The Netgotchi network security scanner is a simple, compact device based on an ESP8266 wireless microcontroller with a single goal: to defend your home network from intruders and potential bad actors. It is described as “Pwnagotchi’s older brother,” a network guardian that keeps your network safe instead of penetrating it.

If you are unfamiliar with Pwnagotchi, it is an A2C-based (advantage actor-critic) “AI” that can penetrate Wi-Fi networks using WPA key material obtained from passive sniffing or de-authentication attacks. The Netgotchi is a reverse Pwnagotchi that alerts you to intruders or breaches in your network. It runs on a simple microcontroller and cannot employ reinforcement learning like the Pwnagotchi. Rather, it pings the network periodically and reports any new potential security threats.

The device’s design is as simple as its purpose. It is an ESP8266 microcontroller connected to an OLED display and running an Arduino .ino script, enclosed in a 3D-printed case. It is powered via USB and does not contain batteries, so an external power bank is required for portable use.

The Netgotchi software is open-source and available in ESP32 and ESP8266 versions in the GitHub repository, alongside an installation guide. The device has been tested and is compatible with Minigotchi firmware. Minigotchi is a currently archived project that is essentially a tiny Pwnagotchi, and performs deauth attacks and advertisements.

The Netgotchi scanner is limited to 2.4GHz Wi-Fi networks and will scan compatible networks at intervals. It scans hosts for vulnerable services such as Telnet, FTP, SSH, and HTTP and marks them as “WRNG!” to indicate a potential security risk. The “WRNG!” indicator can be toggled on or off using the securityScanActive flag. The Honeypot functionality exposes a service to lure potential intruders and triggers an alarm when breached. The scanner features a web interface and supports a headless mode for cyberdecks and other devices.

The Netgotchi network security scanner is priced at $69 on Tindie and comes pre-assembled with a USB cable in the box. Multiple color options are available on request. Due to the device’s open-source nature, there is no post-sale warranty.

There aren’t a lot of open-source devices aimed primarily at identifying security threats on your home network, but you may be interested in deauthentication hardware such as the Flipper Zero add-on, the Marauder Pocket Unit, and the Deauther Watch X.

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The ANAVI Dev Mic is an open-source microphone board from ANAVI Technology in Plovdiv, Bulgaria powered by the Seeed Studio XIAO RP2040 module and an omnidirectional digital microphone from STMicroelectronics. It is a compact and affordable product that outperforms USB microphones in artificial intelligence and machine learning voice applications.

The design is simple and unassuming, with the Seeed Studio XIAO RP2040 module in the center, surrounded by a USB-C port for power and programming and 9 GPIO pins for extensibility. The STMicroelectronics MP23DB01HP microphone (MK1) is mounted on the top of the board with a small hole on the bottom. It is a compact, low-power, digital MEMS microphone capable of capturing sounds from different directions with very low distortion. It uses a PDM (Pulse-Density Modulation) interface created via the programmable inputs/outputs (PIO) on the RP2040.

The ANAVI Dev Mic is applicable for conducting AI/ML research, building a voice recognition platform, or creating interactive experiences. The GPIO pins on the board can be used to extend its functionality with buttons, LEDs, and sensors.

ANAVI Dev Mic specifications:

• SoM – Seeed Studio XIAO RP2040 
  • MCU – Raspberry Pi RP2040 dual-core Cortex-M0+ microcontroller @ up to 133 MHz with 264KB SRAM
  • Flash – 2MB SPI flash
  • USB Type-C port for power, data, and programming
• Microphone
  • STMicroelectronics MP23DB01HP PDM MEMS omnidirectional digital mic
  • Sample Rate – 16 kHz
• Connectivity — 7-pin + 5-pin 2.54mm pitch headers with 9x GPIO, 5V, 3.3V, GND
• Dimensions – 35.0 x 34.5 mm

The ANAVI Dev Mic is entirely open-source. The hardware schematics and case files are available on GitHub under the Creative Commons Sharealike license. The firmware is based on the open-source Microphone Library for Pico and the Raspberry Pi Pico C/C++ SDK. It can be connected to a PC or a single-board computer via the USB-C connector on the board.

ANAVI Technology’s other products include the ANAVI Macro Pad 12 and Arrows mechanical keyboards and the ANAVI Handle. The ANAVI Dev Mic is similar to the Mico USB microphone from Electronut Labs, also based on the Raspberry Pi RP2040.

The crowdfunding project is currently running on Crowd Supply and has attracted few backers so far. The Dev Mic is priced at $25 for the board, enclosure, and screws and nuts to hold it in place. Shipping is free within the United States but costs $12 for the rest of the world. Orders are expected to ship by November 17.

The post ANAVI Dev Mic is a digital omnidirectional microphone based on Raspberry Pi RP2040 MCU (Crowdfunding) appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

The MoreSense MS-06 is an ESP32-S3-based air quality monitor that takes CO², temperature, and humidity readings through a Sensirion SCD40 sensor which offers reliable performance and a lifespan of more than ten years.

The MS-06 monitor’s results are identical to the Aranet4’s (considered best-in-class), putting it in a pretty good spot accuracy-wise. It is the latest entry in the MoreSense line of air quality monitors and comes with a more compact design and a touchscreen display. The built-in web server runs an interface that displays measurements, historical data visualizations, setup options, and firmware updates. Operation is completely local; sensor data can be stored on the device or a microSD card.

The MoreSense MS-06 air quality sensor can be used to control a ventilation system, contributing to significant energy savings. This can be achieved through your home automation system or by using a smart plug.

MoreSense MS-06 specifications:

• Microcontroller – ESP32-S3 SoC, dual-core XTensa LX7 @ up to 240 MHz; 512KB SRAM; Integrated 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and BLE
• Display – 2.8-inch resistive touchscreen
• Sensor – Sensirion SCD40 sensor, based on photoacoustic NDIR (non-dispersive infrared) technology
  • CO2 measurements up to 2000 PPM
    • Accuracy: +/- 50 PPM, 5% MV
    • Maximum value up to 40000 PPM
    • Automatic or manual calibration
  • Temperature & humidity
    • Temperature range — -10°C to 60°C
    • Humidity range — 0 to 95% RH
• Storage – MicroSD card slot
• USB – USB Type-C port
• Misc – Stylus pen, 3x buttons, Stand, 3D-printed housing
• Power Supply
  • 5V via USB-C port
  • Power Consumption – 1.5W (average)
  • Battery (optional) – 2,000mAh LiFePO4 battery (+/- 10-hour battery life)
• Dimensions – 114 x 68 x 35 mm (including stand), 104 x 68 x 24 mm (excluding stand)

The air quality sensor can be connected to a Wi-Fi network and linked to a home automation system via MQTT or REST. It supports Domoticz, Home Assistant, and Homey (via HomeyDuino).

It resembles other ESP32-S3-based environmental monitoring devices like the Qsen-07, AirGradient One, and Studio LUFF’s Air Quality Sensor. It is not open-source like the other products but may be better suited for beginners since it includes a detailed user manual. The Sensirion SCD40 sensor has been seen in other CO2 monitors such as the M5Stack Unit CO2 and the TeHyBug ESP8285.

According to the maker, the MoreSense air quality sensor will be available on Tindie from August 20th. It is priced at $119 and comes with a stand, stylus pen, USB adapter, USB cable, an enclosure, and the manual. The optional 2000mAh LiFePO4 battery will set you back about €10 or $11 extra. Shipping is free for buyers in the Netherlands and direct support from the maker is available. Buyers are also assured a one-year warranty and money-back guarantee.

The post $119 MoreSense MS-06 air quality monitor features a Sensirion SCD40 sensor and an ESP32-S3 MCU appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

Google Pigweed, a collection of open-source libraries for embedded software development, now supports the Raspberry Pi RP2350 MCU and comes as a software development kit (Google Pigweed SDK).

These libraries, also called modules, are building blocks that make embedded software development faster and more reliable. It targets tiny 32-bit microcontrollers such as STMicro STM32L452, Nordic Semi nRF52832, and the Raspberry Pi Pico line of microcontrollers. The library components have shipped in Google Pixels, Nest thermostats, robots, satellites, and drones.

On August 8, the Pigweed project was released as a software development kit (SDK) in developer preview with official support for Raspberry Pi RP2350 and the associated Pico 2 development board. The new release uses the Bazel build system – a feature upstreamed into the Pico SDK by the Google Pigweed team – and a complete, open-source Clang/LLVM toolchain. The Google Pigweed SDK includes sample code, modules, and a comprehensive tutorial to make building complex, scalable products on the RP2350 and other platforms easier.

It also offers other features such as:

• Self-contained building, testing, and flashing with the Bazel build system
• Efficient and robust device communication over the RPC (Remote Procedure Call) protocol
• A multi-purpose, interactive console (REPL) for viewing logs and sending RPC
• Built-in support for Visual Studio Code and GitHub Actions
• Cross-platform development on macOS and Linux (Windows support is in the works)

There is a long list of modules available in the SDK that can be integrated into any embedded system codebase.

Most of these modules are reusable. scalable and hardware-agnostic (will work with any hardware) but there are RP2-specific drivers for I²C, SPI, GPIO, and real-time operation (chrono). Users can also access pico-sdk APIs directly when they need hardware-specific functionality.

There is a demo on the Pigweed website that showcases the project’s features with a detailed and exhaustive walkthrough that caps off with a finished air quality monitor product. The demo runs on the Pico 1 and Pico 2, but the Pico W is currently untested.

Another example is the open-source Kudzu project that the Pigweed team made for Maker Faire 2023. It is a PCB badge that runs Pigweed and comes in a Gameboy form factor.

The post Google Pigweed SDK now supports Raspberry Pi RP2350 microcontroller appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

SparkFun Thing Plus – NORA-W306, is a dual-core, dual-band WiFi 4 and BLE 5.3 microcontroller board in the AdaFruit Feather form factor based on the u-box NORA-W306 module and targeted at low-power wireless applications.

The u-blox module integrates the Realtek RTL8720DF chip, a dual-core ARM Cortex-M33 and Cortex-M23 microcontroller with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz) and Bluetooth 5.3 Low Energy. It offers up to 4MB of encrypted flash and has an onboard PCB antenna. It’s very similar to the RealTek RTL8720DN we covered a few times in the past, but comes with embedded flash.

The SparkFun Thing Plus – NORA-W306 board features a USB-C connector for programming, data, and power. The USB data lines are protected against electrostatic discharge and are connected to a CP2102N USB-to-serial converter for uploading code or serial. This board includes a 2-pin JST-style connector for a LiPo battery, a single-cell charger, and a LiPo fuel gauge for remote applications.

SparkFun Thing Plus – NORA-W306 specifications:

• Onboard Module – u-blox NORA-W306
  • SoC – Realtek RTL8720DF dual-processor core
    • Main core: ARM Cortex-M33 @ 200MHz
    • Low-power core: ARM Cortex-M23 @ 200MHz
    • Security: Arm TrustZone Hardware Encryption, Cryptographic Hardware Accelerator Engine, Secure Boot, Secure Debug Interface
    • Storage – 4MB flash (encrypted)
    • RAM – 512KB (main core), 64KB (low power)
    • Wireless Connectivity
      • Dual-band Wi-Fi 4 (802.11a/b/g/n), 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands, WPA2/WPA3 authentication
      • Bluetooth 5.3 Low Energy, 2.4GHz, Secure connection pairing
  • Built-in PCB antenna
• Storage – microSD card slot
• USB – 1x USB-C port connected to CP2102N USB-to-Serial Converter
• Expansion
  • 4-pin Qwiic connector
  • 20x GPIO via through holes
    • Up to 20x Interrupts
    • Up to 3x 12-bit ADC
    • Up to 12x PWM
    • Up to 2x UARTs
    • Up to 2x SPI
    • Up to 1x I2C
• Misc – Buttons (User, Reset, Boot), LEDs (3.3V, Charger, Status, WS2812-2020 addressable RGB LED), 9x jumpers at the back of the board
• Power Supply
  • 5V via USB-C
  • 2-pin JST connector for LiPo battery (not included)
  • MCP73831 single-cell, LiPo charge IC with 500mA default charge rate
  • MAX17048 single-cell LiPo fuel gauge
  • XC6222 3.3V/700mA Voltage Regulator
  • 2.2kΩ I2C Pull-Up Resistors
• Dimensions – 58.42mm x 22.86mm (Adafruit Feather form factor) with four mounting holes and 30 plated through holes (PTHs)

It is suitable for IoT applications, particularly projects that require remote, low-power operation. It supports the Arduino IDE using the Realtek Arduino core. Like most SparkFun products, the NORA-W306 is open-source, with schematics, Gerber files, tutorials, and other documentation published on GitHub.

The SparkFun Thing Plus – NORA-W306 development board is available for around $40, with discounts for bulk purchases. It adds to other members from the Thing Plus family such as the Thing Plus RA6M5 and the Thing Plus Matter boards.

The post SparkFun Thing Plus – NORA-W306 – A dual-band Wi-Fi 4 and BLE 5.3 IoT board appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

Top digital signal controller (DSC) vendor, Microchip Technology Inc., has launched the dsPIC33A series as the newest addition to its portfolio of high-performance DSCs. These digital signal controllers combine the capabilities of a digital signal processor (DSP) with the extensive peripherals of a microcontroller (MCU).

The dsPIC33A series is built around a 32-bit architecture and operates at 200MHz – currently the highest clock speed for a dsPIC. The core includes a double-precision floating-point unit (DP FPU) and a DSP instruction set for numerically intensive operations in closed-loop control algorithms. The dsPIC33A architecture offers high-performance, high-precision real-time control and signal processing in various applications.

The family of DSCs launching the dsPIC33A series, dsPIC33AK128MC1xx, features up to 128KB of flash memory, and an extensive set of built-in peripherals. It comes in different packages, including SSOP, VQFN, and TQFP, with pin counts ranging from 28 to 64 and sizes starting as small as 4 x 4mm. Later dsPIC33A families are to come with more memory, peripherals, and pins.

The dsPIC33A family is bound for applications that require efficient motor control in fans, pumps, and compressors. They are also well-suited for managing digital power conversion in AI servers and electric vehicles and can facilitate sensor interfacing for industrial and automotive applications. It can used in products similar to the SaraKIT carrier board which incorporates a dsPIC33 chip and a Raspberry Pi CM4.

Microchip Technology dsPIC33A DSCs specifications:

• Processing – 32-bit CPU @ 200MHz clock speed; dual 72-bit accumulators supporting 32-bit and 16-bit fixed-point DSP operations; single and double-precision floating-point Unit (FPU) co-processor
• Memory – 128KB code flash memory, 16KB RAM
• Analog Peripherals – 4x high-speed PWM generators with 8x channels; 2x 12-bit ADC with 40 mega samples per second (Msps) conversion rate; 3x 5ns analog comparators and 3x 100MHz op-amp; 4x 10 μA constant sources and 4x programmable sources
• Advanced Peripherals – 3x 4-wire SPI modules, 2x I2C modules, 4x configurable logic cells; peripheral trigger generator (PTG)
• Safety – ECC Flash, ECC RAM with MBIST (Memory Built-In-Self-Test), IO pin integrity monitors, clock monitoring with backup oscillator, Deadman Timer (DMT), Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC), Watchdog Timer (WDT)
• Security – Secure boot, Secure debug, Immutable Root of Trust (IRT), Firmware IP Protection, Flash Write Protection
• Qualification – AEC-Q100 REV H; Grade 1: -40°C to +125°C

Hardware and software support for the dsPIC33A family includes the MPLAB XC-DSC compiler, the MPLAB Code Configurator, and a development board — the EV74H48A Curiosity Platform. The development board includes mikroBUS and Xplained Pro interfaces for connecting extension kits, sensors, and Click boards. The devices also come as two separate dual in-line modules (DIM) compatible with motor control, digital power conversion, and general-purpose embedded applications.

Devices in the dsPIC33A family are currently available for less than $1 in high volumes. The EV74H48A Curiosity Platform development board is priced at $98, with possible discounts for bulk orders. Microchip Direct also lists two dsPIC33A DIM modules for $18 each, a PIM module (Processor Plug-In) for $49, and an optional $5,000 package for functional safety, but no dsPIC33A chips. Interested buyers should contact a Microchip sales representative, or authorized distributor for the chip themselves. More information about the new dsPIC33A series can be found on the product page and press release.

Thanks to TLS for the tip.

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ODrive Micro is a high-performance servo motor drive from ODrive Robotics that comes in an ultra-compact, 32 x 32mm form factor. The controller provides up to 100W continuous power for driving brushless servo motors.

The ODrive Micro is the latest in a series of motor controllers from ODrive and builds on the company’s established software and hardware ecosystem. This includes support for CAN Bus, programming libraries, and a web-based graphic user interface for easy and intuitive setup.

The Micro features a CAN interface for daisy-chaining other controllers and an onboard 12-bit magnetic encoder for direct mounting without needing an external encoder. It also offers the option to mount hall, quadrature, and SPI external encoders via the J1 header on the board.

The ODrive Micro is aimed at robotics applications where space is premium, including hobbyist and professional use. It is similar to the Wukong 2040, ClearCore, and the Serial Bus Servo Driver HAT.

ODrive Micro specifications:

• Supported Motor Types – BLDC, PMAC
• Operation
  • Commutation – FOC (field-oriented control)
  • Voltage Range – 10 – 30V (32V max)
  • Current – 3.5A continuous (7V peak)
  • Power – 100W continuous (180W peak)
• Onboard 12-bit magnetic encoder
• Interfaces – USB-C, CAN
• Supports external hall, incremental, and SPI encoders
• Control modes – Torque, velocity, position, and trajectory
• Dimensions – 32 x 32 x 7.5 mm
• Mass – 6.8 grams

The ODrive Micro compares favorably to alternatives such as the Tinymovr M5.2, Moteus C1, and DENALI XCR-C. It is more affordable, compact, and offers extensive documentation.

It is also completely open-source. The schematics still need to be published but the CAD models are available on Onshape. The software suite, including the Python library, CAN communication protocols, Arduino sample code, and all other associated files will be made available after campaign orders have been fulfilled. Additional information is available in the datasheet for the Micro module and documentation (for older ODrive modules).

The Micro is currently live on CrowdSupply and the campaign has surpassed its funding goal with several days left. You can get the motor controller board for $79 ($89 once the campaign ends) and a shipping fee of $8 within the United States and $18 to the rest of the world. The company has also listed add-ons for sale, including a $39 USB-CAN adapter plus cable, a $16 USB isolator with cable, a $9 wire harness kit, and $6 CAN cables.

The post ODrive Micro is a compact, brushless motor controller designed for space-constrained robotics applications (Crowdfunding) appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

Top digital signal controller (DSC) vendor, Microchip Technology Inc., has launched the dsPIC33A series as the newest addition to its portfolio of high-performance DSCs. These digital signal controllers combine the capabilities of a digital signal processor (DSP) with the extensive peripherals of a microcontroller (MCU).

The dsPIC33A series is built around a 32-bit architecture and operates at 200MHz – currently the highest clock speed for a dsPIC. The core includes a double-precision floating-point unit (DP FPU) and a DSP instruction set for numerically intensive operations in closed-loop control algorithms. The dsPIC33A architecture offers high-performance, high-precision real-time control and signal processing in various applications.

The family of DSCs launching the dsPIC33A series, dsPIC33AK128MC1xx, features up to 128KB of flash memory, and an extensive set of built-in peripherals. It comes in different packages, including SSOP, VQFN, and TQFP, with pin counts ranging from 28 to 64 and sizes starting as small as 4 x 4mm. Later dsPIC33A families are to come with more memory, peripherals, and pins.

