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The Swedish company Strategic Test has announced a SODIMM-sized processor module using Freescale's recently announced i.MX25 SoC (system-on-chip). The Linux-compatible "Tx-Star" features a 400MHz i.MX257, 64MB of RAM, 128MB of flash, and an LCD controller, and is available with an evaluation baseboard.

Strategic Test says the Tx-Star will sell for approximately $80 in the U.S., and touts it as the industry's "lowest-priced system on module that is capable of running standard OSes such as Linux and Windows CE." The company also cites a "world's first," though we believe that the Tx-Star is basically identical to the Denx TX25 that was announced last week.

Features and specifications listed by Strategic Test for the TX-Star module (and by Ka-Ro for the TX25) include:

• Processor -- 400MHz Freescale i.MX25
• Memory -- 64MB mobile DDR-SDRAM (expandable to 128MB), and 128MB of flash storage
• Display -- Supports up to 800 x 600 via 24-bit LCD interface
• Networking -- 10/100 Ethernet
• Storage -- PATA interface
• Other I/O and expansion interfaces:
  • 5 four-wire UARTS
  • Camera interface
  • USB 2.0 host
  • USB 2.0 device
  • I2C
  • 2 x SSI/AC '97/I2S
  • 2 x CAN
  • 2 x SDIO
• Power supply -- 3.3V power supply with sources including 1-cell Li-Ion/Polymer battery (3.0V to 4.2V); 5.0V USB supply; AC wall adapter
• Dimensions -- 2.6 x 1.0 x 0.16 inches (67.6 x 26 x 4.2mm)
• Operating temperature -- -40 to 185 deg. F (-40 to +85 deg. C)

The Development Kit-5 baseboard

According to Strategic Test, the Tx-Star is compatible with the previously available Development Kit-5 baseboard (manufactured by Ka-Ro, and marketed by Direct Insight and Denx too). Featuring a SODIMM socket for the TX37 module, the baseboard also has two additional slots for SD cards.