8 cores for heterogeneous edge computing Tasks at the embedded edge are getting more and more complex. Supporting up to 8 cores and 16 threads, the recently-launched AMD Ryzen Embedded V2000 processors are paving the way for x86-based embedded designs with unprecedented compute density and performance per watt. congatec is offering the new Zen 2 based processor generation, which complements V1000 processor technology with 6- and 8-core versions, on COM Express Compact modules. As the trend towards more IIoT connectivity and digitization continues, embedded systems must handle a growing number of tasks. Additional tasks include the collection of application data that needs to be transcoded, and sometimes analyzed locally using artificial intelligence (AI). In parallel, data must be exchanged with customers’ enterprise clouds and other OEM apps, and this communication must be highly secure, because new pay-per-use models turn the devices, machines, and systems into an OEM revenue source that […]
T95 Plus Android 11 TV Box features Rockchip RK3566 AIoT processor, 8GB RAM
Last month, we wrote about the first Rockchip RK3566 TV box we had seen so far with a new version of the H96 Max TV box running Android 11 with up to 8GB RAM. While Rockchip RK3566 processor has multimedia capabilities with 4K HDR video playback and output, it has many other interfaces such as native PCIe and SATA that would not make it as cost-effective as TV Box SoC’s like Rockchip RK3328 or Amlogic S905X4. But this does not stop companies from making TV boxes with the AIoT processor, and T95 Plus TV box offers another option, again with up to 8GB RAM. T95 Plus specifications: SoC – Rockchip RK3566 quad-core Cortex-A55 processor @ 1.8 GHz with Arm Mali-G52 EE GPU, 0.8 TOPS NPU/AI accelerator System Memory – 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB RAM Storage – 32GB, 64GB, or 128GB eMMC flash, MicroSD card slot Video Output – HDMI 2.0a […]
Google releases the source code for Lyra low bitrate speech codec
Google showcased Lyra audio codec for high-quality voice calls at a low 3 kbps bitrate last February. But at the time, it was only for our eyes to see, or rather our ears to listen to, as the company did not release any software, but only audio samples with excellent quality compared to Speex @ 3 kbps or Opus @ 6 kbps. Google has now released the Lyra source code, written in C++ for optimal speed, efficiency, and interoperability and relying on both the Bazel build framework and the GoogleTest framework. The beta release provides the tools and APIs needed for Lyra encoding and decoding, and is currently optimized for the 64-bit Arm Android platform, but can also be run in Linux x86 64-bit. There is also an example app – lyra_android_example – that integrates with the Android NDK and offers a minimal GUI with two buttons to either record […]
MECOOL KM2 – Netflix 4K certified, Amlogic S905X2-B TV Box runs Android TV 10
There are plenty of Amlogic TV boxes around, but unless you buy from the big players, most devices won’t support Netflix FullHD/4K because certification is hard to get for smaller companies. The Hailstorm device scaling program launched in 2018 aimed to make the process easier on Amlogic and Hisilicon processors, and HiMedia S1 TV dongle was one of the first to get approved. But now MECOOL KM2 joins the rank of Netflix 4K certified devices. The TV box is powered by an Amlogic S905X2-B processor running Android TV 10, also known as Android TV on Android 10. MECOOL KM2 specifications: SoC – Amlogic S905X2-B quad-core Cortex-A53 processor System Memory – 2GB DDR4 Storage – 8 GB eMMC flash, MicroSD card slot Video Output – HDMI 2.1 up to 4Kp60 with HDCP 2.3, HDMI-CEC support Codecs – H.264/AVC, H.265/HEVC, VP8 & VP9 HDR – HDR10+, HDR & HLG DRM – Widevine […]
Top 5 most powerful Arm SBC’s & Devkits in 2021
