Last week, we noted Firefly launched the first RK3568 system-on-module with Core-3568J AI Core and a corresponding full-featured development kit. But the company has been working on another interesting Rockchip RK3568 based device with Station P2 mini PC. Most Arm mini PCs need to make compromises when it comes to interfaces having to rely on USB bridges, but Station P2 feels very much like standard x86 based mini PC, albeit with a slower processor, thanks to native interfaces, or implemented through PCIe, with M.2 and SATA 3.0 SSD/HDD, dual Gigabit Ethernet, as well as WiFi 6, several USB 3.0/2.0 ports, and support for up to 8GB RAM among other features. Station P2 mini PC specifications: SoC – Rockchip RK3568 quad-core Cortex-A55 processor @ up to 2.0 GHz with Arm Mali-G52 2EE GPU with support for OpenGL ES 1.1/2.0/3.2, OpenCL 2.0, Vulkan 1.1, 0.8 TOPS NPU for AI acceleration, 4Kp60 H.265/H.264/VP9 […]
$30 Raspberry Pi CM4 IoT Router Carrier Board Mini offers Dual Gigabit Ethernet
We’ve recently written about Seeed Studio’s “Dual Gigabit Ethernet Carrier Board for Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4” that offers dual Gigabit Ethernet, and two USB 3.0 ports for software router applications, but it can also be used for IoT, Smart Home, and camera projects, as well as HTPC maker thanks to micro HDMI output and MIPI DSI/CSI connector. It is sold for an affordable $45, exceeding the Raspberry Pi CM4 module. But if all you want to do is get a dual Gigabit Ethernet WiFi router or IoT gateway, DFRobot has now introduced a more compact and cheaper carrier board for Raspberry Pi CM4: “Compute Module 4 IoT Router Carrier Board Mini“. CM4 IoT Router Board Mini specifications: Compatible Module – Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 / 4 Lite with Broadcom BCM2711 quad-core Cortex-A72 processor, up to 8GB RAM, up to 32GB flash, optional 802.11b/g/n/ac WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 […]
ESP32-C3-DevKitM-1 RISC-V WiFI & BLE board to launch for $8, modules for $1.8+
ESP32-C3 may be one of the most expected RISC-V processors in the IoT world, as it’s eventually expected to sell for the same price as ESP8266 and offers both WiFi and Bluetooth LE connectivity. Some engineering samples of the chip. modules and boards were distributed to developers shortly after the announcement at the end of the last year, but now it appears ESP32-C3-DevKitM-1 board will become available for $8 next month from distributors such as Mouser or DigiKey. Since I’ve never written about ESP32-C3-DevKitM-1 board let’s check out the specifications: Wireless module – ESP32-C3-MINI-1 with ESP32-C3FH4 (105°C) or ESP32-C3FN4 (85°C) 32-bit RISC-V single-core processor, up to 160 MHz, 4 MB embedded flash, 384 KB ROM, 400 KB SRAM (16 KB for cache), 8 KB SRAM in RTC Connectivity – 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi 4 & Bluetooth LE 5.0 USB – 1x Micro USB port for power and programming via USB-UART […]
Raspberry Pi CM4 Panel PCs offer IP67 protection, 7-inch display
We just have covered Raspberry Pi CM4 in CutiePi 8-inch tablet, but I don’t think I’ve seen the latest Raspberry Pi Compute Module inside a panel PC that typically offers additional interfaces such as Ethernet, RS232, or CAN bus for industrial applications. But today I’m here to write not about just one Raspberry Pi CM4 panel PC, but two from Chipsee and WIN Enterprises all with a 7-inch display, and features like Ethernet, opto-isolated GPIOs, RS485 terminal blocks, etc…, and the Win Enterprises’ model also adds dust and waterproofness with IP67 ingress protection rating. Chipsee CM4-70 Industrial Pi 7-inch Panel PC Chipsee panel PC is offered in two versions with CM4-70-EM model meant to be integrated into the customer’s own chassis, and CM4-70-PA integrating the board and display into a fully assembled panel. Specifications: SoM – Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 (CM4) with Broadcom BCM2711 quad-core Cortex-A72 processor, 2GB RAM, […]
Firefly unveils Core-3568J AI Core Rockchip RK3568 system-on-module & devkit
