AM3517/05 SAUModule Navigation Edition by SAURIS GmbH
The next step forward in development of the AM3517/05 SAUModule based on the high-capacity microprocessor TI Sitara AM3517 or AM3505 became the arrangement of 4 additional components on the module to provide all data required for resolution of virtually every navigational task while keeping the original dimensions of the module unchanged
The next step forward in development of the AM3517/05 SAUModule
based on the high-capacity microprocessor TI Sitara AM3517 or AM3505
became the arrangement of 4 additional components on the module to provide all data required for resolution of virtually every navigational task while keeping the original dimensions of the module unchanged:
- CSR SiRFstarIV GSD4e GPS-receiver
- Bosch Sensortec BMA250 accelerometer
- Bosch Sensortec BMP180 pressure indicator / altitude indicator
- Honeywell HMC5883L magnetometer / compass
The following modifications were made to enhance the module performance:
- TCA8418RTW keyboard controller replaced with TCA8418EYFP
- The data bus connected to NAND IC expanded to 16 bits.
As a result, AM3517/05 SAUModule now features a number of additional properties which have enabled outperforming the competitors in terms of the integration level and functional extension.
The advanced low-power GPS-receiver enables an accurate positioning by input signal from GPS satellites. The accelerometer combined with the magnetometer and altitude indicator enables continuous navigation in the event of a satellite signal loss while tracking the travelling speed and direction without any GPS signal. In addition, the accelerometer may be used to determine the module spatial attitude relative to the gravitational vector direction (this may be applied, for example, for making an image on the device display turn as the device is turned in the user’s hands) and the magnetometer enables positioning the module relatively to the sense of the Earth’s magnetic field. Altitude indicator / pressure indicator outputs barometric (atmospheric) absolute pressure data.
The increase in the NAND-memory data bus width enables quicker exchange with this memory, including the operating system booting procedure. The new TI TCA8418E keypad controller features ±15kV Human Body Model High Voltage ESD-protection which makes it possible to remove additional keyboard protection elements from the module-based device.
The units listed above are optional and may be installed on the module both jointly and separately depending on which of them are required for a task resolution. None of the units utilize interfaces connected to the module slot which was achieved by switching Bluetooth from UART to SDIO interface that is now used in conjunction with WIFI.
All units of the module are supported in the Linux operating system kernel. It includes the relevant drivers for the accelerometer, magnetometer and pressure indicator. The GPS-receiver is connected via UART2 while its operation enable signal is controlled using sysfs parameter. The NAND-memory supports the automatic bus width detection function both in Lunux kernel and its loaders.