Debashis Das, Author at CNX Software

April 25, 2024April 25, 2024 by Debashis Das - No Comments

Raspberry Pi CM4S module gets 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB RAM variants for commercial products

Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4S with 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB variants

Raspberry Pi has announced three new versions of its Compute Module 4S (CM4S) offering 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB RAM options which is an upgrade from the 1GB variant introduced in 2022. These new modules feature the same Broadcom BCM2711 quad-core Cortex-A72 SoC used in Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi CM4 and have a starting price of only $25. The main downside is that the modules can only be purchased in bulk (200-unit boxes) through Raspberry Pi Approved Resellers. Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4S (CM4S) specifications: SoC – Broadcom BCM2711 CPU – Quad-core 64-bit Cortex-A72 processor @ 1.5 GHz GPU – VideoCore VI GPU 3D Graphics: OpenGL ES 3.0 and Vulkan 1.1 Video H.265 (HEVC) (up to 4Kp60 decode) H.264 (up to 1080p60 decode, 1080p30 encode) Memory – 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB LPDDR4-3200 SDRAM with ECC Storage – 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB eMMC flash; Option for 0GB eMMC Flash […]

April 25, 2024April 25, 2024 by Debashis Das - No Comments

Quectel BG95-S5 5G NTN + LTE IoT module can seamlessly connect across satellite and cellular networks

Quectel BG95 S5 NTN satellite communication module

The Quectel BG95-S5 is a “multi-mode” 5G NTN satellite + LTE IoT communication module designed for seamless connectivity in remote areas. It supports 3GPP Release 17 IoT-NTN (S and L band frequencies) and offers fallback options with LTE Cat M1, Cat NB2, eGPRS, and integrated GNSS. These features make the module suitable for asset management, wireless POS, heavy industry, and wearables applications. In January this year, Quectel announced their CC660D-LS IoT NTN module in partnership with Skylo which focuses solely on NTN connectivity, whereas the “multi-mode” BG95-S5 seamlessly switches between different connectivity technologies (NTN, LTE Cat M1, Cat NB2, eGPRS). Quectel BG95-S5 IoT-NTN satellite module specifications: Module Type – NTN satellite communication module Compliance – Supports 3GPP Rel-17 IoT-NTN/ LTE Cat M1/ Cat NB2/ EGPRS module with Ultra-low power consumption Frequency Bands IoT-NTN S-Band – B23/ B256 L- Band – B255 (Under development/ planning) LTE-FDD Cat M1 – B1/ 2/ […]

April 24, 2024April 24, 2024 by Debashis Das - 1 Comment

BIGTREETECH Pi 2 SBC and CB2 module for 3D printers now feature Rockchip RK3566 SoC with Gigabit Ethernet

BIGTREETECH Pi 2 and the BIGTREETECH CB2 Compute Modules

BIGTREETECH recently announced the release of the BIGTREETECH Pi 2 SBC and BIGTREETECH CB2 SoM, both powered by the Rockchip RK3566 SoC. These new modules are direct upgrades from the BIGTREETECH Pi v1.2 and BIGTREETECH CB1, which we covered and reviewed in our previous posts. Specially designed for 3D printers, these new modules have a similar form factor to that of a Raspberry Pi and the RPI CM4 module, and come with a set of upgraded features including support for GbE Ethernet, dual-band WiFi, up to 32GB of LPDDR4 RAM, eMMC storage, HDMI, USB, and more. BIGTREETECH Pi 2 Specifications SoC – Rockchip RK3566 CPU – Quad-core Arm Cortex-A55 processor @ 1.8 GHz GPU – Arm Mali G52-2EE GPU with support for OpenGL ES 1.1/2.0/3.2, Vulkan 1.1, OpenCL 2.0 NPU – 0.8 TOPS AI accelerator VPU – 4Kp60 H.265/H.264/VP9 video decoding, 1080p100f H.265/H.264 video encoding System Memory – 2GB LPDDR4 (Customizable – 1GB/2GB/4GB/8GB) […]

April 23, 2024April 23, 2024 by Debashis Das - 5 Comments

$4.99 ESP32-S3-Tiny board measures just 23.50 x 18 mm

waveshare esp32 s3 tiny kit a mini development board

Waveshare has recently released the ESP32-S3-Tiny mini development board powered by ESP32-S3 wireless MCU and measuring just 23.50 x 18 mm. Due to its compact form factor, it does not include a USB-to-UART converter or a USB port. That is why, you will need an additional adapter board with an FPC cable to program it, which costs only $1. Despite its small size, the board is feature-rich. It includes 34 multi-function GPIO pins, along with Wi-Fi, BLE, SPI, I2C, UART, ADC, PWM, and more. The design of the board is very similar to the Raspberry Pi RP2040-powered Waveshare RP2040-Tiny board that we covered last year. However, what sets this board apart is its 34 I/O pins, compared to the 23 found on the RP2040-Tiny board, and wireless connectivity. We’ve also written about several other boards with compact form factors, such as the Unexpected Maker NANOS3 board (28 x 11 mm), […]