Firefly has unveiled a new 314-pin SO-DIMM system-on-module (SoM) with Core-3568J AI Core powered by Rockchip RK3568 processor and equipped with up to 8GB RAM, 128GB eMMC flash with interfaces including PCIe, SATA, dual Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI 2.0, eDP 1.3, MIPI DSI and more. The company also provides AIO-3568J development kit for the module with all those interfaces plus an M.2 socket for 5G or WiFi 6 connectivity, and PoE support among other features. Core-3568J AI Core system-on-module Specifications: SoC – Rockchip RK3568 quad-core Cortex-A55 processor @ 2.0 GHz with Arm Mali-G52 2EE GPU with support for OpenGL ES 1.1/2.0/3.2, OpenCL 2.0, Vulkan 1.1, 0.8 TOPS NPU for AI acceleration, 4Kp60 H.265/H.264/VP9 video decoding, and 1080p100 H.265/H.264 video encoding System Memory – 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB LPDDR4 ECC RAM up to 1600 MHz Storage – 32GB, 64GB, or 128GB eMMC flash 314-pin SO-DIMM edge connector with: Storage – SATA 3.0 […]
Long range ESP32 Wi-Fi development board promises up to 1.2km range (Crowdfunding)
WiFi is not really designed for kilometer range transmission, but CNLohr previously demonstrated 1km range with ESP8266, and some directional antennas are sold to expand the WiFi range. Bison Science’s ESP32-M1 Reach Out WiFi development board has been specifically designed for long-range connectivity with up to 30 dBm (1W) transmit power and support for various types of antennas for a 1.2-kilometer range, even tested up to 1.5km in a clear day. ESP32-M1 Reach Out features and specifications: WiSoC – Espressif Systems ESP32-D0WDQ6 dual-core processor @ 240 MHz Storage – 32 Mbit flash Connectivity 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 4 802.11 b/g/n Bluetooth 4.2/5.x Classic and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) QPF4219 PA (Power Amplifier) and LNA (Low Noise Amplifier) Wi-Fi RF front end (RFFE) from Qorvo with 33 dB PA gain and 15 dB LNA gain Wi-Fi transmit output power adjustable from 21 to 30 dBm (1 W) conducted Wi-Fi front end bypass […]
Geniatech SDM3399 RK3399 SBC looks like a PCIe card
There are so many Rockchip RK3399 SBCs that it’s getting boring, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Rockchip RK3399 SBC that follows the PCIe card form factor, and that’s exactly what Geniatech SDM3399 offers. The board/card comes with up to 4GB RAM, up to 64GB flash, and exposes Gigabit Ethernet, USB ports, and an audio jack via the PCIe bracket. Geniatech SDM3399 specifications: SoC – Rockchip RK3399 hexa-core processor with 2x Cortex-A72 cores @ 1.8 GHz, four Cortex-A53 cores @ 1.4 GHz, Arm Mali-T860MP4 GPU 800MHz System Memory – 2GB DDR (4GB optional) Storage – 8GB eMMC flash (16GB/32GB/64GB optional) Audio – 3.5mm audio jack Connectivity Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 port 802.11a/b/g/n/ac WiFI 4 and Bluetooth USB – 2x USB 2.0 ports Expansion – 1x M.2 socket Intel SDM Connector – PCIe x 8 (98-pin) SMT connector with HDMI output, DisplayPort output 2x USB 2.0, 1x serial port Battery […]
96Boards Consumer Edition Specification v2.0 adds Ethernet, PCIe, expansion connectors
Linaro’s 96Boards specification was first introduced in 2015 with the launch of Hikey SBC following 96Boards CE specification, which CE standing for Consumer Edition. The standard would define mechanical, electrical, and software requirements to create an ecosystem of low-cost, expandable, compatible, and well-supported boards. The software requirements were never very well followed, and while the hardware would usually be compliant, some complained about the specifications themselves notably with the lack of Ethernet for the standard version of the 96Boards CE SBC. Linaro has now announced the updated 96Boards CE specification 2.0 that adds ports location for optional Ethernet and PCIe Ethernet connector among other things. The minimum hardware requirements remain the mostly same, except for a few tweaks: Ultra-small low-profile form factor – 85x54x12 mm Extended Version: 85x100x12mm Design is SoC independent (targets 32- and 64-bit SoCs) 0.5 GB RAM (Minimum 4GB recommended for Android) MicroSDHC Socket for up 64GB […]