Author: Tomisin Olujinmi

Tomisin is a writer specializing in hardware product reviews, comparisons, and explainers. He is very passionate about small form factor and single-board computers.
Posted on by Tomisin Olujinmi - No Comments on USB Insight Hub is an open-source, ESP32-S2-based tool for testing USB devices (Crowdfunding)

USB Insight Hub is an open-source, ESP32-S2-based tool for testing USB devices (Crowdfunding)

USB Insight Hub testing tool

The USB Insight Hub is a USB testing tool based on the ESP32-S2 wireless SoC made by Ecuador-based company Aerio Solutions SAS and aimed at developers and tech enthusiasts. The Insight Hub connects to a computer via a USB Type-C port and expands it to three downstream ports, each with a 1.3-inch color display screen that displays information about the serial device such as its assigned enumeration name, voltage, and current. The enumeration name displayed helps to identify all virtual ports running through the Insight Hub. This feature is quite handy when multiple devices are connected. Although the hub features a Wi-Fi-enabled SoC, it doesn’t currently support wireless networking. Each downstream port is connected to a dedicated voltage and current meter for real-time feedback. Also, the hub implements configurable short-circuit, over-current, and back-current protection. It also allows you to control the individual activation and deactivation of the D+/D- data lines […]

Posted on by Tomisin Olujinmi - No Comments on STMicro’s low-power ST1VAFE3BX AI biosensor integrates biopotential signal monitoring and motion tracking

STMicro’s low-power ST1VAFE3BX AI biosensor integrates biopotential signal monitoring and motion tracking

STMicro ST1VAFE3BX biosensor

STMicroelectronics (STMicro) has announced the ST1VAFE3BX biosensor, a highly integrated chip that combines “cardio and neurological sensing with motion tracking and embedded AI functionalities,” and is targeted at healthcare and fitness wearables. The ST1VAFE3BX biosensor chip integrates biopotential inputs with an accelerometer and a machine learning core for reduced power consumption. It features a complete vertical analog front end (vAFE) for simplified detection of vital signs in electrocardiography, electroencephalography, and other healthcare monitoring applications. Inertial sensing by the accelerometer is synchronized with biopotential sensing “to infer any link between measured signals and physical activity.” The integrated machine-learning core (MLC) and finite state machine (FSM) allow for ultra-low-power and accurate biopotential input recognition at a degree of responsiveness that is reportedly faster than the current industry standard. The ST1VAFE3BX is aimed at applications in healthcare and fitness wearables such as smartwatches, smart patches, sports bands, connected rings, and smart glasses. It […]

Posted on by Tomisin Olujinmi - No Comments on MSI MS-CF16 fanless Alder Lake-N/Amston Lake Pico-ITX single board computer features up to 16GB LPDDR5 RAM

MSI MS-CF16 fanless Alder Lake-N/Amston Lake Pico-ITX single board computer features up to 16GB LPDDR5 RAM

MSI MS-CF16 Pico-ITX single-board computer

MSI MS-CF16 is a fanless single board computer (SBC) in the Pico-ITX form factor powered by low-power Intel Alder Lake-N or Amston Lake series processors. It features up to 16GB LPDDR5 RAM, offers dual independent display support via HDMI and LDVS/eDP connectors, and integrates other peripherals such as 2.5GbE and 1GbE LAN ports, multiple USB 3.2 and USB 3.0 ports, and two M.2 (B-Key and E-Key) sockets. The MS-CF16 is a smaller and more power-efficient alternative to the MS-CF17 3.5-inch SBC which we covered previously. It is perfect for industrial and embedded applications such as industrial automation, edge computing, medical devices, outdoor signage, and general computing in demanding conditions. It’s far from the first Alder Lake-N or Amston Lake Pico-ITX single board computer we’ve written about, and competing solutions include Jetway’s JPIC-ADN1, AAEON’s PICO-ASL4, DFI’s RPP051, and Kontron 2.5”-SBC-AML/ADN Alder Lake-N/Amston Lake Pico-ITX SBC covered by Sayantan earlier today. MSI […]

Posted on by Tomisin Olujinmi - No Comments on Renesas RX260 and RX261 64 MHz RXv3 MCUs target power-efficient touch applications

Renesas RX260 and RX261 64 MHz RXv3 MCUs target power-efficient touch applications

Renesas RX260 RX261 RXv3 microcontrollers

The Renesas RX260 and RX261 two new 64 MHz microcontrollers part of the high-performance, high-efficiency RX product family with integrated capacitive touch-sensing and high power efficiency in both active and standby modes. The microcontrollers are based on the RXv3 core with a performance score of 355 CoreMark @ 64MHz, which is “2.5 times higher than competing 64 MHz class MCUs.” The chips are also power-efficient, with a consumption rate of 69μA/MHz during active operation and 1μA only in standby mode. According to Renesas, the chips are up to 25% more efficient in active mode and 87% more efficient in standby mode than other 64 MHz class MCUs. Another competing factor is the onboard 8KB of data flash, eliminating the need for external EEPROM. The RX260 and RX261 Group MCUs support noise- and water-resistant capacitive touch via Renesas’ third-generation capacitive touch IP (CTSU2SL). They also integrate an “automatic judgment function” that […]