The dsPIC33A family is bound for applications that require efficient motor control in fans, pumps, and compressors. They are also well-suited for managing digital power conversion in AI servers and electric vehicles and can facilitate sensor interfacing for industrial and automotive applications. It can used in products similar to the SaraKIT carrier board which incorporates a dsPIC33 chip and a Raspberry Pi CM4.

Microchip Technology dsPIC33A DSCs specifications:

• Processing – 32-bit CPU @ 200MHz clock speed; dual 72-bit accumulators supporting 32-bit and 16-bit fixed-point DSP operations; single and double-precision floating-point Unit (FPU) co-processor
• Memory – 128KB code flash memory, 16KB RAM
• Analog Peripherals – 4x high-speed PWM generators with 8x channels; 2x 12-bit ADC with 40 mega samples per second (Msps) conversion rate; 3x 5ns analog comparators and 3x 100MHz op-amp; 4x 10 μA constant sources and 4x programmable sources
• Advanced Peripherals – 3x 4-wire SPI modules, 2x I2C modules, 4x configurable logic cells; peripheral trigger generator (PTG)
• Safety – ECC Flash, ECC RAM with MBIST (Memory Built-In-Self-Test), IO pin integrity monitors, clock monitoring with backup oscillator, Deadman Timer (DMT), Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC), Watchdog Timer (WDT)
• Security – Secure boot, Secure debug, Immutable Root of Trust (IRT), Firmware IP Protection, Flash Write Protection
• Qualification – AEC-Q100 REV H; Grade 1: -40°C to +125°C

Hardware and software support for the dsPIC33A family includes the MPLAB XC-DSC compiler, the MPLAB Code Configurator, and a development board — the EV74H48A Curiosity Platform. The development board includes mikroBUS and Xplained Pro interfaces for connecting extension kits, sensors, and Click boards. The devices also come as two separate dual in-line modules (DIM) compatible with motor control, digital power conversion, and general-purpose embedded applications.

Devices in the dsPIC33A family are currently available for less than $1 in high volumes. The EV74H48A Curiosity Platform development board is priced at $98, with possible discounts for bulk orders. Microchip Direct also lists two dsPIC33A DIM modules for $18 each, a PIM module (Processor Plug-In) for $49, and an optional $5,000 package for functional safety, but no dsPIC33A chips. Interested buyers should contact a Microchip sales representative, or authorized distributor for the chip themselves. More information about the new dsPIC33A series can be found on the product page and press release.

Thanks to TLS for the tip.

The post 200 MHz Microchip dsPIC33A 32-bit digital signal controller offers double-precision FPU, high speed analog interfaces appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

ODrive Micro is a high-performance servo motor drive from ODrive Robotics that comes in an ultra-compact, 32 x 32mm form factor. The controller provides up to 100W continuous power for driving brushless servo motors.

The ODrive Micro is the latest in a series of motor controllers from ODrive and builds on the company’s established software and hardware ecosystem. This includes support for CAN Bus, programming libraries, and a web-based graphic user interface for easy and intuitive setup.

The Micro features a CAN interface for daisy-chaining other controllers and an onboard 12-bit magnetic encoder for direct mounting without needing an external encoder. It also offers the option to mount hall, quadrature, and SPI external encoders via the J1 header on the board.

The ODrive Micro is aimed at robotics applications where space is premium, including hobbyist and professional use. It is similar to the Wukong 2040, ClearCore, and the Serial Bus Servo Driver HAT.

ODrive Micro specifications:

• Supported Motor Types – BLDC, PMAC
• Operation
  • Commutation – FOC (field-oriented control)
  • Voltage Range – 10 – 30V (32V max)
  • Current – 3.5A continuous (7V peak)
  • Power – 100W continuous (180W peak)
• Onboard 12-bit magnetic encoder
• Interfaces – USB-C, CAN
• Supports external hall, incremental, and SPI encoders
• Control modes – Torque, velocity, position, and trajectory
• Dimensions – 32 x 32 x 7.5 mm
• Mass – 6.8 grams

The ODrive Micro compares favorably to alternatives such as the Tinymovr M5.2, Moteus C1, and DENALI XCR-C. It is more affordable, compact, and offers extensive documentation.

It is also completely open-source. The schematics still need to be published but the CAD models are available on Onshape. The software suite, including the Python library, CAN communication protocols, Arduino sample code, and all other associated files will be made available after campaign orders have been fulfilled. Additional information is available in the datasheet for the Micro module and documentation (for older ODrive modules).

The Micro is currently live on CrowdSupply and the campaign has surpassed its funding goal with several days left. You can get the motor controller board for $79 ($89 once the campaign ends) and a shipping fee of $8 within the United States and $18 to the rest of the world. The company has also listed add-ons for sale, including a $39 USB-CAN adapter plus cable, a $16 USB isolator with cable, a $9 wire harness kit, and $6 CAN cables.

The post ODrive Micro is a compact, brushless motor controller designed for space-constrained robotics applications (Crowdfunding) appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

The TinyWatch S3 is an ESP32-S3 development board in a smartwatch form factor from Seon Rozenblum, also known as Unexpected Maker.

It is powered by the ESP32-S3 wireless microcontroller with 8MB quad SPI flash storage and 2MB of additional QSPI PSRAM. It features a 240 x 280 LCD with capacitive touch (via a CST816T module) and several onboard sensors including a 6-axis inertial measurement unit, a magnetometer, and a MEMS microphone. It has a USB-C port for power, programming, and charging a connected LiPo battery (250mAh or 500mAh). While the product’s firmware is still in active development, it is usable as a watch and even a daily driver.

The TinyWatch S3 is described as a “wrist-wearable ESP32-S3 development board” but lacks pin headers and is not breadboard compatible. The hardware is open-source but the product is mostly useful for firmware development, testing, and other general projects.

The firmware is being developed in the PlatformIO environment and requires extensive knowledge of C++ and the ESP32 Arduino Core framework. The firmware currently only supports basic functionality, such as telling the time in digital and analog format, adding widgets for weather and battery status, and a simple app framework with an audio visualization app, a compass, and a sample “Hello World” app. Apps are built into the firmware, rather than being standalone. It also offers a web interface for configuring items that may be hard to set up on the watch such as API keys for OpenWeather.

TinyWatch S3 specifications:

• SoC – ESP32-S3 SoC, Xtensa dual-core 32-bit LX7 microcontroller, up to 240 MHz; 512KB SRAM; 8MB QSPI flash; Wi-Fi 4 + Bluetooth 5.0 (LE); 45 programmable GPIOs
• Memory – 2MB additional QSPI PSRAM
• Display – 240 x 280 ST7789 Display, Capacitive Touch (CST816T)
• USB – USB-C connector for power and programming, reverse USB back-feed protection
• Misc
  • Clock – I2C Low Power RTC (RV-3028-C7)
  • Sensors – I2C 6-axis IMU (BMI270), I2C Magnetometer (MMC5603), I2S MEMS Microphone (ICS-43434)
  • Feedback – Magnetic Buzzer, Haptics Motor (DRV2605L)
  • Buttons – Power On/Off Button, Reset Button, Boot Button
  • ESD protection on USB and buttons, 2x LEDs (5V Power and Charge), 3D High Gain Antenna
• Power and Charging
  • Reverse USB back-feed protection
  • 5V Power via USB-C
  • LiPo Battery Charging; I2C Battery Fuel Gauge (MAX1704X)

The GitHub repository contains KiCAD design files and schematics, firmware files, STL and STEP files for the case, and example projects. We have seen other ESP32-based smartwatches such as the LilyGO T-Watch S3, MutantW V1, and the LilyGo Open-Smartwatch.

The TinyWatch S3 smartwatch can be bought from Lectronz or the Unexpected Maker website for $59. The watch ships pre-assembled in a 3D-printed case but no watch band or battery is included.

The post TinyWatch S3 is an open-source, customizable smartwatch powered by ESP32-S3 SoC appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

The Maker Go ESP32-C6-EVB is an open-source development board built upon the ESP32-C6 module. It integrates four relays and four opto-isolated inputs and supports multiple wireless technologies including Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0, and Thread/Zigbee.

The Espressif ESP32-C6 on the development board is a single, RISC-V system-on-chip with 2.4GHz Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5 (LE), and Thread/Zigbee (802.15.4). It is integrated into the ESP32-C6-WROOM-1-N4 module with an onboard PCB antenna, 4MB of SPI flash, and 23 GPIOs.

We have seen a fair amount of ESP32-C6 boards recently, including the SparkFun Thing Plus, WeAct ESP32-C6-Mini, ESP32-C6-Pico, and the ePulse Feather C6.

Maker Go ESP32-C6-EVB specifications:

• Wireless module – ESP32-C6-WROOM-1-N4 module with
  • Espressif Systems ESP32-C6 single core 32-bit RISC-V processor @ 160 MHz with 2.4 GHz WiFi 6 1T1R with Target Wake Time (TWT) support, Bluetooth LE 5.0, and 802.15.4 radio for Zigbee, Thread, Matter, 2.4GHz proprietary
  • Storage – 4MB SPI flash
  • PCB antenna
• USB – 1x USB Type-C port for programming and JTAG debugging
• I/Os and expansion
  • 4x relays (10A/240VAC)
  • 4x optoisolated inputs for DC voltage up to 30VDC
  • 2x UEXT connectors
  • Extension GPIO connector
• Programming connector suitable for ESP-PROG
• Misc – Reset and user buttons
• Power Supply – 8-50V DC wide range supply voltage via DC jack
• Dimensions
  • Board – 122 mm x 82 mm (Four mount holes)
  • Shell – 145 mm x 90 mm

The Maker Go relay board is very similar to the open-source Olimex ESP32-C6-EVB dev board released last year. However, it is slightly cheaper at about $13 and uses a different interface and connector layout. EasyEDA schematics, Tasmota firmware, and a sample program can be downloaded from the company’s website. Our best guess is that Maker Go based their dev board on the Olimex ESP32-C6-EVB (same name and everything), but they didn’t credit Olimex anywhere on the Tindie page or their website. Some tools allow people to import KiCAD to EasyEDA so maybe that’s what they used and made some modifications after that.

The Maker Go ESP32-C6-EVB relay board can be pruchased for $13.41 on Tindie, and it may soon become available on Aliexpress along with other relay boards from the company. You can also get a plastic shell for the development board that leaves the essential interfaces exposed – optocoupler inputs, relays, USB-C programming, and power jack – for $6.

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The Pico Display Base Board is a printed circuit board from Applying Microcontroller Solutions that provides a platform for building Raspberry Pi Pico-based display projects. It works with a Raspberry Pi Pico board and an LCD screen based on the Solomon Systech SSD1963 display controller.

The Pico Display Base Board features a 40-pin header (Display Port) which connects to GPIO on the Pico to provide an 8-bit parallel interface for the display and SPI pins for the touchscreen and integrated SD card.

It supports various display sizes from 4.3 inches up to 7 inches. Displays up to five inches can be powered directly by the Pico. A jumper block on the board can be used to pass power to the LCD and wire the display’s optional flash chip to the Pico. A USB-C port on the board can provide an alternative power source for larger displays.

It also has male headers attached to the Pico for connecting onboard components such as the potentiometer, LEDs, and user buttons, as well as external devices including an OLED display, a DS3231 RTC module, and an Infrared Receiver (IR).

It was mainly created for building Raspberry Pi Pico-based LCD projects that require a touchscreen and an integrated SD card. The board layout emphasizes easy, simultaneous access to the display and other components. A 40-pin ribbon cable can be used for a more compact, portable product. Both the Raspberry Pi Pico and the Pico W are supported by the Pico Display Base Board.

The board can be programmed using either Thonny IDE (MicroPython) or Arduino IDE. It is also compatible with the PicoMite/WebMite firmware which are implementations of the MMBasic interpreter configured to run on the Pico. Other BASIC interpreters for the Pico include the PiccoloBASIC and JustPicoBasic. Documentation, demo programs, and firmware are hosted in the PicoDisplay GitHub repository.

The Pico Display Base Board is available for $14 on Tindie, the same price as the Car Base Board from the same company. The Pico microcontroller, LCD, and other external components are not included and must be purchased separately.

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The ESP32 Internet Radio from Poland-based maker, The MicroMaker, is a simple hardware kit that combines the LilyGo T-Display S3 Development board with an I2S audio breakout module and other components to form a radio that can access and stream from online radio stations. With the ESP32 Internet Radio, you are not limited to the radio stations available in your immediate vicinity.

It is powered by the LilyGo T-Display S3 which integrates the network-capable ESP32-S3 microcontroller (Wi-Fi + BLE 5), a 1.9” full-color capacitive touchscreen display, and two programmable buttons. The ESP32-S3’s integrated Wi-Fi capability allows the radio to connect to the Internet, and the touchscreen brings an intuitive and easy-to-use interface to the device.

It supports up to 512 stored radio stations, and you can manage these stations from a web browser on your PC or mobile phone.

The Internet Radio can be powered by an 18650 Lithium-ion battery for portable applications. We have recently covered various other interesting projects powered by the ESP32-S3 microcontroller such as the ThingPulse Pendrive S3, M5Stack CoreS3 SE, T-Camera S3, and the Air Quality Sensor.

ESP32 Internet Radio specifications:

• Development Board – LilyGo T-Display S3 (Touch Soldered Version H589) with
  • Espressif Systems ESP32-S3R8 microcontroller
  • 16MB flash, 8MB PSRAM
  • 1.9-inch LCD color screen and two programmable buttons
• SparkFun I2S Audio Breakout module with MAX98357A (3W Class D Amplifier + DAC)
• 40mm 4ohm 5W speaker
• 18650 Li-ion battery and battery holder (optional)

The Internet Radio is not open-source. The precompiled firmware is hosted on OneDrive and can be flashed onto the microcontroller using Espressif’s Flash Tool, but you will need to activate it with a product key from the maker. It is listed on Tindie for about $10.

The hardware kit itself is currently priced at $95, and includes a LilyGo T-Display S3 module, the SparkFun I2S Audio Breakout module, a 5W speaker, a battery holder, a Wi-Fi Antenna, an enclosure, and other components. A hot glue gun is required for assembly, but buyers can opt for the pre-assembled version for $30 extra. If you decide to build the Internet Radio yourself, you will be able to swap any component with a better replacement, except for the LilyGo T-Display S3.

It is important to note that the ESP32 Internet Radio does not have a radio antenna and is unable to receive local radio transmissions. More detailed instructions about installation, setup, and usage are available in the GitHub repository for the device.

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The LimeNET Micro 2.0 Developer Edition board is a modular software-defined radio (SDR) platform from Lime Microsystems that is based on the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 and the company’s own SDR board, the LimeSDR XTRX.

It builds upon previous versions from Lime Microsystems, such as the LimeSDR Mini and LimeSDR Mini 2.0. It features a MIMO (multiple-input, multiple-output) radio and runs the more powerful Compute Module 4, an upgrade from the Raspberry Pi CM3 in earlier versions.

The LimeSDR XTRX is an open-source, high-performance SDR in a compact, Mini PCIe form factor.  It provides a platform for building logic-intensive digital and RF designs and can be used for MIMO antenna configurations from 2Tx2R to 32Tx32R.

The platform is built around a planar system board, the LimePSB RPCM, which integrates the CM4, the XTRX, and other components and interfaces to make a complete baseband + RF solution for diverse wireless applications. These potential applications include satellite ground stations, amateur digital TV and audio broadcasts, wildlife tracking, drone command and control, radio astronomy, and bit pattern generation. There is a detailed description of the RPCM board on a separate webpage.

LimeNET Micro 2.0 Developer Edition specifications:

• SoM – Raspberry Pi CM4, with Broadcom BCM2711 quad-core Cortex-A72 (ARM v8) 64-bit SoC @ 1.5GHz
• Software-Defined Radio – LimeSDR XTRX MIMO radio, with AMD Artix 7 XC7A50T-2CPG236I FPGA and Lime Microsystems LMS7002M RF transceiver
• Storage – microSD card slot
• Connectors
  • Raspberry Pi CM4 connectors (dual row)
  • Video and audio output
    • 2x HDMI 2.0 receptacle (up to 4Kp60 supported)
    • 5-pin front display connector (power, I2C, button)
    • 2x 15-pin FPC connectors for MIPI DSI display
    • 3.5 mm four-pin jack for analog audio and composite video
  • Networking – Gigabit Ethernet with PoE
  • USB – USB 2.0 Type-C (boot and power delivery), 2x USB 2.0 Type-A downstream ports, Front Panel USB 2.0 header (unpopulated)
  • Expansion
    • mini PCIe x1 Gen 2 (5 Gbps)
    • nano-SIM socket
    • Raspberry Pi CM4 – 20-pin GPIO header (3.3 V), 14-pin SYS header, UART0 header (unpopulated)
  • Misc – 2-pin and 4-pin fan connector (5 V default or 3.3 V or VCC_INT voltage)
• RF front end
  • Configuration: MIMO (2x TRX, 2x RX)
  • LNAs, PAs, RF switches, power, and mode control (TDD and FDD)
  • Coaxial RF (4x SMA female + 4x U.FL female) connectors for RF front end
  • Coaxial pass-through U.FL to external SMA connector
• Misc – Temperature sensor, shift registers, EEPROM, USB 2.0 hub (unpopulated) secure key storage, shift registers, RTC, ADC, 4x RG user LEDs, status LEDs (power, CM, Ethernet), front button and buzzer
• Clock system – 30.72 MHz (default) onboard VCOCXO and 30.72/38.4/40.00 MHz (optional) VCTCXO oscillators
• Power
  • Barrel jack connector (9-14 V, 2-3 A)
  • USB Power Delivery (12 V, 1.5 A or 2.5 A)
  • Power over Ethernet (12 V, 2 A)
• Dimensions – 170 x 110 mm

The LimeSDR board supports the free, 64-bit version of Xilinx Vivado v2022.1, and a gateware project for the FPGA can be found hosted on GitHub. It is also fully supported by the Lime Suite software stack, as well as Fairwaves’ legacy XTRX gateware and driver to retain compatibility and aid the transition from earlier devices.

The LimeNET Micro 2.0 Developer Edition board has been successfully funded on Crowd Supply with 36 days left to go, due to the $1 symbolic funding goal. You can get the carrier board (Lime Planar System Board) alone for $799, while the LimeNET Micro 2.0 DE (i.e. the complete package with the CM4, an enclosure, and a cooling fan pre-installed) is priced at $1,699.

For users that want to go all in and build a complete private 5G network, there is an $11,900 5G Deluxe Kit that features the LimeNET Micro 2.0 DE plus SMA antennas, a compatible power supply, 5G stack, and Amarisoft core, two 5G smartphones, and ten SIM cards. There are other product offerings listed on the Crowd Supply page. All orders will be fulfilled by Mouser Electronics and are expected to ship by November 30, 2024.

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The Pendrive S3 is an ESP32-S3 development board in a USB stick enclosure with 128MB of flash memory and an unusual capacitive touch button. The Espressif ESP32-S3-MINI-1 module on the board integrates an Xtensa dual-core 32-bit LX7 microprocessor with support for 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5 (low-energy).

The device features a capacitive touch button that can be used to trigger actions by touching the enclosure. The capacitive button isn’t visible on the exterior of the device, which helps the device maintain a low profile. You may be interested in Dani Eichhorn’s article on how he came up with the idea of using a spring for the capacitive touch button.

