Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft), Author at CNX Software - Embedded Systems News

December 31, 2019January 2, 2020 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments

OnLogic Introduces Four Apollo Lake Pico-ITX SBC’s with Integrated Heatsink

We previously covered some Apollo Lake Pico-ITX boards with the likes of GIGABYTE GA-PICO3350 or AAEON PICO-APL3 motherboards, but there are now more options with OnLogic – formerly known as Logic Supply – recently launching four Apollo Lake Pico-ITX SBC’s. OnLogic EPM160, EPM161, EPM162, and EPM163 are powered by either an Intel Celeron N3350 dual-core processor or an Intel Pentium N4200 quad-core SoC with different memory capacities, display and networking options. OnLogic EPM16x specifications: SoC EPM160, EPM161, EPM162 – Intel Celeron N3350 dual-core Apollo Lake processor @ 1.1 GHz / 2.4 GHz (Burst frequency) with Intel HD Graphics 500 EPM163 – Intel Pentium N4200 quad-core Apollo Lake processor @ 1.1 GHz / 2.5 GHz (Burst frequency) with Intel HD Graphics 500 System Memory / Storage EPM160 – 1 GB LPDDR4-2133, MicroSD card slot, mSATA (shared PCIe Mini Card slot) EPM161 – 2 GB LPDDR4-2133, 8GB eMMC flash, MicroSD card slot, […]

December 31, 2019 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 6 Comments

$18 TTGO T-Wristband DIY Arduino Programmable Smart Bracelet Features ESP32-PICO-D4 SiP

2020 is promising to be an interesting year for low-cost user-flashable smartwatches/bracelets. After the recent introduction of the $25 Pine64 PineTime Bluetooth enabled wearable companion for PinePhone Linux smartphone that will support various real-time operating systems such as Zephyr OS or FreeRTOS, we’ve now been informed that Liliygo launched TTGO T-Wristband smart bracelet powered by Espressif Systems ESP32-PICO-D4 SiP. The watch comes with 802.11 b/g/n WiFi 4 and Bluetooth 4.2 Classic+LE connectivity and is currently selling for under $18 and up on Aliexpress and Tindie. TTGO T-Wristband smart bracelet specifications: SIP – ESP32-PICO-D4 system-in-package with ESP32 Tensilica LX6 dual-core processor, clocked at 240MHz, 520 KB SRAM, 802.11 b/g/n HT40 Wi-Fi, integrated dual-mode Bluetooth (classic + low energy) Display – 0.96″ IPS color display Antenna – WiFi / Bluetooth ceramic antenna Sensor – Invensense MPU9250 9-axis motion sensor Expansion / Programming Interface – 0.3pitch 13-pin FPC socket Misc – NXP PCF8563 […]

December 30, 2019December 30, 2019 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 3 Comments

UL IoT Security Rating System Ranks IoT Devices Security from Bronze to Diamond

Underwriters Labs (UL) is better known for its electrical safety certification programs, but in 2016, the company introduced three UL 2900 IoT security standards that defined requirements of software cybersecurity for network-connectable products. Four years later, you may not have heard many products adhering to UL 2900, and Laurens van Oijen, IoT security solution leader at UL, recognizes that ” the UL 2900 set the bar too high for most consumer electronics/IoT companies” according to a report on CE Pro. So instead the company has launched the UL IoT Security Rating System last May with 5 levels of “security capabilities” ranking IoT devices and products with either Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, or Diamond. Those certifications are aimed to help both manufacturers and developers to improve the security of their solutions, and help consumers make better purchase decisions by knowing the level of security of IoT products by just looking at […]

December 30, 2019 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

Dragino RS485-LN Brings LoRaWAN Connectivity to RS485 Sensors

RS485 sensor nodes are often used in smart agriculture, environment monitoring, or factory & building automation and work up to 1.2 km when using AWG 18 cables. If you already have such nodes but need to extend the distance, or would like to reduce the need for long cables, you could make use of Dragino RS485-LN RS485 to LoRaWAN converter which will work up to 10+ kilometers depending on conditions. Dragino RS485-LN key features & specifications: MCU – STMicro STM32L072CZT6 Arm Cortex-M0+ microcontroller MCU @ 32 MHz with 192 KB Flash, 6 KB EEPROM, 20 KB RAM Connectivity LoRaWAN Via SX1276 LoRa transceiver Frequency Range: Band 1 (HF): 862 ~ 1020 MHz Band 2 (LF): 410 ~ 528 MHz Bands – CN470/EU433/KR920/US915/EU868/AS923/AU915/IN86/RU864 168 dB maximum link budget. +20 dBm – 100 mW constant RF output Programmable bit rate up to 300 kbps. High sensitivity: down to -148 dBm. RS485 to […]

