VIA Technologies, Inc, a leading innovator of power efficient computing platforms, announced the launch of VIA Springboard, a unique platform developed to provide embedded developers, start-ups, and DIY enthusiasts with the fastest and most stable path for prototyping next-generation ARM-based smart connected devices and taking them to mass-production.

“The growing availability of affordable open hardware platforms is leading to an explosion of exciting new concepts for innovative new connected devices, but taking a great idea from a prototype to mass production remains a major challenge with many such projects,” commented Epan Wu, Head of the VIA Embedded Platform Division, VIA Technologies, Inc. “Our goal with VIA Springboard is to provide highly stable and scalable development platforms backed up by a comprehensive range of hardware and software support services that will enable them to reduce new system development costs and speed up their time to market.”

VIA Springboard provides a tightly-integrated platform of hardware kits, Android and Linux software development packages, and support services that covers all stages of the development process, including rapid system prototyping, application development, hardware and software customization, and pre-production testing and diagnostics. With a three-year longevity guarantee, customers can also be assured that VIA Springboard platforms will be available throughout the entire product life cycle.

VIA Springboard Kits
VIA Springboard Kits are available for global purchase in two configurations at www.viaspringboard.com. The VIA VAB-600 Springboard Kit features an ultra-compact VIA VAB-600 Pico-ITX board with an I/O extender card, A/C adaptor, and COM and USB cables, and is priced at US$99 plus shipping. The VIA VAB-600 Springboard WiFi Kit also includes a USB WiFi module and is priced at $129 plus shipping.

VIA Springboard Software Development Packages
The VAB-600 board can be configured with a choice of Android and Linux Software Development Packages that are available for download from the VIA Springboard website. The Springboard Android Software Development Package features Android version 4.0.3, and includes the kernel and bootloader source codes as well as a Smart ETK comprising a number of APIs, including Watchdog Timer (WDT) for safeguarding against system crashes, GPIO access, COM port access, RTC for auto-power on, and a sample app. The Springboard Linux Software Development Package has a pre-built Debian image, including the kernel and bootloader source codes, and also comes with a Tool Chain to help make adjustments to the kernel and to leverage the onboard pin-headers, GPIO, I2C, and other hardware features.

VIA VAB-600
Based on the ultra-compact Pico-ITX form factor measuring just 10 cm x 7.2 cm, the VIA VAB-600 integrates a low power 800MHz ARM Cortex-A9 SoC and is packed with advanced multimedia features, including a built-in multi-standard decoder for playback support of the most demanding video formats in resolutions of up to 1080p.

The VIA VAB-600 includes a wide array of rear I/O features, including one Mini HDMI port, two Mini-USB 2.0 ports, one 10/100 Ethernet port, and one 12~24V DC-in jack. Other onboard features include 4GB eMMC Flash memory, 1GB DDR3 SDRAM, one DVO connector, two COM ports (one for TX/RX only), SPI, one USB 2.0 connector, one Mini Card slot, touch screen support, front pin headers for line-in/out and MIC-in, I2C and GPIO pin headers. Combining a wide operating temperature range of 0°C up to 60°C with extremely low power consumption, the VIA VAB-600 is designed to operate in even the most extreme environments.

VIA VAB-600-A I/O Extender Card
The VIA VAB-600-A I/O extender card adds multiple I/O interfaces, including Line-Out and Mic-In audio jacks and two USB ports. Measuring 100mm x 20mm x 1.6mm (L x W x H), the card also features one suspend LED power indicator and a power on/off button as well as three board-to-board connectors and one USB board-to-board connector.

VIA VNT9271 Springboard USB WiFi Module
The VIA VNT9271 Springboard USB WiFi Module enables the fast and convenient integration of high-speed wireless capabilities into the VIA VAB-600 board. Featuring the Atheros AR9271 controller chip, the module is fully compliant with IEEE 802.11b/g/n standards working from 2.4GHz to 2.5GHz. In addition, the module can provide up to 11Mbps for IEEE 802.11b, 54Mbps for IEEE 802.11g or 150Mbps for IEEE 802.11n to connect the Wi-Fi client to a Local Area Network or the Internet.