The Pendrive S3 stick can be used as a BadUSB device for hacking and penetration testing purposes. With the aid of SuperWiFiDuck, it can perform keystroke injection attacks. All scripts can be managed and controlled wirelessly via a web interface, and run immediately when the device is plugged in, or when the onboard button is pressed. Other potential applications include a memory stick with cloud sync, a Wi-Fi dongle, and a password manager.

It uses the open-source USB stack, TinyUSB, to emulate several device classes such as Human Interface Device (mice, keyboards), Mass Storage, Video, and Network. It is supported by CircuitPython, a subset of Python that is lightweight and optimized for microcontrollers.

Other interesting devices in a USB stick form factor include the Waveshare RP2040-GEEK, the T-Dongle ESP32-S2, and Ovrdrive USB.

ThingPulse Pendrive S3 specifications:

• Wireless module – ESP32-S3-MINI
• • CPU – Dual-core Xtensa LX7 @ 240 MHz,
  • Wireless – 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5 (LE)
  • Memory/Storage – 512 KB SRAM, 8MB on-chip flash,
  • PCB antenna
• Storage – 128MB flash memory, addressable via SDIO/MMC or SD card interface, in 1-bit or 4-bit mode
• USB – USB-C male connector
•  Misc
  • WS2812B addressable RGB LED
  • Capacitive touch button (Spring)
• USB drive plastic enclosure

The Pendrive S3 is priced at $25 on the ThingPulse website. It is not a perfect device, but it can be useful for tinkering and experimentation. CNX readers can get a 20% discount by using the coupon code cnx-pendrive-s3 during checkout.

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The S5 Trekker Bravo and the S5 Trekker Mini are two Meshtastic-enabled radios designed by SpecFive LLC, a team of engineers based in the United States.

Both devices are based on the Heltec Wireless Tracker from Heltec Automation. The Wireless Tracker integrates Espressif’s ESP32-S3 system-on-a-chip, a 160 x 80 TFT LCD, a SemTech SX1262 LoRa chip, and a Unicore UC6580 GNSS chip.

The MiniTrekker is much lighter than the Trekker Bravo and features a built-in attachment hook for connecting it with other gear. Both radios are built to be durable enough to resist the rigors of outdoor exploration. They come pre-flashed with the open-source Meshtastic software and are ready to be used out of the box.

The S5 Trekkers are intended to be used when hiking, trekking, and partaking in other outdoor activities that take one away off the well-trodden path. It is also useful for setting up a reliable communication network in the event of emergencies.

We have covered similar solutions for outdoor enthusiasts such as the Trekko Pico, TTGO T-Beam, and TTGO LoRa32.

S5 Trekker specifications:

• Development Board – Heltec Wireless Tracker, with
  • Espressif Systems ESP32-S3FN8 microcontroller
  • LoRa Node Chip – Semtech SX1262
  • GNSS chip – Unicore UC6580
  • Supports Wi-Fi, LoRa, Bluetooth, GNSS
• LoRa Frequency – 915 MHz
• Antenna –  915 Mhz LoRa antenna / GPS Ceramic antenna
• Urban Range – ~1.6 to 4.8 km
• Rural Range – ~4.8 to 8 km
• USB – USB-C port for charging
• Battery
  • 18650 Li-ion battery (Bravo), 1200mAh LiPo Battery (MiniTrekker)
  • Battery Life
    • Bravo: 8 hrs active / 24 hrs standby
    • MiniTrekker: 3 hrs active / 6 hrs standby
• Dimensions – 140 x 50 x 40 mm (Bravo), 83 x 39 x 20 (MiniTrekker)
• Weight –  165 g (Bravo), 64g (MiniTrekker)
• Case Material – PETG

The MiniTrekker is also configured to work with the Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK) software. You will need to install the ATAK and Meshtastic apps on your phone and set them up to work with the MiniTrekker.

The S5 MiniTrekker and the S5 Trekker Bravo are priced at about $99 and $119 respectively on the Tindie store.

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The PicoQuake is a USB vibration sensor with a MEMS accelerometer covering a wide range of vibrations. It is capable of capturing vibrations in the low-frequency range (tall buildings, bridges) to the high-frequency range (motors, industrial machinery). It can operate as a standalone device and connect to a computer via a USB cable.

Furthermore, it is based on the Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller and uses a low-noise MEMS inertial measurement unit, the TDK InvenSense ICM-42688-P, which combines a 3-axis gyroscope and a 3-axis accelerometer. The low-noise IMU sensor used enables the PicoQuake to profile vibrations of very low magnitude.

The PicoQuake sensor is a product from Slovenian maker, PLab, just like the FOCn driver module we took a look at recently. Potential use cases for the PicoQuake include optimizing brushless DC motor vibrations (important in small mobility products such as electric bikes and scooters), tracking trackpad clicks, smart home automation, and predictive maintenance.

We have previously covered other vibration sensors such as the Raspberry SHAKE HAT, Exo Sense Pi multi-sensor device, and the CN0549 CBM development board.

PicoQuake specifications:

• Microcontroller – Raspberry Pi RP2040 dual-core Cortex-M0+ MCU @ 133 MHz with 264 KB SRAM
• Storage – Not listed
• IMU Sensor – TDK InvenSense ICM-42688-P 6-axis MEMS motion tracking with 3-axis gyroscope and 3-axis accelerometer
  • Accelerometer ranges – +-2 g, +-4 g, +-8 g, +-16 g
  • Gyro range – up to +-2000 degrees per second
  • Sample rate – 12.5 Hz to 4000 Hz
  • Configurable low pass (second order) filter: 42 Hz to 3979 Hz
• Connectivity – USB 2.0 Full Speed 12 Mbps CDC (Communications Device Class) via USB Type-C port
• Power – 5V @ 50 mA
• Dimensions – ⌀ 30 mm x 13mm

The PicoQuake is priced at $59 on Tindie, much cheaper than most alternatives on the market. It runs open-source firmware which can be found hosted on GitHub and is compatible with Linux, Mac, and Windows. The driver is written in Python and provides a command-line interface (CLI) and an application programming interface (API) for easy integration and customization.

The USB vibration sensor comes with a 1.8m USB cable, a releasable zip tie, and a zip tie adapter. You can find more information relating to the installation and usage of the product on the PicoQuake website.

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The DSTIKE Deauther Watch X is a Wi-Fi hacking tool that can be used to test wireless networks, powered by the ESP8266 wireless microcontroller and running the open-source Deauther firmware from SpacehuhnTech. It only works on 2.4GHz networks, since 5GHz Wi-Fi is not supported by the ESP8266. It also features a real-time clock module for displaying the time, like an actual watch.

If you are not familiar with the term, a Wi–Fi Deauther is a device that can perform deauth or de-authentication attacks on Wi-Fi networks. It can kick other devices off a Wi-Fi network they are connected to, for learning or other purposes.

The Deauther Watch X is the latest product in the DSTIKE Deauther Watch series from Travis Lin and we previously took a look at DSTIKE ESP32 Watch Development Board. The Watch X development board comes in a wristwatch form factor, uses an ESP8266 module instead of ESP32, and integrates a new charging circuit and power control mechanism.

It is not the best-looking watch but it gets the job done. It is targeted at network enthusiasts and developers looking to test their networks and protect against deauth attacks.

DSTIKE Deauther Watch X specifications:

• Microcontroller – ESP-07 wireless module, ESP8266 32-bit Tensilica microcontroller @ 160 MHz
• Storage – 4MB flash
• Antenna Range – 30 to 50m
• Display – 1.3″ OLED using SH1106 driver
• Expansion – 8-pin header
• Battery/Power
  • Battery Capacity – 500mAh
  • Work time – 5 to 6 hours
  • 500 mA charging current
  • Charging LED indicator – RED: Charging, GREEN: Full
  • Power Switch – Press for 2 seconds to turn ON/OFF
  • Protection –  short, overcharging, overdischarging, temperature
• Misc – Up, Down, and Select Buttons, Buzzer, external FPC antenna connector
• Dimensions – 60 x 50 x 25mm
• Weight – 62g

The open-source Deauther firmware comes pre-installed on the Watch X. The Deauther is advertised for educational and development use but it is easy to see how it can be used for malicious purposes. Note that using a deauther on a network that you don’t own is illegal in most countries and can lead to prosecution. The ESP8266 Deaither firmware does not work on ESP32 which must be why a new version of the SDTIKE watch has been created.

The DSTIKE Deauther Watch X is priced at $39 on Tindie and the DSTIKE website. The firmware is open-source and you can build your own deauther by following the tutorial on the developer’s website.

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The HealthyPi Move is the latest biometric monitor in the HealthyPi series from ProtoCentral. It is the first to come in a wearable form factor and can measure up to eight vital signs.

It is powered by a Nordic Semiconductor nRF5340 dual-core SoC, with a Cortex-M33 application processor and a Cortex-M33 network processor. It features 128MB of flash memory connected through a high-speed QSPI interface that can store up to 10 days of processed data.

It is capable of measuring galvanic skin response (EDA/GSR), electrocardiogram (ECG) signals, and photoplethysmogram (PPG) signals for determining blood oxygen level (SPO2), blood pressure, and heart rate variability. It also includes a body temperature sensor and inertial measurement unit (IMU) with a 6-axis accelerometer and gyroscope.

HealthyPi Move targets medical and biotech applications, including personal health tracking, building healthcare devices, and even clinical research with approval from the FDA or IRB.

We have previously covered other products in the HealthyPi series including the HealthyPi 5, HealthyPi v4, and HealthyPi Raspberry Pi HAT, as well as other ProtoCentral products outside the HealthyPi line such as the HeartyPatch and the Sensything ESP32 board.

HealthyPi Move specifications:

• MCU – Nordic Semiconductor nRF5340 dual-core Arm Cortex-M33, Bluetooth 5.4 SoC
• Memory – 128MB NOR QSPI flash memory for data storage
• Display – 1.28 inch TFT display with capacitive touchscreen
• Sensors
  • ECG and bio-impedance front-end
  • MAX30102 Optical PPG Sensor
  • MAX32664 Sensor Hub with an accelerometer for motion compensation
  • LSM6DSO 6-DoF IMU
  • MAX30205 Body Temperature Sensor
• Parameters Monitored – ECG, Heart-rate and Heart-rate variability (HRV), PPG (from finger contact), SpO₂ (from finger contact), Blood Pressure (from finger contact), EDA/GSR, Respiration Rate (ECG derived), Temperature
• Connectivity
  • BLE 5.2
  • USB Type-C for data transfer, charging, JTAG, and UART access (via USB Type-C Debug Accessory Mode)
• Misc
  • 2x side push buttons for user input
  • On-board real-time clock with super-capacitor backup
• Power management
  • Nordic nPM1300 single chip PMIC
  • Integrated 800 mA battery charger with USB Type-C Power Delivery support
  • 2x programmable buck converters for efficient power management
  • Fuel gauge for battery monitoring
  • Load switches for selective power management
  • 200 mAh Li-Po battery
  • USB Type-C charging port
• Dimensions – 43mm diameter, 16mm thickness, compatible with 22mm watch straps

The HealthyPi Move’s firmware is based on Zephyr RTOS and nRF Connect SDK. It also has a companion app, OpenView2, written in Flutter and available for Android, macOS, Windows, and Linux operating systems.

You can program the HealthyPi Move using OTA upgrades from the Healthy Pi companion app or by connecting it to a computer via the USB interface. You can program the nRF5340 directly with an nRF development kit or any J-Link programmer by connecting the SWD (Serial Wire Debug) pins to the USB-C adapter board in the box.

It is completely open-source, and the hardware files and software are publicly available and hosted on GitHub. You can back the project for $249 on Crowd Supply and get a HealthyPi Move watch with a USB Type-C finger sensor and a SWD-to-USB programming adapter. Rewards are expected to ship by November 11, 2024.

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True Wireless Valve from Uhome Systems is a battery-powered, smart valve that is easy to install and integrate into your smart home setup. It is based on the Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840, a multiprotocol Bluetooth 5.4 SoC with support for Bluetooth Low Energy, Bluetooth mesh, Thread, NFC, and Zigbee.

True Wireless Valve can run on four AAA batteries for up to two years and can also be powered via a USB Type-C power supply. It offers a completely wireless experience with the option for battery power which removes the need for additional wiring and makes installation easier and safer.

It seamlessly integrates with Home Assistant and other smart home platforms via ZHA and Zigbee2MQTT. It can be paired with a leak detector such as the AquaPing and used to respond automatically to potential leaks in the home.

True Wireless Valve specifications:

• SoC –  Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840
  • CPU – 32-bit Cortex-M4 core with FPU @ 64 MHz
  • Connectivity – Bluetooth 5.4  (BLE, Bluetooth mesh, Thread, NFC, and Zigbee)
• Networking – Zigbee 3.0, (update to Thread/Matter in development)
• Power – USB Type-C or 4x AAA alkaline batteries
• Integration – ZHA (Home Assistant), Zigbee2MQTT
• Dimensions – 120 x 100 x 60 mm
• Size Options –  DN15 (1/2″), DN20 (3/4″), DN25 (1″)
• Protection Class – IP65

The product comes in two versions: a ball-valve version and a clamp version. The ball-valve variant is better suited for users who want to replace their current manual valve, with different dimensions and thread options. Users may require professional assistance in installation to ensure optimal performance and safety. The clamp version, on the other hand, is built for ease of use and convenient installation, and it can be attached to the existing manual valve easily without professional help.

The True Wireless Valve smart valve isn’t the cheapest option on the market, but it is open-source, can be battery-powered, and offers water resistance, unlike many alternatives. The project’s source code and hardware files are hosted on GitHub. Also, there is a getting started guide and an installation guide on the Uhome Systems website.

The True Wireless Valve project is currently accepting pledges on Crowd Supply, with a funding goal of $10,000. Both the ball valve and valve clamp versions are sold for $239, with an $8 shipping fee within the United States while an $18 shipping fee applies to the rest of the world. Orders are projected to ship by October 22, 2024.

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The Inkplate 6 MOTION is a new product from Soldered Electronics in their Inkplate series of wireless e-paper displays. It is a 6-inch e-paper display with a partial refresh rate of 11fps which reduces obvious latency in rendering dynamic content such as videos, animations, and scrolling text.

The display is driven by an STMicroelectronics dual-core STM32H743 microcontroller, with an ESP32-C3 as a secondary processor. It features Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for networking and a host of peripheral interfaces for physical connectivity. It includes several sensors such as a rotary encoder for quick navigation, a gravitational accelerometer with a gyroscope for tracking device orientation, and a motion detection sensor.

We covered the original Inkplate 6 display when it launched on Crowd Supply in 2019. The Inkplate 6 is much less expensive than the new model but has a lower screen resolution (800 x 600 px) and slower refresh rates (256ms). Furthermore, it lacks the sensors on the Inkplate 6 MOTION.

The Inkplate 6 MOTION display is a 1024 x 768px screen with speedy refresh rates and is therefore ideal for dynamic e-paper projects such as information panels, a mounted frame for digital art, a minimalist typewriter, or an e-reader.

Inkplate 6 specifications:

• Microcontroller – STMicroelectronics STM32H743ZIT6
• Co-controller – ESP32-C3 WiFi and BLE SoC
• RAM – 2MB RAM, 32 MB external DRAM (W9825G6KH-6)
• Storage – 1MB flash memory, microSD card slot
• Screen
  • Size – 6”
  • Resolution – 1024 x 758 pixels
  • Active Area – 90.6 x 122.4 mm
  • Pixel Density – 212 ppi
  • Modes – Black & white, or 4-bit greyscale
  • Colors – Black, white, and 14 shades of grey
  • Partial refresh – Supported for black & white and 4-bit greyscale modes
  • Partial refresh time – 91 ms
  • Full refresh time – 500ms (black & white), 800ms (greyscale)
• Connectivity
  • Network – Wi-Fi and Bluetooth via ESP32-C3
  • USB – USB-C (USB to UART via CH340C chip) for programming, power, and charging battery
  • easy-C Ecosystem connector
  • GPIO – 30+ pins for Ethernet, USB OTH, I²S, SDMMC, I²C, SPI, UART, and other protocols
• Power
  • Input – 5 V (USB Type-C) or 3.7 V (Li-ion battery)
  • Li-ion charger – Microchip MCP73831 linear charge management controller with LED indicator
  • E-paper PMIC – Texas Instruments TPS651851RSL
  • Current Draw –  22 μA
• Sensors
  • STMicroelectronics LSM6DSO32 accelerometer and gyroscope module
  • STHC3 temperature and humidity sensor
  • Front-facing sensor – Broadcom APDS-9960 for proximity, gesture, and color detection
• Misc – 3x user buttons, 2x WS2812B LED, PCAL6416A GPIO expander
• Board Dimensions – 144 x 108 mm
• Enclosure Dimensions – 161 x 116 x 15 mm

The device is easy to program by plugging it into a computer with a USB-C cable, connecting it to a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth network, and uploading a few lines of code. The Inkplate 6 MOTION is compatible with popular, open-source development tools such as Arduino IDE, MicroPython, Adafruit GFX, Home Assistant, and ESPHome.

Similar to the older models in the Inkplate family, the Inkplate 6 MOTION e-paper display itself is open-source, hardware and software. The Inkplate 6 MOTION’s Arduino library, MicroPython library, and hardware files are hosted on GitHub. Documentation is accessible via a Read The Docs website for the Inkplate family.

The Inkplate 6 MOTION recently launched on Crowd Supply, with a $10,000 funding goal (surpassed at the time of writing). The display itself is priced at $169. You can get the display with an enclosure for $189 or with an enclosure and a pre-installed battery for $199. There is free shipping within the United States while a $12 shipping fee applies to the rest of the world. All orders are expected to ship by September 19, 2024.

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Voidbox FLIP_C3 is an open-source hardware board powered by an ESP32-C3 WiFi & BLE microcontroller that takes up to 60V DC power input feeding a 5V/2A DC-DC step-down converter and flashed with ESPHome firmware by default for Home Assistant support.

The board incorporates a push-in spring release connector which means stranded (ferrules or tinning are suggested) and solid wires can be used in deploying the device in off-grid/battery-powered systems with up to 16s LiFePO4 delivering 48V through the 6-60V input port on the ESP32-C3 board. The onboard WS2812B LED can be used as a null pixel/level shifter for longer strings of addressable pixels.

The ESP32-C3 – due to its support for Wi-Fi and BLE connectivity – is a popular SoC for IoT solutions and powers home and industrial automation devices such as NanoCell v2.1, Spark Analyzer, LOLIN C3 Pico, and the LILYGO T-RSC3.

It is built for home automation applications and comes with ESPHome preloaded for easy integration with Home Assistant. However, it is easy to install other firmware such as Tasmota and WLED on the device via USB-C and over-the-air updates.

FLIP_C3 specifications:

• Microcontroller – ESP32-C3 RISC-V MCU @ 160 MHz, with Wi-Fi and BLE 5 connectivity pre-loaded with ESPHome for Home Assistant
• USB – USB-C for alternative power and programming; reverse current protection from DC input via diode
• Expansion
  • I2C and UART on JST SH1.0 4-pin connectors compatible with Stemma QT and Qwiic modules
  • 9-pin + 10-pin headers with GPIO, I2C, UART, 5V,. 3.3V, and GND
• Onboard LEDs
  • WS2812B RGB LED with D-Out sent to L8 on pin header
  • Status LED
• Buttons – Boot, Reset
• Onboard 5V/2A buck converter
  • Power – Up to 10W (with cooling)
  • Tolerant up to 50V DC for direct connection
  • 60V absolute max (with pre-charge resistor)
• Push-in, spring terminal for DC input
  • Solid: 24 – 16 AWG
  • Stranded: 22 – 18 AWG
  • 2x2P 2/54 pass-through power header for stacking

Typical applications of the FLIP_C3 board include:

• Deploying short runs of addressable LEDs using level-shifted output from WS2182B, and
• Reading Daly BMS data via UART and using the onboard buck converter to supply power from a 14s Li-ion or 16s LiFePo4 pack.

