FriendlyELEC SOM-RK3399 Development Kit Targets AI & Machine Vision Applications

SOM-RK3399 Development Kit SSD Modem

FriendlyELEC is better known for their low-cost tiny single board computers, but the company has also introduced systems-on-module in the past such as Smart6818 module powered by Samsung S5P6818 octa-core processor. The company has now launched another system-on-module with SOM-RK3399, which as its name implied features Rockchip RK3399 processor, as well as a corresponding carrier board mostly designed for artificial intelligence and computer vision applications. SOM-RK3399 System-on-Module Specifications: SoC – Rockchip RK3399 big.LITTLE hexa-core processor with 2x Cortex-A72 cores up to 2.0GHz, 4x Cortex-A53 cores up to 1.5GHz, Mali-T864 GPU with support for OpenGL ES1.1/2.0/3.0/3.1, OpenVG1.1, OpenCL, DX11, and AFBC, and VPU capable of handling 4K VP9 and 4K 10bits H265/H264 60fps decoding, Dual VOP, etc System Memory – Dual-Channel 2GB DDR3 Storage – 16GB eMMC 5.1 flash Networking 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth combo module (AP6356S), dual antenna interface Realtek RTL8211E Gigabit Ethernet transceiver USB – 2x USB-C […]

Sony CXM1501GR ELTRES LPWAN Module Promises a Range of over 100 Km

While there are many LPWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network) standards, three appear to dominate the news namely LoRaWAN, SigFox, and 3GPP NB-IoT/eMTC. They all offer long range and up to 10-year of battery life enabled by the use of low bitrate which is fast enough to send sensor data. We can now add another LWPAN standard to the list, as Sony has developed ELTRES wireless communication standard suitable for IoT networks, and announced their CXM1501GR ELTRES module with a range of over 100km, even while traveling at 100km/h. Key features and specifications: ELTRES Connectivity Antenna radiated power – 20mW Communication direction – Uplink only Frequency – 923.6 MHz to 928.0 MHz (23-channel frequency hopping) Main modulation system – π/2 Shift BPSK Sub-modulation system – Linear chirp modulation Transmission system – Four repeated transmissions of 0.4 sec or shorter packets Reduction of interference with other systems – CSMA (Carrier Sense […]

Raspberry Pi 3 Model B and Rock64 1GB SBCs Promotions

Raspberry Pi 3 Model B Free microSD Card

Ameridroid has some promotions for two of the most popular single board computers on the market. The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B (not B+) is now offered for $33.95, or $32.95 with CNXSUPPORTER1 coupon, with a free 16GB class 10 micro SD card pre-loaded with NOOBS. The company also discounted Rock64 board (1GB RAM model), with the same form factor as Raspberry Pi 3 Model B, but a faster Rockchip RK3328 processor, and high-speed interfaces like USB 3.0 and Gigabit Ethernet, making it one of the best alternatives to Raspberry Pi 3 board. You can now get it for $24.95, a discount of $5 compared to the normal price on Ameridroid. $24.95 also happens to be the price the board is sold on Pine64, but you may save on shipping depending on where you live. You’ll also be able to save a bit more by using one of the following […]

Intrinsyc Launches Open-Q 212A SoM & Qualcomm Home Hub 300 Development Kit

Snapdragon 212 Home Hub SBC

Intrinsyc has just announced the availability of the Open-Q 212A system-on-module and Home Hub Development Kit based on Qualcomm Home Hub 300 Platform powered by the Qualcomm APQ8009 SoC better known as Snapdragon 212. The module supports multi-mic beamforming, audio canceling, HiFi audio, as well as WiFi 5 and Bluetooth connectivity, which makes it suitable for integration into cost-sensitive home hub, home automation, and smart audio devices featuring voice control, AI, and wireless connectivity. Open-Q 212A system-on- module Open-Q 212A SoM, which should not be confused with the company’s Open-Q 212 SBC released two years ago, features for the following specifications: SoC – Qualcomm Snapdragon 212 processor (APQ8009) quad-core Arm Cortex-A7 @  1.267GHz with Adreno 304 GPU, Qualcomm QDSP6 DSP System Memory – 1GB LPDDR3 RAM Storage – 4GB eMMC Flash storage Video – 720p@30fps playback;  up to 720p playback with H.264 (AVC) and H.265 (HEVC); up to 720p H.264 […]