Posted on by Tomisin Olujinmi - 1 Comment on Realtek Ameba RTL8730E Cortex-A32 audio streaming module offers a cost-effective solution for wireless audio applications

Realtek Ameba RTL8730E Cortex-A32 audio streaming module offers a cost-effective solution for wireless audio applications

Stream210 module

StreamUnlimited and Realtek Semiconductor Corp have collaborated on the Stream210 audio streaming module based on the Ameba Smart RTL8730E Arm Cortex-A32 chip from the Ameba E series, with support for Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and Matter for edge computing and IoT solutions. We have looked at previous Ameba IoT products, such as the Ameba RTL8722DM development board, Ameba Arduino, Ameba RTL8195AM module, and the Ameba RTL8710BN. The Ameba Smart chip is the first entry in the series to feature a Cortex-A32 processor. The Stream210 module is aimed at various audio and IoT applications, including digital radios, streaming audio receivers, wireless speakers, smart speakers, home automation products, and Wi-Fi headphones. Other wireless audio modules we’ve covered in the past include the Up2Stream Pro HiFi board, TTGO T9, and 8devices’ Tobufi module. Stream210 specifications: SoC – Ameba Smart RTL8730E dual-core Arm Cortex-A32 processor @ 1.3GHz Memory – 2Gbit RAM Storage – 2Gbit […]

Posted on by Tomisin Olujinmi - 22 Comments on Spectra is a customizable, JavaScript ESP32-S3 and nRF52832 smartwatch (Crowdfunding)

Spectra is a customizable, JavaScript ESP32-S3 and nRF52832 smartwatch (Crowdfunding)

spectra smartwatch

Spectra is a JavaScript-based hackable smartwatch based on the ESP32-S3 WiFi and Bluetooth microcontroller that aims to offer the quality of high-end consumer smartwatches with the repairability of a maker-targeted device. The Spectra smartwatch combines the ESP32-S3 microcontroller with a Nordic Semi nRF52832 co-processor to optimize the battery life. The ESP32-S3 is maxed out with 8MB of RAM and 32MB of external flash memory, and the microSD card slot in the watch supports up to a 512GB memory card. It shares a similar concept with the Bangle.js and the Bangle.js 2 customizable smartwatches. According to the maker, Spectra is not bound to be fully open-source, since the project uses “external proprietary code [they] aren’t allowed to share.” They plan to publish Arduino libraries and hardware design files, but there is no live GitHub repository yet. Other hackable smartwatches include the TinyWatch S3, the ZSWatch, and the Sensor Watch Pro. Spectra […]

Posted on by Tomisin Olujinmi - No Comments on MSI MS-CF17 is a 3.5-inch fanless single board computer with Intel Raptor Lake-P SoC

MSI MS-CF17 is a 3.5-inch fanless single board computer with Intel Raptor Lake-P SoC

MSI MS-CF17 3.5-inch Raptor Lake-P SBC

The MSI MS-CF17 is a fanless 3.5-inch single board computer powered by the Intel 13th Gen Raptor Lake-P series with options for embedded and industrial SKUs. It comes with up to 32GB of DDR5 SODIMM memory and features an M.2 M key (PCIe Gen4) socket and a SATA III storage slot. It also supports four 2.5GbE ports, four internal COM ports, eight USB interfaces, and M.2 Key-B and Key-E sockets for wireless expansion. It supports four independent displays via four HDMI 2.0 ports and an eDP/LDVS display interface. Potential applications for the fanless single board computer include industrial automation, digital signage, edge computing, transportation, and imaging systems MSI MS-CF17 specifications: SoC – Intel 13th Gen Raptor Lake-P Embedded/Industrial SKU Series; P-core: 4.3GHz ~ 4.9GHz; E-core: 3.2GHz ~ 3.7GHz; Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Core i5/i7) or Intel UHD Graphics (Core i3) Core i7-1365UE / i5-1345UE / i5-1335UE / i3-1315UE / U300E, […]

Posted on by Tomisin Olujinmi - 7 Comments on Taoglas AntJack is an RJ45 jack-mounted Wi-Fi antenna for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 6/6E, and Wi-Fi 7

Taoglas AntJack is an RJ45 jack-mounted Wi-Fi antenna for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 6/6E, and Wi-Fi 7

Taoglas Wi FI antenna on jack

Dublin-based Taoglas has unveiled the AntJack described as “an industry-first Wi-Fi antenna for an RJ45 Jack”. The AntJack, also known as the FXM100, can be mounted on any standard RJ45 Ethernet connector to create a 2-in-1 solution that saves space and enhances wireless performance across 2.4 GHz, 5.8 GHz, and 7.1 GHz frequency bands. It is a compact (26.6 x 15.6 x 13.1 mm), omnidirectional dipole antenna with support for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 6/6E, and Wi-Fi 7. It can be used in various applications, such as modems and routers, industrial gateways, factory automation, industrial robotics, and test and measurement systems. The AntJack is especially well-suited for embedded applications with space constraints and positioning challenges such as 4 x 4 or 8 x 8 MIMO configurations. It features an easy “peel and stick” design manufactured from flexible PCB material with adhesive conductive foam, allowing straightforward installation on RJ45 connectors. According to Oliver […]

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