PortToARM

Introduction

The TeeBX pbx platform was started on Intel's x86 architectures but has always privileged power balanced low-power processors, fanless boards and solid state storage. Because of this reason, expand support to the most interesting boards ARM seemed like a natural evolution.

Reasons that aims the ARM port

ARM based boards hold the promise of low power and excellent performance per Watt ratios; power efficiency will mean also less heat dissipation so the components could be kept reasonably cool using only a passive heatsink. No cooling fans anymore, less dust pollution, less noise.

Unfortunately until the Raspberry Pi model B was launched at the end of February 2012 ARM boards was not so cheap. Was the Raspberry Pi over-hyped? I think the answer is Yes but looks like the Raspberry Pi foundation has opened the Pandora's Box. The Pi has proven that there really is a big market out there for inexpensive ARM based boards because not only the intended target wants one but also developers, hobbysts, integrators.

You know the rest of the story, now there are plenty of cheap and powerful ARM based development boards out there below the 100$ price tag.

ARM port status & Planning

A lot of work already been done to support some very popular boards, much work still remains to be done because interesting new products come in all the time.

Candidates board requirements

Not all boards are suitable for our project and so I decided to outline some requirements, draw up a list of the most interesting cards and track the progress about the card support.

Compulsory requirements:

1. On board ethernet, preferably not over usb.
2. Serial port for console and debug.
3. Linux kernel support, mature drivers for most on board peripherals.
4. Well-established support community or obvious/evident effort from the manufacturer to grow the community around the device.

Advisable features:

• Schematic diagrams available, fully open source hardware preferred.
• Available worldwide.
• Suitable for derivative product development.
• Price less than $ 100.

Wishlist & Support status

Notes:

- Board names alphabetically sorted

- Want Your board supported? Make a suggestion or donate a sample.

Board
SoC/CPU
Core type
Core(s)
CPU clock
RAM
Flash
Status
Donor/Sponsor

Beaglebone Black
TI AM3359AZCZ100
Cortex-A8
1
1 GHz
512 MB
2 GB
WIP
Own founds

Cubieboard
Allwinner A10
Cortex-A8
1
1 GHz
1 GB
4 GB
Supported
Own founds

Cubieboard2
Allwinner A20
Cortex-A7
2
1 GHz
1 GB
4 GB
WIP
Thanks to Cubietech

Radxa
Rockchip RK3188
Cortex-A9
4
1.6 GHz
1/2 GB
4/8 GB
Planned
Welcome...

Raspberry Pi (B)
Broadcom BCM2835
ARM1176JZF-S
1
700 MHz
256/512 MB
N/A
Supported
Friend

Wandboard dual
Freescale i.MX6 Dual Lite
Cortex-A9
2
1 GHz
1GB
N/A
Supported
Own founds