Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft), Author at CNX Software

March 6, 2025March 5, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment

LincStation N2 and S1 6-bay HDD/SSD NAS systems ship with Intel N100/N97 CPU, UnRaid OS (Crowdfunding)

LincPlus LincStation N2 and S1 are two 6-bay NAS systems taking SATA or SSD drives based on Intel Processor N100 or N97 CPU, and running UnRaid OS Linux distribution by default. The LincStation N2 features an Intel N100 CPU coupled with 16GB LPDDR5 and 128GB eMMC flash, two SATA bays for 2.5-inch drives, four M.2 2280 NVMe SSD slots, and 10GbE networking. The LinStation S1 has a larger design with an Intel N97 CPU, 8GB DDR5 (SO-DIMM, upgradeable), 64GB flash, four SATA bays for 3.5-inch drives, two M.2 2280 NVMe SSD slots, and two 2.5GbE ports. Both models also come with USB ports for expansion. LincStation N2 NAS Specifications: SoC – Intel Processor N100 quad-core processor up to 3.4 GHz with 6MB cache, 24EU Intel UHD Graphics Gen 12 @ 750 MHz; TDP: 6W System Memory – 16GB LPDDR5 (soldered on mainboard) Storage 128GB eMMC flash 2-bay SATA3.0 slots for […]

March 5, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments

Rockchip RK3588 4K video encoder features four SDI inputs, four SDI loop outputs

Mekotronics R58-4x4-3U RK3588 video encoder

Mekotronics R58-4×4 3U is yet another device based on Rockchip RK3588 from the company, but this product is a 4K video encoder with four SDI inputs, and four SDI loop outputs mirroring the SDI inputs. SDI (Serial Digital Interface) inputs are used for transmitting uncompressed, unencrypted digital video signals and typically found in professional video production and broadcasting environments. The SDI interface can also be found in security cameras like the MOKOSE SHD50-2.8-12MM and I can also see it used in cameras designed for live streaming on YouTube, or other services. The main advantages of SDI over interfaces like USB, HDMI, or Ethernet, are that it can use longer cables up to 300 meters, offers better signal integrity, and has near zero latency. Compatibility for professional camera equipment is another advantage. Let’s look at the Mekotronics R58-4×4 3U specifications: SoC – Rockchip RK3588 octa-core processor with CPU – 4x CortexA76 […]

March 5, 2025March 5, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 3 Comments

STMicro STM32U3 ultra-low-power Cortex-M33 MCU achieves 117 Coremark/mW in active mode, consumes 1.6 µA in stop mode

STMicro STM32U3 is a new family of Arm Cortex-M33 microcontrollers clocked at up to 96 MHz with ultra-low-power consumption designed for utility meters, healthcare devices such as glucose meters and insulin pumps, and industrial sensors. The company says the STM32U3 MCU family is a “market leader in terms of efficiency” with 117 Coremark/mW in active mode, and consumes 1.6µA in stop mode. The Coremark/mW score means the STM32U3 offers almost twice the efficiency of the STM32U5 series, and five times that of the STM32L4 series. Other highlights include up to 1MB of dual-bank flash, 256kB of SRAM, and various interfaces like MIPI I3C, SAI audio, 12-bit ADC, etc… STMicro STM32U3 key features and specifications: MCU Core 32-bit Arm Cortex-M33 CPU @ 96 MHz with TrustZone and FPU Performance 1.5 DMIPS/MHz (Dhrystone 2.1) 387 CoreMark (4.09 CoreMark/MHz) 500 ULPMark-CP 117 ULPMark-CM 202000 SecureMark-TLS ART Accelerator with DSP instructions Memory/Storage 256 KB […]

March 5, 2025March 5, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments

LILYGO T-Connect Pro industrial IoT controller offers Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth, LoRa, RS232, RS485, and CAN Bus

