TS-SOCKET
Embedded Standard for
Macrocontrollers and Baseboards

The TS-SOCKET standard was announced on February 2010. It is an embedded computer standard designed and controlled by Technologic Systems, Inc. The TS-SOCKET standard defines both a form factor and a connection pin-out and is based on two 100-pin low-profile connectors, allowing secure connection between a Macrocontroller (CPU board) and a baseboard.

A project compliant with the TS-SOCKET standard allows engineers to jump-start their embedded system design. Since a Macrocontroller connects to a baseboard following a common and defined pin-out, design time and complexity are drastically reduced. Design efforts can focus on the custom baseboard design, because the core design is already completed in the COTS TS-SOCKET Macrocontroller. Start your embedded system design around one of our TS-SOCKET Macrocontrollers to reduce your overall project risk and accelerate time-to-market.

A TS-SOCKET Macrocontroller is an embedded CPU board that implements the TS-SOCKET specification. The form factor is 75 mm x 55 mm, about the size of a credit card. In addition to two 100-pin off-board male connectors, a TS-SOCKET Macrocontroller features CPU, RAM, NAND flash with XNAND technology, SD card socket, Ethernet MAC and PHY, customizable FPGA and all CPU power regulators. Peripherals can include USB host and device, SATA, CAN bus, DMX, GPIO, external bus, video, touch screen, audio, SPI, UART and others. All parts must be soldered on and moving parts are not used, ensuring embedded reliability and mechanical ruggedness. Power input is single 5VDC only and is supplied through the 100-pin off-board connectors. Software solutions for TS-SOCKET Macrocontroller include Linux 2.6, Debian, fastboot bootloader firmware, Linux-boots-Linux, complete driver support for on-board hardware, and more.

A TS-SOCKET Baseboard must implement the pin-out and connector specification in order to interface to a TS-SOCKET Macrocontroller. However, there are no requirements in terms of dimension or functionality. Any piece of hardware that includes the two required 100-pin female connectors and is able to interface to a Macrocontroller according to the specification is a TS-SOCKET baseboard. Usually, a TS-SOCKET baseboard is designed to enable the embedded module to interface with the real-world through standard connectors and headers. A typical TS-SOCKET baseboard will include connectors for Ethernet, USB host, serial port and power input. Advanced TS-SOCKET baseboards will also feature interfaces for video, audio, touchscreen and other peripherals. Customers can either design their own baseboards following the TS-SOCKET specification, choose an off-the-shelf product provided by Technologic Systems, or contract with Technologic Systems for a custom designed baseboard.

TS-SOCKET Macrocontrollers - TS-SOCKET Embedded Standard

TS-SOCKET Baseboards - TS-SOCKET Embedded Standard

All TS-SOCKET Macrocontrollers will be designed with a common pin-out, which means that they are interchangeable. This will give our customers more options and flexibility when selecting an embedded system, since a baseboard can be used with multiple Macrocontrollers. As an application example, a baseboard designed to provide video and touch screen functionality can have its CPU easily upgraded to improve video playback performance or later as a second-generation upgrade. Lower design costs and faster time-to-market directly result from the TS-SOCKET board interchangeability feature because the standardization significantly reduces design complexity.

Technologic Systems engineers are experienced in all aspects of embedded system design. Many of our products originated when our existing product line didn't meet a customer's real world project requirements. If our line of single board computers do not meet the requirements of your embedded application, check our custom design services. Our engineers can modify existing products or design a custom embedded computer or peripheral board, often at a lower total cost than an in-house design. Contact an engineer for more information.