While companies like Hardkernel, Raspberry Pi, Orange Pi, and FriendlyArm offers affordable, great little Arm Linux development boards that are suitable for many projects, in some cases, your requirements may lead you to spend a bit more for either extra CPU power, more memory, AI processing power, faster I/Os and so on. That’s why I did a list of the most powerful Arm single board computers in late 2017, but with over three years passed since then an update is warranted. The boards from the list must be easily purchasable from individuals (with the cash to spare) or small companies, so we’ll exclude hard-to-source hardware, as well as Arm server boards like Ampere eMAG motherboard, that do not really qualify as single board computers. Snapdragon 888 Mobile Hardware Development Kit While there are plenty of Cortex-A72/A73 development boards around, it’s much hardware to find one with more recent Cortex-X1 or […]
Station P2 Arm mini PC offers dual GbE, M.2 & SATA SSD, up to 8GB RAM (Crowdfunding)
Last week, we noted Firefly launched the first RK3568 system-on-module with Core-3568J AI Core and a corresponding full-featured development kit. But the company has been working on another interesting Rockchip RK3568 based device with Station P2 mini PC. Most Arm mini PCs need to make compromises when it comes to interfaces having to rely on USB bridges, but Station P2 feels very much like standard x86 based mini PC, albeit with a slower processor, thanks to native interfaces, or implemented through PCIe, with M.2 and SATA 3.0 SSD/HDD, dual Gigabit Ethernet, as well as WiFi 6, several USB 3.0/2.0 ports, and support for up to 8GB RAM among other features. Station P2 mini PC specifications: SoC – Rockchip RK3568 quad-core Cortex-A55 processor @ up to 2.0 GHz with Arm Mali-G52 2EE GPU with support for OpenGL ES 1.1/2.0/3.2, OpenCL 2.0, Vulkan 1.1, 0.8 TOPS NPU for AI acceleration, 4Kp60 H.265/H.264/VP9 […]
Firefly unveils Core-3568J AI Core Rockchip RK3568 system-on-module & devkit
Firefly has unveiled a new 314-pin SO-DIMM system-on-module (SoM) with Core-3568J AI Core powered by Rockchip RK3568 processor and equipped with up to 8GB RAM, 128GB eMMC flash with interfaces including PCIe, SATA, dual Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI 2.0, eDP 1.3, MIPI DSI and more. The company also provides AIO-3568J development kit for the module with all those interfaces plus an M.2 socket for 5G or WiFi 6 connectivity, and PoE support among other features. Core-3568J AI Core system-on-module Specifications: SoC – Rockchip RK3568 quad-core Cortex-A55 processor @ 2.0 GHz with Arm Mali-G52 2EE GPU with support for OpenGL ES 1.1/2.0/3.2, OpenCL 2.0, Vulkan 1.1, 0.8 TOPS NPU for AI acceleration, 4Kp60 H.265/H.264/VP9 video decoding, and 1080p100 H.265/H.264 video encoding System Memory – 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB LPDDR4 ECC RAM up to 1600 MHz Storage – 32GB, 64GB, or 128GB eMMC flash 314-pin SO-DIMM edge connector with: Storage – SATA 3.0 […]
Geniatech SDM3399 RK3399 SBC looks like a PCIe card
There are so many Rockchip RK3399 SBCs that it’s getting boring, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Rockchip RK3399 SBC that follows the PCIe card form factor, and that’s exactly what Geniatech SDM3399 offers. The board/card comes with up to 4GB RAM, up to 64GB flash, and exposes Gigabit Ethernet, USB ports, and an audio jack via the PCIe bracket. Geniatech SDM3399 specifications: SoC – Rockchip RK3399 hexa-core processor with 2x Cortex-A72 cores @ 1.8 GHz, four Cortex-A53 cores @ 1.4 GHz, Arm Mali-T860MP4 GPU 800MHz System Memory – 2GB DDR (4GB optional) Storage – 8GB eMMC flash (16GB/32GB/64GB optional) Audio – 3.5mm audio jack Connectivity Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 port 802.11a/b/g/n/ac WiFI 4 and Bluetooth USB – 2x USB 2.0 ports Expansion – 1x M.2 socket Intel SDM Connector – PCIe x 8 (98-pin) SMT connector with HDMI output, DisplayPort output 2x USB 2.0, 1x serial port Battery […]