Author: Tomisin Olujinmi

Tomisin is a writer specializing in hardware product reviews, comparisons, and explainers. He is very passionate about small form factor and single-board computers.
Posted on by Tomisin Olujinmi - 3 Comments on iW-RainboW-G58M is a compact module based on the Intel Agilex 5 SoC FPGA series

iW-RainboW-G58M is a compact module based on the Intel Agilex 5 SoC FPGA series

iW-RainboW-G58M Agilex 5 Dev Kit Top View

iWave Systems, an embedded systems solutions company based in India, has announced the launch of the iW-RainboW-G58M system-on-module (SoM). The module is based on Intel’s Agilex 5 SoC FPGA E-series family, a lineup of affordable, midrange FPGAs for intelligent edge and embedded applications. The Agilex 5 E-series is optimized to deliver better performance-per-watt than its predecessors at a smaller form factor. They feature an asymmetric applications processor system comprising two Arm Cortex-A76 cores and two Cortex-A55 cores for optimized performance and power efficiency. The Arm cores in the Agilex 5 SoC FGPA family are more powerful than the Cortex-A53 cores in the Intel Agilex 7 and 9 products, but those have faster high-speed interfaces and more logic elements. The Agilex 5 SoM is suitable for development in fields like wireless communications, video/broadcast, and industrial test and measurement sectors. The last iWave module we covered, the iW-RainboW-G55M, was based on a […]

Posted on by Tomisin Olujinmi - 9 Comments on Espressif announces the ESP32-C61 WiFi 6 SoC with improved affordability and wireless connectivity

Espressif announces the ESP32-C61 WiFi 6 SoC with improved affordability and wireless connectivity

ESP32 C61 Block Diagram

Espressif has announced the ESP32-C61 SoC, a new ESP32-Cx chip with improved wireless connectivity, and expanded memory options. The ESP32-C61 builds upon the foundation laid by previous ESP32-Cx chips, such as the ESP32-C2 and ESP-C3, and its specifications appear to be quite similar to the ESP32-C6 launched in early 2023, but this SoC also adds support for the BLE Mesh 1.1 protocol and Quad SPI PSRAM at a frequency of up to 120MHz. It supports WiFi 6 on two modes (802.11ax and 802.11b/g/n) and includes a Bluetooth 5 (LE) radio with support for long-range operation through advertisement extension and coded PHY. The TWT (Target Wake Time) feature is supported in 802.11ax mode to save power, as well as OFDMA (Uplink/Downlink) and MU-MIMO (Downlink) for a high-quality, low-latency connection between devices. ESP32-C61 specifications: CPU – Single-core, 32-bit RISC-V microcontroller that can be clocked up to 160MHz Memory: 320KB on-chip SRAM 256KB […]

Posted on by Tomisin Olujinmi - 8 Comments on The EQSP32 is a no-code, no-solder Industrial Internet of Things Controller powered by a generative AI assistant (Crowdfunding)

The EQSP32 is a no-code, no-solder Industrial Internet of Things Controller powered by a generative AI assistant (Crowdfunding)

eqsp32 industrial controller

The EQSP32 controller is a complete, end-to-end solution for IoT applications that recently launched on Kickstarter. It is a compact, wireless Industrial IoT controller based on the ESP32-S3 wireless SoC with a 250MHz dual-core processor, 512KB of RAM, and 8MB of flash memory. The product leverages artificial intelligence and code for automation projects can be generated automatically by the bundled generative AI programming assistant. The EQSP32 controller features 16 terminals that can be configured as analog or digital inputs, or as digital outputs. Switches, pushbuttons, keypads, LED strips, sensors, servos, potentiometers, etc., can be connected to these terminals. It is similar to the EdgeBox-Edge-100 we covered a while back but lacks an Ethernet port and uses less power overall. EQSP32 specifications: SoC: Espressif Systems ESP32-S3 dual-core Tensilica LX7 microcontroller @ 240 MHz, 512KB RAM Memory – 8MB flash Network Connectivity: Bluetooth, WiFi USB – USB-C programming port I/O: 16 multipurpose […]

Posted on by Tomisin Olujinmi - No Comments on The PCOM-B65A COM Express module is powered by Intel Core Ultra Processors

The PCOM-B65A COM Express module is powered by Intel Core Ultra Processors

PCOM B65A front

Taiwan-based embedded systems manufacturer, Portwell, has announced a new COM Express Type 6 Basic module based on the Intel Core Ultra processor platform. The Portwell PCOM-B65A module is a minimal COM Express module that comes with either one of the H-series or U-series processors in the Core Ultra series. The Intel Core Ultra series (formerly known as Meteor Lake) uses Intel’s 3D performance hybrid architecture (two core microarchitectures on a chip) to optimize performance and distribute workloads efficiently. It also features an integrated neural processing unit that offers low-power AI acceleration and hardware offloading.The I/O and artificial intelligence feature set on the PCOM-B65A COM Express module suits several embedded applications such as medical devices, automation, IoT, and industrial control. We have already covered other products based on the newly released 14th Gen Intel Core Ultra (Meteor Lake) series with the ADLINK’s cExpress-MTL Type 6 Compact module and the ASRock Industrial’s […]

