Consumer access to embedded computing platforms is a recent phenomenon. For decades, enterprises, academia and research institutions had the resources to leverage these easy-to-use platforms
In recent years, open-source electronics platforms like Raspberry Pi and Arduino have changed the paradigm. Cost-effective, embedded computing platforms are readily accessible and easy-to-use for students, tinkerers, hobbyists and makers.
High-bandwidth applications like computer vision, audio/voice processing and advanced robotics require higher performance computing that Raspberry Pi and Arduino can’t support. Start-ups and crowd-funded companies typically can’t afford standard CoMs/SoMs. Are there other options?
krtkl snickerdoodle
Many people associated “snickerdoodle” with those tasty, chewy, cinnamon-sugar laced cookies their grandmother used to make. Who knew it also refers to a cost-effective, high-performance prototype-to-production platform?
San Francisco-based krtkl (pronounced like “critical”) has tackled this unique challenge head-on. The snickerdoodle platform offers flexibility and optimized power and speed. It uses the Xilinx Zynq®-7000 SoC combining the ARM ecosystem with the reconfigurability of an FPGA.
The snickerdoodle is the size of a common business card. Embedded computing can fit into the smallest of spaces. This allows engineers to create new solutions that leverage the snickerdoodle connectivity and performance.
Ideal for medium volume applications, the snickerdoodle shortens time to market. It offers design reuse as engineers can use the same platform for both software development and system test.
I/O Expansion via Samtec Tiger Eye™ Interconnect
Evaluating and developing with snickerdoodle is easy. Each snickerdoodle SoM contains seven high-density connectors for I/O expansion and power delivery to one of many baseboards. Ruggedability is also a concern given typical snickerdoodle end-use applications.
krtkl chose Samtec’s .050″ Tiger Eye™ High-Reliability Terminal and Socket Strip for snickerdoodle board-to-board connectivity.
The TFM series is used on “connectors up” options while the SFM series is used on the “connectors down” versions.
Samtec’s 0.50” x 0.50 micro pitch strips offer dense connectivity but are easy to use like standard .100” solutions. They also offer options features like alignment pin, locking clip, dual screw down or weld tab for more for increased ruggedness. The TFM series comes with shrouded bodies supporting blind mating.
Additionally, customers can use Samtec ISDF series .050″ Tiger Eye™ Discrete Wire Socket Housing and CC03R series .050″ Tiger Eye™ Crimp Contact for direct access to TSM series on the “connectors up” snickerdoodle.
For more information, please visit the .050″ X .050″ Micro Pitch Terminals and Sockets Strips and .050″ Pitch Tiger Eye™ Discrete Wire System landing pages or e-mail Samtec’s connector experts at ecustomerservice@samtec.com.