The board is open-source and hardware files are hosted on OSHWLab. A 3D DIN rail mount can be downloaded from printables.

The FLIP_C3 is available on Amazon and Tindie for $20. More information about the product and other VoidBox projects is available on the Voidbox wiki page.

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The Car Base Board from Applying Microcontroller Solutions is a modular platform for building robot car projects powered by the WeAct Studio Black Pill development board. The Black Pill board is an upgrade to the “Blue Pill 2” board and features the STM32F411CEU6 microcontroller running at 100MHz with 512 KB of flash memory, 128 KB SRAM, and a USB Type-C port for power and programming.

The Care Base Board printed circuit board is a base controller that takes hardware expansions such as wireless modules, servos, and sensors to monitor and control a robot car. The onboard headers provide a straightforward way to wire these connections and help prevent a tangled mess (rat’s nest) of wires.

The PCB’s design makes it easy to use widely-available, “generic” devices and boards in development and to power all of them with batteries. It also allows the developer to select their favorite wireless communication device. The Car Base Board adds another option to robotics development platforms we have previously covered such as M5Stack BugC2, EVN Alpha, and the Qualcomm RB5 platform.

Applying Microcontroller Solutions Car Base Board specifications:

• Supported MCU board – Weact Black Pill board based on STM32F411 Arm Cortex-M4F MCU @ 100 MHz with 512KB on-chip flash, 128KB on-chip SRAM, and 8 MB or 16 MB Flash (important since the flash is not present on all versions of the Black Bill)
• Motor Control
  • 6-pin connector for dual motor control
  • PCA9685 Servo Driver connector (6V servos)
  • 2x 3-pin Servo connector (5V servos)
• Monitors/Sensor for obstacle avoidance
  • Ultrasonic (SR-HC04/05)
  • 2x infrared slotted optical speed sensor
  • 3x infrared obstacle sensor/tracker
• Communication
  • Infrared Receiver (IR1838)
  • 6-pin UART port for connecting a Bluetooth module
  • NRF24 for 2.4GHz communication
• Display – I2C port for OLED display
• Power
  • 4.5 – 5.0V USB power from desktop computer via USB-C connector on Black Pill (3.3V power to Car Base Board)
  • Battery power from an external source via onboard Phoenix connector (5V to several headers via 5V regulator)

The Black Pill development can be programmed in STM32 C, Arduino, or MicroPython. Working MicroPython examples for different devices are available in the Base Board’s Github repository.

The Car Base Board is available for $14 on Tindie. Do note that the board is just the base controller, and you will need to acquire the STM32 BlackPill, vehicle chassis, modules, ribbon cables, battery, and other components yourself. The seller mentions that they may offer “an add-on product containing the devices, wiring, and chassis” if sufficient interest is indicated. More information is available in the GitHub repository.

The post Easily build a robot car with the Car Base Board for the STM32F411 “Black Pill” board appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

SparkFun has announced the M7E Hecto, a ‘simultaneous’ RFID reader in a compact form factor and high-performance capabilities. The RFID reader is powered by Jadak’s Hecto module (M7E-HECTO) from the ThingMagic series which offers a wide RF output range from 0 dBm to +27 dBm and reads up to 300 tags/second.

SparkFun M7E Hecto builds on the much older M6E Nano RFID reader, adding a USB-C port, increasing the read rate from 150 tags/second, and reducing power consumption. It supports an external antenna (sold separately) which extends the scanning distance up to 16 ft (4.8m) from the 1 to 2 ft (0.3m – 0.6m) range supported by the onboard antenna.

It does come with a warning to ensure that personnel are not directly in the radiation beam of the antenna while they are within 21cm of the antenna (to adhere to FCC limits for long-term exposure to RF emissions).

The high read/write rates and extended range offered by the M7E Hecto can improve processing speed in applications such as asset tracking, inventory management, authentication, access control, and retail checkout.

SparkFun M7E Hecto specifications:

• RFID module – JADAK ThingMagic Hecto RAIN RFID module, supports EPCglobal Gen 2 (ISO 18000-6C) with a nominal backscatter rate of 250kbps
• Separate read and write power levels, command adjustable from 0dBm to 27dBm in 0.01 dB steps
• Read Rate – Up to 300 tags/sec to read 96-bit EPC format
• Write Rate – 80ms for standard write of 96-bit EPC format
• Power via USB-C
  • Supply Voltage – 3.3V to 5V
  • Supply Current – 1A max
  • Consumption @ 5V
    • Full: 0.665W
    • Minsave: 0.140W
    • Sleep: 0.080W
• Operating Temperature Range – -40°C to 60°C (built-in thermal management)
• Serial Interfaces – USB-C connector and 0.1”-spaced PTH header (3.3V logic), 2-way switch for interface selection
• Enable and GPIO PTH pins
• Antenna
  • Integrated PCB trace antenna (Default)
  • u.FL connector for external antenna connection
• Dimensions – 60.96 mm x 35.56 mm

The M7E is supported by Jadak’s Universal Reader Assistant (only available on Windows) and the SparkFun Simultaneous RFID Tag Reader Arduino library which handles serial communication, byte manipulations, and CRC verifications. You can download the library through the Arduino library manager or SparkFun’s documentation website. The M7E Hecto is completely open-source and hardware schematics, production files, and documentation are hosted on GitHub.

You can get one from SparkFun for about $300 (with quantity discounts available).

The post SparkFun M7E Hecto is a simultaneous RFID Reader with USB-C connectivity and a range of up to 5m appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

We have covered announcements about early NXP i.MX 93-based system-on-modules such as the ADLINK OSM-IMX93 and Ka-Ro Electronics’ QS93, as well as products integrating the higher-end NXP i.MX 95 processor such as the Toradex Titan Evaluation kit. Three additional NXP i.MX 93 SoMs from Variscite, Dart, and Compulab are now available.

Targeted at industrial, IoT, and automotive applications, the NXP i.MX 93 features a 64-bit dual-core Arm Cortex-A55 application processor running at up to 1.7GHz and a Cortex-M33 co-processor running at up to 250MHz. It integrates an Arm Ethos-U65 microNPU, providing up to 0.5TOPS of computing power, and supports EdgeLock secure enclave, NXP’s hardware-based security subsystem. The heterogeneous multicore processing architecture allows the device to run Linux on the main core and a real-time operating system on the Cortex-M33 core.

The processor is designed for cost-effective and energy-efficient machine learning applications. It supports LVDS, MIPI-DS, and parallel RGB display protocols for industrial and non-industrial uses. It is also compatible with Linux, FreeRTOS, Greenhills, QNX, and VxWorks.

MYC-LMX9X System-on-Module

MYIR Tech’s MYC-LMX9X system-on-module is one of the most compact NXP i.MX 93 modules, at only 37mm by 39mm. It comes with 1 or 2GB LPDDR4 RAM, 8GB of eMMC storage, 32Kbit EEPROM, and an onboard power management IC (PMIC). The 218-pin expansion interface offers several connectivity options, including 2x USB 2.0, 3x SD/SDIO 3.01, 2x Gigabit Ethernet, and 2x CAN-FD interfaces.

The MYC-LMX9X is bound for applications in sectors such as healthcare equipment, human-machine interfaces, motion control, EV charging stations, and engineering machinery. It supports the Linux 6.1 operating system. The system-on-module is currently available in two SKUs on MYIR’s website, priced at $43 and $49 respectively. The development board comes with a USB to TTL cable, a 12V/2A Power adapter, and a quick start guide, and is available for $105 and $115.

DART-MX93 “DART Pin2Pin” System-on-Module

Variscite’s DART-MX93 is the newest addition to its DART Pin2Pin family. It is described as a “rugged, cost-optimized solution for machine learning on edge devices for markets like industrial, IoT, smart devices, and wearables.” Carrier boards can be reused for all members of the DART Pin2Pin family, offering future-proofing and seamless scalability.

It measures 55 x 30mm – about half the size of a bank card –  and integrates 2x camera interfaces (CSI2, ISI), 2x CAN bus, 2x GbE, audio in/out, 2x USB, Wi-Fi 6 dual-band 802.11 ax/ac/a/b/g/n with optional 802.15.4 and BT/BLE 5.3, in the industrial temperature grade of -40 to 85𝆩C. It supports Linux, Android, and FreeRTOS operating systems.

The DART-MX93 is currently only available to Variscite’s alpha customers in production quantities at $39 per unit and the public release is said to be “coming soon.” Evaluation kits are also available, including the scalable VAR-DT8MCustomBoard and an optional LVDS display with a touch panel. More information is available on the product page.

MCM-iMX93 System-on-Module

Compulab’s MCM-iMX93 system-on-module comes in a solderable QFN form factor and is the smallest module in this list, measuring only 30 x 30 x 3 mm and weighing 5g. The SoM’s compact form factor makes it suitable for portable and space-tight applications. It is also designed to be resistant to shocks and vibrations.

It offers up to 2GB LPDDR4 RAM and 64GB eMMC flash. It features 2x GbE ports, three display interfaces (DSI, LVDS, and RGB), an externally powered real-time clock, 2x SD/SDIO, 2x CAN, 2x USB 2.0, 8x UART, 4x ADC, 6x PWM, and up to 80x GPIO. It runs Yocto Linux, Debian Linux, and RTOS, and supports over-the-air updates via Mender.

The module is available from $32 for bulk orders and the evaluation kit is priced at a base price of $245. You can find more details and ordering information on the company’s website.

The post New NXP i.MX 93-based system-on-modules launched by MYiR, Variscite, and Compulab appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

We have covered announcements about early NXP i.MX 93-based system-on-modules such as the ADLINK OSM-IMX93 and Ka-Ro Electronics’ QS93, as well as products integrating the higher-end NXP i.MX 95 processor such as the Toradex Titan Evaluation kit. Three additional NXP i.MX 93 SoMs from Variscite, Dart, and Compulab are now available.

Targeted at industrial, IoT, and automotive applications, the NXP i.MX 93 features a 64-bit dual-core Arm Cortex-A55 application processor running at up to 1.7GHz and a Cortex-M33 co-processor running at up to 250MHz. It integrates an Arm Ethos-U65 microNPU, providing up to 0.5TOPS of computing power, and supports EdgeLock secure enclave, NXP’s hardware-based security subsystem. The heterogeneous multicore processing architecture allows the device to run Linux on the main core and a real-time operating system on the Cortex-M33 core.

The processor is designed for cost-effective and energy-efficient machine learning applications. It supports LVDS, MIPI-DS, and parallel RGB display protocols for industrial and non-industrial uses. It is also compatible with Linux, FreeRTOS, Greenhills, QNX, and VxWorks.

MYC-LMX9X System-on-Module

MYIR Tech’s MYC-LMX9X system-on-module is one of the most compact NXP i.MX 93 modules, at only 37mm by 39mm. It comes with 1 or 2GB LPDDR4 RAM, 8GB of eMMC storage, 32Kbit EEPROM, and an onboard power management IC (PMIC). The 218-pin expansion interface offers several connectivity options, including 2x USB 2.0, 3x SD/SDIO 3.01, 2x Gigabit Ethernet, and 2x CAN-FD interfaces.

The MYC-LMX9X is bound for applications in sectors such as healthcare equipment, human-machine interfaces, motion control, EV charging stations, and engineering machinery. It supports the Linux 6.1 operating system. The system-on-module is currently available in two SKUs on MYIR’s website, priced at $43 and $49 respectively. The development board comes with a USB to TTL cable, a 12V/2A Power adapter, and a quick start guide, and is available for $105 and $115.

DART-MX93 “DART Pin2Pin” System-on-Module

Variscite’s DART-MX93 is the newest addition to its DART Pin2Pin family. It is described as a “rugged, cost-optimized solution for machine learning on edge devices for markets like industrial, IoT, smart devices, and wearables.” Carrier boards can be reused for all members of the DART Pin2Pin family, offering future-proofing and seamless scalability.

It measures 55 x 30mm – about half the size of a bank card –  and integrates 2x camera interfaces (CSI2, ISI), 2x CAN bus, 2x GbE, audio in/out, 2x USB, Wi-Fi 6 dual-band 802.11 ax/ac/a/b/g/n with optional 802.15.4 and BT/BLE 5.3, in the industrial temperature grade of -40 to 85𝆩C. It supports Linux, Android, and FreeRTOS operating systems.

The DART-MX93 is currently only available to Variscite’s alpha customers in production quantities at $39 per unit and the public release is said to be “coming soon.” Evaluation kits are also available, including the scalable VAR-DT8MCustomBoard and an optional LVDS display with a touch panel. More information is available on the product page.

MCM-iMX93 System-on-Module

Compulab’s MCM-iMX93 system-on-module comes in a solderable QFN form factor and is the smallest module in this list, measuring only 30 x 30 x 3 mm and weighing 5g. The SoM’s compact form factor makes it suitable for portable and space-tight applications. It is also designed to be resistant to shocks and vibrations.

It offers up to 2GB LPDDR4 RAM and 64GB eMMC flash. It features 2x GbE ports, three display interfaces (DSI, LVDS, and RGB), an externally powered real-time clock, 2x SD/SDIO, 2x CAN, 2x USB 2.0, 8x UART, 4x ADC, 6x PWM, and up to 80x GPIO. It runs Yocto Linux, Debian Linux, and RTOS, and supports over-the-air updates via Mender.

The module is available from $32 for bulk orders and the evaluation kit is priced at a base price of $245. You can find more details and ordering information on the company’s website.

The post New NXP i.MX 93-based system-on-modules launched by MYiR, Variscite, and Compulab appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

The NanoCell V2.1 is a development board built around the Espressif ESP32-C3 SoC (system-on-a-chip) preloaded with ESPHome firmware for low-power applications and improved Lithium battery management. The development board is a white printed circuit board with gold-plated contacts and a battery fuel-gauge IC, designed by Frapais’ lab in Greece.

As the name suggests, the NanoCell V2.1 is the latest in a series of iterations of ESP32-C3-based devices targeted at low-power applications. Compared to earlier versions, it offers a better user experience and improved power efficiency.

It features a buck-boost converter that reduces standby current consumption to 66uA (excluding the current consumed by the ESP32 module). The battery management system (BMS) integrated circuit supports accurate capacity measurement and protects connected Lithium batteries from overcharging and other harmful scenarios. Also, two LEDs on the board serve as power and charging indicators to relay the board’s status.

It is based on the same ESP32 microcontroller as the Spark Analyzer, but is designed to serve as a platform for building battery-powered IoT and smart home devices. Other ESP32-based power management/monitoring boards we have previously covered include the ESP32-S3 PowerFeather board, Olimex ESP32-C3-DevKit-Lipo, and ThingPulse ePulse Feather C6.

NanoCell V2.1 specifications:

• Microcontroller – ESP32-C3 RISC-V microcontroller @ 160MHz, with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5 (LE)
• Battery Management
  • battery capacity measurement IC
  • Li-ion/Li-po battery charging & protection ICs
  • Accurate battery capacity measurement IC (MAX17048), accessible via I2C on pins 2 and 3.
• USB – USB Type-C for charging and uploading firmware
• Buttons – Reset and Boot
• LEDs – Charging and USB power LED indicators
• Breadboard-compatible pin headers break out all the pins of ESP32-C3, USB, battery, and VCC voltage.

The NanoCell V2.1 is designed to work seamlessly with Home Assistant and ESPHome automation systems. A setup guide is available in the NanoCell-C3 GitHub repository.

The NanoCell V2.1 is priced at $14.49 on Tindie and $14.90 on Elecrow (bulk discounts available). It is completely open-source, and hardware schematics and initialization firmware can be found in the earlier-mentioned GitHub repository.

The post NanoCell V2.1 battery-powered ESP32-C3 IoT board runs ESPHome for Home Assistant integration appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

SparkFun’s RTK Torch is a real-time kinematic (RTK) surveying device that offers tri-band reception, tilt compensation, and millimeter accuracy in a portable, waterproof enclosure.

It features an ESP32-WROOM module with 16MB flash and 2MB PSRAM, providing Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functionality. The onboard RTK-capable Unicore UM980 module receives various GNSS frequencies with high accuracy and supports all available constellations and frequencies. Also included is an STMicroelectronics STM32WLE5CCU6 MCU for obtaining corrections via LoRa radio.

The RTK Torch builds on the earlier RTK Facet, adding improvements such as wider reception, higher precision, and a more portable form factor. Like the Facet, the RTK Torch comes in a bundle that includes a carrying case, a 3m USB C-to-C charging cable, a 65W PD wall adapter, and a 1/4in. to 5/8in. antenna thread adapter.

It supports several operating modes including

• GNSS Positioning (~800mm accuracy) – also known as ‘Rover’
• GNSS Positioning with RTK (8mm accuracy) – using a local base station
• GNSS Positioning with PPP-RTK (14 to 60mm accuracy) – using PointPerfect corrections
• GNSS Positioning with Tilt Compensation
• GNSS Base Station
• GNSS Base Station NTRIP Server

It is well-suited for high-precision geolocation and GIS (Geographic Information System) mapping and can be used in applications such as land surveying, agriculture, and construction.

We have covered other GNSS RTK products with centimeter accuracy in the past, including HYFIX’s RTK Rover, ROCK Base, and the simpleRTK2B-SBC board.

SparkFun RTK Torch specifications:

• Wireless Transceiver – ESP32-WROOM module
  • CPU – Dual-core Xtensa 32-bit microprocessor @ 240MHz
  • Memory and Storage – 16MB flash, 2MB PSRAM, and 520KB internal SRAM
  • Wireless – Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, and Bluetooth (4.2 and BLE)
• GNSS Receiver – Unicore UM980 module, with 50Hz RTK data update rate
  • 1408-channel concurrent reception of GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, and QZSS signals
  • Horizontal Accuracy
    • Autonomous: 1.5m
    • DGPS: 0.4m
    • RTK: 0.8cm + 1 ppm
  • Vertical Accuracy
    • Autonomous: 2.5m
    • DGPS: 0.8m
    • RTK: 1.5cm + 1 ppm
  • Max Altitude: 18km (11 miles)
  • Max Velocity: 515m/s (1152mph)
• LoRa Radio – STM32WLE5CCU6 MCU, Arm Cortex-M4 core @ 48MHz with built-in LoRa
• USB – USB-C for power delivery and programming
• Internal Antenna: L1/L2/L5 with ≥ 2.3dBi gain
• Tilt Compensation – IM19 inertial management unit
• Misc – 7.2V 6.8Ahr 49Whr battery with 10W charging, single push-button control, 1W amplifier/front-end (centered at 900MHz)
• Weight – 428g (0.94lbs)
• Dimensions – 71 x 71 x 147mm

While the SparkFun RTK Torch comes in an enclosure rated IP67 (dust resistant and protection against immersion in water up to 1m), it is not recommended for permanent outdoor mounting.

It runs SparkFun’s universal firmware for RTK products, RTK Everywhere, which is open-source and hosted on GitHub. It also includes Zero-Touch RTK, a feature that enables the device to load corrections automatically with only the credentials for a Wi-Fi network. These corrections are retrieved via Wi-Fi from u-blox PointPerfect and are only available in the US, EU, and some parts of Australia, Canada, Brazil, and Korea. The product comes with a one-month free subscription to PointPerfect.

