NanoPi Duo was launched last year as an ultra-cheap ($8+) Arm Linux board that fits into a breadboard. The board was powered by Allwinner H2+ processor coupled with 256 or 512MB RAM, and the infamous XR819 802.11b/g/n WiFi chip.
FriendlyElec has now launched NanoPi Duo2, that’s still breadboard compatible, but with a slightly longer form factor, Allwinner H3 processor, 512 MB RAM, better WiFi thanks to an AP6212 module, and an extra camera interface. As we’ll see further below the company also developed a carrier board for 2G cellular IoT applications.
NanoPi Duo2 specifications with highlights in bold showing differences again NanoPi Duo:
- SoC – Allwinner H3 quad core Cortex A7 processor @ 1.2 GHz with Mali-400MP2 GPU
- System Memory – 512 MB DDR3 SDRAM
- Storage – micro SD card slot, footprint for SPI flash
- Connectivity – 802.11 b/g/n WiFi + Bluetooth 4.0 LE (Ampak AP6212 module) with
chip antenna, andu.FL/IPEX connector for external antenna - USB – 1x micro USB OTG port
- Camera I/F – Connector for OV5640 camera
- Expansion headers – 2x 16-pin breadboard compatible headers with 2x USB host ports, GPIO, UART, SPI, I2C, MIC, Line Out, CVBS (composite video), Ethernet, 5V, 3.3V, and GND
- Misc – 1x key
- Power Supply – 5V/2A via micro USB port
- Dimensions – 55 x 25.4mm (Duo is 50mm long)
- Weight – 7.36 grams without headers
- Temperature Range – -40°C to +80°C
The company provides binaries and source code for U-boot, Linux Kernel 4.14, and Ubuntu 16.04.2 LTS (Xenial). All you need should be in the Wiki.
As noted the in the introduction, the company also design the “IoT-2G carrier board” (aka NanoPi Duo2 IoT-Box) for the new board specifically for 2G Cellular IoT applications. The carrier board includes:
- On-board SIM800C quad-band GSM/GPRS module + micro SIM slot
- Antenna Connector – WiFi & 2G SMA connectors
- USB – 2x USB Host
- Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet
- Expansion Headers (2.0mm pitch)
- Serial header (UART1)
- I2C header
- Audio input and output header
- CVBS (composite video) header
- Debugging – 4-pin UART header
- Misc – Power switch, 2G Network and status LED’s, power and user LED’s
- Power Supply – 5V via Micro USB power input
- Dimensions – 85×56 mm
The board has its own dedicated Wiki page for more hardware information, and simple quick start guides for GSM connectivity, audio recording and playback, and USB Dot matrix displays.
NanoPi Duo2 has just launched for $19.50, and the NanoPi Duo2 IoT-Box with WiFI/Bt and GSM antennas adds another $10 to the total. As usual when it comes to 2G cellular connectivity, you should make sure your provider / country is not about to phase it out, since what is referred to as “2G sunset” has already happened in several countries.
Thanks to theguyuk for the tip.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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