iChipSec CO2128 to IP Controllers and II EVB-630 Evaluation Board - Connect One

May 22, 2007

Connect One II EVB-630 Evaluation Board for iChip CO2128

Connect One announced the release of the II EVB-630, evaluation board for its iChip CO2128 IP controller. The II EVB-630 supports effortless integration of many upper layer Internet protocols using either AT+i commands or the iChipConfig Utility and can be used for evaluation and development of secure WiFi, LAN, cellular or dial-up networking, offering developers maximum flexibility in designing machine-to-machine (M2M) applications.

Izak Shoshana, Connect One, said:

With the II EVB-630, developers get the opportunity to put the CO2128 through its paces… With its unique security architecture, hardware and software security features, 10/100BaseT Ethernet MAC, USB conectivity, high-speed parallel interface, to name but a few of its features, the CO2128 offers exceptional value. We are confident that developers will be thrilled to work with such versatility…

The II EVB-630 has a complete features to develop and debug the functionality of the CO2128. The chip features an open architectural design so that developers can choose the Internet protocols required for their applications. The initial firmware, which is locally updateable firmware, supports up to 10 simultaneous TCP/UDP sockets or secure sockets (SSL3/TLS1); two listen sockets; HTTP/HTTPS, SMTP, FTP/FTPS and TELNET clients; and SerialNET serial-to-IP bridging, HTTP (Web) server, MIME attachments, POP3 client and RAS. Future versions will support remotely updateable firmware.

Connect One II EVB-630 Evaluation Board for iChip CO2128 IP Controller

The features of II EVB-630 evaluation board include the ability to send and receive emails with or without attachments, a built-in Web server with two internal Web sites, one for remote control and management of the II-EVB-630 and the other for the device; and the SerialNET (Device Server) mode, a plug-and-play operating mode that enables the connection of any device with an RS-232 interface to the Internet, without changing anything on the device's hardware or software.

The II EVB-630 comes loaded for connectivity. Complementing the two iChipSec CO2128 chips included for prototyping, the RoHS-compliant II EVB-630 offers two USB host and device connectors, two male-female RS-232 DB-9 connectors, RJ-45 connector, RJ-11 connector, SocketModem, WiFi daughter board with antenna, 4-pin TWI connector, two 6-pin SPI connectors, one 10-pin SSC connector, and SIM holder with either 110- or 220-V power supply. LEDs provide valuable feedback. Serial cables are included.

The II EVB-630 for secure WiFi, LAN, cellular or dial-up access costs $1725.

April 2, 2007

Connect One Ships the iChipSec CO2128 Secure IP Controller

Connect One announce the first shipments of its iChipSec CO2128, a secure Internet Protocol (IP) communication controller chip that reduces cost and speeds design of IP-enabled machine-to-machine (M2M) applications needing IP connectivity and security. CO2128 works as a coprocessor that offloads IP and network security protocols from the host processor, freeing developers to focus on their core competency of application development. CO2128 is ideal for any application that needs secure IP connectivity, such as point-of-sale (POS) terminals, utility metering, video surveillance, and medical devices.

Many Connect One customers have chosen to reduce their bill of materials and improve their product's performance by migrating from Connect One's iChipSec CO711AG chip to the CO2128. The new chip includes a 10/100BaseT Ethernet MAC and many interfaces, including USB v.2.0 full-speed host and device, a high-speed parallel bus, external bus, SPI, two-wire and USART interfaces. Security features include a random number generator, SHA-1/256 secure hash accelerator, AES-128/192/256 encryption accelerator, 3DES, SSL3/TLS1, and WEP/WPA2 encryption for WiFi. iChipSec also acts as a router among LAN, WiFi and modem platforms, serving as an access point or gateway, which further reduces infrastructure cost and enhances network security.

CO2128's tightly integrated ARM7 core processor, real time operating system, security and networking protocol stack ensure efficient and secure high-speed transaction processing. For high bandwidth applications like video streaming, CO2128's high-speed parallel interface supports up to 32 Mbps with UDP/IP hardware acceleration. Data encryption/decryption also is accelerated in hardware, which tremendously speeds up SSL3 transaction processing time.

With over 1,000,000 iChips deployed in more than 50 countries, Connect One supports a wide range of Internet protocols and communication drivers for moving data over 10/100BaseT LANs, 802.11b/g WiFi networks, cellular and dial-up networks. CO2128 supports up to 10 simultaneous TCP and UDP sockets, permitting the application to connect to multiple servers concurrently; two TCP listening sockets that enable it to act as a server; SMTP, POP3, MIME, HTTP, FTP and Telnet clients; and a Web server hosting one Web site for configuring iChipSec and one for the application.