You can set up your phone to receive NMEA output from the RTK Torch over Bluetooth. The RTK Torch works with several Android and iOS GIS apps such as SW Maps (recommended), Survey Master Vespucci, QGIS, and QField with the last three being open-source.

With just the press of a button, the RTK Torch is the fastest way to take millimeter-grade measurements. By connecting your phone to the RTK Torch over Bluetooth, your phone or tablet can receive the NMEA output and work with most GIS software. This is exactly how professional-grade surveying devices have been operating for the past decade – we just made it faster, more precise, and a lot more economical.

The RTK Torch can be purchased via SparkFun’s shop and is currently priced at about $1500, with bulk discounts available. You can find more information about the product in the RTK Torch hookup guide and the RTK Everywhere manual.

The post SparkFun RTK Torch is a compact and waterproof GNSS surveyor with RTK functionality appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

The NanoCell V2.1 is a development board built around the Espressif ESP32-C3 SoC (system-on-a-chip) preloaded with ESPHome firmware for low-power applications and improved Lithium battery management. The development board is a white printed circuit board with gold-plated contacts and a battery fuel-gauge IC, designed by Frapais’ lab in Greece.

As the name suggests, the NanoCell V2.1 is the latest in a series of iterations of ESP32-C3-based devices targeted at low-power applications. Compared to earlier versions, it offers a better user experience and improved power efficiency.

It features a buck-boost converter that reduces standby current consumption to 66uA (excluding the current consumed by the ESP32 module). The battery management system (BMS) integrated circuit supports accurate capacity measurement and protects connected Lithium batteries from overcharging and other harmful scenarios. Also, two LEDs on the board serve as power and charging indicators to relay the board’s status.

It is based on the same ESP32 microcontroller as the Spark Analyzer, but is designed to serve as a platform for building battery-powered IoT and smart home devices. Other ESP32-based power management/monitoring boards we have previously covered include the ESP32-S3 PowerFeather board, Olimex ESP32-C3-DevKit-Lipo, and ThingPulse ePulse Feather C6.

NanoCell V2.1 specifications:

• Microcontroller – ESP32-C3 RISC-V microcontroller @ 160MHz, with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5 (LE)
• Battery Management
  • battery capacity measurement IC
  • Li-ion/Li-po battery charging & protection ICs
  • Accurate battery capacity measurement IC (MAX17048), accessible via I2C on pins 2 and 3.
• USB – USB Type-C for charging and uploading firmware
• Buttons – Reset and Boot
• LEDs – Charging and USB power LED indicators
• Breadboard-compatible pin headers break out all the pins of ESP32-C3, USB, battery, and VCC voltage.

The NanoCell V2.1 is designed to work seamlessly with Home Assistant and ESPHome automation systems. A setup guide is available in the NanoCell-C3 GitHub repository.

The NanoCell V2.1 is priced at $14.49 on Tindie and $14.90 on Elecrow (bulk discounts available). It is completely open-source, and hardware schematics and initialization firmware can be found in the earlier-mentioned GitHub repository.

The post NanoCell V2.1 battery-powered ESP32-C3 IoT board runs ESPHome for Home Assistant integration appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

SparkFun’s RTK Torch is a real-time kinematic (RTK) surveying device that offers tri-band reception, tilt compensation, and millimeter accuracy in a portable, waterproof enclosure.

It features an ESP32-WROOM module with 16MB flash and 2MB PSRAM, providing Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functionality. The onboard RTK-capable Unicore UM980 module receives various GNSS frequencies with high accuracy and supports all available constellations and frequencies. Also included is an STMicroelectronics STM32WLE5CCU6 MCU for obtaining corrections via LoRa radio.

The RTK Torch builds on the earlier RTK Facet, adding improvements such as wider reception, higher precision, and a more portable form factor. Like the Facet, the RTK Torch comes in a bundle that includes a carrying case, a 3m USB C-to-C charging cable, a 65W PD wall adapter, and a 1/4in. to 5/8in. antenna thread adapter.

It supports several operating modes including

• GNSS Positioning (~800mm accuracy) – also known as ‘Rover’
• GNSS Positioning with RTK (8mm accuracy) – using a local base station
• GNSS Positioning with PPP-RTK (14 to 60mm accuracy) – using PointPerfect corrections
• GNSS Positioning with Tilt Compensation
• GNSS Base Station
• GNSS Base Station NTRIP Server

It is well-suited for high-precision geolocation and GIS (Geographic Information System) mapping and can be used in applications such as land surveying, agriculture, and construction.

We have covered other GNSS RTK products with centimeter accuracy in the past, including HYFIX’s RTK Rover, ROCK Base, and the simpleRTK2B-SBC board.

SparkFun RTK Torch specifications:

• Wireless Transceiver – ESP32-WROOM module
  • CPU – Dual-core Xtensa 32-bit microprocessor @ 240MHz
  • Memory and Storage – 16MB flash, 2MB PSRAM, and 520KB internal SRAM
  • Wireless – Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, and Bluetooth (4.2 and BLE)
• GNSS Receiver – Unicore UM980 module, with 50Hz RTK data update rate
  • 1408-channel concurrent reception of GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, and QZSS signals
  • Horizontal Accuracy
    • Autonomous: 1.5m
    • DGPS: 0.4m
    • RTK: 0.8cm + 1 ppm
  • Vertical Accuracy
    • Autonomous: 2.5m
    • DGPS: 0.8m
    • RTK: 1.5cm + 1 ppm
  • Max Altitude: 18km (11 miles)
  • Max Velocity: 515m/s (1152mph)
• LoRa Radio – STM32WLE5CCU6 MCU, Arm Cortex-M4 core @ 48MHz with built-in LoRa
• USB – USB-C for power delivery and programming
• Internal Antenna: L1/L2/L5 with ≥ 2.3dBi gain
• Tilt Compensation – IM19 inertial management unit
• Misc – 7.2V 6.8Ahr 49Whr battery with 10W charging, single push-button control, 1W amplifier/front-end (centered at 900MHz)
• Weight – 428g (0.94lbs)
• Dimensions – 71 x 71 x 147mm

While the SparkFun RTK Torch comes in an enclosure rated IP67 (dust resistant and protection against immersion in water up to 1m), it is not recommended for permanent outdoor mounting.

It runs SparkFun’s universal firmware for RTK products, RTK Everywhere, which is open-source and hosted on GitHub. It also includes Zero-Touch RTK, a feature that enables the device to load corrections automatically with only the credentials for a Wi-Fi network. These corrections are retrieved via Wi-Fi from u-blox PointPerfect and are only available in the US, EU, and some parts of Australia, Canada, Brazil, and Korea. The product comes with a one-month free subscription to PointPerfect.

You can set up your phone to receive NMEA output from the RTK Torch over Bluetooth. The RTK Torch works with several Android and iOS GIS apps such as SW Maps (recommended), Survey Master Vespucci, QGIS, and QField with the last three being open-source.

With just the press of a button, the RTK Torch is the fastest way to take millimeter-grade measurements. By connecting your phone to the RTK Torch over Bluetooth, your phone or tablet can receive the NMEA output and work with most GIS software. This is exactly how professional-grade surveying devices have been operating for the past decade – we just made it faster, more precise, and a lot more economical.

The RTK Torch can be purchased via SparkFun’s shop and is currently priced at about $1500, with bulk discounts available. You can find more information about the product in the RTK Torch hookup guide and the RTK Everywhere manual.

The post SparkFun RTK Torch is a compact and waterproof GNSS surveyor with RTK functionality appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

ESParagus Media Center is a line of audio streamers from Sonocotta, all powered by an ESP32 microcontroller module. It includes the ESParagus HiFi MediaLink, Loud ESParagus, and the Louder ESParagus.

The ESP32-based audio centers can be used to power old stereo speaker systems that lack streaming capabilities. They are completely open-source, consume little power when not in use, and boot up in seconds.

The ESParagus Media Center products are based on the ESP32-WROVER microcontroller module with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and an onboard PSRAM chip. They are fitted with an external Wi-Fi antenna and the top-end model – the Louder ESParagus – is fitted with a W5500 LAN chip for Ethernet networking.

All three ESParagus Media Centers run squeezelite-esp32 firmware which supports Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay, and Logitech Media Server. Integrations with Home Assistant are possible and can be useful for multi-room configurations.

The Louder ESParagus is quite similar to the Louder Raspberry Pi media center we covered earlier, but it is powered by an ESP32 microcontroller rather than a single-board computer. Other audio streamers we have taken a look at include the PecanPi audio streamer and the Volumio Motivo.

ESParagus Media Centers specifications:

• Microcontroller – ESP32-WROVER microcontroller module, based on ESP32 dual-core 32-bit processor @ up to 240 MHz, up to 8MB PSRAM
• Flash – 16MB
• PSRAM – 8MB
• DAC
  • ESParagus HiFi MediaLink – TI PCM5100A 32-bit Stereo DAC (with -100 dB typical noise level)
  • Loud ESParagus – Dual I²S DAC (Adafruit MAX98357) with built-in D-Class amp
  • Louder ESParagus – Stereo I²S DAC (TI TAS5805M) with built-in D-Class amp
• Output
  • 2.1 VRMS line-level stereo output 3.5 mm jack
  • 2x 3W
  • 2x 22 W at 20 V over USB-PD
• Peripherals – External Wi-Fi Antenna, Adafruit WS2812B RGB LED, IR receiver, W5500 SPI Ethernet (Louder ESParagus)
•  Power
  • 3.3 V Ultra-Low-Noise LDO
  • 5 V from USB Type-C
  • Up to 20 V from USB Type-C PD
• Dimensions
  • ESParagus HiFi MediaLink and Loud ESParagus – 80 x 50 x 20 mm
  • Louder ESParagus – 100 x 80 x 38 mm

As mentioned earlier, the ESParagurus products are fully open-source, and design files, documentation, and other information can be found in the project’s GitHub repository and Hackaday.

The ESParagus Media Center lineup of ESP32 audio streamers has been launched on CrowdSupply with a $5000 funding goal. The ESParagus HiFi MediaLink and Loud ESParagus audio streamers are both priced at $45 while the Louder ESparagus version costs $69. There is free shipping within the United States and a $12 shipping fee applies to the rest of the world. Orders are expected to ship by November 12, 2024.

The post Sonocotta’s ESParagus “Media Center” is a series of ESP32-based, open-source audio streamers (Crowdfunding) appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

The NanoCell V2.1 is a development board built around the Espressif ESP32-C3 SoC (system-on-a-chip) preloaded with ESPHome firmware for low-power applications and improved Lithium battery management. The development board is a white printed circuit board with gold-plated contacts and a battery fuel-gauge IC, designed by Frapais’ lab in Greece.

As the name suggests, the NanoCell V2.1 is the latest in a series of iterations of ESP32-C3-based devices targeted at low-power applications. Compared to earlier versions, it offers a better user experience and improved power efficiency.

It features a buck-boost converter that reduces standby current consumption to 66uA (excluding the current consumed by the ESP32 module). The battery management system (BMS) integrated circuit supports accurate capacity measurement and protects connected Lithium batteries from overcharging and other harmful scenarios. Also, two LEDs on the board serve as power and charging indicators to relay the board’s status.

It is based on the same ESP32 microcontroller as the Spark Analyzer, but is designed to serve as a platform for building battery-powered IoT and smart home devices. Other ESP32-based power management/monitoring boards we have previously covered include the ESP32-S3 PowerFeather board, Olimex ESP32-C3-DevKit-Lipo, and ThingPulse ePulse Feather C6.

NanoCell V2.1 specifications:

• Microcontroller – ESP32-C3 RISC-V microcontroller @ 160MHz, with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5 (LE)
• Battery Management
  • battery capacity measurement IC
  • Li-ion/Li-po battery charging & protection ICs
  • Accurate battery capacity measurement IC (MAX17048), accessible via I2C on pins 2 and 3.
• USB – USB Type-C for charging and uploading firmware
• Buttons – Reset and Boot
• LEDs – Charging and USB power LED indicators
• Breadboard-compatible pin headers break out all the pins of ESP32-C3, USB, battery, and VCC voltage.

The NanoCell V2.1 is designed to work seamlessly with Home Assistant and ESPHome automation systems. A setup guide is available in the NanoCell-C3 GitHub repository.

The NanoCell V2.1 is priced at $14.49 on Tindie and $14.90 on Elecrow (bulk discounts available). It is completely open-source, and hardware schematics and initialization firmware can be found in the earlier-mentioned GitHub repository.

The post NanoCell V2.1 battery-powered ESP32-C3 IoT board runs ESPHome for Home Assistant integration appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

SparkFun’s RTK Torch is a real-time kinematic (RTK) surveying device that offers tri-band reception, tilt compensation, and millimeter accuracy in a portable, waterproof enclosure.

It features an ESP32-WROOM module with 16MB flash and 2MB PSRAM, providing Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functionality. The onboard RTK-capable Unicore UM980 module receives various GNSS frequencies with high accuracy and supports all available constellations and frequencies. Also included is an STMicroelectronics STM32WLE5CCU6 MCU for obtaining corrections via LoRa radio.

The RTK Torch builds on the earlier RTK Facet, adding improvements such as wider reception, higher precision, and a more portable form factor. Like the Facet, the RTK Torch comes in a bundle that includes a carrying case, a 3m USB C-to-C charging cable, a 65W PD wall adapter, and a 1/4in. to 5/8in. antenna thread adapter.

It supports several operating modes including

• GNSS Positioning (~800mm accuracy) – also known as ‘Rover’
• GNSS Positioning with RTK (8mm accuracy) – using a local base station
• GNSS Positioning with PPP-RTK (14 to 60mm accuracy) – using PointPerfect corrections
• GNSS Positioning with Tilt Compensation
• GNSS Base Station
• GNSS Base Station NTRIP Server

It is well-suited for high-precision geolocation and GIS (Geographic Information System) mapping and can be used in applications such as land surveying, agriculture, and construction.

We have covered other GNSS RTK products with centimeter accuracy in the past, including HYFIX’s RTK Rover, ROCK Base, and the simpleRTK2B-SBC board.

SparkFun RTK Torch specifications:

• Wireless Transceiver – ESP32-WROOM module
  • CPU – Dual-core Xtensa 32-bit microprocessor @ 240MHz
  • Memory and Storage – 16MB flash, 2MB PSRAM, and 520KB internal SRAM
  • Wireless – Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, and Bluetooth (4.2 and BLE)
• GNSS Receiver – Unicore UM980 module, with 50Hz RTK data update rate
  • 1408-channel concurrent reception of GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, and QZSS signals
  • Horizontal Accuracy
    • Autonomous: 1.5m
    • DGPS: 0.4m
    • RTK: 0.8cm + 1 ppm
  • Vertical Accuracy
    • Autonomous: 2.5m
    • DGPS: 0.8m
    • RTK: 1.5cm + 1 ppm
  • Max Altitude: 18km (11 miles)
  • Max Velocity: 515m/s (1152mph)
• LoRa Radio – STM32WLE5CCU6 MCU, Arm Cortex-M4 core @ 48MHz with built-in LoRa
• USB – USB-C for power delivery and programming
• Internal Antenna: L1/L2/L5 with ≥ 2.3dBi gain
• Tilt Compensation – IM19 inertial management unit
• Misc – 7.2V 6.8Ahr 49Whr battery with 10W charging, single push-button control, 1W amplifier/front-end (centered at 900MHz)
• Weight – 428g (0.94lbs)
• Dimensions – 71 x 71 x 147mm

While the SparkFun RTK Torch comes in an enclosure rated IP67 (dust resistant and protection against immersion in water up to 1m), it is not recommended for permanent outdoor mounting.

It runs SparkFun’s universal firmware for RTK products, RTK Everywhere, which is open-source and hosted on GitHub. It also includes Zero-Touch RTK, a feature that enables the device to load corrections automatically with only the credentials for a Wi-Fi network. These corrections are retrieved via Wi-Fi from u-blox PointPerfect and are only available in the US, EU, and some parts of Australia, Canada, Brazil, and Korea. The product comes with a one-month free subscription to PointPerfect.

You can set up your phone to receive NMEA output from the RTK Torch over Bluetooth. The RTK Torch works with several Android and iOS GIS apps such as SW Maps (recommended), Survey Master Vespucci, QGIS, and QField with the last three being open-source.

With just the press of a button, the RTK Torch is the fastest way to take millimeter-grade measurements. By connecting your phone to the RTK Torch over Bluetooth, your phone or tablet can receive the NMEA output and work with most GIS software. This is exactly how professional-grade surveying devices have been operating for the past decade – we just made it faster, more precise, and a lot more economical.

The RTK Torch can be purchased via SparkFun’s shop and is currently priced at about $1500, with bulk discounts available. You can find more information about the product in the RTK Torch hookup guide and the RTK Everywhere manual.

The post SparkFun RTK Torch is a compact and waterproof GNSS surveyor with RTK functionality appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

ESParagus Media Center is a line of audio streamers from Sonocotta, all powered by an ESP32 microcontroller module. It includes the ESParagus HiFi MediaLink, Loud ESParagus, and the Louder ESParagus.

The ESP32-based audio centers can be used to power old stereo speaker systems that lack streaming capabilities. They are completely open-source, consume little power when not in use, and boot up in seconds.

The ESParagus Media Center products are based on the ESP32-WROVER microcontroller module with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and an onboard PSRAM chip. They are fitted with an external Wi-Fi antenna and the top-end model – the Louder ESParagus – is fitted with a W5500 LAN chip for Ethernet networking.

All three ESParagus Media Centers run squeezelite-esp32 firmware which supports Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay, and Logitech Media Server. Integrations with Home Assistant are possible and can be useful for multi-room configurations.

The Louder ESParagus is quite similar to the Louder Raspberry Pi media center we covered earlier, but it is powered by an ESP32 microcontroller rather than a single-board computer. Other audio streamers we have taken a look at include the PecanPi audio streamer and the Volumio Motivo.

ESParagus Media Centers specifications:

• Microcontroller – ESP32-WROVER microcontroller module, based on ESP32 dual-core 32-bit processor @ up to 240 MHz, up to 8MB PSRAM
• Flash – 16MB
• PSRAM – 8MB
• DAC
  • ESParagus HiFi MediaLink – TI PCM5100A 32-bit Stereo DAC (with -100 dB typical noise level)
  • Loud ESParagus – Dual I²S DAC (Adafruit MAX98357) with built-in D-Class amp
  • Louder ESParagus – Stereo I²S DAC (TI TAS5805M) with built-in D-Class amp
• Output
  • 2.1 VRMS line-level stereo output 3.5 mm jack
  • 2x 3W
  • 2x 22 W at 20 V over USB-PD
• Peripherals – External Wi-Fi Antenna, Adafruit WS2812B RGB LED, IR receiver, W5500 SPI Ethernet (Louder ESParagus)
•  Power
  • 3.3 V Ultra-Low-Noise LDO
  • 5 V from USB Type-C
  • Up to 20 V from USB Type-C PD
• Dimensions
  • ESParagus HiFi MediaLink and Loud ESParagus – 80 x 50 x 20 mm
  • Louder ESParagus – 100 x 80 x 38 mm

As mentioned earlier, the ESParagurus products are fully open-source, and design files, documentation, and other information can be found in the project’s GitHub repository and Hackaday.

