Transition Colibri PXA270 V1.Xx to Colibri PXA270 V2.Xx

Applicable for

colibri pxa270

linux | wince5 | wince6

Article updated at 28 Oct 2017

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Some of the components on the Colibri PXA270 module are End Of Life. Toradex will update the module to HW Version 2.

Here some additional information.

Affected Modules

Colibri PXA270 312MHz
Colibri PXA270 520MHz

Description of Changes

The Numonyx StrataFlash P33 (PC28F128P33B85) is assembled instead of Intel StrataFlash J3.
Audio and touch controller: Wolfson UCB1400 (which is EOL).
SODIMM pin 95 can now be used as RDY signal from the PXA (open drain with 4.7k Pullup on the module). On previous product versions this signal was driven push-pull. See also External Memory Bus

Customer Impact

We tried to keep the customer impact as small as possible. In most cases a SW update will make the Colibri 100% compatible. However, there are some cases which may required small HW changes on the base board.

Hardware Design

Decoupling Capacitor

Some customer reported problem with the new Colibri PXA270 V2.x. The module didn't boot. This was due to low decoupling capacity on the main 3.3V and/or the VCC_BATT domain. They added additional 150uF to 300uF capacitors. The module was booting afterwards without any problems. Please take a look at our EvalBoard schematics. The main decoupling capacitors for the 3.3V domain are on the page called Power Supply DCDC.

Open GPIO inputs may float different. (On the Colibri PXA270 open pins where normally floating high)
For example: In the standard :Toradex Windows CE image, SODIMM pin 131 is configured as USB_OC (over current detect). If this SODIMM input is left open on the carrier board, the USB interface functions correctly using the Colibri PXA270 module (by default it will float high), but will cease to work using the Colibri PXA270M module (by default it will float low, tripping an over current condition). You just can disable the over current pin in the registry. Have a look here.
The latest Toradex BSPs ([[#Software|see Software]]) provide software workarounds for some of these potential issues on custom baseboards.
While the general functionality remains the same, the new audio codec on the Colibri PXA270M alters some of the signal characteristics

SODIMM Pins	Description	Impact
9,10,11,12	Analog power supply pins	No changes should be required. However, make sure you connected them even if you don't use the audio codec.
14,16,18,20	Touch signals	Other registry settings may be required to use the Touch Screen.
2,4,6,8	Analog inputs	Maximal Voltage changed. New max voltage: channel 0,1, and 3: 3.3V. Channel 2: 5V. 7.5V is out of the absolute maximum ratings and will destroy the audio codec. New 12bit resolution.
13,15,17	Headphone pins	Different default volume. Small difference in amplifier characteristic. New 18bit resolution.
5,7	LineIn signals	Small difference in characteristic. Maybe volume needs to be adjusted. New 18bit resolution.
1,3	Microphone signals	With the UCB1400 it was possible to switch the MIC_GND. We added an external circuit to switch the MIC_GND also on the WM9715. You can connect the MIC_GND with the AVSS_AUDIO if you enable the MICBIAS. New 18bit resolution.

The new audio codec makes it possible to interface a 5-wire touch.
For more details please refer to the Wolfson WM9715L datasheet:

Software

In order to support the new PXA270 V2.Xx modules, customers using Windows CE need to upgrade their Toradex Win CE Image to version 3.7 or newer, which provides support for the new Flash memory and audio codec devices. Versions 3.5 / 3.6 provide some support, but touch is not working.

The new Touch controller is supported in images BSP version 3.7 and higher. To use the touch in earlier revisions of the Toradex WinCE image, you need to download the patch from our Download Section. You will find more information about the patch in the according zip file.
The UCB1400 device. If your software interfaces with any of the NXP registers directly, you must update it to support the Wolfson register set.
Users of Linux and any other operating systems need to include the respective drivers in order to support the new devices.