Because CO2128 works as a coprocessor, there is no need for designers to program or write code that controls connectivity or application security. Instead, the logical interface between the host application and iChipSec is Connect One's AT+i Protocol, a high-level API that enables fast and easy implementation and maintenance of the security and Internet protocols. AT+i requires no Internet programming expertise on the part of the designer and minimum modification of the host application.

CO2128 is priced under $6.00 for large volume customers. Samples of iChipSec CO2128 are now shipping. The II-EVB-630 evaluation board for secure WiFi, LAN, cellular or dial-up access costs $1,725.00.

November 17, 2006

Connect One iChipSec CO2128 to IP-enabled POS Terminal

Connect One is  going to release their  iChipSec CO2128, a secure Internet Protocol (IP) communication controller chip that reduces the cost and speeds the design of new IP-enabled point-of-sale (POS) terminals.

POS terminal developer can eliminate the learning curve for deploying reliable IP-enabled terminals with CO2128. Its tightly integrated ARM7 core processor, RTOS, and security and networking protocol stack. For high bandwidth applications like video streaming, CO2128’s high-speed parallel interface supports 32 Mbps with UDP/IP hardware acceleration. Data encryption/decryption also is accelerated in hardware, which tremendously reduces SSL3 transaction processing. iChipSec can act as a router among LAN, WiFi and modem platforms, as it includes a NAT (Network Address Translation) and port forwarding functionality.

CO2128 has a 10/100BaseT Ethernet MAC, manufacturers only need to add an Ethernet PHY chip and some passive componet to complete ethernet hardware. CO2128 also includes USB v.2.0 full-speed host and device interfaces, enabling the use of the newest WiFi chipsets and other USB peripherals.

An optional V.32bis soft modem provides an economical dial-up back-up channel for LAN models. New firmware can be loaded into iChipSec’s memory in order to activate the soft modem if the terminal cannot connect to the LAN.

iChip’s firmware boots and runs from shared or dedicated flash. Shared memory is accessible via UART, parallel, two-wire, or USB interfaces. Dedicated flash can be connected via the external bus interface (EBI) or SPI. Other communication peripherals are accessible via USB, EBI, two-wire, SPI or UART interfaces. The chip includes 256KB of SRAM.

CO2128 supports a wide range of Internet protocols and communication drivers for moving data over 10/100BaseT LANs, 802.11b/g WiFi, cellular and dial-up networks. It supports up to 10 simultaneous TCP and UDP sockets, permitting the terminal to connect to multiple servers concurrently; two TCP listening sockets that enable it to act as a server; SMTP, POP3, MIME, HTTP, FTP and Telnet clients; and a Web server hosting one Web site for configuring iChipSec and one for the application. Firmware is provided by Connect One in “flavors” that load from external flash and run from iChipSec’s SRAM. The firmware also can be downloaded from the host CPU directly into the SRAM. Each flavor is a unique combination of protocols, communication drivers, and optional features. Connect One will offer several firmware flavors.

The logical interface between the host application and iChipSec is Connect One’s AT+i™ Protocol, a high-level API that enables fast and easy implementation and maintenance of the security and Internet protocols. AT+i requires no Internet programming expertise on the part of the designer and minimum modification of the host application. AT+i’s SerialNET™ plug-and-play operating mode enables serial-to-Internet full-duplex routing without any changes to the host application.

iChipSec uses the SSL3/TLS1 protocol to support a secure socket or FTP session using RSA Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). Cipher suites used for encryption include 3DES, AES-128/192/256, ARC4, MD5 and SHA-1/256. For WiFi applications, CO2128 also supports WEP and WPA encryption. For additional security, CO2128 includes tamper-protection.

Connect One also offers the 64-pin CO2064, which does not include an EBI or high-speed parallel bus. CO2128 and CO2064 are packaged in an RoHS-compliant LQFP form factor. The chips operate at 48MHz in a low-leakage 0.13 micron process. The core operates at 1.2 volts, while I/Os operate at 3.3 volts. Both chips operate in the industrial temperature range.

Samples of iChipSec CO2128 will be available in January for $8.25 and CO2064 for $7.50 for over 50,000 units through distribution. The II-EVB-330 evaluation board for secure LAN, cellular or dial-up access will cost $1,450. The II-EVB-331 evaluation board for secure WiFi, LAN, cellular or dial-up access will cost $1,725.

Source: Connect One iChipSec CO2128 to IP Controllers and II EVB-630 Evaluation Board