Efinix Releases Three RISC-V Software-Defined SoC’s Optimized for Trion FPGA’s

Efinix RISC-V SoC on Trion FPGA

Efinix has announced three RISC-V Software-defined SoC’s based on Charles Papon’s VexRiscv core and optimized for the company’s Trion T8 to T120 FPGA’s. VexRiscv is a 32-bit RISC-V CPU usingĀ  RISCV32I ISA with M and C extensions, has five pipeline stages (fetch, decode, execute, memory, and writeback), and a configurable feature set. Each SoC includes a RISC-V core, memory, as well as various I/O and interfaces. Key features for each of three RISC-V SoC’s: Ruby SoC FPGA footprint – ~12K LEs/78 RAM blocks Performance – 50 MHz (1.16 DMIPS/MHz) Memory – 4 KB on-chip RAM, up to 3.5 GB DDR DRAM Peripherals – 16x GPIO, Timer, PLIC, 3x SPI masters, 3x I2C masters/slaves, 2x UARTs 1x AXI4, 2x APB3 user peripherals Target applications – real-time system controls and image signal processing. Jade SoC FPGA footprint – ~7K LEs/93 RAM blocks Performance – 50 MHz (1.2 DMIPS/MHz) Memory – 32 KB […]

M5Stack Atom Echo Coin-Sized Bluetooth Speaker is Powered by ESP32-PICO-D4 SiP

Coin-Sized Bluetooth Speaker

M5Stack has just launched Atom Echo, a coin-sized programmable Bluetooth speaker based on Espressif Systems ESP32-PICO-D4 system-on-package. The company sent me an early sample to play with before launch… but let’s have a look at the specification before checking the device further. Specifications: SiP – Espressif Systems ESP32-PICO-D4 system-in-package with ESP32 dual-core processor @ 240MHz Wi-Fi, BLE 4.0 and 4MB flash Audio 0.5W/NS4168 I2S speaker SPM1423 PDM microphone Expansion 5-pin + 4-pin headers with 6x GPIOs, UART, 5V, 3.3V, GND 4-pin digital Grove header with 2 I/Os, 5V and GND Misc – RGB LED (SK6812), Function (Top – G39 pin) and reset buttons (side), IR LED Power Supply – 5V/500mA via USB-C port Dimensions – 24 x 24 x 17mm (plastic material) Weight – 10 grams The Bluetooth speaker is really small, but you may think CNXSoft has big hands and fat fingers so it makes the speaker smaller than […]

$11 HDMI to USB 2.0 Video Capture Dongle Supports up to 1080p30 Resolution

HDMI to USB Video Capture Dongle

Over the years we’ve covered several HDMI input solutions for PiP, video capture, and/or RTSP streaming and some of the most popular options where Realtek RTD1295 based TV boxes such as Zidoo X9S or LAKE I Home Cloud. But there’s now a more cost-effective option with “Camlink” HDMI to USB 2.0 converter which you can connect to your PC or single board computer. It’s compatible with UVC video class, supports up to 1080p30, and offers HDCP compatibility. Best of all it’s really cheap with pricing starting at around $11 on Aliexpress including free shipping and also available on eBay. Key features and specifications: HDMI input up to 4K resolution (3840×2160 @ 30 Hz) with 8/10/12 bit color depth support; Up to 15-meter cable (AWG26) Video Output up to 1080p30 using YUV or JPEG modes Audio – L-PCM Compatible with common video software such as VLC, OBS, Amcap, etc … Compliant […]

Fingernail-sized BLYST840 nRF52840 Module Features Bluetooth 5.2, Thread, Zigbee and 46 I/O (Crowdfunding)

BLYST840

Canada based I-SYST inc has designed a tiny nRF52840 module about the size of a fingernail. BLYST840 module fully leverages the capability of Nordic Semi’s wireless microcontroller with Bluetooth 5.2, Thread, and Zigbee connectivity, and exposes 46 I/Os. BLYST840 specifications: Wireless MCU – Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840 Arm Cortex-M4F microcontroller @ 64 MHz with 1 MB flash, 256 KB RAM Connectivity Bluetooth 5.2 up to 2 Mbps, -96 dBm sensitivity for long-range; Up to 111 dB link budget; Bluetooth Mesh IEEE 802.15.4 radio support for Thread & Zigbee NFC-A Built-in ceramic antenna Output power – Adjustable from +8 dBm to -20 dBm 46 I/O pins exposed via pads around the edges of the module including QSPI/SPI/2-wire/I2S/PDM/QDEC Programmable Peripheral Interface (PPI) SPI interface @ 32 MHz Quad SPI interface @ 32 MHz EasyDMA for all digital interfaces USB 2.0 (12 Mbits) 12-bit/200K SPS ADC Security Arm TrustZone Cryptocell 310 128-bit AES/ECB/CCM/AAR co-processor […]

