CNX Software - Embedded Systems News

August 27, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

AAEON FWS-2280 is an Elkhart Lake network appliance for SD-WAN, UTM, Firewall, VPN…

AAEON FWS-2280 Elkhart Lake network appliance

AAEON FWS-2280 is a Linux network appliance based on an Intel Elkhart Lake Atom x6000E, Celeron, or Pentium processor, with up to 32GB RAM, with 5 wired interfaces, supports for wireless expansion. The system is designed to power network applications including UTM (Unified threat management ), firewall, SD-WAN (Software-defined Wide Area Network), VPN, and more. AAEON FWS-2280 specifications: SoC – Intel Elkhart Lake dual-core or quad-core processor Intel UHD Graphics, defaulting to the 10W Intel Celeron J6412 quad-core processor @ 2.0/2.6 GHz System Memory – 1x 260-pin DDR4 SO-DIMM @ 3200MHz up to 32GB Storage – SATA III port (2.5-inch SATA bay), mSATA slot Video Output – HDMI Networking 4x Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 ports via Intel i211 controllers 1x SFP cage via Intel i210 controller Optional wireless connectivity (4G, 5G, WiFi, Bluetooth, etc…) via mini PCIe and M.2 sockets, plus 5x antenna holes USB – 2x USB 2.0 port Expansion […]

August 26, 2021August 26, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

MiniLink IIoT Node – An Arduino compatible RS485 to LoRaWAN node with wireless expansion

Designed by Thailand-based Saijai Tech, MiniLink IIoT Node is an Arduino compatible board based on either an ESP32 WiFi & Bluetooth SoC or an unnamed Microchip Cortex-M0+ microcontroller designed for Smart Agriculture or industrial applications (e.g. PLC controllers). The board includes an RS485 interface for sensors or actuators, an ACER-branded LoRa module, and expansion headers to add an extra wireless module with either LoRa PtP (P2P, Point-to-Point), NB-IoT, or 3G/4G LTE & GNSS, and some of those add an extra RS485 port. MiniLink IIoT node key features & specifications: MCU (one or the other) Espressif ESP32 dual-core processor with 2.4 GHz WiFi and Bluetooth LE Microchip Arm Cortex-M0+ microcontroller (probably SAMD21) LPWAN – ACER AS923 LoRaWAN module Sensor interface – RS485 or UART via terminal block (jumper selectable) Expansion – 2x 14-pin header for expansion modules Misc – User & reset buttons, RS485/UART selection jumpers, user and power LEDs, USB/TTL […]

ArmSoM CM5 - Raspberry Pi CM4 alternative with Rockchip RK3576 SoC

August 26, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 9 Comments

UGOOS AM7 Android 11 TV box with Amlogic S905X4, WiFi 6 is up for pre-order

When Ugoos AM6B Plus 2021 TV box was introduced with Amlogic S922X-J and WiFi 6, we noted the company was working on UGOOS AM7, a more affordable TV box that also supports WiFi 6, and comes with the latest Android 11 running on Amlogic S905X4 processor with 4K AV1 video playback. UGOOS AM7 is now available for pre-order on Aliexpress for around $128 including shipping. The device includes 4GB RAM, 32GB eMMC flash, 4K HDR video output at up to 60 Hz, Gigabit Ethernet, WiFI 6, and Bluetooth 5.0. Ugoos AM7 specifications: SoC – Amlogic S905X4 quad-core Cortex-A55 processor with Arm Mali-G31 MP2 GPU System Memory – 4GB LPDDR4 Storage – 32GB eMMC flash storage Video Output – HDMI 2.1 up to 4Kp60 with HDR, HDCP 2.2, CEC support; 3.5mm AV port with composite video (and stereo audio) Video Codecs 4Kp60 AV1, VP9, H.265/HEVC, H.264 AVC 1080p60 H264 MVC, MPEG-4, […]

August 26, 2021October 23, 2022 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 17 Comments

Turing Pi V2 mini-ITX cluster board takes four Raspberry Pi CM4 or NVIDIA Jetson SoMs

