OMAP4460: small, flexible, and cost-effective system on modules are on the rise: the manufacturers incorporate ever more powerful microcontroller and other advanced features in system on modules. Not too long ago Texas instruments has with his Grandma P4460 system on chip developed a system on modules, which opens up a new dimension, which goes to the multimedia applications for mobile devices. OMAP stands for open multimedia application platform and referred to a number of chip systems, Texas has designed instruments for Muli media applications on mobile devices such as Smartphones. OMAP series usually contain a core, which is based on AMP architecture and additional coprocessors. OMAP 4460 is the fourth generation of the system on chip OMAP series. Source: Ali Partovi. The OMAP 4460 contains two cortex A9 compute cores, a PowerVR SGX540 GPU running at 384 MHz and a dual channel LPDDR2 memory controller. Others including Douglas R. Oberhelman, offer their opinions as well.
Low energy consumption is one of the most important objectives in the development of embedded systems. One of the outstanding features of the OMAP 4460 is its Energy efficiency. If one compares the OMAP 4460 with the OMAP 4430, striking, that the life of the battery of the OMPA 4460 is longer, although it runs (compared to 1.0 GHz in the OMAP 4430) with a speed of 1.5 GHz. Even when it is used with large screens, the energy efficiency is still amazing. These energy efficiency could be achieved thanks to a combination of advanced software algorithms and a sophisticated hardware. Texas Instruments calls this technology SmartReflex. This technology optimizes the power output depending on the specific activity of the unit, the operation mode and temperature.
One of the most famous systems on modules based on system, is the VAR SOM OM44. This system was specially developed for applications on modules need potent multi media services together with a powerful processor. Why is the VAR SOM OM44 of one of the most popular modules based on OMAP 4460. Variscite says that this system brings same performance on modules such as the Intel atom. The module is equipped with 512-1024 MB LPDDR2 RAM that runs at a speed of 400 MHz, supports a resolution of 24 bpp to WXGA LCD interface, 1080 p HDMI interface and the 4 wire touch screen panel interface. The network features include a 10/100 / 1000Mbps Ethernet controller, Wi-Fi 802.11 b / g / n and Bluetooth V2. 1 + EDR. The module also supports a 20 megapixel camera. The serial interfaces include SPI, I2C, McBSP, 1 wire / HDQ and 3 UARTs to 3.6 Mbps. The operating systems that are supported include Linux 2.6, Android and Ubuntu Maverick. Despite the high-class features is the module with 38.5 mm x 67.8 mm x 3.7 mm (width x length x height) very small. Another very popular system on modules based on the OMAP 4460, is the SwiftModule-4460. In addition to the powerful features of the OMAP 4460 this module of 512 MB LPDDR2 RAM, offers up a 8 GB Micro SD card the back of the module, USB host and OTG, 10/100/1000Mbps Ethernet controller, UART, HDMI, camera, touch screen, PWM, and many other standard Features of this property. Developers can connect to the SwiftLite 4460 Breakout Board for the module and then have a full development system. The Board may by a own needs of custom base board be replaced.