MainBrain

The Stackable Platform for Embedded Development and Control

MainBrain is a small single-board high performance 32-bit RISC MIPS32 M4K Core based computer that interfaces to a 'stack' of one or more secondary interface boards. High speed communication between MainBrain and the interface boards is implemented through a dual RAM port. This creates an 8K x 8 register bank that can be continually updated by the MCU and read by the interface boards (and vice versa) at virtually the same time.

The two RAM ports are provided with separate control, address and I/O pins that permit independent access for reads or writes to any location in port memory. One port is accessed by the MCU while the second port is accessed by the primary interface board. Busy Logic provides a hardware indication that both ports of the SRAM have accessed the same location at the same time. It also allows one of the two accesses to proceed and signals the other side that the SRAM is busy.

The I/O connector provides an interface with address and data buses for 8-bit bidirectional data transfer with the Dual Port RAM, utilizing a proprietary handshake protocol to ensure data integrity. The 3.3V from the onboard SMPS is also provided.

A USB interface can be used to update the firmware and download application code. Royalty free USB code provide for a very easy development.

  • Develop embedded systems utilizing stackable interface boards
  • Operates on 7 - 24VDC @ < 350 mA
  • Small Formfactor 2.5" x 3.8" (63.5mm x 96.5mm)
  • 32-bit 252 MHz (up to 415 DMIPS) M-Class MIPS32 M4K Core Processor
  • Capacitive Touchscreen 262K Color 320 x 480 TFT Touch display
  • 8 LED Status Port
  • HS USB interface
  • 68-pin I/O Interface
  • 8K X 8 Dual Port Static RAM
  • 4 Mbit, 512K x 8 Onboard Flash
  • 2 MB Live-Update Flash and 512 KB SRAM
  • Real Time Clock
  • Onboard current and voltage monitoring
  • 12-Bit ADC
  • In Circuit Debugging and JTAG Support
Copyright © Larry Knight. Licensed under terms consistent with the principles of the Apache License. Permission is granted to use, copy, and redistribute the content provided on this page, provided that proper attribution is given to Larry Knight as the original creator. Unless otherwise stated, no rights are granted for commercial use or any use for profit without prior written permission. The name "MainBrain" is a distinctive original work of Larry Knight and may not be used, copied, modified, or distributed without explicit authorization.

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