Blog

One of the principal reasons that developers choose to embed a Critical Link System-on-Module in their applications is to reduce their risk. A big part of that risk is what happens when a board moves from design to manufacture. If it turns out that you have design problems, this can prove very costly, losing you […]
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I keep coming back to The Internet of Things, which is not surprising, given that all things seem to be getting smart (at least in a technical sense) in a hurry. One item that recently caught my eye –  the Goji Smart Lock – did so largely because its design resembles the Nest thermometer, which […]
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Since a lot of you have been asking, and there is great interest in this new Critical Link product, I wanted to give a brief progress report on where things stand. First off, to lay the groundwork, we’re coming up on shipping  our first Altera-based SoM – the MitySOM-5CSX, which is based on the Altera […]
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We’re happy to let you know that we now have Linux Link support for the MityDSP-L138(F), our System-on-Module (SoM) based on TI’s dual-core OMAP-L138 DSP + ARM9 processor. LinuxLink is a Linux toolset from our partner Timesys, and enables quick and easy design, development, deployment and debugging of an embedded product based on open source […]
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When we build our SoM’s, we rely on our partners for the best available components.  For WiFi, that partner is LS Research. LS Research focuses on advanced embedded wireless solutions for the industrial, medical, consumer, and defense markets, which are pretty much the markets that Critical Link serves, as well.  We embed their TiWi WiFi […]
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Late last year, Ron Wilson, who is the Editor-in-Chief for our partner Altera, posted a great article  – DRAM Controllers for System Designers – that provides a deep dive into DRAM controllers, and how they work.  As with every other element of electronic system design, you need to get this one right.  As Ron says, […]
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Last month, TI announced a new near-field communications (NFC) interface transponder. The new Dynamic NFC Transponder Interface RF430CL330H is low cost, bringing a secure, simplified pairing process for Bluetooth® and Wi-Fi connections to products, such as printers, speakers, headsets, and remote controls, as well as wireless keyboards, mice, switches and sensors. It is the only dynamic NFC tag device […]
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Earlier this year, I saw an excellent article by Jacob Beningo on EDN that provided a list of software tips for hardware engineers. It started by making the point – which those of us at Critical Link, and our customers, certainly understand – that those who design embedded systems need to understand not “just” the […]
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A couple of months ago, at a tech conference, I got into a conversation on whether there are quality differences between open source and proprietary software. This has long been grounds for debate, with one side claiming that open source is better while the other side maintains that, with open source, you get what you […]
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As we gear up for the Fourth of July, I quite naturally got to thinking about fireworks. And how fireworks displays have become so computer-driven over the years.  No more lighting a match to set off the Spider or the Chrysanthemum on the town green while the band plays a Sousa march from the gazebo. […]
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