Author: Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)

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.
Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 6 Comments on AMD Ryzen Embedded 8000 Series processors target industrial AI with 16 TOPS NPU

AMD Ryzen Embedded 8000 Series processors target industrial AI with 16 TOPS NPU

AMD Ryzen Embedded 8000

AMD has recently “announced” the Ryzen Embedded 8000 Series processors in a community post with the latest AMD embedded devices combining a 16 TOPS NPU based on the AMD XDNA architecture with CPU and GPU elements for a total of 39 TOPS designed for industrial artificial intelligence. The Ryzen Embedded 8000 CPUs will be found in machine vision, robotics, and industrial automation applications to enhance the quality control and inspection processes, enable real-time, route-planning decisions on-device for minimal latency, and predictive maintenance, and autonomous control of industrial processes. AMD Ryzen Embedded 8000 key features and shared specifications: CPU – Up to 8 “Zen 4” cores, 16 threads Cache L1 Instruction Cache – 32 KB, L1 Data Cache = 32 KB (per core) L2 Cache – Up to 8 MB (total) L3 Cache-  Up to 16 MB unified Graphics – RDNA 3 graphics with up to 6 WGPs (Work Group processors) […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 6 Comments on Hailo-10 M.2 Key-M module brings Generative AI to the edge with up to 40 TOPS of performance

Hailo-10 M.2 Key-M module brings Generative AI to the edge with up to 40 TOPS of performance

Hailo-10 M.2 module generative AI for the edge

Hailo-10 is a new M.2 Key-M module that brings Generative AI  capabilities to the edge with up to 40 TOPS of performance at low power. It targets AI PCs supporting only the Windows 11 operating system on x86 or Aarch64 targets at this time. Hailo claims the Hailo-10 is faster and more energy efficient than integrated neural processing unit (NPU) solutions found in Intel SoCs and delivers at least twice the performance at half the power of Intel’s Core Ultra “AI Boost” NPU. Hailo-10 module specifications: AI accelerator – Hailo-10H System Memory – 8GB LPDDR4 on module Host interface – 4-lane PCIe Gen 3 Power consumption – Less than 3.5W (typical) for the chip Form factor – M.2 Key M 2242 / 2280 Supported AI frameworks – TensorFlow, TensorFlow Lite, Keras, PyTorch & ONNX The Hailo-10 can run Llama2-7B with up to 10 tokens per second (TPS) at under 5W […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment on The Arduino PLC Starter Kit aims to teach programmable logic control to high school and university students

The Arduino PLC Starter Kit aims to teach programmable logic control to high school and university students

Arduino PLC Starter Kit

Arduino PLC Starter Kit combines the Arduino Opta micro PLC, the Arduino DIN Simul8 digital input simulator and power distribution board, and the Arduino DIN Celsius board with two independent heater circuits and one temperature sensor acting as a temperature laboratory. The kit is supported by the Arduino PLC IDE first introduced in 2022 and comes with various cables and a power supply that allows users to quickly get started. Arduino says the kit targets the education of students aged 17 years and more. It includes 20 hours of lessons going through the history of programmable logic controllers, Modbus RS-485 communications, and how PLCs integrate with industrial simulated systems. The main hardware and software components of the kits are: Arduino Opta WiFi micro PLC based on an STMicro STM32H747XI dual-core Arm Cortex-M7/M4 MCU, offering Ethernet and RS485 communication interfaces, and exposing eight digital/analog inputs, plus four relay outputs. DIN Rail-mountable […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments on DeGirum ORCA M.2 and USB Edge AI accelerators support Tensorflow Lite and ONNX model formats

DeGirum ORCA M.2 and USB Edge AI accelerators support Tensorflow Lite and ONNX model formats

Degirum ORCA M.2 PCIe module

I’ve just come across an Atom-based Edge AI server offered with a range of AI accelerator modules namely the Hailo-8, Blaize P1600, Degirum ORCA, and MemryX MX3. I had never heard about the last two, and we may cover the MemryX module a little later, but today, I’ll have a closer at the Degirum ORCA chip and M.2 PCIe module. The DeGirum ORCA is offered as an ASIC, an M.2 2242 or 2280 PCIe module, or (soon) a USB module and supports TensorFlow Lite and ONNX model formats and INT8 and Float32 ML precision. They were announced in September 2023, and have already been tested in a range of mini PCs and embedded box PCs from Intel (NUC), AAEON, GIGABYTE, BESSTAR, and Seeed Studio (reComputer). DeGirum ORCA specifications: Supported ML Model Formats – ONNX, TFLite Supported ML Model Precision – Float32, Int8 DRAM Interface – Optional 1GB, 2GB, or 4GB […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments on Murata Type 2GT tiny LoRa module features Semtech LR1121 with Sub-GHz ISM, 2.4GHz, satellite S-Band support

Murata Type 2GT tiny LoRa module features Semtech LR1121 with Sub-GHz ISM, 2.4GHz, satellite S-Band support