Linux Powered Industrial IoT Gateway Offers WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, 4G LTE Connectivity

Linux Industrial IoT Gateway

Compulab IOT-GATE-IMX8 is a Debian Linux powered fanless Industrial IoT gateway powered by NXP i.MX 8M Mini processor and specially designed for industrial control and monitoring with optional support for WiFI 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.1, 4G LTE, and GNSS connectivity. The gateway is equipped with up to 4GB RAM and 128GB eMMC flash, takes variable DC input from 8V to 36V, and operates in a wide temperature range of -40C to 80°C with the company providing a 5-year warranty and 15-year availability. Compulab IOT-GATE-IMX8 specifications: SoC – NXP i.MX8M Mini quad-core Arm Cortex-A53 processor @ 1.8GHz with Arm Cortex-M4 real-time core, Vivante 3G and 2D GPU System Memory – 1GB – 4GB LPDDR4 Storage – 4GB – 64GB eMMC flash (soldered on-board), plus secondary storage with optional 16GB – 64GB eMMC flash module Networking & Wireless Connectivity Gigabit Ethernet port, RJ45 connector Fast Ethernet port, RJ45 connector Optional 802.11ax WiFi […]

NexDock Touch Laptop Shell Features a Touchscreen Display, an Optional Magnetic Mount for Your Phone

NexDock Touch

NexDock is a Motorola Lapdock alternative launched in 2016 with a 14.1″ non-touch display, a built-in battery, and a Bluetooth keyboard. It was followed by NexDock 2 last year with a Full HD display and a USB-C port. The company has now announced they had started manufacturing NexDock Touch based on NexDock 2 but adding a touchscreen display and some other features, and the company has also developed a magnetic mount – compatible with all NexDock models – to conveniently attach your phone to the side of the display. NexDock Touch specifications: Display – 13.3ā€ IPS LCD display with 1920Ɨ1080 resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio, touch-screen display Video Output – Full-size HDMI input port Storage – MicroSD card slot User Inputs Edge to edge full-sized keyboard (QWERTY and other country/language layouts are offered) Multi-touch trackpad Audio – 4x 1W speakers, 3.5mm audio jack USB – 1x USB type-C port for smartphones, […]

Rikomagic DS02 Android Digital Signage Player Supports 4G LTE or WiFi Connectivity

Rikomagic DS02

Rikomagic is mostly known for its Android mini PCs and TV boxes, but in recent years they’ve started offering solutions for digital signage, and their latest product is Rikomagic D02 digital signage player running Android 7.1 on a Rockchip RK3288 processor and offering either WiFi or 4G LTE cellular connectivity. Rikomagic DS02 specifications: SoC – Rockchip RK3288 quad-core Arm Cortex-A17 processor @ up to 1.8GHz GPU with Mali-T760 MP GPU System Memory – 2GB RAM Storage – 16GB flash, MicroSD card socket Video Output HDMI 2.0 up to 4K @ 60 Hz (Note 60Hz support may depend on your TV supporting CbCr 4:4:4 or RGB 4:4:4 modes) Internal reserved pins for LVDS, and backlight Touch panel support via USB only Audio – 3.5mm headphone jack, digital audio via HDMI; optional MIC Connectivity Gigabit Ethernet with WoL support Dual-band 802.11b/g/n/ac WiFi 5 4G LTE with Micro SIM card slot Note 4G […]

Make PCB’s with a Modified Lexmark Laser Printer

Make PCB Lexmark Laser Printer

PCB manufacturing services are pretty cheap and fast nowadays. But imagine some kind of highly transmissible virus hits the globe, somehow the whole global economy shuts down, and you are stuck alone at home with nothing but a Lexmark laser printer. What can you do? Well, you can make your own PCBs! No paper involved. That’s exactly what VĆ­tor Barbosa did by converting a Lexmark E460(DN) laser printer into a PCB making machine, not because of COVID-19, but instead, because of the price and delays of ordering PCBs in Brazil. Using a laser printing to make your own PCB like take some work, notably to strip the printer of unused parts such as the fuser and fit it with Arduino Nano or Pro Mini board, an aluminum guide, some resistors and more. The modifications are all explained on Hackaday.io, and this is not a new idea as the project was […]

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