CNX Software - Embedded Systems News

October 29, 2024October 28, 2024 by Debashis Das - 2 Comments

OpenUC2 10x is an ESP32-S3 portable microscope with AI-powered real-time image analysis

Seeed Studio has recently launched the OpenUC2 10x AI portable microscope built around the XIAO ESP32-S3 Sense module. Designed for educational, environmental research, health monitoring, and prototyping applications this microscope features an OV2640 camera with a 10x magnification with precise motorized focusing, high-resolution imaging, and real-time TinyML processing for image handling. The microscope is modular and open-source making it easy to customize and expand its features using 3D-printed parts, motorized stages, and additional sensors. It supports Wi-Fi connectivity with a durable body, uses USB-C for power and swappable objectives make it usable in various applications. Previously we have written about similar portable microscopes like the ioLight microscope and the KoPa W5 Wi-Fi Microscope, and Jean-Luc also tested a cheap USB microscope to read part number of components. Feel free to check those out if you are looking for a cheap microscope. OpenUC2 10x specifications: Wireless MCU – Espressif Systems ESP32-S3 CPU […]

October 28, 2024October 28, 2024 by Sayantan Nandy - No Comments

Datanoise PicoADK v2 music synthesizer is a Raspberry Pi RP2350 board for audio experimentation

PicoADK v2 Synthesizer Development Platform

After the success of PicoADK v1, Datanoise has recently announced the launch of its PicoADK v2 music synthesizer built around the Raspberry Pi RP2350 MCU. The board supports projects like custom synthesizers, audio effects, and noise generation, and the 8 MB QSPI PSRAM of the RP2350 makes it ideal for memory-intensive applications such as long delays. Additionally, it features a SWD debug port, microSD card support, a MIDI-in circuit with an optocoupler, USB Type-C, user and power LEDs, and more. Previously, we have written about various similar synthesizer boards, like the Arduino-based MIDI controller, and we have seen products like the TinyLlama x86 retro computer, which uses the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W as a MIDI synthesizer. PicoADK v2 music synthesizer specification Microcontroller – Raspberry Pi RP2350A MCU CPU – Dual-core Arm Cortex-M33 processor @ 150MHz Memory – 520KB internal RAM Storage – 8KB OTP Package – QFN-60; 7×7 mm Memory – Optional 8MB QSPI […]

ArmSoM CM5 - Raspberry Pi CM4 alternative with Rockchip RK3576 SoC

October 28, 2024October 28, 2024 by Debashis Das - 1 Comment

Waveshare ESP32-S3 ETH board provides Ethernet and camera connectors, supports Raspberry Pi Pico HATs

ESP32 S3 ETH CAM KIT ESP32 S3 ETH Development Board with OV2640 camera support

Waveshare has recently launched the ESP32-S3-ETH development board with an Ethernet RJ45 jack, a camera interface, and compatibility with Raspberry Pi Pico HAT expansion boards. This board includes a microSD card interface and supports OV2640 and OV5640 camera modules. Additionally, it offers an optional Power over Ethernet (PoE) module, making it ideal for applications such as smart home projects, AI-enhanced computer vision, and image acquisition. Previously, we have written about LILYGO T-ETH-Lite, an ESP32-S3 board with Ethernet and optional PoE support. We have also written about LuckFox Pico Pro and Pico Max, Rockchip RV1106-powered development boards with 10/100M Ethernet and camera support. The ESP32-S3-ETH board is like a combination of those two, where you get an ESP32-S3 microcontroller, Ethernet (with optional PoE), and a camera interface. ESP32-S3 ETH development board specifications: Wireless module ESP32-S3R8 MCU – ESP32-S3 dual-core LX7 microprocessor @ up to 240 MHz with Vector extension for machine learning Memory – 8MB PSRAM Storage […]

October 28, 2024October 28, 2024 by Sayantan Nandy - No Comments

Microchip PIC64HX1000 64-bit RISC-V AI MPU delivers post-quantum security for aerospace, defense, and automotive applications

Microchip recently unveiled the PIC64HX1000 64-bit RISC-V AI microprocessor (MPU) family designed for mission-critical intelligent edge applications in the aerospace, defense, industrial, and medical sectors thanks to a quantum-resistant design. These new MPUs feature eight SiFive’s Intelligence X280 cores, each clocked at 1 GHz. The MPUs are engineered with a decoupled vector pipeline enabling 512-bit operations enabling the PIC64HX1000 to achieve up to 2 TOPS for AI/ML processing and come equipped with integrated Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) Ethernet connectivity. This new microprocessor includes a dedicated system controller for runtime monitoring and fault management, WorldGuard architecture for workload isolation, and post-quantum defense-grade cryptography, which includes the NIST-standardized FIPS 203 and FIPS 204 cryptographic algorithms, ensuring protection against future quantum computing threats. PIC64HX1000 64-bit AI MPU specification MPU variants PIC64HX1000 – IN (Industrial) PIC64HX1000 – AV (Aviation) PIC64HX1000 – MI (Military) CPU – 8x 64-bit RISC-V cores (SiFive X280), up to 1 GHz, […]

