Gumstix to provide small-form-factor embedded computing for Army training system

U.S. Army training instrumentation experts needed small-form-factor embedded computing modules for a system that evaluates the performance of soldiers during live training. They found their solution from Gumstix Inc. in Portola Valley, Calif.

Officials of the Army Contracting Command at Tobyhanna Army Depot, Pa., announced their intention to buy 2,964 GUM3703E Overo EarthSTORM computer-on- module embedded computers from Gumstix sole-source. The Army needs the Gumstix small-form-factor computer modules for the Precision Real-Time Location System (PRTLS) radios and data communications interface (DCI) at the Army Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) in Hohenfels, Germany.

The Gumstix Overo EarthSTORM embedded computing module measures about three inches long and half an inch wide and weighs about a quarter of an ounce. It is based on the ARM Cortex-A8 processor architecture, has 512 megabytes of RAM, and at least 512 megabytes of Flash memory.

PRTLS radios are an integral part of the JMRC instrumentation system (JMRC-IS) that collects, processes, displays, and stores training performance data from soldiers performing live, collective training at the JMRC. PRTLS radios collect training data from vehicles and foot soldiers and relay that information to the JMRC-IS to monitor the training exercise and provide feedback to the Soldiers in training.

The PRTLS radio for JMRC is a unique device only used at JMRC, which uses a terrestrial trunked radio (TETRA) communications infrastructure that uses only radio technology that complies with German spectrum requirements.

FOR MORE INFORMATION visit Gumstix online at www.gumstix.com.