German electronics company Kleinhenz has something that has to be seen to be believed - a network-enabled Linux system barely larger than a standard RJ-45 Ethernet jack. Based on the DigiConnect ME module from NetSilicon, "Picotux" measures just 0.75 x 0.75 x 1.4 inches (19 x 19 x 36mm) and weighs next to nothing.
The DigiConnect ME is based on a NetSilicon NS7520 SoC (system-on-chip), which features a 32-bit ARM7TDMI core supporting clock rates of 36, 46, or 55MHz. Kleinhenz lists 55MHz as the clockspeed for Picotux. The NS7520 integrates a 10/100 Ethernet MII and ENDEC MAC, as well as a serial port, external memory controller, JTAG, and 13-channel DMA.
The DigiConnect ME has a 20-pin male connector supporting a serial interface with data rates up to 230,400bps, full modem control, and GPIO ports, NetSilicon says. The tiny system also includes link status and activity LEDs. A developers version adds a JTAG connector.