April 22, 2024April 22, 2024 by Debashis Das - 2 Comments

Microchip 8-bit AVR DU family supports secure USB connectivity and 15W power delivery

At Embedded World 2024, Microchip announced their new AVR DU family of 8-bit MCUs featuring a full-speed USB 2.0 data interface along with USB-C 15W Power Delivery enabling up to 12Mbps data transfer and charging. They also have features like secure bootloaders and Program and Debug Interface Disable (PDID), which protect your embedded designs. Based on the Harvard architecture, these MCUs can have up to 64 KB of Flash memory, 8 KB of SRAM, and 256 bytes of EEPROM. Their wide operating voltage range of 1.8V to 5.5V makes them suitable for small, space-sensitive devices, power bricks, and rechargeable devices. But one thing to note is that the USB function is only available for VDD above 3.0V and I2C Fm+ (Fast-mode Plus) is only supported for 2.7V and above. I²C Fm+ extends the standard I²C protocol, boosting communication speeds up to 1 MHz while maintaining compatibility with older I²C devices. It’s […]

April 20, 2024April 19, 2024 by Debashis Das - 12 Comments

Unexpected Maker NANOS3 might be the world’s tiniest ESP32-S3 module, yet fully-featured

Unexpected Maker NANOS3 A ESP32 S3 Powred Dev Board

Seon Rozenblum, better known as Unexpected Maker, has launched NANOS3 a development board that claims to be the world’s smallest, fully-featured ESP32-S3 module! This new module packs all the peripherals, and wireless connectivity features of an ESP32-S3 while being even smaller than the TinyPICO Nano. The module features two variants one with an onboard 3D antenna and the other with an u.FL connector. Previously we have written about TinyS3, FeatherS3, and ProS3 boards from Unexpected Maker we have also covered many unique ESP32-S3 boards like the ESP32-S3 PowerFeather Board with solar input, the Waveshare ESP32-S3-Relay-6CH, the ESP32-S3 4G dev boards and more feel free to check those out if you are interested in ESP32 boards with advanced features. Unexpected Maker NANOS3 Specifications ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N8R2 MCU – ESP32-S3 dual-core Tensilica LX7 up to 240 MHz with 512KB SRAM, 16 KB RTC SRAM Memory – 2MB QSPI PSRAM Storage – 8MB QSPI flash Wireless – […]

April 19, 2024April 19, 2024 by Debashis Das - 3 Comments

$15 Waveshare 1.69-inch IPS touch LCD module works with Raspberry Pi, Arduino, ESP32, STM32, and other platforms

Waveshare 1.69-inch Round IPS LCD Display Module with Touch Panel

The Waveshare 1.69-inch IPS touch LCD is a 1.69-inch rounded display with 240×280 resolution and a 262K color range. The display driver (ST7789V2) and touch controller (CST816T) are integrated on-board and rely on SPI and I2C interfaces that make it compatible with popular platforms such as Raspberry Pi, Arduino, ESP32, STM32, and more. Previously we have covered many similar display modules like the MaTouch ESP32-S3, T-RGB ESP32-S3, and ESP32-S3 Round SPI TFT. Feel free to check these out if you are looking for a specific rounded display product. Waveshare 1.69-inch IPS touch LCD specifications Display 1.69-inch round LCD with 240×280 resolution and IPS panel. 262K color depth Display Driver – ST7789V2 SPI display driver Touch Control – CST816T I2C capacitive touch controller for responsive input. Onboard Logic Level Converter – Onboard voltage translator for 3.3V/5V power, works with Raspberry Pi, ESP32-S3, Raspberry Pi Pico, Arduino, STM32, and more. Dimensions – 41.13 x 33.13 […]

April 18, 2024April 17, 2024 by Debashis Das - 6 Comments

unPhone – An ESP32-S3 IoT development platform with LoRaWAN, touchscreen, open-source ecosystem

unPhone All in one LoRa, WiFi and BT dev device with touchscreen and LiPo battery

Pimoroni, in partnership with the University of Sheffield, introduced the unPhone – an open-source non-cellular IoT development platform built around the ESP32-S3 wireless microcontroller. The unPhone isn’t meant to replace phones but can simplify tasks and give you more control over your data. In addition to the ESP32-S3, it features a 3.5″ 320×480 touchscreen display, LoRaWAN, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a vibration motor, an accelerometer, and various other features. Designed with these capabilities, this module can be used for teaching and rapid prototyping, while also finding applications in aquaponics. unPhone key features and components Wireless module – ESP32-S3-WROOM-1U-N8 MCU – ESP32-S3 dual-core Tensilica LX7 up to 240 MHz with 512KB SRAM and 8MB PSRAM Storage – 8MB Quad SPI flash Wireless – 2.4 GHz WiFi 4 and Bluetooth LE 5 Hardware Features LCD touchscreen for debugging and UI creation. LoRaWAN for free radio communication Vibration motor for notifications. IR LEDs for remote control. […]