CNX Software - Embedded Systems News

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 […]

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 […]

ArmSoM RK3588 AIModule7 NVIDIA Jetson Nano-compatible SOM

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, […]

August 24, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 5 Comments

MSI Cubi N JSL mini PC comes with Celeron N4500 or Pentium N6000 Jasper Lake processor

MSI has announced a new variant of its Cubi N family of mini PCs with the MSI Cubi N JSL mini PC powered by a Jasper Lake processor either an Intel Celeron N4500 or a Pentium Silver N6000. The 0.45L computer also comes with up to 16GB dual-channel DDR4 memory, NVMe and SATA storage, HDMI and VGA outputs, and four USB 3.2 ports. MSI Cube N JSL specifications: SoC (one or the other) Intel Celeron N4500 dual-core processor @ 1.1GHz / 2.8GHz (Burst frequency) with Intel UHD graphics; 6W TDP Intel Pentium N6000 Silver quad-core processor @ 1.1 GHz / 3.1GHz (Burst frequency) with Intel UHD graphics; 6W TDP System Memory – 2x DDR4 2933MHz SO-DIMMs, Up to 16 GB Storage 2x M.2 SSD combo (NVMe PCIe Gen3x2) 1x 2.5-inch HDD/SSD Video Output – 1x HDMI 1.4 up to 4Kp30 (TBC), 1x VGA Audio Realtek ALC233 audio codec 1x Mic-in/Headphone-out […]

August 24, 2021August 24, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 6 Comments

An ESP32-based BBC Micro:bit clone – Meet Mbits

A few years ago, we noted a BBC Micro:bit clone based on ESP32 WiSoC with Banana Pi ‘s BPI:bit board with an array of 25 RGB LEDs and WiFi & Bluetooth LE connectivity. There’s now another such clone with Elecrow Mbits designed in a way that resembles the BBC Micro:bit v2 board, but replacing the Nordic Semi nRF52833 2.4GHz/BLE SoC with the ESP32 dual-core wireless chip with support for both WiFi and BLE. The specifications between Elecrow Mbits and BBC Micro:bit v2 are close enough, although ESP32 is a more powerful processor, and the MBits board comes with more memory and storage. Power consumption of the BBC Micro:bit v2 should be much better, so if anything needs to run on battery for an extended period of time, it may be a better choice, or you’re gonna need a bigger battery. The GPIO pinout looks different too, so not all Micro:bit […]

August 23, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment

Qualcomm IPQ4019 802.11ac Wave 2 WiFi system-on-module comes with Dual Gigabit Ethernet baseboard

Wallys Communication has introduced their lowest cost networking platform with the DR4019S board equipped with two Gigabit Ethernet ports, as well as a Qualcomm IPQ4019 802.11ac Wave 2 WiFi system-on-module. The module comes with 32MB NOR flash, and 256MB DDR memory and targets applications ranging from security surveillance to commercial radio coverage to hotel wireless applications, or even forest fire protection engineering. DR4019S board specifications: SoC – Qualcomm IPQ4019 quad-core Arm Cortex A7 at 716.8 MHz System Memory – 256MB DDR Storage – 32MB NOR flash Connectivity 2x Gigabit Ethernet ports 802.11b/g/n/ac Wave 2 WiFi 5 with 2x 5G MMCX connectors, 2x 2.4G MMCX connectors (but we can only see one or two of those on the provided photo) USB – 1x USB 3./2.0 port Misc – Debug UART header Power Supply – 12V via DC jack Power Consumption – 9.6W (max) Dimensions – 65 x 35 x 16mm Temperature […]

August 23, 2021 by Ian W MORRISON (Linuxium) - 15 Comments

LIVA Q1L Review – pfSense, Ubuntu 20.04, Windows 10 tested on a dual Ethernet “Ultra Tiny PC”

Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS) have a series of mini PCs called LIVA which includes the diminutive Q range from which the LIVA Q2 was previously reviewed. Now it is the turn of the LIVA Q1L which although announced over a year ago has just been received for review and the results from various testing are detailed below. Hardware Overview The Q1L physically consists of a 74 x 74 x 34.6 mm (2.91 x 2.91 x 1.36 inches) rectangular plastic case. It is an actively cooled mini PC that uses slightly older Apollo Lake processors and the review model came with an N4200 CPU which is a quad-core 4-thread 1.10 GHz processor boosting to 2.50 GHz with Intel’s HD Graphics 505. The front has a power button, two USB 3.2 Gen 1×1 ports, and one USB 2.0 port whilst the rear includes an HDMI port, two gigabit Ethernet ports, and the […]

August 23, 2021February 13, 2022 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 3 Comments

Zotac ZBOX C-series nano fanless Tiger Lake mini PCs announced

Three new Zotac ZBOX C-series nano fanless mini PCs with Tiger Lake processors have just been listed on the Zotac HK website. We wrote about Simply NUC’s Tiger Canyon Porcoolpine fanless Tiger lake mini PC last week, but getting more choices is great with the ZOTAC ZBOX CI625 nano (Core i3-1115G4), CI645 nano (Core i5-1135G7), and CI665 nano (Core i7-1165G7) mini PCs. The new computers are offered barebone with support for up to 64GB DDR4, SATA and NVMe storage, as well as HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.4 4K video outputs, two Gigabit Ethernet ports, WiFi 5, and more. ZBOX CI6x5 nano specifications: SoC ZBOX CI625 nano – Intel Core i3-1115G4 dual-core processor @ 3.0GHz, up to 4.1GHz (Turbo) with Intel UHD graphics; 28W TDP ZBOX CI645 nano – Intel Core i5-1135G7 quad-core processor @ 2.4GHz, up to 4.2GHz (Turbo) with Intel Xe graphics; 28W TDP ZBOX CI665 nano – Intel […]