LILYGO T-Connect-Pro ESP32-S3 LoRa Industrial Controller

LILYGO T-Connect Pro is a DIN rail-mountable, ESP32-S3-based industrial IoT controller with Ethernet, WiFi 4, Bluetooth 5.0 LE, and LoRa connectivity, as well as CAN Bus, RS232, and RS485 interfaces. The controller also features a 2.33-inch touchscreen display, a 10A relay, a 12V to 24V DC screw terminal for power, 5V USB-C port for programming, a Qwiic connector for expansion, and BOOT and Reset buttons. LILYGO T-Connect Pro specifications: SoC – Espressif ESP32-S3R8 CPU – Dual-core Tensilica LX7 microcontroller up to 240 MHz with vector instructions for AI acceleration Memory – 8MB PSRAM Wireless – WiFi 4 and Bluetooth 5.0 LE + Mesh connectivity Storage – 16MB SPI flash Display – 2.33-inch RGB display with 480×222 resolution via ST7796 SPI display controller with touchscreen using CST226SE chip Networking 10/100Mbps Ethernet RJ45 port via W5500 4-wire SPI controller WiFi 4 and Bluetooth 5.0 LE via ESP32-S3 LoRa via HPD16A Semtech SX1262 […]

March 4, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments

The One Smart AI Pen – A ballpoint pen with Bluetooth and a microphone for translation, LLM integration, note taking (Crowdfunding)

You may have seen the “Sell me that pen. It’s AI-powered” meme if you are a social media user. It may have started as a joke, but Zakwan Ahmad made the meme become reality with “The One Smart AI Pen” which is basically a standard ballpoint pen with a battery, Bluetooth connectivity, a microSD card, and a microphone. The AI part is not exactly inside the pen per se, but in a smartphone’s app called Hearit.ai that allows the user to translate his/her voice input, use a range of LLMs such as ChatGPT, recording a meeting, or taking notes, for example, to schedule events or meetings. The One Smart AI Pen specifications: “AI chip” – Not clear why it’s needed here… unless it transcribes audio into text inside the pen (as opposed to inside the phone) Storage – MicroSD card slot inside the pen Wireless – Bluetooth 5.2 with up […]

March 4, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

UP Squared 7100 Edge fanless mini PC features Intel Processor N97 or N100 CPU for industrial automation

AEEON UP Squared 7100 Edge is a fanless industrial mini PC for edge applications powered by an Intel Processor N97 or Processor N100 CPU and based on the UP Squared 7100 SBC. The computer comes with up to 16GB LPDDR5, 128GB eMMC flash, M.2 sockets for storage and wireless expansion, HDMI and DisplayPort video outputs, two gigabit Ethernet ports, three USB 3.2 ports, two COM ports (RS232/RS485), and Line Out and Mic In audio jacks. The mini PC takes 12V DC up to 5A via a screwable DC lock and can operate in the 0 to 60°C temperature range. UP Squared 7100 Edge mini PC specifications: Alder Lake-N SoC (one or the other) Intel Processor N97 quad-core processor up to 3.6 GHz with 6MB cache, 24EU Intel UHD Graphics Gen 12 @ 1.2 GHz; TDP: 12W Intel Processor N100 quad-core processor up to 3.4 GHz with 6MB cache, 24EU […]

March 4, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 10 Comments

GL.iNet Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) WiFi 7 travel router up for pre-order for $96 and up

GL.iNet Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) is yet another travel router from the company, but it adopts the latest WiFi 7 standard with combined link speed of up to 3600 Mbps. The Slate 7 router supports both OpenVPN up to 100 Mbps and WireGuard up to 540 Mbps, and integrates with over 30 VPN services. The WiFi 7 router is relatively affordable starting at just $96 for pre-orders, but that’s limited to the first 800 orders, and after that the price goes up to $102 for the next 1,000 pieces, and the retail price will be $120 after that. Orders are limited to one per customer for the first two offers, and 10 per customer at the $120 price tag during the pre-order period. Deliveries are scheduled to start at the end of April / beginning of May. GL.iNet Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) specifications: SoC – Qualcomm quad-core @ 1.1GHz (Likely the IPQ5322, […]

March 4, 2025March 4, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 adds industrial/extended temperature range from -40°C to +85°C

Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 industrial temperature range

Some Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 are now available in the industrial/extended temperature operating from -40°C to +85°C, suitable for outdoor applications in cold climates and (some) cold storage solutions that require sub -20°C temperature. When the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 was launched in 2020, Raspberry Pi did not provide an operating temperature range. Since then, the Raspberry CM4 has been qualified to operate in the -20°C to +85°C range, which is suitable for most applications but not all. Eben Upton has now announced the availability of Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 variants with extended temperature range. Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 specifications (as of March 2025): SoC – Broadcom BCM2711 quad-core Cortex-A72 processor @ 1.5 GHz with VideoCore VI GPU System Memory – 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB LPDDR4-3200 SDRAM Storage – CM4: 4, 8, 16, or 32GB eMMC flash up to 100MB/s; CM4 Lite: No storage device […]