Murata LR1211 LoRa module

Murata Type 2GT module is a tiny multi-band, low-power radio LoRa module based on the Semtech LR1121, the successor of the LR1120, that supports 860 to 930 MHz and 2.4GHz ISM bands, as well as the 2.1 GHz Satellite S-Band meaning it can work globally. The Type 2GT module measures just 9.98 x 8.70 x 1.74mm and is built on a PCB housed in a metal case and packaged as a land grid array. It combines the Semtech LR1121 RF transceiver IC, a thermally compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO), a second 32KHz crystal, an RF switch, and an RF matching network. Murata Type 2GT module (LBAA0XV2GT-001) specifications: Transceiver – Semtech LR1121 LoRa transceiver LoRa frequencies 860 to 930 MHz (ISM) 2.4 GHz ISM 2.1 GHz satellite S-Band Technology – LoRa, LR-FHSS (Long Range – Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum) 32 MHz TCXO for maximum frequency accuracy Peripheral I/F – SPI and GPIOs […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 11 Comments on Avaota A1 open-source hardware SBC is powered by Allwinner T527 octa-core Cortex-A55 SoC

Avaota A1 open-source hardware SBC is powered by Allwinner T527 octa-core Cortex-A55 SoC

Avaota A1 open-source hardware Allwinner T527 SBC

We’ve recently covered MYiR Tech MYD-LT527 industrial development board based on Allwinner T527 octa-core Cortex-A55 AI SoC and noted Orange Pi is working on one that should even get mainline Linux support. The Avaoto A1 offers another Allwinner T527 hardware option with an SBC design that’s fully open-source. The board is equipped with up to 4GB RAM, 128GB eMMC flash, HDMI and DisplayPort video outputs, two gigabit Ethernet ports, a WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 module, a few USB ports, a 3.5mm audio jack and the usual 40-pin GPIO header for expansion. Avaota A1 specifications: SoC – Allwinner T527 (or Allwinner A527 with Avaota A1C board, not sure what the differences are between the two) CPU Octa-core Arm Cortex-A55 processor with four cores @ 1.80 GHz and four cores @ 1.42GHz XuanTie E906 RISC-V core up to 200 MHz GPU – Arm Mali-G57 MC1 GPU with support for OpenGL ES […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments on 6-channel ESP32-S3-based WiFi relay module offers RS485 interface, supports Raspberry Pi Pico HATs

6-channel ESP32-S3-based WiFi relay module offers RS485 interface, supports Raspberry Pi Pico HATs

ESP32-C6 6-channel relay module

Waveshare ESP32-S3-Relay-6CH is a 6-channel WiFi and Bluetooth relay module based on Espressif Systems ESP32-S3 wireless microcontroller that also supports RS485 control and comes with headers taking Raspberry Pi Pico HATs adding RTC, CAN Bus, RS232,  LoRa, sensors, or other features. The relays are rated 250VAC/30VDC up to 10A, the system take 7V to 36V DC input through a terminal block, and can be programmed with Arduino or MicroPython though a USB-C port. It also features a a built-in buzzer, an RGB LED, and is housed in a DIN Rail-mountable ABS case. Waveshare ESP32-S3-Relay-6CH specifications: Wireless module – ESP32-S3-WROOM-1U-N8 by default MCU – ESP32-S3 dual-core Tensilica LX7 up to 240 MHz with 512KB SRAM Storage – 8MB Quad SPI flash Wireless – 2.4 GHz WiFi 4 and Bluetooth LE 5 u.FL connector for external antenna 6x relays via terminal blocks Rating –  Up to 10A 250V AC / 30V DC […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments on Cincoze DA-1200 fanless industrial embedded computer features Intel N97 CPU, operates in -40 to 70°C temperature range

Cincoze DA-1200 fanless industrial embedded computer features Intel N97 CPU, operates in -40 to 70°C temperature range

Cincoze DA-1200 fanless industrial embedded computer

Cincoze DA-1200 is a compact, fanless industrial embedded computer powered by an Intel Processor N97 Alder Lake-N CPU with up to 16GB DDR5, and equipped with M.2 Key-B sockets and 2.5-inch SATA slot for storage, dual 2.5GbE, optional WiFi and 5G connectivity, DisplayPort video output, and a CMI connector for expansion. Designed for challenging industrial environments, the mini PC works across a wide temperature range (-40 to 70°C) and wide voltage range (9 to 48V) and complies with the MIL-STD-810H shock and vibration standard, as well as various EMC/EMI standards such as EN IEC 61000-6-2 and EN IEC 61000-6-4. Cincoze DA-1200 specifications: SoC – Intel Processor N97 Alder Lake-N quad-core processor @ up to 3.6 GHz with 6MB cache, 24 EU Intel UHD graphics @ up to 1.20 GHz; TDP: 12W System Memory – Up to 16GB DDR5-4800 via SO-DIMM socket Storage M.2 SSD shared by M.2 Key B Type […]

EmbeddedTS embedded systems design