October 27, 2024October 28, 2024 by Sayantan Nandy - 5 Comments

14-Inch 4K ultra-wide touch display is optimized for Raspberry Pi and LattePanda boards, features USB Type-C and HDMI interfaces

DFRobot’s 14-inch ultra-wide IPS display offers narrow bezels, 4K (3840 x 1100) resolution, 10-point capacitive touch, and is designed for mounting single board computers such as LattePanda Sigma and Raspberry Pi 5. It can also be connected to other computers with dual USB Type-C and mini HDMI video input interfaces. With a unique 3.5:1 bar-shaped aspect ratio, this display can present information in an intuitive format for countertop advertising screens, measurement equipment, and smart terminals. DFRobot’s “14-inch 4K IPS bar touch display” specifications Display 14-inch ultra-wide, narrow bezel IPS bar touch display with 4K (3840×1100) resolution Ten-point capacitive touch support, offering precise input Aspect ratio – 3.5:1 Pixel – 0.08964(H) × 0.08964(V) mm Viewable area – 344.2(H)×98.6(V) mm with 170° viewing angle and ≥6H surface hardness Color Gamut – 72% Brightness – 300 cd/m2 Contrast Ratio – 1200:1 Refresh rate – 60Hz Transmittance – Greater than equals to 86% Driver […]

October 26, 2024 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 7 Comments

FlexiPi is a bendable Raspberry Pi Pico clone made of flexible PCB (Crowdfunding)

FlexiPi is a bendable Raspberry Pi RP2040 board made of flexible PCB with the same layout as the original Raspberry Pi Pico, but featuring a USB-C port instead of a micro USB port on the official board. This follows the Flexduino flex PCB clone of the Arduino UNO made by “EDISON SCIENCE CORNER”, but the smaller design of “TOP Gadgets” FlexiPi may make it potentially more useful since it could be inserted into tight or round enclosures. FlexiPi specifications: MCU – Raspberry Pi RP2040 dual-core Cortex-M0+ microcontroller @ 48 MHz (overclockable to 133 MHz) with 264KB SRAM Storage – 2MB QSPI flash USB – 1x USB Type-C 1.1 port used for power and programming Expansion 2x 20-pin 2.54mm pitch header and castellated holes with 26 GPIOs, 3x 12-bit ADC up to 500 Kbps, 2x UART, 2x I2C, 2x SPI, 16x PWM, 2x programmable high-speed I/O 3.3V I/O voltage Sensor – […]

Rockchip RK3568/RK3588 and Intel x86 SBCs

October 25, 2024 by Paisit Wongsongsarn - 31 Comments

SONOFF ZBMINIR2 review – A mini Zigbee switch & Zigbee router tested with eWeLink and Home Assistant

We have received another Zigbee device from SONOFF for review, namely the ZBMINIR2 which we’ll review with both eWelink adn Home Assistant. Many people may be familiar with the first-generation mini Zigbee Switch that SONOFF released in 2020, known as the ZBMINI. ZBMINI was one of the early Zigbee Switch models, which also acted as a Zigbee Router. The ZBMINIR2 is SONOFF’s second-generation mini Zigbee Switch including both software and hardware upgrades compared to its predecessor. Improvements include a smaller size, better signal quality, an increase in the number of supported devices (2x), wider coverage (5x), and additional features. Let’s dive into the details. Unboxing ZBMINIR2 Zigbee switch Inside the box, you’ll find a small user manual and the ZBMINIR2 device as usual. It is notably smaller than the predecessor model, which makes installation much easier in many cases. For example, it can now fit into the wall box behind […]

October 25, 2024October 25, 2024 by Sayantan Nandy - 1 Comment

Portwell WEBS-21J0-ASL – A rugged embedded system with Intel Atom x7000RE Nano-ITX motherboard and Hailo-8 AI accelerator

Portwell’s WEBS-21J0-ASL is a fanless, rugged embedded system with a Nano-ITX motherboard powered by an Intel Atom x7000RE Series processor and optimized for industrial IoT applications. It features two 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports, dual 4K display support (DP/HDMI), and a serial port as well as M.2 E and B Key sockets for wireless and storage expansion. Designed for harsh environments, the WEBS-21J0-ASL operates in temperatures ranging from -20°C to 60°C. The system is equipped with DDR4 SO-DIMM memory (up to 16GB and 10Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports. It has passed vibration and shock tests for durability in rugged applications making it suitable for a wide range of industrial and automation systems. The WEBS-21J0-ASL also supports optional integration with the Hailo-8 AI acceleration module delivering up to 26 TOPS of AI performance for applications requiring advanced AI capabilities. This makes it an ideal solution for robotics, medical equipment, outdoor gateways, and […]