The ESParagus Media Center lineup of ESP32 audio streamers has been launched on CrowdSupply with a $5000 funding goal. The ESParagus HiFi MediaLink and Loud ESParagus audio streamers are both priced at $45 while the Louder ESparagus version costs $69. There is free shipping within the United States and a $12 shipping fee applies to the rest of the world. Orders are expected to ship by November 12, 2024.

The post Sonocotta’s ESParagus “Media Center” is a series of ESP32-based, open-source audio streamers (Crowdfunding) appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

ESParagus Media Center is a line of audio streamers from Sonocotta, all powered by an ESP32 microcontroller module. It includes the ESParagus HiFi MediaLink, Loud ESParagus, and the Louder ESParagus.

The ESP32-based audio centers can be used to power old stereo speaker systems that lack streaming capabilities. They are completely open-source, consume little power when not in use, and boot up in seconds.

The ESParagus Media Center products are based on the ESP32-WROVER microcontroller module with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and an onboard PSRAM chip. They are fitted with an external Wi-Fi antenna and the top-end model – the Louder ESParagus – is fitted with a W5500 LAN chip for Ethernet networking.

All three ESParagus Media Centers run squeezelite-esp32 firmware which supports Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay, and Logitech Media Server. Integrations with Home Assistant are possible and can be useful for multi-room configurations.

The Louder ESParagus is quite similar to the Louder Raspberry Pi media center we covered earlier, but it is powered by an ESP32 microcontroller rather than a single-board computer. Other audio streamers we have taken a look at include the PecanPi audio streamer and the Volumio Motivo.

ESParagus Media Centers specifications:

• Microcontroller – ESP32-WROVER microcontroller module, based on ESP32 dual-core 32-bit processor @ up to 240 MHz, up to 8MB PSRAM
• Flash – 16MB
• PSRAM – 8MB
• DAC
  • ESParagus HiFi MediaLink – TI PCM5100A 32-bit Stereo DAC (with -100 dB typical noise level)
  • Loud ESParagus – Dual I²S DAC (Adafruit MAX98357) with built-in D-Class amp
  • Louder ESParagus – Stereo I²S DAC (TI TAS5805M) with built-in D-Class amp
• Output
  • 2.1 VRMS line-level stereo output 3.5 mm jack
  • 2x 3W
  • 2x 22 W at 20 V over USB-PD
• Peripherals – External Wi-Fi Antenna, Adafruit WS2812B RGB LED, IR receiver, W5500 SPI Ethernet (Louder ESParagus)
•  Power
  • 3.3 V Ultra-Low-Noise LDO
  • 5 V from USB Type-C
  • Up to 20 V from USB Type-C PD
• Dimensions
  • ESParagus HiFi MediaLink and Loud ESParagus – 80 x 50 x 20 mm
  • Louder ESParagus – 100 x 80 x 38 mm

As mentioned earlier, the ESParagurus products are fully open-source, and design files, documentation, and other information can be found in the project’s GitHub repository and Hackaday.

The ESParagus Media Center lineup of ESP32 audio streamers has been launched on CrowdSupply with a $5000 funding goal. The ESParagus HiFi MediaLink and Loud ESParagus audio streamers are both priced at $45 while the Louder ESparagus version costs $69. There is free shipping within the United States and a $12 shipping fee applies to the rest of the world. Orders are expected to ship by November 12, 2024.

The post Sonocotta’s ESParagus “Media Center” is a series of ESP32-based, open-source audio streamers (Crowdfunding) appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

Taiwanese wireless equipment manufacturer, Alfa Networks, and US-based Wi-Fi HaLow semiconductor company, Newracom, have collaborated to develop the AHST7394S Wi-Fi HaLow module.

The solder-down module is based on Newracom’s NRC7394 SoC, a low-cost and high-efficiency HaLow SoC chipset providing up to 17dbm output power and capable of connecting to a maximum of 8K devices within a single network. The NRC7394 also supports a standalone mode, which enables the execution of a wide range of IoT applications on the embedded ARM Cortex-M3 CPU. While HaLow is more energy-efficient than other Wi-Fi types, low-power operation modes such as legacy, TWT, and WMM-PS can reduce power consumption further.

The AHST7394S Wi-Fi HaLow module supports a data rate of up to 15Mbps, over 600 times faster than LoRaWAN while maintaining a good range (over 1km). The second-generation HaLow module is perfect for building long-range, ultra-low-power networks in sub-1 GHz, license-exempt frequency bands. It is a compact module, measuring 20 x 17mm, and supports Wi-Fi HaLow for North America, Europe, and Asia.

It is ideal for various IoT applications such as weather stations, industrial monitoring, medical patient monitoring, agriculture, and surveillance cameras.

Alfa Networks has released other Wi-Fi HaLow products, namely the Halow-U USB adapter and the AHPI7292S Raspberry Pi HAT. Offerings from Newracom’s competitor, Morse Micro, include the MM6104 and MM6108 Wi-Fi HaLow SoCs.

Alfa Networks AHST7394S specifications:

• SoC – Newracom NRC7394
• Connectivity
  • Standard – 802.11ah (HaLow)
  • Frequency – 915 MHz (US), 868 MHz (EU), 924 MHz (JP)
  • Data rate – Up to 15 Mbps (max. Phy rate)
  • Channel bandwidth – 1/2/4 MHz
  • Modulation – OFDM with BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM
  • Antenna connector –  IPEX/U.FL antenna connector
  • Host Interface – SPI and UART support
• Operating Temperature – -20°C to 60°C
• Dimensions – 20 x 17 mm
• Form Factor – Solder-down module

The AHST7394S WiFi HaLow module comes in three different product variants, targeted at different regions: AHST7394S-915 (902 MHz – 928 MHz), AHST7394S-868 (863 MHz – 868 MHz), and AHST7394S-924 (920.5 – 927.5 MHz). The module’s product page is live on Alfa Networks’s website but there is no information about pricing and availability. However, you can request more information / ask for a quote via the Contact Us link.

Thanks to TLS for the tip.

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M5Stack CoreMP135 is an industrial control host powered by the STM32MP135DAE7 Arm Cortex-A7 core microprocessor running at 1GHz, equipped with up to 512MB DDR3L SDRAM memory, and loaded with high-performance interfaces such as two Gigabit Ethernet ports, three USB ports, two CAN FD interfaces, two Grove interfaces, and an “HD” video output.

An integrated PWR485 communication board bundles a 9V to 24V power input and an RS485 interface. The device also features a microSD card slot for storage, a small IPS capacitive touch screen, and a 1W speaker for human-machine interaction.

The CoreMP135 is designed for low-power consumption and uses an Allwinner AXP2101 chip for power management. It supports scheduled wake-up and sleep with an integrated real-time clock (BM8563 module). The device runs Linux and comes with a microSD card loaded with the Debian operating system, simplifying setup and allowing usage out of the box. A DIN rail base plate on the bottom allows for easy mounting and installation on a DIN rail.

M5Stack CoreMP135 specifications:

• MPU – STMicroelectronics STM32MP135DAE7 microprocessor, featuring single-core Arm Cortex-A7 CPU @ 1GHz
• Memory – 4Gbit (512MB) DDR3L SDRAM
• Storage – microSD card slot
• Display
  • 2.0-inch IPS capacitive touchscreen
  • 1x HD video output (LT8618SXB HDMI 1.4 transmitter, supports up to 24 bits of color depth). Note: M5Stack does not use “HDMI” wording because it requires an extra license.
• Ethernet – 2x Gigabit Ethernet
• USB – 2x USB 2.0 Type-A, 1x USB-C (OTG, Power)
• Expansion
  • 2x Grove (I2C and UART) interfaces
  • PWR485 expansion – 9~24V power input and RS485 interface
• Power Supply
  • 12V @ 2A via DC power socket, 5V@3A via USB-C
  • AXP2101 PMIC
• Misc – 1W speaker (16-bit, I2S), DIN rail base plate
• Operating Temperature – 0°C – 40°C
• Dimensions – 54 x 54 x 34.5mm
• Weight – 99.5 grams

The documentation page contains more information if you want to learn more about the product. M5Stack has released similar devices to the CoreMP135 in the past, often based on ESP32 microcontrollers, including the Core2 devkit, Core3, and AtomS3 Lite, and Espressif Systems has very recently acquired a majority stake in the company. The CoreMP135, however, differs in its ability to run a full Linux operating system.

The CoreMP135 is mostly targeted at industrial automation, IoT edge gateways, Smart Home, multimedia entertainment devices, and robot motion control. It is currently available for $75 on Aliexpress or  M5Stack’s store.

The post M5Stack CoreMP135 – A Linux-powered industrial controller based on STM32MP135 Cortex-A7 MPU appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

The Bulgarian hardware manufacturer, Olimex, has designed a new ESP32 board with Power over Ethernet (PoE) functionality. The Olimex ESP32-POE2 board builds on the original ESP32-POE and features the same ESP32-WROOM-32 microcontroller module with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. However, it supports up to 25W power delivery from the Ethernet port via PoE and can be used in more demanding projects.

The Olimex ESP32-POE2 board features a low-power design and consumes only 200µA in deep sleep mode. The board can be powered via USB-C, Ethernet, or Li-Po battery. The Ethernet interface is built on Texas Instruments’ TPS2378PW chip with IEEE 802.3at classification and legacy PoE support. Powering with PoE requires at least 37V DC for seamless operation.

Two proprietary connectors (UEXT and EXT1) can be used to add sensors and other modules and expand the board’s operation for IoT projects. Users can select between 24V/0.75A or 12V/1.5A power output, with a 5V/1.5A output also available.

Olimex ESP32-POE2 specifications:

• Wireless module – ESP32-WROOM-32 module with 802.11 b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth LE
• External Storage – micro SD card (1-bit mode)
• Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet with PoE power management based on TI TPS2378PW IEEE 802.3at Type 1-compliant chip
• Expansion
  • UEXT connector for Olimex modules
  • EXT connector
  • Debugging/Programming – USB-C port + CH340 serial to TTL chip
• Misc – User button, Reset button, battery level monitor pin, external power supply detection pin
• Power Supply
  • USB-C port port
  • Via Ethernet cable thanks to PoE
  • 2-pin header for LiPo battery
• External Power Supply
  • 24V/0.75A or 12V/1.5A to external circuit
  • 5V/1.5A to external circuit
• Operating Temperature – 0°C – 70°C
• Dimensions – 59 x 90 mm

ESP32-POE2 is supported by all the popular development platforms: Espressif ESP-IDF, MicroPython, ESPHome, PlatformIO, and Arduino.

Like the original board, the ESP32-POE2 is open-source hardware and KiCAD hardware design files, software, and documentation are hosted in the project’s repository on GitHub. The board is priced at €21 (about $22) and can be bought at Olimex’s store, with bulk discounts available.

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Austrian embedded equipment manufacturer, Ronetix, has released two i.MX93 system-on-modules (SoMs): the RNX-iMX93-OSM that follows the Open Standard Module (OSM) form factor, and the RNX-iMX93-SMARC compliant with the SMARC 2.1 (smart mobility architecture) standard.

Ronetix i.MX93 SoMs are powered by the NXP i.MX93 processor featuring a 64-bit dual-core Arm Cortex-A55 application processor running at 1.7GHz and a Cortex-M33 core running at 250MHz for low-latency and real-time tasks. The SoC supports up to 2GB LPDDR4 RAM and 512GB eMMC storage, and the integrated Arm Ethos-U65 microNPU offers up to 0.5 TOPS of computing power for machine vision applications and intelligent energy management (IEM). Applicable for industrial automation and IoT, the SoMs also feature two CAN and Ethernet interfaces to aid high-speed data transfer.

Other hardware featuring the i.MX93 that we have covered recently include the ADLINK OSM-IMX93, MaaXBoard OSM93, and Ka-Ro Electronics’ QS93.

The RNX-iMX93-SMARC system-on-module comes in 82 x 50mm SMARC form factor while the RNX-iMX93-OSM system-on-module comes in the solderable, 45 x 45mm, OSM-L form factor.

Ronetix RNX-iMX93-SMARC / RNX-iMX93-OSM specifications:

• SoC – NXP i.MX 93 dual-core Cortex-A55 processor @ up to 1.7 GHz,  with Arm Cortex-M33 co-processor @ 250 MHz, and 0.5TOPS Arm Ethos-U65 microNPU
• Memory – 1GB LPDDR4
• Storage – 4GB eMMC (optional: up to 64GB)
• Display
  • 1080p60 MIPI-DSI (4-lane, 1.5Gbps/lane) with PHY
  • 720p60 LVDS (4-lane)
• Camera – 1080p60 MIPI-CSI (2-lane, 1.5Gbps/lane) with PHY
• Ethernet – 2x Gigabit Ethernet
• Wireless: SparkLan AP6275SDSR or AzureWave AW-CM276NF Wi-Fi + BT module (optional)
  • 802.11ax, dual-band Wi-Fi 6
  • Bluetooth 5.0 Secure Connection Compliant
• Peripherals
  • USB – 4x USB 2.0 (with USB hub), 2x USB 2.0 (without USB hub)
  • Up to 5x UART ports (OSM SoM only)
  • MMC/SD/SDIO
  • 2x SPI, 2x I2C, 2x CAN
  • Up to 4x general purpose PWM signals (OSM SoM only)
  • GPIOs
• Supply Voltage – 5V
• Form Factor
  • OSM Size-L – 45x45mm
  • SMARC – 82x50mm
• Temperature Range – 0°C to 70°C, -40°C to 80°C (optional)
• Relative Humidity – 10% to 90%
• Mean Time to Failure (MTTF) – >200000 hours
• Software – Yocto, Linux Kernel, U-BOOT

The system-on-modules are provided with the Linux Yocto distribution, an open-source project for embedded development. Carrier boards, RNX-OSM-CARRIER and RNX-SMARC-CARRIER, are also available for evaluation and integration purposes.

The Ronetix RNX-iMX93-OSM module costs €120 (about $128) and the RNX-iMX93-SMARC module is priced at $135. The carrier boards are sold for $280 each. You can purchase the system-on-modules online from the shop and get more technical information on the wiki.

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Louder Raspberry Pi is an open-source home media center based on a combination of the Raspberry Pi Zero W or Zero 2 W and the Texas Instruments TAS5805M DAC. It is an audio entertainment platform created by Andriy Malyshenko of Sonocotta, a Polish electronics hobbyist and maker.

Louder Raspberry Pi incorporates the computing power of the Raspberry Pi Zero and the Hi-Fi audio processing capabilities of TI’s TAS5805M DAC in a compact, aluminum case. The device delivers up to 25W per channel stereo output and is powered via a 65W+ USB-C PD3.0 adapter. It is “aimed to be paired with medium-to-large speaker systems” and supports both Wi-Fi and Ethernet.

The Raspberry Pi board was selected over other lightweight alternatives due to the ease of development it offers. The Raspberry Pi Zero board is small enough to make for an overall compact device and powerful enough to handle the demands of a home media center.

Louder Raspberry Pi specifications:

• SBC – Raspberry Pi Zero W or Raspberry Pi Zero 2W (Broadcom BCM2835 SoC single-core, 32-bit ARM11 @ 1GHz or Broadcom BCM2710A1 SoC quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 @ 1 GHz)
• DAC – Texas Instruments TAS5805M with built-in D-Class amp
• Ethernet – Wiznet W5500 SPI Ethernet
• USB – 1x USB-C PD3.0 for power delivery and serial port
• Audio Output – 2x 22W at 20V input over USB-PD
• Misc – 1x IR reader, 2-pin speaker terminal
• Power – 65W+ USB-C power adapter
• Dimensions – 88 x 38 x 100mm

Louder Raspberry Pi is part of a line of Raspberry Pi-based media center devices from Sonocotta, a series that also includes Loud Raspberry Pi (work-in-progress) and Hi-Fi Raspberry Pi. You can set up your audio server using Volumio, Mopidy, or your favorite music player software. However, your operating system will need to be configured to work with the TAS5805M DAC. Instructions and associated code are available in a GitHub repository.

The device is priced at $35 for the base board and DAC on Tindie. The Raspberry Pi Zero W version costs $55 while the Zero 2 W version can be bought for $60. Adding a Lenovo 32GB Class 10 SD card incurs a $10 additional cost. If you want to build your own Louder Raspberry Pi, board schematics, PCB designs, and detailed information about the device are available in the Sonocotta media center repository.

The post Louder Raspberry Pi is an open-source home media center that is powered by Raspberry Pi Zero and a TI TAS5805M DAC appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

European engineer, Matej Planinšek of PLab, has developed the FOCn — a medium-power BLDC driver module based on ESP32-S3 WiSoC capable of delivering up to 10A of continuous current. It is compatible with the SimpleFOC Arduino library making it easier to control BLDC (brushless direct current) and stepper motors with the field-oriented control algorithm.

The developer was inspired to create the FOCn module when their search for a custom-made, SimpleFOC-compatible driver module that met all their requirements failed. The name is related to field-oriented control (FOC) and also means “face slap” in Slovenian, Matej’s native language.

The driver module is based on the ESP32-S3 dual-core XTensa LX7 microcontroller which provides Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. The microcontroller further supports ESP-NOW, a low-power and low-latency communication protocol, which makes it possible for multiple FOCn boards to talk to one another.

FOCn driver module specifications:

• MCU – ESP32-S3 dual-core XTensa LX7 microcontroller @ 240MHz
• Wireless – 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5 (LE)
• USB – USB Type-C for programming and debugging
• Pluggable terminal block
  • Input voltage – 9V to 45V (3s – 10s lithium)
  • Input current – 10A constant, fuse protected
  • Phase current – 10A constant, 25A peak (more possible with enhanced cooling)
  • Phase current measurement range – +-38A
  • PWM
    • Output current – 5A average
    • Load type – Supports inductive loads (flyback diode protection)
  • Hall/encoder supply voltage – 5V
  • Allowable external load on 5V supply – 300mA
  • 2x auxiliary input for I2C encoders
• Idle current consumption (motor driver disabled, MCU seep sleep) – <200uA
• Gate driver with shunt amplifier – DRV8323
• Dimensions – 85.4 x 62 mm

The USB-C port on the board can be used to program and debug the driver module. Extra cooling (heat sink or cooling fan) may be required in situations that require prolonged high motor current currents (>10A) and high ambient temperatures (>35°C).

The FOCn project is completely open-source. 3D models, schematics, Altium files, and documentation for the project are hosted on the FOCn GitHub repository, together with a PlatformIO project example.  For more information about the driver module, you can refer to the earlier-mentioned repository or the project page on Hackaday. It is available for purchase on Tindie for $64.

Via Hackster

The post FOCn ESP32-S3-based, medium-power BLDC driver module supports SimpleFOC appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

UK-based hardware developer, SB Components, has designed a new LoRaWAN product series (gateways and nodes) for the Raspberry Pi SBCs, Raspberry Pi Pico, ESP32, and other hardware, based on RAKWireless RAK5146 and RAK3172 modules.

The products are available in up to five variants (plus two relay boards) and are built to cater to hobbyists with different needs. They support several LoRaWAN server platforms including The Things Stack, Chirpstack, and Helium, with adaptive spreading factors, coding rates, and bandwidth configurations.

