A Guide to Amptek Technologies iCon Single Board Computer for Internet of Things (IoT) Applications
About Symmetry Electronics
Established in 1998, Symmetry Electronics, a Division of Braemac, is a global distributor of electronic components and systems. Combining premier components and comprehensive value-added services with an expert in-house engineering team, Symmetry supports engineers in the design, development, and deployment of a broad range of connected technologies.
Exponential Technology Group Member
Acquired by Berkshire Hathaway company TTI, Inc. in 2017, Symmetry Electronics is a proud Exponential Technology Group (XTG) member. A collection of specialty semiconductor distributors and engineering design firms, XTG stands alongside industry leaders TTI Inc., Mouser Electronics, and Sager Electronics. Together, we provide a united global supply chain solution with the shared mission of simplifying engineering, offering affordable technologies, and assisting engineers in accelerating time to market. For more information about XTG, visit www.xponentialgroup.com.
The iCon from Amptek Technologies, Inc. stands for Internet Connectivity. It is a uClinux based, credit card sized (8.6 x 5.4 cm) Cortex-M3 single board computer with drivers Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n), Bluetooth 4.0, USB, CAN, and RS-485, designed specifically for the Internet of Things (IoT) application. It brings the two most common and cost-effective wireless technologies into a single embedded system.
At the heart of the iCon is a 120MHz Cortex-M3 processor, 32Mbyte of flash memory, and 64Mbyte of SDRAM. Both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules are CE, FCC, and Industry Canada qualified. The Open Source TCP/IP, WPA supplicant, and BlueZ protocol stacks are all included. iCon also comes standard with CAN bus, RS-485, and USB 2.0 ready to be connected to the real world. On the back of the iCon are two expansion connectors. There is also a battery holder for a coin cell battery that will keep the real-time clock running when the main power source is disconnected, essential for products that keep track of the time.
iCon is intended to be a low cost wireless platform for implementing industrial control systems, wireless sensors, or smart home appliances. It is also an excellent educational tool for wireless embedded systems.
Applications:
- Industrial control systems
- Sensor networks
- Smart home appliances
Hardware:
- NXP LPC1788 - up to 120MHz Cortex-M3 microcontroller
- 32MByte Flash memory
- 64MByte SDRAM
- 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth 4.0
- USB 2.0
- CAN 2.0B
- RS-485
- Real-time clock
Software:
- uClinux operating system - Linux kernel 2.6.33-ARM1
- BlueZ Bluetooth protocol stack
- TCP/IP protocol stack
- WPA supplicant
- Boa web server
- Inadyn DDNS client
Expansion:
- I2C
- SPI
- UART
- RMII
- PWM
- GPIO
- 10-bit DAC
- 12-bit ADC
- 16-bit RGB LCD
For more information about the iCon, or to purchase your own, please call Symmetry Electronics at (310) 536-6190, or contact us online.
About Symmetry Electronics
Established in 1998, Symmetry Electronics, a Division of Braemac, is a global distributor of electronic components and systems. Combining premier components and comprehensive value-added services with an expert in-house engineering team, Symmetry supports engineers in the design, development, and deployment of a broad range of connected technologies.
Exponential Technology Group Member
Acquired by Berkshire Hathaway company TTI, Inc. in 2017, Symmetry Electronics is a proud Exponential Technology Group (XTG) member. A collection of specialty semiconductor distributors and engineering design firms, XTG stands alongside industry leaders TTI Inc., Mouser Electronics, and Sager Electronics. Together, we provide a united global supply chain solution with the shared mission of simplifying engineering, offering affordable technologies, and assisting engineers in accelerating time to market. For more information about XTG, visit www.xponentialgroup.com.