CNX Software - Embedded Systems News

March 26, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments

It’s now easier to customize Raspberry Pi OS images

When I need to flash a Raspberry Pi OS image, I usually download the image from the Raspberry Pi website before flashing it to a MicroSD card with either balenaEtch or USBimager. The Raspberry Pi Foundation released the Raspberry Pi Imager last year, but I never used it, except to try it out, because at the time, it would just flash the image to the MicroSD card like other tools, and since I’m working with SBCs from different vendors it did really not bring any benefits to me. But with the v1.6 release, the Raspberry Pi tool has become more useful to advanced users, notably those who like to set up the image in a headless Pi. Before we had to flash the image, mount the MicroSD card, and go edit /boot/config.txt to enable SSH and other settings. Now, it’s possible to do the same from Raspberry Pi Image v1.6 […]

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

Snapdragon 780G 5G SoC announced with 12 TOPs AI performance, triple ISP, WIFI 6E

Qualcomm has just announced an update to its Snapdragon 765G 5G processor with Snapdragon 780G 5G mobile platform equipped with Qualcomm Spectra 570 triple ISP (Image Signal Processor) and a 6th generation Qualcomm AI Engine that delivers up to 12TOPS AI performance, or twice that of Snapdragon 765G 5G SoC. As a “G” part, Snapdragon 780G comes with Snapdragon Elite Gaming features to improve the gaming experience with updateable GPU drivers, ultra-smooth gaming, and True 10-bit HDR gaming. Snapdragon 780G also updates its 5G modem with Snapdragon X53 with peak download speeds of 3.3 Gbps on sub-6 GHz frequencies, and supports premium Wi-Fi 6/6E and Bluetooth audio features offered on Snapdragon 888 premium SoC. Snapdragon 780G 5G (SM7350-AB) key features and specifications: CPU – Octa-core Kryo 670 processor with 1x Arm Cortex-A78 @ 2.4GHz, 3x Arm Cortex-A78 @ 2.2GHz, 4x Arm Cortex-A55 @ 1.9GHz GPU – Adreno 642 with support […]

ArmSoM RK3588 AIModule7 NVIDIA Jetson Nano-compatible SOM

March 25, 2021March 25, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment

Raspberry Pi CM4 Panel PCs offer IP67 protection, 7-inch display

We just have covered Raspberry Pi CM4 in CutiePi 8-inch tablet, but I don’t think I’ve seen the latest Raspberry Pi Compute Module inside a panel PC that typically offers additional interfaces such as Ethernet, RS232, or CAN bus for industrial applications. But today I’m here to write not about just one Raspberry Pi CM4 panel PC, but two from Chipsee and WIN Enterprises all with a 7-inch display, and features like Ethernet, opto-isolated GPIOs, RS485 terminal blocks, etc…, and the Win Enterprises’ model also adds dust and waterproofness with IP67 ingress protection rating. Chipsee CM4-70 Industrial Pi 7-inch Panel PC Chipsee panel PC is offered in two versions with CM4-70-EM model meant to be integrated into the customer’s own chassis, and CM4-70-PA integrating the board and display into a fully assembled panel. Specifications: SoM – Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 (CM4) with Broadcom BCM2711 quad-core Cortex-A72 processor, 2GB RAM, […]

March 25, 2021September 20, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 5 Comments

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 […]

March 25, 2021March 25, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 8 Comments

Long range ESP32 Wi-Fi development board promises up to 1.2km range (Crowdfunding)

WiFi is not really designed for kilometer range transmission, but CNLohr previously demonstrated 1km range with ESP8266, and some directional antennas are sold to expand the WiFi range. Bison Science’s ESP32-M1 Reach Out WiFi development board has been specifically designed for long-range connectivity with up to 30 dBm (1W) transmit power and support for various types of antennas for a 1.2-kilometer range, even tested up to 1.5km in a clear day. ESP32-M1 Reach Out features and specifications: WiSoC – Espressif Systems ESP32-D0WDQ6 dual-core processor @ 240 MHz Storage – 32 Mbit flash Connectivity 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 4 802.11 b/g/n Bluetooth 4.2/5.x Classic and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) QPF4219 PA (Power Amplifier) and LNA (Low Noise Amplifier) Wi-Fi RF front end (RFFE) from Qorvo with 33 dB PA gain and 15 dB LNA gain Wi-Fi transmit output power adjustable from 21 to 30 dBm (1 W) conducted Wi-Fi front end bypass […]

March 24, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 3 Comments

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 […]

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

March 24, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments

96Boards Consumer Edition Specification v2.0 adds Ethernet, PCIe, expansion connectors

Linaro’s 96Boards specification was first introduced in 2015 with the launch of Hikey SBC following 96Boards CE specification, which CE standing for Consumer Edition. The standard would define mechanical, electrical, and software requirements to create an ecosystem of low-cost, expandable, compatible, and well-supported boards. The software requirements were never very well followed, and while the hardware would usually be compliant, some complained about the specifications themselves notably with the lack of Ethernet for the standard version of the 96Boards CE SBC. Linaro has now announced the updated 96Boards CE specification 2.0 that adds ports location for optional Ethernet and PCIe Ethernet connector among other things. The minimum hardware requirements remain the mostly same, except for a few tweaks: Ultra-small low-profile form factor – 85x54x12 mm Extended Version: 85x100x12mm Design is SoC independent (targets 32- and 64-bit SoCs) 0.5 GB RAM (Minimum 4GB recommended for Android) MicroSDHC Socket for up 64GB […]

March 24, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments

Pockit modular Linux computer takes hot plugging magnetic blocks

There have been attempts to create modular computers and smartphones to reduce electronics waste and improve user-serviceability over the years with initiatives and products like Google Project Ara, PinePhone and Fairphone3 smartphones, DevTerm mini computer, Olimex TERES-I laptop, and many more. Here’s another modular computer project that looks really cool. Pickit modular computer is comprised of an STM32+ESP32 based mainboard with a socket for an optional Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3. The board includes magnets and electrical contacts to snap and hot-plug modules/blocks while the computer is running. The video demo embedded further below, is really impressive, but let’s check out Pockit preliminary specifications first: MCU – STMicro STM32 microcontroller Wireless MCU – ESP32 dual-core processor with WiFi and Bluetooth LE CPU module – Socket for Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3 Expansion 24+ feature BLOCKS ready to use with instant connection using magnetic-snaps including Ethernet, Display (HDMI), audio, sensor modules […]

Boardcon CM3588 Rockchip RK3588 System-on-Module designed for AI and IoT applications