The LoRaWAN products include:

• Gateways – RAK5146 LoRaWAN Gateway HAT and RAK3172 LoRaWAN Gateway HAT for the Raspberry Pi SBCs
• Nodes – RAK3172 LoRaWAN Module (Powered by Raspberry Pi Pico), Raspberry Pi RP2040 USB Dongle, RAK3172 LoRaWAN Module (powered by ESP32), LoRaWAN Breakout, GatePi LoRaWAN 4-Ch Relay, GatePi LoRaWAN 8-Ch Relay

LoRaWAN (long-range wide access network) uses the LoRa modulation technique to transmit data over large distances. In a LoRAWAN network, nodes are the devices that interface with other electronic components and collect data or perform actions within the IoT ecosystem while gateways transmit the data to the central network server for processing and analysis.

The relay boards, GatePi LoRaWAN 4-ch and 8-ch, are both powered by the  RP2040 microcontroller chip with an RAK3172 transceiver module. They feature a “remote power switch” that can be used to turn on and control devices remotely and they can be used in industrial automation, home automation, and agriculture.

RAK5146 LoRaWAN Gateway HAT specifications:

• Core – Semtech SX1303 baseband processor
• Up to 125kHz LoRa reception, with
  • 8x SF5-SF12 LoRa demodulators
  • 8x SF5-SF10 LoRa demodulators
  • 1x 125/250/500 kHz high-speed LoRa demodulator
  • 1x (G)FSK demodulator
• 1x SPI interface
• Fine Timestamp (enables simultaneous reception of up to 8 packets)
• LoRaWAN frequency bands – EU868, CN470, US915, AS923, AU915, KR920, and IN865

RAK3172 LoRaWAN Node (Raspberry Pi Pico / USB Dongle / ESP32) specifications:

• SoC
  • Raspberry Pi Pico/Pico W (Arm Cortex-M0 microcontroller @ 133 MHz with 264KB memory and 2MB storage); RAK3172 transceiver module based on STM32WLE5CC chip
  • ESP32-S3 series (Xtensa dual-core 32-bit LX7 microprocessor @ 240 MHz with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) and Bluetooth 5 (LE), 16MB storage, and 8MB memory); RAK3172 transceiver module based on STM32WLE5CC chip
• Storage – microSD card for data logging
• Display – 1.14-inch RGB TFT display, 240 x 135px, 65K/262K colors; ST7789 display driver via SPI interface

• USB
  • LoRaWAN Node Expansion Board – USB Type-C for power and LoRa module configuration
  • LoRaWAN USB Dongle – Type A interface for programming and powering board
• Pico/ESP32 GPIOs available for connecting sensors and actuators (absent on dongle)
• Header breakout for configuring LoRa Module or standalone use with USB to TTL device (absent on expansion board)
• Misc – 2x programmable buttons, onboard power status LED indicator, buzzer for audio alerts and notifications, boot and reset buttons (absent on dongle), battery connector (only ESP32 board)

RAK3172 LoRaWAN Gateway HAT / Breakout Module specifications:

• Core – STM32WLE5CC microcontroller, Arm Cortex-M4 core @ 48MHz with 256KB flash memory and 64KB SRAM
• HAT compatible with Raspberry Pi 40-pin header
• 1x SPI interface, 1x UART interface (easy-to-use AT command set)
• Display – 1.14-inch RGB TFT display, 240 x 135px, 65K/262K colors; ST7789 display driver via SPI interface
• 1x USB Type C interface for standalone access to LPWAN module for configuration
• 2x programmable buttons for additional control
• 1x buzzer for audio alerts in projects
• Supported bands: (EU433, CN470, RU864, IN865, EU868, AU915, US915, KR920, and AS923)

GatePi LoRaWAN 4-ch / 8-ch relay board specifications

• SoC – RP2040 Arm Cortex-M0 microcontroller @ 133 MHz with 264KB memory and 2MB storage and RAK3172 transceiver module based on STM32WLE5CC chip
• 4-ch relays/8-ch relays
• IPEX antenna connector
• Remote Power Switch

The RAK3172 models use firmware based on RAKwireless Unified Interface V3 (RUI3), supporting the creation of different functionalities using RUI APIs, and recently open-sourced by the company.

The LoRaWAN series targets IoT applications, such as smart cities, agriculture, industry, public safety, and healthcare. Other recent products from SB Components include the Trekko Pico, Microflex MCUs, and Dual Roundy and Squary Displays, and the company also launched other LoRa/LoRaWAN in the past including the MessengerPi LoRa messenger and walkie-talkie and the Lo-Fi ESP32-S3 board.

The variants are priced from $34 to $156. The different prices are listed below:

• LoRaWAN Breakout – $32
• LoRaWAN Hat for Raspberry Pi – $34
• LoRaWAN RP2040 USB Dongle – $47
• LoRaWAN for Raspberry Pi Pico – $50
• LoRaWAN for ESP32 – $50
• GatePi LoRaWAN 4-ch relay – $50
• GatePi LoRaWAN 8-ch relay – $65
• LoRaWAN Gateway HAT – $165

SB Components has launched its LoRaWAN product series on Kickstarter with the crowdfunding campaign still having 15 days to go at the time of publication. The delivery of rewards is projected to commence by July 2024.

The post SB Components LoRaWAN gateways and nodes are made for Raspberry Pi and ESP32 boards (Crowdfunding) appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

Congatec’s new conga-SA8 SMARC modules are powered by the Intel Atom x7000RE “Amston Lake” processors. With twice the processing cores and similar power consumption to the previous generation, congatec’s new credit-card-sized modules are “intended for future-facing industrial edge computing and powerful virtualization.”

An Intel Core i3‑N305 Alder Lake-N processor is also offered as an alternative to the Intel Atom x7000RE series for high-performance IoT edge applications. The conga-SA8 modules support up to 16GB LPDDR5 onboard memory, 256GB eMMC 5.1 onboard flash memory, and offer several high-bandwidth interfaces such as USB 3.2 Gen 2, PCIe Gen 3, and SATA Gen 3. The integrated Intel UHD Gen 12 graphics processing unit has up to 32 execution units and can power three independent 4K displays.

The conga-SA8 is described as virtualization-ready and has a hypervisor (virtual machine monitor) integrated into the firmware. The RTS hypervisor takes complete advantage of the eight processing cores supported by the SA8 module and can enable the development of consolidated systems for multiple applications without introducing extra costs.

In related news, ADLINK had previously announced two Intel Atom x7000RE “Amston Lake” modules in the COM Express and SMARC form factors.

congatec conga-SA8 specifications:

• SoC (one or the other)
  • Intel Core i3-N305 Alder Lake-N (8x 1.8 GHz, 6MB, 9W) –
  • Intel Atom x7425E Amston Lake (4-core processor with 1.5GHz core frequency up to 3.4GHz (Turbo)
  • Intel Atom x7433RE Amston Lake (4 x 1.5 GHz, 9W)
  • Intel Atom x7835RE Amston Lake (8 x 1.3 GHz, 12W)
  • All with integrated Intel UHD Graphics with up to 32EUs
• Memory – 16GB max. onboard LPDDR5 (up to 4.800 MT/s)
• Storage
  • eMMC 5.1 onboard flash up to 256 GB (optional)
  • SATA Gen 3.2
  • NVMe SSD via 4x PCIe Gen3
• Video
  • Dual channel LVDS transmitter (support for flat panels with 2 x 24 bit data mapping up to a resolution of 1920×1200 @60Hz) | shared with eDP(option) or MIPI-DSI 1.3 x4 (option)
  • HDMI 2.0b: 4K x 2K @ 60Hz
  • eDP 1.4b: 4096 x 2304 @ 60Hz HBR3
  • DP 1.4: 4096 x 2304 @ 60Hz
  • 3 independent display pipes, up to 3x 4Kp60 resolution
• Ethernet – 2x 2.5 GbE with TSN support via Intel i226 Ethernet controller series, Supporting Time Sensitive Networking (TSN), 2 Software Definable Pins (SDPs) to be used for IEEE 1588
• Wireless – Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX210, BT 5.3 (optional)
• USB – 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 6x USB 2.0
• Other Peripherals
  • I2C – 3x I²C bus, 2 x I²C CSI, GP I²C
  • SPI, eSPI, 4x UART, SM-Bus
  • 12x GPIOs
• Power Management – ACPI 5 .0 compliant, Smart Battery Management
• Security – TPM 2.0, Intel PlatformTrust Technology, Intel BootGuard, Intel OS Guard
• Hypervisor – RTS Real-Time Hypervisor
• congatec Board Controller – Multistage watchdog, non-volatile user data storage, manufacturing and board information, board statistics, fast mode and multi-master I²C bus, power loss control
• Dimensions – 82 x 50 mm (SMARC 2.1 form factor)
• Temperature Range
  • Embedded SKUs: Operating 0°C to 60°C | Storage -20°C to 80°C
  • Industrial SKUs: Operating -40°C to 85°C | Storage -40°C to 85°C
•  Humidity
  • • Operating: 10 to 90% r. H. non-condensing
    • Storage 5 to 95% r. H. non-condensing
• Operating Systems – Windows 11, Windows 11 IoT Enterprise, Windows 10, Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, Linux

Certain variants of the conga-SA8 SMARC modules are designed for industrial environments, with an operating temperature range of -40°C to 85°C. The modules also feature in-band error correction code (ECC) and soldered DRAM for increased resilience in harsh environments.

Expected applications include stationary and mobile control systems for manufacturing and logistics, including AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots), AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles), and medical technology. Other application areas are rail, transportation, construction, agriculture, and forestry.

The conga-SA8 SMARC module also comes in congatec’s application-ready computer-on-module format, aReady.COM. They offer configurations that include a pre-installed ctrlX OS (an industrial Linux operating system from Bosch Rexroth) and virtual machines for real-time control, HMI, AI, IIoT data exchange, and other tasks. Furthermore, congatec’s design-in services, evaluation boards, documentation, and training aim to simplify application development and reduce time to market.

The press release and product page contain more information about the modules. You can get a price quote by requesting it on the product page.

The post congatec conga-SA8 Amston Lake SMARC modules are targeted at industrial edge applications appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

GigaDevice has officially launched the GD32F5 microcontroller series based on the Arm Cortex-M33 core. The Arm Cortex-M33 core has a maximum operating frequency of 200MHz and a working performance of up to 3.31 CoreMark/MHz. It also comes with a digital signal processing extension and a single-precision floating-point unit to reduce the load on the core.

The GD32F5 microcontrollers are designed for high-performance applications and come equipped with up to 7.5MB on-chip flash, 1MB static RAM (SRAM), and diverse connectivity peripherals. The on-chip flash includes a zero-wait execution area (code flash) to improve code processing efficiency and real-time performance, and sizable data flash space for storing backups and parameters. The products support seamless OTA updates with a maximum of 2MB for Read-While-Write (RWW) operations.

According to GigaDevice, the GD32F5 series is expected to find applications in “energy and power management, photovoltaic energy storage, industrial automation, programmable logic controllers (PLC), network communication devices, and graphic displays”.

GigaDevice GD32F5 specifications:

• MCU core – Arm Cortex-M33 core @ up to 200 MHz
• Storage – 7680KB on-chip flash memory; ECC
• Memory – 512KB ECC SRAM (SRAM0, SRAM1, SRAM2), 512KB ADDSRAM and 64KB TCMSRAM memory
• USB – USB 2.0 OTG (Full Speed and High Speed)
• Ethernet – 1x Ethernet
• Peripherals
  • Serial – 4x USARTs, 4x UARTs
  • Analog – 3x 12-bit ADCs, 2x DACs,
  • Up to 140x GPIO
  • 6x I2C interfaces, 8x SPI, 2x I2S, 1x SDIO
  • 2x CAN-FD
  • Timers
    • 2x 32-bit general-purpose timers
    • 8x 16-bit general-purpose timers
    • 2x 16-bit basic timers
    • 2x PWM advanced timers
    • 1x SysTick timer
    • 2x watchdog timers
    • 1x RTC
  • 1x digital camera interface (DCI), 1x TFT-LCD interface, 1x Image Processing Accelerator (IPA), 1x Serial Audio Interface (SAI), 1x external memory controller (EXMC)
• Security
  • Secure OTA, secure boot, secure debugging, and secure downloading
  • Security Boot and Update software platform
  • Cryptographic acceleration Unit (CAU)
  • Hash acceleration unit (HAU)
  • Public Key Cryptographic Acceleration Unit (PKCAU)
  • True Random number generator (TRNG)
• Supply Voltage – 1.71V to 3.6V
• Temperature Range – -40°C to 105°C
• Packages – LQFP176, BGA176, LQFP144, LQFP100, LQFP64

GigaDevice offers various development tools for the GD32F5 microcontroller series, including a free GD32 IDE, GD-LINK debugging and download tool, and the GD32 All-In-One Programmer. GigaDevice has also partnered with SEGGER to offer their emWin embedded graphics library to all users of GD32 series Arm Cortex-M microcontrollers, including the new GD32F5 series.

The GD32F5 series comes in five packages: BGA176, LQFP176/144/100/64, with 10 product models in total. Complementary development boards have also been launched for evaluation, debugging, and entry-level learning. They will be released to authorized distribution channels at an undisclosed date. Customers are encouraged to contact their local GigaDevice sales office or authorized representative for more details.

GigaDevice says GD32F5 samples are currently available, and mass production will begin in May 2024. More information may be found on the product page and in the press release.

Thanks to TLS for the tip.

The post GigaDevice announces GD32F5 Cortex-M33 microcontroller targeted at high-performance applications appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

Israeli embedded systems manufacturer, SolidRun, has recently introduced the Bedrock R8000, a new fanless, Industrial PC targeted at edge AI applications. The Bedrock R8000 integrates the newly-announced AMD Ryzen Embedded 8000 series processors with 8 Zen 4 cores and 16 threads clocked at up to 5.1 GHz.

The Ryzen Embedded 8000 Series has a 16 TOPS NPU for AI workloads and offers up to 10 years of guaranteed availability. Also, up to 3 AI accelerators (either Hailo-10 or Hailo 8) can be combined with the onboard NPU to achieve over 100 TOPS for generative or inferencing AI workloads.

Apart from the Ryzen Embedded 8000 series, the Bedrock R8000 series also supports other Accelerated Processing Units (APU) in the “Hawk Point” family. The CPU power limit can be adjusted in the BIOS within a range of 8W to 54W. Memory goes up to 96GB DDR5 ECC/non-ECC and three NVME PCIe Gen4 x4 slots provide storage for the device. Both the RAM and storage are conduction-cooled for optimal operation in extreme temperatures.

SolidRun Bedrock R8000 specifications:

• SoC – AMD Ryzen Embedded 8000 Series | Ryzen 8040 Series 8C/16T Zen4 4nm
  • CPU: Ryzen Embedded 8845HS | Ryzen 9 8945HS | Ryzen Embedded 8840U @ up to 5.1 GHz
  • GPU: AMD Radeon 780M (Up to 12 Compute Units @ 2700 MHz)
  • AI accelerator: 16 TOPS NPU
  • TDP: 8W – 54 W
• Memory – Up to 96GB dual channel DDR5-5600 (2x SODIMM (2×32 bit each))
• Storage – Up to 3x NVMe PCIe Gen4 x 4 (M.2 key-M 2280)
• Networking
  • Ethernet – 4x 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet
  • Wireless – Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
  • Modem – 4G / 5G (Quectel)
• Display
  • Up to 4 display outputs (1x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 2.1, 2x mini-DisplayPort 2.1)
  • Max resolution/refresh rate: 7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz, 3840 x 2160 @ 240Hz
• USB – 4x USB Type-A (1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 10 Gb/s, 3x USB 3.2 Gen 2 5 Gb/s)
• Console – Serial over USB
• Misc
  • BIOS – AMI Aptio V on dual SPI flash for redundancy and with console redirection
  • Cooling
    • Liquid metal TIM (thermal interface material)
    • 360º stacked heat pipes
    • Dual-layer chimney effect heat exchanger
    • Thermal coupling of all internal devices
• Power – 12V – 60V DC via 2-pin Phoenix terminal
• Dimensions
  • 30W model: 45 mm (W) x 160 mm (H) x 130 mm (D) – 0.9 liter
  • 60W model: 73 mm (W) x 160 mm (H) x 130 mm (D) – 1.5 liter
  • Tile model: 29 mm (W) x 160 mm (H) x 130 mm (D) – 0.6 liter
• Enclosure –  All-aluminum enclosure, fanless cooling
• Mounting – DIN-rail, wall, VESA, tabletop
• Temperature Range – Up to -40ºC to 85ºC range
• Operating Systems – Windows 10/11/IoT, Linux

SolidRun offers different types of mounting brackets for the product, including DIN-Rail, wall, VESA, and tabletop. Supported operating systems include Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows IoT, Linux, and other x86 operating systems.

Bedrock R8000 is designed in the same Tile/30W/60W form factors as other Bedrock products and can be configured using the same boards and modules. According to SolidRun’s press release, samples will be available in June 2024 with volume production in the third quarter of 2024. You can find more information about the Bedrock R8000 and request a quote on the product page. The industrial computer was displayed at AMD’s booth at Embedded World 2024.

The post SolidRun Bedrock R8000 is the first Industrial PC to feature AMD Ryzen Embedded 8000 series appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

UK-based hardware developer, SB Components, has designed a new LoRaWAN product series (gateways and nodes) for the Raspberry Pi SBCs, Raspberry Pi Pico, ESP32, and other hardware, based on RAKWireless RAK5146 and RAK3172 modules.

The products are available in up to five variants (plus two relay boards) and are built to cater to hobbyists with different needs. They support several LoRaWAN server platforms including The Things Stack, Chirpstack, and Helium, with adaptive spreading factors, coding rates, and bandwidth configurations.

The LoRaWAN products include:

• Gateways – RAK5146 LoRaWAN Gateway HAT and RAK3172 LoRaWAN Gateway HAT for the Raspberry Pi SBCs
• Nodes – RAK3172 LoRaWAN Module (Powered by Raspberry Pi Pico), Raspberry Pi RP2040 USB Dongle, RAK3172 LoRaWAN Module (powered by ESP32), LoRaWAN Breakout, GatePi LoRaWAN 4-Ch Relay, GatePi LoRaWAN 8-Ch Relay

LoRaWAN (long-range wide access network) uses the LoRa modulation technique to transmit data over large distances. In a LoRAWAN network, nodes are the devices that interface with other electronic components and collect data or perform actions within the IoT ecosystem while gateways transmit the data to the central network server for processing and analysis.

The relay boards, GatePi LoRaWAN 4-ch and 8-ch, are both powered by the  RP2040 microcontroller chip with an RAK3172 transceiver module. They feature a “remote power switch” that can be used to turn on and control devices remotely and they can be used in industrial automation, home automation, and agriculture.