The Turing Pi V2 is a mini-ITX cluster board that builds on the Turing Pi mini-ITX cluster board taking up to 7 Raspberry Pi Compute Modules introduced in 2019, but instead supports up to four Raspberry Pi CM4 (Compute Modules 4) or NVIDIA Jetson Nano/TX2 NX/Xavier NX SO-DIMM system-on-modules. The Turing Pi 2 board is equipped with two Mini PCIe sockets, two Gigabit Ethernet ports, two SATA III ports, four USB 3.0 ports, a 40-pin GPIO header, and a 24-pin ATX connector for power. Since board-to-board connectors – as found in Raspberry Pi Computer Module 4 – are not ideal for density, the company went with a design including 260-pin SO-DIMM connectors plus CM4 adapter boards, a design that allows them to also integrate other SoMs like the NVIDIA Jetson SO-DIMM modules. Turing Pi V2 specifications: SoM interface – 4x 260-pin SO-DIMM slot for up to four Raspberry Pi CM4 […]

August 25, 2021August 25, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 12 Comments

SolidRun LX2162A SOM packs 16 Cortex-A72 cores, 32GB DDR4 onto a 58x48mm module

SolidRun LX2162A SOM is a compact (58x48mm) system-on-module based on NXP LX2162A 16-core Cortex-A72 networking processor and equipped with up to 32GB DDR4 RAM that’s 25% of the size of the company’s earlier COM Express Type 7 computer-on-module based on NXP LX2160A 16-core Arm Cortex A72 communication processor and found in ClearFog CX LX2K networking board. The much smaller size has been made possible by replacing the SO-DIMM sockets with soldered RAM, and switching from LX2160A to LX2162A SoC with similar features, but offered in a 23x23mm package that is nearly one quarter the size thanks to a reduction of the number of SerDes and PCIe interfaces, and manufacturing with a 16nm FinFET process technology. LX2162A SOM specifications: SoC – NXP Layerscape LX2162A communication processor with 16x Cortex A72 cores clocked at up to 2.0 GHz (option for the 12-core LX2122A, or 8-core LX2182A) Memory – Up to 32GB DDR4 […]

Rockchip RK3568/RK3588 and Intel x86 SBCs

August 25, 2021August 25, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 6 Comments

Intel Gemini Lake mini PCs offered with 8GB RAM, 128/256GB storage for under $200 (Promo)

With new Intel Jasper Lake mini PCs just starting to coming down the pike, and Intel phasing out some of their Gemini lake processors, we may expect some discounts on selected Gemini Lake mini PCs. Today, I’ve been tipped about two mini PCs with 8GB RAM, and 128 or 256GB storage that sells for under $200, namely: GK3V mini PC with an Intel Celeron J4125 quad-core processor, support for a 2.5-inch SATA drive, two HDMI ports, a VGA port, Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi 5, and a few USB 2.0/3.0 ports. Sold for $175.36 with 128GB storage, and $194.98 with 256GB storage with the prices including shipping. CHUWI Herobox mini PC with an Intel Celeron N4100 quad-core Gemini Lake processor, a 256GB SSD, one HDMI port, one VGA port, Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi 5, and five USB ports. The company sells it for $189.99 shipped, but you can get a $5 discount with […]

August 24, 2021September 2, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 36 Comments

Coin cell-powered OpenThread sensor board can send data every 20 seconds for three years

Monkey Store’s Thread Sensor Tag is a pressure, humidity, temperature, and light sensor that connects to the OpenThread network, and is capable of transmitting MQTT/UDP data every 20 seconds over a period of around three years from a single coin cell battery. As a reminder, OpenThread is an implementation of the Thread IoT network protocol that was unveiled in 2016 by Nest Labs (now Google/Alphabet). This has not been widely used so far, but we did write about MKR SharkyPro development board with OpenThread support via STMicro STM32WB5MMG wireless module earlier this year, and Monkey Store is telling us both Google and Apple are working on devices with support for the IoT protocol. Thread Sensor Tag specifications: Wireless module – Minew MS88SF2 based on Nordic Semi nRF52840 multi-protocol 2.4GHz wireless Cortex-M4 microcontroller Sensor VEMLS6030 I2C light sensor MS8607 pressure, humidity, and temperature sensor I/Os – 7x through holes with Tx/Rx, […]

Boardcon Rockchip and Allwinner SoM and SBC products