Posted on by Tomisin Olujinmi - 2 Comments on Tillitis Tkey is an open-source RISC-V security key in a USB-C case

Tillitis Tkey is an open-source RISC-V security key in a USB-C case

Tkey security key with an open lid

Tillitis’ TKey is a small, simple security key in a USB-C form factor, and described as a “new type of flexible USB security token” that is inspired by DICE (Device Identifier Composition Engine) and measured boot powered by a simple 32-bit RISC-V core, the PicoRV32, in a Lattice iCE40 UP5K FPGA. While we have covered hardware security modules in the past, this is the first security key we have seen that is based on an FPGA running a RISC-V core. The security token lacks persistent, onboard storage, unlike alternatives such as Yubikey Neo. Apps need to be loaded onto the key every time it is connected to a host device. It uses measured boot to generate a unique identifier for each application and is more secure than the alternatives since private keys are not stored on the device. Also, the hardware and software for the TKey are completely open-source for […]

Posted on by Tomisin Olujinmi - No Comments on Aper-Oculus is an open-source camera development board for AMD Xilinx’s Kria SoM (Crowdfunding)

Aper-Oculus is an open-source camera development board for AMD Xilinx’s Kria SoM (Crowdfunding)

Aper-Oculus Front

The Aper-Oculus board is an open-source hardware camera carrier board for the AMD Xilinx Kria system-on-modules aimed at high-speed computer vision applications. The carrier board is built around the Sony SLVS-EC (Scalable Low-Voltage Signaling with Embedded Clock), a high-speed interface standard that delivers high-resolution video output to the FPGA. It also features several connectivity options, including dual MIPI connectors, USB 3.0, DisplayPort, and SATA to accommodate the varying demands of AI and robotics projects. The Kria K24 and K26 SOMs are adaptive system-on-modules designed for edge and vision applications. These small modules are ruggedized and come with hardware acceleration enabled out-of-the-box. The Kria lineup also includes a series of starter kits, such as the KR260 Robotics Starter Kit, which are designed for early evaluation and development. Aper-Oculus specifications: Processor-Board Support – Compatible with AMD Xilinx Kria SOMs Video Interface – SLVS-EC for high-speed, high-quality video input Expansion – FMC connector […]

Posted on by Tomisin Olujinmi - No Comments on GlowStitch LEDs – A machine-sewable LED board for adding lights to wearables and crafts (Crowdfunding)

GlowStitch LEDs – A machine-sewable LED board for adding lights to wearables and crafts (Crowdfunding)

GlowStitch LEDs and battery holder

GlowStitch LEDs is an innovative new project that is aimed at making machine-sewable LEDs for wearable tech and special crafts of all forms. The LEDs are made from flexible circuit boards which makes them sewable with a machine and usable for various creative projects by makers, cosplayers, fashion designers, and hobbyists. Until now, sewing LEDs to clothing and soft circuits (e-textiles) had to be done by hand with conductive thread, an arduous process that requires a lot of patience. With the GlowStitch LEDs, creative projects can be prototyped using conductive tape and actualized with a sewing machine. This project has a focus on education and the kit is designed to be used by makers of all skill levels. The LED strips can be machine-washed. However, the maker recommends hand-washing with no tumble dry. The battery should always be removed before washing. Although this is not a kit that requires coding […]

Posted on by Tomisin Olujinmi - No Comments on AAEON COM-R2KC6 – A COM Express Module featuring the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2000 Series

AAEON COM-R2KC6 – A COM Express Module featuring the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2000 Series

AAEON COM-R2KC6 front

AAEON, a Taiwan-based hardware manufacturer, has released the COM-R2KC6, a new COM Express module in the Type 6 compact form factor. This computer-on-module board is the first COM Express module to feature AMD’s mid-range processor series, the Ryzen Embedded R2000 series. The R2KC6 will be sold with an R2000 CPU, with TDP ranging from 15W to 45W and up to 4 cores and 8 threads (4C/8T). The R2000 SoCs provide up to two times the I/O connectivity and CPU core count of their R-series predecessors. Relatedly, ADLINK recently announced a COM Express Type 7 module based on AMD’s Ryzen Embedded V3000 processor. The COM-R2KC6 supports four simultaneous 4K displays through an embedded DisplayPort (eDP) connector and three Digital Display Interface (DDI) connectors. This means the integrated AMD Radeon Vega 8 graphics card can be used to its maximum potential. Additional graphics support is available through the board’s PEG x4 slot. […]