CNX Software - Embedded Systems News

January 20, 2025January 20, 2025 by Tomisin Olujinmi - No Comments

BANDIT PC32 standalone ColorForth keyboard computer is powered by the Raspberry Pi RP2350 microcontroller

BANDIT PC32 is a Raspberry Pi RP2350-powered keyboard computer that runs a graphically-oriented version of the ColorForth programming environment. The BANDIT PC32 is primarily aimed at on-the-go use for programming video games. The custom, 32-key split keyboard takes up most of the build, with a 3.2-inch 320 x 240 capacitive display in the center. It also features an HDMI port for connecting a larger external display. The 48-pin GPIO is divided into two female headers and can be used to interface with other devices directly. This is the second version of the Bandit standalone computer, building on an early prototype based on the RP2040 microcontroller. We have seen several interesting RP2350-based products like the Inky Frame 7.3”, 4D Systems display modules, and Jumperless V5 programmable breadboard. However, this is the first RP2350 standalone computer we have come across. It shares some similarities with the ESP32 Rainbow. BANDIT PC32 ColorForth specifications: […]

January 19, 2025January 19, 2025 by Debashis Das - No Comments

Intel Core Ultra 200S/200U/200H-powered COM-HPC Client modules support up to 192GB DDR5 memory, PCIe Gen5

Portwell COM HPC client modules PCOM B887 and PCOM B886

Portwell PCOM-B887 and PCOM-B886 are two new COM-HPC client modules built around Intel Core Ultra 200S/200U/200H processors delivering high-performance computing and AI acceleration for industrial, edge, and AI-driven applications. The Portwell PCOM-B887 (Size C) module is built around the 200S Series, offers up to 36 TOPS, supports 192GB DDR5 memory, and features 42 PCIe lanes up to Gen5. The PCOM-B886 (Size B) module supports 200H/200U Series processors, which deliver up to 99 TOPS, support 96GB DDR5 memory, and include 24 PCIe lanes. Both modules feature various I/O options, including USB4, USB3.2 Gen2, and multiple display outputs. Portwell PCOM-B887 – COM-HPC Client Type Size C module The PCOM-B887 COM-HPC Client Type Size C module is powered by Intel Core Ultra 200S Series processors, which feature up to 36 TOPS of AI performance via an integrated neural processing unit (NPU). It supports up to 192GB of DDR5 memory at 4800MT/s with 42 […]

ArmSoM RK3588 AIModule7 NVIDIA Jetson Nano-compatible SOM

January 18, 2025January 20, 2025 by Debashis Das - 6 Comments

M.2 CAN FD adapter adds CAN Bus support to hosts with a spare M.2 Key-B socket

Designed by Universal Machine Intelligence, the M.2 CAN FD adapter is an M.2 to CAN FD converter board that brings two high-speed CAN FD interfaces to projects requiring reliable high-speed communication. It is an M.2 B-key card with a slim form factor and a breakaway design that supports slot lengths like 2242, 2252, 2260, and 2280. The adapter supports CAN FD and CAN 2.0B protocols with speeds up to 5Mbit/s and includes functional isolation between the host and CAN bus for additional safety. Additional features include a built-in network termination switch with split termination, ultra-low power consumption, and compatibility with 12V, 24V, and 48V systems. Designed for industrial environments, this adapter is ideal for applications like industrial monitoring and control, robotics, production line automation, hardware-in-the-loop testing, remote system access, data logging, and embedded computing. M.2 CAN FD adapter specifications: CAN Bus CAN channel – Dual-channel CAN interfaces that are independent […]

January 18, 2025January 18, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 13 Comments

Jack Dorsey talk at FOSDEM 2025 may lead to protest

Jack Dorsey, who previously owned Twitter and now runs Block, will be giving a talk at FOSDEM 2025 entitled “Infusing Open Source Culture into Company DNA: A Conversation with Jack Dorsey and Manik Surtani, Block’s head of Open Source” and some people don’t like having a billionaire giving a talk at an open-source event and plan to host a protest. I recently wrote about my own FOSDEM 2025 schedule focusing on embedded systems topics, and while the event is usually non-controversial, I was startled by a tweet by FOSDEM organizers who issued a “statement on planned protests during the upcoming FOSDEM 2025”. I eventually found out that it was related to a post by Drew DeVault who did not appreciate having a billionaire talk during the open-source-focused event. The talk is planned in the Janson venue which is the biggest at the event with a capacity of up to 1,500 […]

January 17, 2025January 19, 2025 by Debashis Das - 3 Comments

Open hardware RP2350B boards offer up to 16MB flash, 8MB PSRAM, microSD card slot, 48x GPIOs

