Re: [Discuss-gnuradio] Embedded control of USRP

[Eric Blossom]

On Mon, Apr 03, 2006 at 10:22:01AM -0700, Thomas Schmid wrote:
> Hi Lee,
> 
> We are also looking into similar things, though we don't have the
> power constraints which will be difficult to meet. We are currently
> looking at a micro-atx solution with an amd geod nx processor since
> this one is compatible with the amd athlon mobile. this should make it
> easy to have a running linux system.

Have you tried the geode nx?

At least on earlier geodes the performance was pretty dismal.  Perhaps
the "nx" is a different processor than I remember.  Caveat emptor.
Compatible means "has the same instruction set".  A 486 DX66 comes
pretty close to meeting that requirement ;)

> we were first also thinking about platforms which feature a intel
> xscale processor, though quickly found out that it doesn't support
> floating points. GNU Radio makes heavy use of floating point
> operations. Thus it is key, especially if the platform is not very
> powerfull, that it supports at least hardware floating points.
> 
> Also, did you consider the power consumption of the usrp? I don't know
> if someone measured it, but this might also be a problem for you,
> i.e., finding a battery which supports the usrp over a longer time.

The USRP on my bench draws about 11W.  This depends of course on the
daughterboads you're using, and if you've got them all running.

Eric