December 30, 2019 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 17 Comments

ESPRESSOBin ULTRA Gateway Features 5 Gigabit Ethernet Ports, WiFi 5, Supports 4G LTE Cellular Connectivity

Marvell ESPRESSOBin networking board launched in 2016 for as little as $39 with an Armada 3700LP (88F3720) dual-core Arm Cortex A53 processor, up to 1GB RAM, three Gigabit Ethernet ports, SATA, and a mPCIe slot for wireless connectivity. Globalscale Technologies is now back with ESPRESSOBin ULTRA with a similar base but more features, a metal enclosure, and a much higher price point. ESPRESSOBin ULTRA specifications: SoC – Marvell Armada 3720 dual-core Arm A53 processor clocked up to 1.2 GHz with packet accelerator System Memory – 1GB DDR4 (option up to 2GB) Storage – 8GB eMMC flash, 4Mbit SPI NOR flash, 1x M.2 2280 slot for SATA SSD Connectivity Switch – Marvell Topaz 6341 (88E6341) Networking Switch 1x GbE WAN with 30W POE 4x Gigabit Ethernet ports (LAN) 802.11ac Wi-Fi 5 2×2 MIMO module + Bluetooth 4.2 Optional 4G LTE cellular connectivity via mini PCIe and NanoSIM card slot USB – […]

December 28, 2019 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 17 Comments

$55 ODROID-GO Advance Linux based Retro Game Console is Powered by Rockchip RK3326 Processor

Last year, Hardkernel took some time away from Arm and x86 Linux SBCs with the launch of ODROID-GO retro game console powered by Espressif Systems ESP32 processor. The console could be programmed with the Arduino IDE, and the $32 price tag made it a popular item despite the limited processing power fo the ESP32 dual-core processor. The good news is that the console got an upgrade with ODROID-Go Advance equipped with a Rockchip RK3326 quad-core Cortex-A35 processor coupled with 1GB RAM to run Linux, and featuring an upgraded 3.5″ wide-viewing angle color display. ODROID-GO Advance specifications: SoC – Rockchip RK3326 quad-core Arm Cortex-A35 processor @ 1.3GHz with Mali-G31 MP2 GPU System Memory – 1GB DDR3L @ 786Mhz, 32 Bits bus width Storage – 16MB SPI Flash for bootloader, Micro SD Card slot (UHS-1 Capable interface) Display – 3.5″ 320×480 TFT LCD (Wide-viewing angle display, MIPI-DSI interface) Audio – 3.5mm earphone […]

December 27, 2019February 16, 2020 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment

Inkplate 6 ESP32 Wireless e-Paper Display Recycles Kindle E-reader (Crowdfunding)

Inkplate 6 wireless display is made from recycled e-Paper display taken from a used Amazon Kindle E-reader and adds WiFi (and Bluetooth) connectivity thanks to an ESP32-WROVER module featuring Espressif Systems ESP32 dual-core processor. The 6″ e-Paper display can easily be updated over WiFi, and used for a variety of applications or projects such as high-latency digital signage displays, collaborative task trackers, e-Paper typewriters, open-hardware E-readers, art projects and so on. Inkplate 6 specifications: ESP32-WROVER wireless module ESP32 dual-core Tensilica LX6 processor @ 240 MHz 8MB RAM, 4MB flash Connectivity – 802.11 b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth 4.2 Display – 6″ e-Paper Display (ED060SC7) with 800×600 resolution taken from discarded Kindle readers; refresh time: 0.264 s; partial updates possible Storage – MicroSD card socket USB – 1x Micro USB Port for power and programming (via CH340C) Expansion EasyC / Qwiic connector with I2C Headers for power signals, I2C, SPI, ESP32’s GPIO, […]

December 27, 2019 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 5 Comments

SwitchTrick Switching Power Supply Board Helps you Test your Breadboard Circuit

We’ve covered several power supplies for breadboards over the years including toaster breadboard power supply with variable voltage output, or the portable, battery-powered MEGO power supply that allows you to power your project on the go. The SwitchTrick is another one of those breadboard power supplies but with testing in mind, as it takes input from various sources, and with jumper selection for voltage from 1.8V to 6V allows you to easily simulate different battery voltage levels, or the test the overvoltage protection of your circuit for example. SwitchTrick key features and specifications: Step-down converter – TI TPS62160 3-17V step down-convertor adjustable from 0.9-6V out at 1A. Power Input – 3V to 17V via 5.5×2.1mm power jack for 9V battery or wall supply Micro USB connector for 5V 2-pin JSY PH connector for battery 2x large plates holes for alligator clips Power Output (selectable by a jumper) 1.8V 2.5V 3.0V […]