Orbita

Overview of Orbita Technologies

The Orbita System is a combination of software and hardware platforms, which provide a powerful processing system – a Lean PC – without the overhead of a conventional operating system. This is leading edge technology but it is transparent to the user, giving functionality without computer knowledge or jargon.

A range of Orbita hardware platforms are available providing a choice of power/performance and interfaces. All models include support for a large graphic LCD. One also has a composite video output for displaying data/information on Televisions, LCD projectors etc. The Orbita™ is powered by a 32-bit RISC processor running at speeds up to 96MHz and driven by the Orbita MMI Operating System and Application software. Both of which are easy to customise to support a wide range of applications, producing an Application Specific Device, which is easy for the user to operate. The platform can provide facilities for mobile data collection and transfer, Email, Direct Banking, E–Commerce, Remote Education, Security and Health Care.

Orbita Software Suite

The Orbita Software Suite is comprised of two types of software; Embedded Software and Connectivity Software. This section provides are overview of the existing standard software modules, it should be noted that additional modules a continually added to the suite and that it is possible to rapidly add customised modules.

Orbita Embedded MMI Software

These modules have been written in ANSI C and will run directly on any of the Orbita Hardware platforms, it is possible to rapidly port the modules to other processors or platforms.

The entire Orbita MMI set of modules includes everything from device drivers, Real Time Kernel to Applications. There are over 30 individual modules available for use, which can be combined to provide the features and functions required for a particular application. This enables Ferrotec (and developers) to produce Application Specific Devices.

The following diagram illustrates the different software levels within the Embedded Orbita MMI software and the key modules in each level.

Embedded Applications

The following applications are part of the standard software suite:

Text Editor, Email Editor, Graphic File Viewer, Basic Database, Relational Database, Database reports, Smart Card Control/Access, Orbita to Orbita Communications, PC Communications.

Protocols

The following protocols are available:

TCP/IP, PPP, MIME, SMTP/POP, RCMM, DPRAM, Z-Modem, SMS, O2PC. Other customised protocols may also be supported if required.

RTK & Drivers

The following set of standard drivers are available for use: LCD, UART (Serial), Infrared, Keypad, ANSI Compliant Flash File System, PCMCIA Port, Real Time Clock, Smart Card Reader, Graphic User Interface, Graphic Processor (includes Double-Buffering functions), Graphic Library (Icons & Images).

Orbita Connectivity Software

Ferrotec can supply a number of software modules to provide Orbita-PC connectivity so as to allow the exchange of data between Orbita and a PC. The modules currently available include:

A Microsoft Outlook Plug-In for importing Email files from Orbita

An Orbita to Eudora file converter

A Microsoft Access Plug-in for exchange of database files

A PC Sync utility, which allows users to up/down load files from Orbita

Orbita Hardware

Processor System

Orbita hardware is based on a 32 Bit RISC/DSP processor. It can be operated at a frequency of up to 96 MHz, the frequency can be altered using clock multipliers so that it can be stepped up/down as required.

Two 2Mb 8-bit DRAM (total 4Mb RAM) devices are used to build up a 32-bit wide main memory system. The main memory is used for storing the Core Code and application code. Both will be downloaded from a flash memory during the boot-up procedure. The main part of DRAM memory is used as working memory for temporary data storage and processing.

A flash memory device holds the Core Code and application code as well as memory space for data storage. The standard flash memory size is 2Mbytes but may be increased on most models. The memory devices are connected directly to the processor without any additional logic. The Expansion port shown as a small debug connector allows the connection of a Debug Adapter for connection to a PC for development purposes.

I/O Subsystem

There are basically 6 I/O interfaces on all Orbita models, however the XT and XS models have an additional RS232 interface:

RS232 serial interface

All models have one serial interface (Rx/Tx/GND), which is used for connection to external devices such as printers, Smart Card Readers etc. The XT and XS models have a second serial port (RX/Tx/DTR/CTS/GND) so that the device can connect to two external devices simultaneously (e.g. Printer & Smart Card Reader)

I/R Input

An Infrared receiver is available on all platforms which is suitable for use with IR Keyboards, remote controls etc. The software supports common protocols such as Philips RCMM.

PC Card (PCMCIA)

The Orbita hardware platform has a PCMCIA type II slot as standard. This is commonly used for a modem or a “PC Card Phone”.

Keypad

All Orbita models are equipped with an Integral Keypad. The Keypad has 45 standard keys and 5 cursor/special keys. All of the keys can be mapped to custom requirements through software and “hotkey” combinations are also facilitated.

Expansion Port

The Expansion port is connected directly to the RISC processor and provides address and data lines, which may be used to connect to extra memory cards, smart card readers, Digital Cameras etc. The port is designed to provide a large number of address and data lines so that it can be easily used for a wide variety of applications.

Display

Support for a monochrome LCD is standard on all models, the standard size is 240 x 128 pixels; other sizes can easily be accommodated with minimal software changes. The WBTV model also offers graphics processor, which generates a RGB output display; VRAM is used as an image buffer. A PAL/NTSC encoder generates and outputs a composite video signal from the RGB signal of the graphics processor. Hence, a standard Television (or other device equipped with composite video input) can be connected for image display.

Orbita Platform Options

There are a number of models of the Orbita Hardware platform providing a selection of processor speeds, RAM memory types and external ports. All of the platforms feature a PC Card port, an expansion board, LCD interface, 1 or more serial ports. The following sections provide an overview of the general design of the platforms.

Orbita Hardware Specifications at a glance

	Orbita WB		Orbita XT		Orbita XS
	TV	NTV	FPM	EDO	FPM	EDO	SRM
Processor	RISC	RISC	RISC	RISC	RISC	RISC	RISC
Processor Speed (Mhz)	48	48	48	48	96	96	96
Flash (Mb)	2	2	2+	2+	2+	2+	2+
RAM Type	FPM	FPM	FPM	EDO	FPM	EDO	SDRAM
RAM Size	4	4	4	4	4	4	16-64
RAM Expansion	-	-	-	-	ü	ü	ü
Serial Ports	1	1	2	2	2	2	2
Exp. Port	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü
PCMCIA	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü
Comp. Video	ü	-	-	-	-	-	-
Graphic Processor	ü	-	-	-	-	-	-
VRAM (Mb)	512Kb	-	-	-	-	-	-
Infrared	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü
Battery	ü	ü	-	-	-	-	-
Input (V d.c.)	5.5	5.5	5	5	5	5	5
Max current	1300mA	1300mA	1000mA	1000mA	1000mA	1000mA	1000mA
Reverse Polarity Protection	-	-	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü
LCD (Pixels)	240x128	240x128	240x128	240x128	240x128	240x128	240x128
LED’s	3	3	3	3	3	3	3
Clock	-	-	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü
Keypad	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü

Ferrotec reserves the right to change specifications without notice. All trademarks are recognised.

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