Hi,
I want to use the OMAP Lx processor to make a pda type device. It will interface with a simplicTI module for wireless communication, sd memory or maybe just internal ram like SDRAM (not sure yet), lcd screen with a touch screen, usb to a computer, Li battery, and maybe some other simple i/o thinks like buttons and LEDs. I was thinking about making my own OS/gui to run the device as long as it isn't too hard to do so. I don't need something supper fast but I would like it to be a good speed and be able to process graphics well. Is this processor overkill for my application? If so what would you recommend? If the OMAP sounds good for me then are there any design references or examples I can look at? If you need more info about what I will be doing with it to make a better assessment let me know.
Tony
OMAP35x sounds like a good choice; if you get the mistral EVM kit ( http://www.mistralsolutions.com/assets/downloads/3530.php ), you will have access to almost everything you need (touchscreen, SD, USB, I/O... Plus the OMAP family is very low power and thus a great fit for hand-held devices such as PDA, portable media players, cell phones...
Also, because this is a family of parts, you can start with the least expensive platform and build up to the most expensive one which includes graphics capabilities if you do not need graphics right away. The EVM from mistral should serve as a good reference design, although your design will likely be a much smaller form factor.
There are other reference designs such as the ones below, but mistral EVM is probably your best bet.
http://beagleboard.org/
http://www.logicpd.com/products/devkit/ti/zoom_omap3_development_kit
Thanks for the response. I think I would probably go with the Beagle board since I am a college student and my wallet is very thin. Do you know if it is possible to hook up a lcd and touch screen to the beagle? Are there any references for designing your own? Samples and cheap board layouts might make this cheaper.
I would suggest you subscribe to beagle board IRC; this is a very active community of helpful developers (including TIers) which may have a solution readily available for you. You can also find IRC and many other helpful resources at beagleboard.org. There are probably touch-screen solutions out there already, if not coming soon; the community should be able to help point you in the right direction.
As Juan says the Beagle IRC is a good place to ask questions, in addition to the Beagle forum. The board will interface to a DVI-D compatible LCD display, however unfortunately I do not know of any touch screen implementations with Beagle, and most small LCDs use direct digital connections as opposed to DVI-D (I have heard of some 7" or so DVI-D but they are typically expensive), I am sure it could be done though. Of course if you had the cash the Mistral EVM is closer to what you are asking for with the touch screen and all built in.