ASUS Tinker Edge T & CR1S-CM-A SBC to Feature Google Coral Edge TPU & NXP i.MX 8M Processor

ASUS CR1S-CM-A SBC

A few months ago, Google introduced its Coral development board and USB accelerator powered by their Edge TPU delivering up to 4 TOPS and optimized for Tensorflow Lite. ASUS and Google have now partnered to bring more solutions powered by Coral Edge TPU namely ASUS Tinker Edge T board for makers and hobbyists, CR1S-CM-A SBC for industrial projects, and even a full computer fitted with a Google Edge TPU PCIe card. ASUS Tinker Edge T ASUS Tinker Edge T preliminary specifications: SoC – NXP i.MX 8M quad-core Arm Cortex-A53 processor with Arm Cortex-M4F real-time core,  GC7000 Lite 3D GPU ML accelerator – Google Edge TPU co-processor System Memory – 1GB LPDDR4 RAM Storage – 8 GB eMMC flash Connectivity – Gigabit Ethernet port, Wi-Fi 2×2 MIMO (802.11b/g/n/ac 2.4/5GHz), and Bluetooth 4.1 Video Output – MIPI DSI connector, and HDMI output Camera I/F – 2x MIPI CSI 2 interfaces for stereoscopic […]

HKCam is a Raspberry Pi Zero W based DIY HomeKit IP Camera

HKCam Raspberry Pi HomeKit IP Cam

HKCam is an IP camera based on Raspberry Pi Zero W board and compatible with any HomeKit apps. The developer, Matthias Hochgatterer, did not make the hardware himself, and instead purchased a Raspberry Pi Zero W + camera kit sold for around $30 on Aliexpress. His main work was to design a 3D printed case and write the software running in the camera, as well as his own Home 3 smart home automation app for iOS compatible with HomeKit. The only hardware needed is the Raspberry Pi Zero W with a power supply, the official Raspberry Pi camera module with is flat cable, and a microSD card, so you could also get those locally instead of purchasing them from Aliexpress. The firmware is based on Raspbian, FFmpeg to access the camera stream, as well as hc, a lightweight framework to develop HomeKit accessories in Go. You’ll find the documentation, source […]

Project Athena Specification 1.0 – Fast Response Times and Long Battery Life

Project Athena Specification 1.0

Project Athena innovation program aims to provide a set of guidelines for Windows or Chrome OS always-on always-connected laptop powered by Intel processor. At the time of the first announcement at CES 2019 few details were provided, but Intel has now released Project Athena 1.0 target specification which gives clearer details of what such laptops will have to offer. Intel also introduced new “key experience indicators” (KEI) aligned with real-world conditions in order to provide to best experience to end-users. Project Athena 1.0 target specification defines six key areas of innovation: Instant Action – Modern Connected Standby and Lucid Sleep (feature of Chrome OS) features implement fast wake with a simple lid-lift, push of a button or quick fingerprint recognition. System wake from sleep must occur in less than 1 second Performance and Responsiveness – Systems based on Intel Core i5 or i7 processors with Intel Dynamic Tuning Technology, a […]

REFLO Air is a $200 Open Source Hardware Portable PCB Reflow Machine (Crowdfunding)

PCB Reflow Phone Magnifier

While possible, it can be challenging to solder SMD components with a soldering iron or a heat gun, and going with a reflow oven is much easier and normally yields better results. But reflow ovens are usually fairly bulky, and somewhat expensive. MagixBox’ REFLO Air PCB reflow machine is much more compact making it more portable, open source hardware, and affordably priced since the early bird pledge starts at $199 on Crowd Supply. REFLO Air specifications: Control panel with LCD segment display and buttons Heat Control 100-300°C temperature control K-type thermometer Cooling fan Power Supply-110V-220VAC Max Power – 200 Watts Dimensions – 138 x 138 x 51 mm Weight – 900 g The company also offers optional accessories for its PCB reflow machine with a 3D-printed phone holder to use the phone’s camera to magnify the reflow area, a mini vice made of aluminum, and a semi-automated XY table. The […]

UP 7000 x86 SBC