Where to buy powerful processors for your devices?

Question

Microcontrollers

For example, the same raspberry pi and other platforms (more on Vortex86EX)
The problem is that I don’t want to connect a module on a module and fence a high-rise building out of all this, but develop my own device where everything will be neat on one board.
And the tasks require a lot of computing power.
So about asking for information, because. I didn't find anything at all.
Where to buy just the same cortex-a7?
How difficult will it be to program?
How to program it?
How to connect external RAM to it, etc. ("External STM32 RAM" stubbornly refuses to google, I can't even find how to connect it, I can't find at least one memory circuit marking)

Answer 1

Where to buy just the same cortex-a7?

Cortex A7 is the core. And you need to select a specific chip on this core. Therefore, open the catalogs of microelectronics manufacturers and look for a chip that suits your needs.
Let's say we found it, we chose it. Now let's see which of the suppliers of electronic components has it. And by the piece, and not in batches of 10,000.

How difficult will it be to program?

Depends on your experience. Usually, a bare firmware application is not written for powerful stones (although no one forbids it). Any OS capable of running on this processor is taken, and the application is written for it. Here's how lucky. If you simply copy some well-known platform with minimal changes, then there is most likely an OS build for it. A couple of beats on a tambourine - and everything will work. And if your hardware is exotic, the OS will have to be thoroughly modified. Have you tried writing device drivers and kernel functions? It's very exciting =)

How to program it?

Usually, chip manufacturers provide some kind of toolkit for programming under it. There are practically no ready-made development environments. Something of its own is assembled for the necessary tasks: a compiler, a linker, modules for them, a debugger (if necessary), libraries a wagon and scripts a small cart.

How to connect external RAM to it, etc.

Interfaces are usually standard, described in datasheets. And then point 1 is repeated, but for memory: selecting the chip you need according to the parameters, searching for it on sale, etc.
When all the components are selected, you still need to separate the printed circuit board for all this. In the case of Cortex A7, you will get at least a 4-layer with BGA-mounting and frequencies under gigahertz with all the ensuing charms, such as equalizing the length of the tracks. Do you have experience in developing such boards?

Answer 2

for example, here
www.terraelectronica.ru/catalog.php?ID=769&Page=1&...
Power, of course, is not very much, but linux will start.
Only you are tormented by such a thing, so it’s easier to take the module