Olimex PICO2 XL and PICO2 XXL RP2350B Dev board

Olimex has recently released the PICO2-XL and PICO2-XXL open-source hardware RP2350B development boards with up to 16MB flash, 8MB PSRAM, 48 GPIOs, a microSD card slot, and more. The main difference between the two boards is that the PICO2-XL includes 2MB of external QSPI Flash and a compact flat-bottom design, making it ideal for simpler, space-constrained projects. In contrast, the PICO2-XXL offers 16MB of QSPI Flash, 8MB of PSRAM, and a microSD card slot for expanded storage and performance, catering to more demanding applications like IoT and edge computing. Olimex PICO2-XL and PICO2-XXL specifications SoC – Raspberry Pi RP2350B MCU CPU Dual-core Arm Cortex-M33 @150MHz with Arm Trustzone Dual-core 32-bit Hazard3 RISC-V @ 150MHz Up to two cores can be used at the same time Memory – 520KB SRAM 8kB OTP storage Security – Secure boot Package – QFN-80; 10×10 mm Memory – 8MB PSRAM (PICO2-XXL only) Storage PICO2-XL – […]

January 17, 2025January 17, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments

CrowPanel Advance: ESP32-S3 displays with replaceable WiFi 6, Thread, Zigbee, LoRa, and 2.4GHz wireless modules

CrowPanel Advance: ESP32-S3 display with replaceable wireless modules

Elecrow’s CrowPanel Advance is a family of 2.8-inch to 7-inch ESP32-S3 WiFi and BLE displays that supports replaceable modules for Thread/Zigbee/Matter, WiFi 6, 2.4GHz, and LoRa (Meshtastic) connectivity. Those are updates of the CrowPanel (Basic) displays introduced last year. They feature an ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N16R8 module soldered on the back plus headers taking ESP32-H2, ESP32-C6, SX1262 LoRa transceiver, or nRF2401 2.4GHz wireless MCU. CrowPanel Advance 7-inch specifications: Wireless Module – ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N16R8 SoC – ESP32-S3 CPU – Dual-core LX7 processor with up to 240MHz Memory – 512KB SRAM, 8MP PSRAM Storage – 384KH ROM Wireless – WiFi 4 and Bluetooth 5.0 with BLE Storage – 16MB flash PCB antenna Storage – MicroSD card slot Display 7.0-inch IPS capacitive touchscreen display with 800×480 resolution (SC7277 driver) Viewing Angle: 178° Brightness: 400 cd/m²(Typ.) Color Depth – 16-bit Active Area – 156 x 87mm Audio Built-in microphone Speaker connector Wireless Expansion ESP32-H2 module with 802.15.4 radio […]

Rockchip RK3568, RK3588 and Intel x86 SBCs and SoMs in 2025

January 17, 2025January 17, 2025 by Tomisin Olujinmi - 3 Comments

Home Assistant-compatible 60GHz mmWave radar sensor features a built-in IR blaster (Crowdfunding)

The eMotion Ultra is a Home Assistant-compatible 60GHz mmWave radar presence sensor with a built-in IR blaster with a 15-meter range, a brightness sensor, and a temperature/humidity sensor. It is powered by an Armv8-M KM4 microcontroller with built-in Wi-Fi connectivity and is targeted at simplifying complex smart home setups. The eMotion Ultra 60GHz mmWave radar presence sensor module is reported to be able to “cover up to 40 square meters (430 square feet) using just one device.” It can be configured for up to 4 zones with personalized automations for each zone. The exact Armv8-M KM4 module used isn’t named but is likely based on a Realtek RTL8720CM wireless SoC or other Realtek Ameba microcontroller. Potential applications include security management, lighting automation, home climate control, energy management, and rental property management. We have seen similar presence sensors such as the RoomSense IQ, Seeed Studio’s mmWave fall detection kit, SONOFF SNZB-06P, […]

January 16, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

USB-C and Lightning tester features an LCD display showing the voltage of each pin

VBEST’s Tail Insert Detector is a USB-C and Lightning cable/device tester that reports “real-time” current and voltage of each pin on its built-in display for easy debugging and testing. VBEST Tail Insert Detector highlights and specifications: Port compatibility – USB Type-C male and Lightning male ports Display – Color LCD display Features – Real-time current and voltage detection Misc – Push switch for power and display mode Power 5V via USB-C female port (on the side) Built-in battery Dimensions – 52 x 35 (estimated) x 14mm Sadly, there’s not much in the way of documentation, so it’s unclear how many display modes there are. I’m also confused by the “real-time” voltage and current reporting, because we’re also told it takes 5 seconds to detect “abnormal pins”. The VBEST’s device is very similar to the A2C caberQU and C2C caberQU boards used to respectively test USB-A to USB-C and USB-C to […]