Embest is accepting pre-orders for a $99 single-board computer (SBC) based on a 1GHz dual-core Freescale i.MX6 ARM Cortex-A9 system-on-chip (SOC). The compact “MarS Board” provides interfaces for Gig-Ethernet, high-speed USB, HDMI, camera, and more, and it’s supported with ready-to-use embedded Linux and Android OS images.

The MarS Board’s small size (100 x 65 mm) precludes fitting “real-world” style connectors for all interfaces directly on-board. Consequently, it provides a pair of 24-pin female header connectors topside, into which various adapters can be plugged in order to access all the board’s features (see photo and block diagram down below).

Embest’s $99 MarS Board, top and bottom

Embest lists these features and specifications for the MarS Board:

• Processor — Freescale i.MX6 Dual ARM Cortex-A9 SOC containing:
  • 2 ARM cores, clocked at 1GHz
  • NEON SIMD media accelerator
  • HD-class 1080p encode/decode video engine
  • 2D+3D hardware graphics accelerators (3 GPUs)
• Memory:
  • 1GB DDR3 SDRAM
  • 4GB eMMC flash
    
  • 2MB SPI flash
• Onboard connectors for…
  • TF card interface
  • Video outputs — HDMI 1.4a; LVDS; 24-bit RGB LCD I/F
  • USB — 1x USB2.0 OTG (480Mbps); 2 x USB2.0 Host (480Mbps)
  • Serial Port — 1x RS232 debug port
  • Ethernet — 10M/100M/1G bps
• Functions available via dual 24-pin expansion headers:
  • Camera interface
  • Audio — SP/DIF; AUDMUX (Digital Audio Multiplexer); GPMI (General Purpose Memory I/F); ESAI (Enhanced Serial Audio Interface)
  • Keyboard port
  • USDHC1 (Ultra Secured Digital Host Controller)
  • Misc. serial I/O — SPI; 2x I2C; PWM, 4x UARTs; 2x Canbus
• Dimensions — 65 x 102 mm
• Power — 5VDC @ 4A
• Operating temp — 0 to 70° C

The board’s block diagram appears below.

Embest MarS Board block diagram
(click to enlarge)

For more detail on what’s inside the SBC’s Freescale dual-core i.MX6 Cortex-A9 SOC, have a look at the SOC’s block diagram, below.

Freescale i.MX6 Dual Cortex-A9 SOC block diagram
(click to enlarge)

Software and hardware options

Embest will support the MarS Board with ready-to-use embedded Linux 3.0.15 and Android 4.0.4 OS images. Additionally, the company says it can supply a demo version of uC/OS-II V2.92.05 for the SBC.

Hardware add-ons for the MarS Board will include a series of expansion options, including a USB WiFi module, an HDMI-to-VGA converter module, and 4.3- and 7-inch TFT LCD touchscreen displays.

For additional information or to pre-order a MarS Board, visit Embest’s website, here.