CNX Software - Embedded Systems News

January 6, 2025January 6, 2025 by Debashis Das - 8 Comments

PiSugar3 is a low-cost Raspberry Pi UPS module with RTC, hardware battery protection, and power management features

PiSugar Kitchen’s PiSugar3 is a compact Raspberry Pi UPS module with integrated power management features that make Raspberry Pi Zero boards portable. This new module is an upgraded version of the PiSugar S and PiSugar S Pro, which we previously wrote about. The PiSugar S features a compact 1,200mAh battery for Raspberry Pi Zero, and the PiSugar S Pro comes with a 5,000mAh battery for Raspberry Pi 3/4. The PiSugar3 adds new features to these models with upgrades including an RTC, and a fully functional UPS functionality with customizable wake-up options. It also includes an anti-mistaken touch switch to avoid accidental shutdowns, a software watchdog, and hardware battery protection to extend battery longevity. The UPS module gets attached to the bottom of the Pi and there are pogo pins on the UPS module that deliver the power while the GPIO pins of the Pi remain free for other tasks, on top […]

January 6, 2025January 6, 2025 by Tomisin Olujinmi - No Comments

ZigEasy GEX is a series of ZigBee 3 & DigiMesh coordinators powered by the XBee 3 and XBee SX 868 modules

ZigEasy GEX Zigbee DigiMesh coordinators

The ZigEasy GEX series is a lineup of Zigbee / DigiMesh coordinators and Ethernet gateways based on Digi International’s XBee 3 and XBee SX 868 modules. These devices connect a ZigBee or DigiMesh network to a local Ethernet network or the internet. This makes it easier to create a robust Zigbee/DigiMesh network that can send and receive data from servers. The GEX2400 and GEX2400S devices integrate the Digi XBee3 module which supports Zigbee, 802.15.4, DigiMesh, and BLE and is configured directly with the XCTU software (USB or TCP/IP). The Digi SX 868 module on the GEX868 and GEX868S coordinators only supports DigiMesh. The “S” models include TLS 1.2 and AES-256 encryption for secure internet communication and are ideal for use cases that require internet access. These ZigEasy GEX Zigbee / DigiMesh coordinators can be used in mesh networks for smart homes, monitoring weather conditions, and tracking agricultural data. They can […]

ArmSoM CM5 Raspberry Pi CM4 alternative with Rockchip RK3576 SoC

January 6, 2025January 9, 2025 by Sponsored Post - No Comments

Compex Systems expands its dual-band Wi-Fi 7 lineup with new M.2 variants (Sponsored)

Compex WiFi 7 Dual Band Dual Concurrent Modules

Compex Systems (Compex) is set to take wireless connectivity to the next level with the latest expansion of its popular dual-band Wi-Fi 7 module lineup. Introducing the new M.2 variants, including WLTB7002E25 with an M.2 B+M Key and the WLTE7002E25 with an M.2 E Key, these additions complement the Compex’s existing WLE7002E25, which features the popular standard mini PCIe form factor. Together, these Wi-Fi 7 modules offer comprehensive solutions with enhanced performance, flexibility, and compatibility — all at competitive Wi-Fi 6 prices. Powered by Qualcomm’s QCN6224, QCN6274 and QCN9274 Waikiki series radio chipsets, the WLE/WLTE/WLTB7002E25 are dual-band concurrent 2.4+5GHz Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) modules, offering wider signal coverage by transmitting both bands concurrently, reducing latency with Multi-Link Operation (MLO) support, featuring OFDMA and 4096 QAMs. Delivering up to 20dBm per chain, these 2×2 MU-MIMO models are ideal for enterprise, industrial, cybersecurity, transportation, and SMB applications. “Our expanded Wi-Fi 7 module lineup […]

January 6, 2025January 5, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments

KTC A32Q8 Review – A 32-inch 4K Smart Monitor running Google TV

KTC A32Q8 is a 32-inch 4K UHD monitor running Google TV and supporting up to 3840×2160 resolution with a refresh rate of 60Hz. The monitor takes HDMI 2.1, Display1.4, or USB-C video input, comes with two 5W speakers, supports Dolby Audio and HDR, and offers WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity as well as USB 2.0 ports. A voice remote control is also included for Google TV control and configuration. In this review, we will look at the specifications, go through an unboxing, and test the various features of the KTC A32Q8 Smart Monitor. KTC A32Q8 Smart Monitor specifications Screen Size – 31.5-inch Resolution – 3840×2160 (Ultra HD) Visible area – 697 x 392 mm Panel Type – VA (Vertical Alignment) Aspect Ratio – 16:9 (Widescreen) Refresh Rate – 60Hz Response Time (GtG) – Not specified Brightness 250 cd/m² Brightness (HDR) 250 cd/m² Contrast Ratio 3000:1 (static) Colors 1.07 billion (8-bit + […]