RAK5146 LoRaWAN Gateway HAT specifications:

• Core – Semtech SX1303 baseband processor
• Up to 125kHz LoRa reception, with
  • 8x SF5-SF12 LoRa demodulators
  • 8x SF5-SF10 LoRa demodulators
  • 1x 125/250/500 kHz high-speed LoRa demodulator
  • 1x (G)FSK demodulator
• 1x SPI interface
• Fine Timestamp (enables simultaneous reception of up to 8 packets)
• LoRaWAN frequency bands – EU868, CN470, US915, AS923, AU915, KR920, and IN865

RAK3172 LoRaWAN Node (Raspberry Pi Pico / USB Dongle / ESP32) specifications:

• SoC
  • Raspberry Pi Pico/Pico W (Arm Cortex-M0 microcontroller @ 133 MHz with 264KB memory and 2MB storage); RAK3172 transceiver module based on STM32WLE5CC chip
  • ESP32-S3 series (Xtensa dual-core 32-bit LX7 microprocessor @ 240 MHz with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) and Bluetooth 5 (LE), 16MB storage, and 8MB memory); RAK3172 transceiver module based on STM32WLE5CC chip
• Storage – microSD card for data logging
• Display – 1.14-inch RGB TFT display, 240 x 135px, 65K/262K colors; ST7789 display driver via SPI interface

• USB
  • LoRaWAN Node Expansion Board – USB Type-C for power and LoRa module configuration
  • LoRaWAN USB Dongle – Type A interface for programming and powering board
• Pico/ESP32 GPIOs available for connecting sensors and actuators (absent on dongle)
• Header breakout for configuring LoRa Module or standalone use with USB to TTL device (absent on expansion board)
• Misc – 2x programmable buttons, onboard power status LED indicator, buzzer for audio alerts and notifications, boot and reset buttons (absent on dongle), battery connector (only ESP32 board)

RAK3172 LoRaWAN Gateway HAT / Breakout Module specifications:

• Core – STM32WLE5CC microcontroller, Arm Cortex-M4 core @ 48MHz with 256KB flash memory and 64KB SRAM
• HAT compatible with Raspberry Pi 40-pin header
• 1x SPI interface, 1x UART interface (easy-to-use AT command set)
• Display – 1.14-inch RGB TFT display, 240 x 135px, 65K/262K colors; ST7789 display driver via SPI interface
• 1x USB Type C interface for standalone access to LPWAN module for configuration
• 2x programmable buttons for additional control
• 1x buzzer for audio alerts in projects
• Supported bands: (EU433, CN470, RU864, IN865, EU868, AU915, US915, KR920, and AS923)

GatePi LoRaWAN 4-ch / 8-ch relay board specifications

• SoC – RP2040 Arm Cortex-M0 microcontroller @ 133 MHz with 264KB memory and 2MB storage and RAK3172 transceiver module based on STM32WLE5CC chip
• 4-ch relays/8-ch relays
• IPEX antenna connector
• Remote Power Switch

The RAK3172 models use firmware based on RAKwireless Unified Interface V3 (RUI3), supporting the creation of different functionalities using RUI APIs, and recently open-sourced by the company.

The LoRaWAN series targets IoT applications, such as smart cities, agriculture, industry, public safety, and healthcare. Other recent products from SB Components include the Trekko Pico, Microflex MCUs, and Dual Roundy and Squary Displays, and the company also launched other LoRa/LoRaWAN in the past including the MessengerPi LoRa messenger and walkie-talkie and the Lo-Fi ESP32-S3 board.

The variants are priced from $34 to $156. The different prices are listed below:

• LoRaWAN Breakout – $32
• LoRaWAN Hat for Raspberry Pi – $34
• LoRaWAN RP2040 USB Dongle – $47
• LoRaWAN for Raspberry Pi Pico – $50
• LoRaWAN for ESP32 – $50
• GatePi LoRaWAN 4-ch relay – $50
• GatePi LoRaWAN 8-ch relay – $65
• LoRaWAN Gateway HAT – $165

SB Components has launched its LoRaWAN product series on Kickstarter with the crowdfunding campaign still having 15 days to go at the time of publication. The delivery of rewards is projected to commence by July 2024.

The post SB Components LoRaWAN gateways and nodes are made for Raspberry Pi and ESP32 boards (Crowdfunding) appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

Congatec’s new conga-SA8 SMARC modules are powered by the Intel Atom x7000RE “Amston Lake” processors. With twice the processing cores and similar power consumption to the previous generation, congatec’s new credit-card-sized modules are “intended for future-facing industrial edge computing and powerful virtualization.”

An Intel Core i3‑N305 Alder Lake-N processor is also offered as an alternative to the Intel Atom x7000RE series for high-performance IoT edge applications. The conga-SA8 modules support up to 16GB LPDDR5 onboard memory, 256GB eMMC 5.1 onboard flash memory, and offer several high-bandwidth interfaces such as USB 3.2 Gen 2, PCIe Gen 3, and SATA Gen 3. The integrated Intel UHD Gen 12 graphics processing unit has up to 32 execution units and can power three independent 4K displays.

The conga-SA8 is described as virtualization-ready and has a hypervisor (virtual machine monitor) integrated into the firmware. The RTS hypervisor takes complete advantage of the eight processing cores supported by the SA8 module and can enable the development of consolidated systems for multiple applications without introducing extra costs.

In related news, ADLINK had previously announced two Intel Atom x7000RE “Amston Lake” modules in the COM Express and SMARC form factors.

congatec conga-SA8 specifications:

• SoC (one or the other)
  • Intel Core i3-N305 Alder Lake-N (8x 1.8 GHz, 6MB, 9W) –
  • Intel Atom x7425E Amston Lake (4-core processor with 1.5GHz core frequency up to 3.4GHz (Turbo)
  • Intel Atom x7433RE Amston Lake (4 x 1.5 GHz, 9W)
  • Intel Atom x7835RE Amston Lake (8 x 1.3 GHz, 12W)
  • All with integrated Intel UHD Graphics with up to 32EUs
• Memory – 16GB max. onboard LPDDR5 (up to 4.800 MT/s)
• Storage
  • eMMC 5.1 onboard flash up to 256 GB (optional)
  • SATA Gen 3.2
  • NVMe SSD via 4x PCIe Gen3
• Video
  • Dual channel LVDS transmitter (support for flat panels with 2 x 24 bit data mapping up to a resolution of 1920×1200 @60Hz) | shared with eDP(option) or MIPI-DSI 1.3 x4 (option)
  • HDMI 2.0b: 4K x 2K @ 60Hz
  • eDP 1.4b: 4096 x 2304 @ 60Hz HBR3
  • DP 1.4: 4096 x 2304 @ 60Hz
  • 3 independent display pipes, up to 3x 4Kp60 resolution
• Ethernet – 2x 2.5 GbE with TSN support via Intel i226 Ethernet controller series, Supporting Time Sensitive Networking (TSN), 2 Software Definable Pins (SDPs) to be used for IEEE 1588
• Wireless – Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX210, BT 5.3 (optional)
• USB – 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 6x USB 2.0
• Other Peripherals
  • I2C – 3x I²C bus, 2 x I²C CSI, GP I²C
  • SPI, eSPI, 4x UART, SM-Bus
  • 12x GPIOs
• Power Management – ACPI 5 .0 compliant, Smart Battery Management
• Security – TPM 2.0, Intel PlatformTrust Technology, Intel BootGuard, Intel OS Guard
• Hypervisor – RTS Real-Time Hypervisor
• congatec Board Controller – Multistage watchdog, non-volatile user data storage, manufacturing and board information, board statistics, fast mode and multi-master I²C bus, power loss control
• Dimensions – 82 x 50 mm (SMARC 2.1 form factor)
• Temperature Range
  • Embedded SKUs: Operating 0°C to 60°C | Storage -20°C to 80°C
  • Industrial SKUs: Operating -40°C to 85°C | Storage -40°C to 85°C
•  Humidity
  • • Operating: 10 to 90% r. H. non-condensing
    • Storage 5 to 95% r. H. non-condensing
• Operating Systems – Windows 11, Windows 11 IoT Enterprise, Windows 10, Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, Linux

Certain variants of the conga-SA8 SMARC modules are designed for industrial environments, with an operating temperature range of -40°C to 85°C. The modules also feature in-band error correction code (ECC) and soldered DRAM for increased resilience in harsh environments.

Expected applications include stationary and mobile control systems for manufacturing and logistics, including AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots), AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles), and medical technology. Other application areas are rail, transportation, construction, agriculture, and forestry.

The conga-SA8 SMARC module also comes in congatec’s application-ready computer-on-module format, aReady.COM. They offer configurations that include a pre-installed ctrlX OS (an industrial Linux operating system from Bosch Rexroth) and virtual machines for real-time control, HMI, AI, IIoT data exchange, and other tasks. Furthermore, congatec’s design-in services, evaluation boards, documentation, and training aim to simplify application development and reduce time to market.

The press release and product page contain more information about the modules. You can get a price quote by requesting it on the product page.

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GigaDevice has officially launched the GD32F5 microcontroller series based on the Arm Cortex-M33 core. The Arm Cortex-M33 core has a maximum operating frequency of 200MHz and a working performance of up to 3.31 CoreMark/MHz. It also comes with a digital signal processing extension and a single-precision floating-point unit to reduce the load on the core.

The GD32F5 microcontrollers are designed for high-performance applications and come equipped with up to 7.5MB on-chip flash, 1MB static RAM (SRAM), and diverse connectivity peripherals. The on-chip flash includes a zero-wait execution area (code flash) to improve code processing efficiency and real-time performance, and sizable data flash space for storing backups and parameters. The products support seamless OTA updates with a maximum of 2MB for Read-While-Write (RWW) operations.

According to GigaDevice, the GD32F5 series is expected to find applications in “energy and power management, photovoltaic energy storage, industrial automation, programmable logic controllers (PLC), network communication devices, and graphic displays”.

GigaDevice GD32F5 specifications:

• MCU core – Arm Cortex-M33 core @ up to 200 MHz
• Storage – 7680KB on-chip flash memory; ECC
• Memory – 512KB ECC SRAM (SRAM0, SRAM1, SRAM2), 512KB ADDSRAM and 64KB TCMSRAM memory
• USB – USB 2.0 OTG (Full Speed and High Speed)
• Ethernet – 1x Ethernet
• Peripherals
  • Serial – 4x USARTs, 4x UARTs
  • Analog – 3x 12-bit ADCs, 2x DACs,
  • Up to 140x GPIO
  • 6x I2C interfaces, 8x SPI, 2x I2S, 1x SDIO
  • 2x CAN-FD
  • Timers
    • 2x 32-bit general-purpose timers
    • 8x 16-bit general-purpose timers
    • 2x 16-bit basic timers
    • 2x PWM advanced timers
    • 1x SysTick timer
    • 2x watchdog timers
    • 1x RTC
  • 1x digital camera interface (DCI), 1x TFT-LCD interface, 1x Image Processing Accelerator (IPA), 1x Serial Audio Interface (SAI), 1x external memory controller (EXMC)
• Security
  • Secure OTA, secure boot, secure debugging, and secure downloading
  • Security Boot and Update software platform
  • Cryptographic acceleration Unit (CAU)
  • Hash acceleration unit (HAU)
  • Public Key Cryptographic Acceleration Unit (PKCAU)
  • True Random number generator (TRNG)
• Supply Voltage – 1.71V to 3.6V
• Temperature Range – -40°C to 105°C
• Packages – LQFP176, BGA176, LQFP144, LQFP100, LQFP64

GigaDevice offers various development tools for the GD32F5 microcontroller series, including a free GD32 IDE, GD-LINK debugging and download tool, and the GD32 All-In-One Programmer. GigaDevice has also partnered with SEGGER to offer their emWin embedded graphics library to all users of GD32 series Arm Cortex-M microcontrollers, including the new GD32F5 series.

The GD32F5 series comes in five packages: BGA176, LQFP176/144/100/64, with 10 product models in total. Complementary development boards have also been launched for evaluation, debugging, and entry-level learning. They will be released to authorized distribution channels at an undisclosed date. Customers are encouraged to contact their local GigaDevice sales office or authorized representative for more details.

GigaDevice says GD32F5 samples are currently available, and mass production will begin in May 2024. More information may be found on the product page and in the press release.

Thanks to TLS for the tip.

The post GigaDevice announces GD32F5 Cortex-M33 microcontroller targeted at high-performance applications appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

Israeli embedded systems manufacturer, SolidRun, has recently introduced the Bedrock R8000, a new fanless, Industrial PC targeted at edge AI applications. The Bedrock R8000 integrates the newly-announced AMD Ryzen Embedded 8000 series processors with 8 Zen 4 cores and 16 threads clocked at up to 5.1 GHz.

The Ryzen Embedded 8000 Series has a 16 TOPS NPU for AI workloads and offers up to 10 years of guaranteed availability. Also, up to 3 AI accelerators (either Hailo-10 or Hailo 8) can be combined with the onboard NPU to achieve over 100 TOPS for generative or inferencing AI workloads.

Apart from the Ryzen Embedded 8000 series, the Bedrock R8000 series also supports other Accelerated Processing Units (APU) in the “Hawk Point” family. The CPU power limit can be adjusted in the BIOS within a range of 8W to 54W. Memory goes up to 96GB DDR5 ECC/non-ECC and three NVME PCIe Gen4 x4 slots provide storage for the device. Both the RAM and storage are conduction-cooled for optimal operation in extreme temperatures.

SolidRun Bedrock R8000 specifications:

• SoC – AMD Ryzen Embedded 8000 Series | Ryzen 8040 Series 8C/16T Zen4 4nm
  • CPU: Ryzen Embedded 8845HS | Ryzen 9 8945HS | Ryzen Embedded 8840U @ up to 5.1 GHz
  • GPU: AMD Radeon 780M (Up to 12 Compute Units @ 2700 MHz)
  • AI accelerator: 16 TOPS NPU
  • TDP: 8W – 54 W
• Memory – Up to 96GB dual channel DDR5-5600 (2x SODIMM (2×32 bit each))
• Storage – Up to 3x NVMe PCIe Gen4 x 4 (M.2 key-M 2280)
• Networking
  • Ethernet – 4x 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet
  • Wireless – Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
  • Modem – 4G / 5G (Quectel)
• Display
  • Up to 4 display outputs (1x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 2.1, 2x mini-DisplayPort 2.1)
  • Max resolution/refresh rate: 7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz, 3840 x 2160 @ 240Hz
• USB – 4x USB Type-A (1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 10 Gb/s, 3x USB 3.2 Gen 2 5 Gb/s)
• Console – Serial over USB
• Misc
  • BIOS – AMI Aptio V on dual SPI flash for redundancy and with console redirection
  • Cooling
    • Liquid metal TIM (thermal interface material)
    • 360º stacked heat pipes
    • Dual-layer chimney effect heat exchanger
    • Thermal coupling of all internal devices
• Power – 12V – 60V DC via 2-pin Phoenix terminal
• Dimensions
  • 30W model: 45 mm (W) x 160 mm (H) x 130 mm (D) – 0.9 liter
  • 60W model: 73 mm (W) x 160 mm (H) x 130 mm (D) – 1.5 liter
  • Tile model: 29 mm (W) x 160 mm (H) x 130 mm (D) – 0.6 liter
• Enclosure –  All-aluminum enclosure, fanless cooling
• Mounting – DIN-rail, wall, VESA, tabletop
• Temperature Range – Up to -40ºC to 85ºC range
• Operating Systems – Windows 10/11/IoT, Linux

SolidRun offers different types of mounting brackets for the product, including DIN-Rail, wall, VESA, and tabletop. Supported operating systems include Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows IoT, Linux, and other x86 operating systems.

Bedrock R8000 is designed in the same Tile/30W/60W form factors as other Bedrock products and can be configured using the same boards and modules. According to SolidRun’s press release, samples will be available in June 2024 with volume production in the third quarter of 2024. You can find more information about the Bedrock R8000 and request a quote on the product page. The industrial computer was displayed at AMD’s booth at Embedded World 2024.

The post SolidRun Bedrock R8000 is the first Industrial PC to feature AMD Ryzen Embedded 8000 series appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

Renesas has announced the new low-power RA0 microcontroller series based on the power-efficient Arm Cortex-M23 core and the entry-level RA0E1 Group in the series. According to Renesas, the RA0 microcontrollers offer the “industry’s lowest overall power consumption for general-purpose 32-bit MCUs.”

With a current consumption of 84.3 μA/MHz in active mode and only 0.82 mA in sleep mode, these microcontrollers are built to provide ultra-low power consumption. They also offer a Software Standby mode where the CPU, peripheral functions, and internal oscillators cease to operate. This mode reduces power consumption further by 99% down to 0.20 µA. They also come with a high-precision, High-speed On-Chip Oscillator (HOCO) for fast wake-up.

The Cortex-M23 core is based on the Armv8-M instruction set and offers a maximum clock frequency of 32 MHz, with up to 64KB of code flash memory and 12KB SRAM  for storing application code and data. This feature set makes the RA0 microcontrollers perfect for applications that involve small appliances, building automation, industrial system control, and battery-operated consumer electronics.

The RA0E1 Group is the first group in the RA0 series and comprises entry-level products designed for cost-sensitive applications. These devices support a wide operating voltage range of 1.6V to 5.5V so a level regulator is not required for 5V systems.

RA0E1 Group specifications:

• MCU Core – Arm Cortex-M23 Core up to 32MHz, with
  • Armv8-M architecture
  • Debug and Trace: DWT, FPB, CoreSight MTB-M23
  • CoreSight Debug Port: Serial Wire Debug Port (SW-DP)
• Memory and Storage
  • 12KB SRAM
  • Code Flash – Up to 64KB
  • Data Flash – 1KB (100,000 program/erase cycles)
  • Flash read protection
• Connectivity
  • Serial Array Unit (SAU) – 3x SPI, 3x I2C, 2x UART, 1x UART (LIN-bus support)
  • 1x UART
  • 1x I2C bus
  • 29x GPIO (5V tolerance, open drain, input pull-up)
• Analog
  • 12-bit A/D converter
  • Temperature sensor
• Timers – 8x 16-bit Timer Array Unit (TAU), 1x 32-bit interval timer (1 channel in 32-bit counter mode, 2 channels in 16-bit counter mode, 4 channels in 8-bit counter mode)
• Safety – SRAM parity error check, ADC self-diagnosis function, Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC), Independent Watchdog Timer (IWDT),  GPIO readback level detection, invalid memory access detection
• System and Memory Protection
  • Low power modes
  • Realtime Clock (RTC)
  • Event Link Controller (ELC)
  • Data Transfer Controller (DTC)
  • Power-on reset
  • Low Voltage Detection (LVD) with voltage settings
• Clock Sources
  • Main clock oscillator (MOSC) （1 to 20 MHz）
  • Sub-clock oscillator (SOSC) (32.768 kHz)
  • High-speed on-chip oscillator (HOCO) (24/32 MHz)
  • Middle-speed on-chip oscillator (MOCO) (4 MHz)
  • Low-speed on-chip oscillator (LOCO) (32.768 kHz)
  • Clock trim function for HOCO/MOCO/LOCO
• Security – True Random Number Generator (TRNG), Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)
• Operating Voltage – VCC: 1.6V to 5.5V
• Operating Temperature – -40°C to 105°C
• Packages
  • 32-pin LQFP (7 mm × 7 mm, 0.8 mm pitch)
  • 32-pin HWQFN (5 mm × 5 mm, 0.5 mm pitch)
  • 24-pin HWQFN (4 mm × 4 mm, 0.5 mm pitch)
  • 20-pin LSSOP (4.4 mm × 6.5 mm, 0.65 mm pitch)
  • 16-pin HWQFN (3 mm × 3 mm, 0.5 mm pitch)

The RA0E1 Group is supported by Renesas’ Flexible Software Package (FSP), which provides all the tools needed for application development such as multiple real-time operating systems (RTOS), board support package, middleware, connectivity networking, and security stacks, as well as code samples for building complex artificial intelligence, motor control, and cloud solutions.

Renesas has integrated its new RA0E1 microcontrollers with other components and devices to create several Winning Combinations, including an HVAC Environment Monitor Module for Public Buildings.

The RA0E1 Group MCUs are available now, along with FSP software and a “Fast Prototyping” board. Samples and kits can be purchased via the Renesas website or from distributors. The press release and product page have more information about the new MCUs, including documentation and software downloads. Renesas is also doing a live demonstration of the new RA0 MCUs at Embedded World 2024 in Nuremberg, Germany in Hall 1, Stand 234.

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