SCIENCE

The TSCM is the world's first low-cost, high-performance, modular touch-screen computer system based on high quality components and built in North America. With this system a custom computer is created in 3 easy steps:

•      pick a display (it comes with a matching display interface board supporting the LCD, touch-panel, adjustable back-light power, plus some optional extras)
•      pick the appropriate amount of computer power, from 500 to 1000 MIPS, with or without on-board Ethernet
•      pick an I/O board with the best mix of I/O and power-supply. From POE to a super-low-cost 2-board option powered by USB, there's a range of boards coming.
•      When they arrive, just stack them together and turn on the power!

That's it.

Display options currently supported include 3.5" qVGA, 4.3", 5" WVGA, 7" WVGA, 7" Hi-Brite, and 10.4" SVGA LVDS with more coming.

Using the latest i.MX processors from FreeScale Semi-conductor of Austin Texas, Techsol's engineers have applied 1/4 century of experience designing low-power CMOS computer systems for commercial, industrial, medical, automotive, and defense applications to the long-standing challenge of "why can't I have high-quality, high-performance AND low-cost?". Plus, all TSCM products run Techsol's Medallion Linux, one of the oldest and most stable Linux distributions exclusively targeting ARM processors (for over 10 years).

The TSCM is not just a computer module: it’s a whole new way of building products.
It’s a "system."

Last week Techsol launched the TSCM-233 with 1k pricing of $49 for a fully-functional, product-ready computer module. This week, the TSCM-283 is officially announced. With integrated Ethernet and double the memory, it starts at $59 for a usable computer module with Medallion Linux pre-installed. "If you've delayed updating that product of yours because the prices were too high, you're time has come."

This modular system enables the rapid creation of powerful, custom touch-screen solutions based on 3 or 4 layers, which are (from the front-to-back)

•      LCD display itself
•      Display Interface board, with LCD connector, touch connector, power-supplies, LED back-light supply, etc.
•      TSCM :: the brains of the operation
•      optionally, an I/O board with "outside" interface connectors and drivers, plus the power-supply

The TSCM-233 module is optimized for applications without Ethernet, such as handhelds, remove SCADA systems, or USB-connected displays such as Kiosks. These can usually be implemented in 3 layers (display, display board, TSCM-233).

For Ethernet-connected devices, all 4 layers (display plus 3 boards) are needed as the Ethernet connector is on the 3rd board. Either the TSCM-233 with optional Ethernet added, or the TSCM-283 module will provide the Ethernet functionality.

For low-cost applications, such as Medical-device-HMI, there is a "small-form-factor" (80 x 85mm) display board supporting 3.5" and 4.3" displays. For larger systems such as Industrial HMI, high-end A/V Control systems, etc. there is a "larger-form-factor" (110 x 110mm) board supporting the 5" WVGA, 7" WVGA, 7" Hi-Brite, and 10.4" SVGA LVDS and larger displays.

The first "stock" I/O board offered has a mix of the most demanded peripherals, including:

•      Ethernet connector with integrated LEDs
•      RS-232 port on DE-9 connector (PC compatible)
•      RS-484 port on RJ-12 connector
•      2x USB Host ports on Type-A connectors
•      1x USB Device port on Type-B connector
•      Power-connector for AC or DC power on terminal strip
•      micro-SD connector for memory cards
•      buzzer
•      LEDs for power, error, debug

The I/O board (above) in loaded configuration sells for only $49 at 1k quantities. The LCD displays with adapter/mounting boards start at $36 for 3.5" or 4.3" size. That brings a 3-piece modular set with 4.3" LCD with LED back-light and touch-panel, TSCM-283 with 128 MB RAM, 128 MB NAND, and the loaded I/O board above to (36 + 59 + 49) $144. Jumping past the 5" WVGA screen to the standard 7" WVGA screen bumps the price of the complete touch-screen computer kit to $162. All that's needed to complete the product is an enclosure and application SW, which can be developed by the customer, or contracted to Techsol or one of our partners.

Conceived in 2007, designed starting in 2009, optimized in 2010, and now rolling out in 2011, the Touch Screen Computer Module (TSCM) simplifies the creation of new-gen products at low-cost, with low-risk, and with fast time-to-market. Plus, Techsol still offers custom design services for both I/O boards (interfaces and power-supplies) and display boards for new LCDs.

"We've done the work. And you reap the rewards! Call us now to get started on that new design."

Embedded Engineering is the same all over the world. Engineers face the same challenges of having too much to do, and not enough time or money to do it with. Techsol's Medallion Classic and TSC modules address this issue and provide a solution that extends into the production stages of a product, not just the proof-of-concept stage like most SBCs.

Techsol's Medallion system is unique in the embedded computer world. The Medallion Single-board computer product line encompasses multiple CPUs, and different configurations with the same CPU. However, the pin-out and form-factor remain the same, even after 10 years. And the TSCM will also have a similar long availability for "planned NON-obsolesence". There is one Medallion module that is best matched to your application.

By designing with the Medallion system, you are effectively out-sourcing your CPU design and Linux porting with no up-front NRE fees! That lets your team concentrate on the hardware and software portions of your product that your customers see. The result is that you can create a higher-quality product in a fraction of the time (and cost) of designing everything yourself from scratch! Plus, the interchangeable modules extend product life-cycle times.