped-idea from MIT can't handle the lack of mains electricity in 3rd world locations. So the 2 to 4 rechargable AA's need to give about 8 hours reading. I didn't yet find out about display power consumption, and a 'hi-volume used for other devices' display would be used. Of course if the display's consumption is significant then the CPU is less relevant. I guess a 8-bit CPU would do, except for the lack of ability to leaverage existing software, eg. uclinux. Here's some ideas of required capabilities for the student/reader: * hyper link to random sections, * bookmark where I was last time, * bookmark the stuff/s that I want to show Joe & Jill.. * cutNpaste .......... * search: where-else/if XYZ was mentioned........ * embed(?sp) [simple] sketches in the text...posibly animated * ... etc. ..your ideas/requirements... So, I realise that the half second delay of low-power Epaper is a problem for eg. cutNpaste. I'm thinking of a 5 or 10 finger-capacitive-pad input mouse-like/pointer. Probably the starting decision must be the display ? Thanks for any feedback, ==TIA.
Reply by Vladimir Vassilevsky August 3, 20082008-08-03

nospam@isp.com wrote:


> So then what device/configuration would you advise for a > black & white 80 char wide, probably 20 lines, reader from > eg. CF, running from 2 to 4 rechargable AA cells & no-frills > miminal cost ?
The task is stated very vaguely; it can be anything from as simple as PIC/AVR to as complex as iPod/TabletPC depending on what the device should be capable of. Vladimir Vassilevsky DSP and Mixed Signal Design Consultant http://www.abvolt.com
Reply by August 3, 20082008-08-03
In article <1xkjk.17448$89.11857@nlpi069.nbdc.sbc.com>, Vladimir Vassilevsky <antispam_bo...@hotmail.com> wrote: 
> > problems@gmail wrote: > > Vladimir Vassilevsky wrote: > > > >>I've been doing the designs with Blackfin since 2003 and still do, > >>and I can tell you that Blackfin is same as crap as all other MCUs > >>and CPUs. > > > > > > ] Speaking of BlackFin, it was initially seen as the CPU for the > > ]cellphones. When it became apparent that they missed the market, > > ]Intel pulled out the plug, leaving ADI with the unripe project. > > ]ADI put the things together as they could, and released the > > ]obviously incomplete processor. Sadly enough, the original > > ]concept was appealing. Now ADI is pathetic in pushing > > ] BlackFin in all directions, including those where BlackFin > > ] doesn't fit (like the consumer video, for example). > > > > So it's got low power consumption ? > > Although Blackfin consumes somewhat less power then the other DSPs, > I wouldn't call it the low power processor. > > > How would it be for a 2..4 AA-cell driven Ebook ? > > Or is the CPU power consumption irrelevant compared > > to a 80 * 20 char display ? > > The very minimum power consumption of Blackfin is at the order of 80mA > at 3.3V. This is if the core is running at 24MHz and idling most of the > time. At full speed, BlackFin burns about a couple of watts. > > > How's the uClinux project/capability ? > > Kinda working. As good as the illustration of the possibility. > If you want BlackFin to run with the speed of AVR, use ucLinux. > uClinux is linux without MMU, which is nonsense indeed. > > Vladimir Vassilevsky > DSP and Mixed Signal Design Consultant > http://www.abvolt.com
So then what device/configuration would you advise for a black & white 80 char wide, probably 20 lines, reader from eg. CF, running from 2 to 4 rechargable AA cells & no-frills miminal cost ? TIA, == Chris Glur.