January 6, 2025January 5, 2025 by Tomisin Olujinmi - No Comments

PicoPD Pro – An open-source RP2040 development board with USB PD support up to 30V

The PicoPD Pro is an open-source Raspberry Pi RP2040 development board that integrates USB PD support up to 30V, and features like voltage negotiation and power delivery while still retaining the Raspberry Pi Pico functionality. It features the AP33772S USB-C PD3.1 sink controller from Diodes Incorporated. The AP33772S supports the full USB-C PD 3.1 specification, including Extended Power Range (EPR) / Adjustable Voltage Supply (AVS) up to 28V and Programmable Power Supply (PPS) up to 21V. The PicoPD Pro USB PPS/AVS development board is ideal for powering devices with specific requirements, such as motor control boards, LED drivers, custom battery chargers, and other high-power applications. It also features a 5V rail output for less demanding applications. It can also be used as an AP33772S evaluation board. We have previously seen other USB-C PD solutions like the Spark Analyzer, YULC LED Controller, and USB Insight Hub which may serve a similar […]

January 5, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments

Khadas Mind Maker Kit review – Part 2: Windows 11 Pro on an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V AI mini PC

I’ve already gone through the specifications and an unboxing of the “Khadas Mind 2 AI Maker Kit” powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V “Lunar Lake” processor delivering up to 115 TOPS of AI performance and equipped with 32GB LPDDR5X RAM and a 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD in the first part of the review. I’ve now spent time with the mini PC/developer kit which is now simply called “Khadas Mind Maker Kit”, and I will report my experience with the Windows 11 Home 24H2 operating system in the second part of the review testing features, running benchmarks including an AI benchmark, evaluating networking and storage performance, testing the thermal design while under stress, and taking measurements for fan noise and power consumption. It looks like some AI features may finally be usable on Windows, but I’ll test that in a separate post since everything is new and Microsoft Copilot+, […]

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

January 4, 2025January 4, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 25 Comments

Radxa Cubie A5E – A compact Allwinner A527/T527 SBC with HDMI 2.0, dual GbE, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.4

Radxa Cubie A5E is an SBC powered by Allwinner A527/T527 octa-core Cortex-A55 SoC and featuring HDMI 2.0, dual GbE, WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4, an M.2 socket for NVMe SSD, USB 3.0 Type-A and USB 2.0 OTG (Type-C) ports, and a 40-pin GPIO form factor in a compact 69x56mm form factor. Long-time readers may remember the Allwinner A10-powered Cubieboard launched in 2012 as an alternative to the hard-to-get Raspberry Pi development board or the various TV boxes like the MeLE A1000 we tried to use to run Linux on Arm hardware. At the time, Allwinner SoCs became popular in SBCs but the company management eventually failed to deliver on software, so some members of CubieTech decided to split and founded Radxa to design Rockchip SBCs that looked more promising in terms of software support. It eventually ended up being a good move after a few difficult first years. However, Allwinner […]

January 3, 2025January 3, 2025 by Tomisin Olujinmi - 6 Comments

Looktech’s AI-powered smart glasses offer a 14-hour battery life, 13MP camera, and linear audio for $209 and up (Crowdfunding)

Looktech AI Glasses are AI-powered smart glasses with a “privacy-focused design” and several lens options. They are similar to Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses but support GPT-4, Claude, and Gemini instead of Meta AI. Like Meta’s smart glasses, the Looktech AI Glasses incorporate headphones, a camera, and an AI model for a hands-free experience and personalized AI assistance. According to Looktech, the smart glasses can track calories, find recipes, set reminders, and perform image searches. The in-built 13MP camera can be used to capture high-res images and videos and the open-ear dual speakers provide “rich, spatialized immersive audio while keeping you aware of your surroundings.” Looktech has given some hardware specifications for the product but the list is a bit sparse. We have covered the much cheaper but underpowered LILYGO T-Glass. Although there are no promises of a physical AI agent, the Looktech glasses are similar to the M5Stack’s Module LLM […]

Boardcon EM3562 Rockchip RK3562 SBC with 8 analog camera inputs