Posted on - No Comments on VisionSOM-RT is an Industrial System-on-Module based on NXP i.MX RT Arm Cortex-M7 Processor

VisionSOM-RT is an Industrial System-on-Module based on NXP i.MX RT Arm Cortex-M7 Processor

VisionSOM-RT NXP i.MX RT SoM

It’s hard to keep up with all the systems-on-module based on Arm Cortex-A “application class” processors, but so far I can’t remember seeing any Arm Cortex-M “microcontroller class” SoM. However, SoMLabs is currently working on VisionSOM-RT, a system-on-module based on NXP i.MX RT 1050 Arm Cortex-M7 processor clocked at 600 MHz. NXP i.MX RT series processors are actually promoted as a “crossover” processor delivering application processor performance with real-time capabilities right at the edge between the two classes of processors. VisionSOM-RT (SLS12Rx) module preliminary specifications: SoC- NXP i.MX RT Arm Cortex-M7 processor @ up to 600MHz with NXP PXP 2D graphics accelerator, and Graphics Engine PXP PiXel processing pipeline for imagine resize, rotation, overlay and color space conversion. Memory – 512kB on-chip RAM memory, up to 32MB SDRAM Storage – Up to 16MB QuadSPI flash, optional 4GB eMMC flash 200-pin SO-DIMM edge connector with Display Interface – 8/16/24-bit Parallel RGB up to 1366 x 768 (WXGA) Networking – 10/100Mbit/s Ethernet …

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Posted on - No Comments on Hexabitz Modular Prototyping Platform Enables Wire-Free 3D Electronics Designs (Crowdfunding)

Hexabitz Modular Prototyping Platform Enables Wire-Free 3D Electronics Designs (Crowdfunding)

A few years ago, I made a Raspberry Pi case made of perfboard and created some sort of DIY modular 3D electronics design by using the top and sides of the case to also hold electronics components and associated circuitry like a relay, and LEDs. The just launched Hexabitz hexagonal / pentagonal modules are designed to make prototyping easier, and also provide flexibility to create all sort of wire-free (3D) electronics designs with minimal soldering. A little over a dozen of modules are currently on offer, most with an STM32F0 Arm Cortex M0 micro-controller: Modules with built-in MCU 01R00, P01R00 – RGB LED (hexagon / pentagon) with Cree Tri-color (RGB) SMD LED, 4-Pin PLCC H02R10 – Bluetooth/BLE V4 based on Laird BT900-SA + chip antenna, +8 dBm max H04R00 – Audio amplifier, speaker, and headphone jack based on ST TS4990IST 1.2W audio power amplifier, 0.7W, 8 Ohm speaker H05R00 – SPI based micro SDHC memory card (up to 32GB) with Fatfs, …

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Posted on - 6 Comments on Toradex Launches Apalis iMX8 Computer-on-Module based on NXP i.MX 8QuadMax SoC

Toradex Launches Apalis iMX8 Computer-on-Module based on NXP i.MX 8QuadMax SoC

Toradex-Apalis-i.MX8-SoM

Toradex Apalis iMX8 is another system-on-module powered by NXP i.MX 8QuadMax hexa core Arm Cortex A72 + 53 processor, which comes with 4GB LPDDR4 RAM, up to 16GB flash, and an on-board dual-band 802.11ac 2×2 MU-MIMO Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5 ready module. The company has just opened early access for selected customers, so it has become possible to start developing products with the MXM3 computer-on-module. Apalix i.MX8 module specifications: SoC – NXP i.MX 8QuadMax hexa core processor with 2x Arm Cortex-A72 cores @ 1.6 GHz, 4x Arm Cortex-A53 cores @ 1.26 GHz, 2x Cortex-M4 real-time core @ 266 MHz, and dual Vivante GC7000XSVX GPU System Memory – 4GB LPDDR4 (64 Bit) Storage – Up to 16GB eMMC flash On-module Connectivity Gigabit Ethernet via Microchip KSZ9031 transceiver with low power features Dual-band 802.11ac 2×2 MU-MIMO Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5 via Azurewave AW-CM276NF M.2 1216 LGA module Audio – NXP SGTL5000 low power stereo codec 314-pim MXM3 edge connector with: Storage – …

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Posted on - 2 Comments on PHYTEC Introduces phyCORE SoMs & Devkits Based on NXP i.MX8, i.MX 8M, or i.MX 8X Processors

PHYTEC Introduces phyCORE SoMs & Devkits Based on NXP i.MX8, i.MX 8M, or i.MX 8X Processors

PHYTEC, an embedded systems company headquartered in Germany with global offices, has updated their phyCORE systems-on-module family with 3 sub-families of modules based on NXP i.MX 8, i.MX 8X, or i.MX 8M dual or quad core processors for a total of 9 modules. phyCORE-i.MX 8 Specifications: SoC – NXP i.MX 8Quad,  i.MX 8QuadPlus or  i.MX 8QuadMax Arm Cortex-A72/A53/M4F processor @ up to 1.6 GHz with  Tensilica HiFi 4 DSP @ 666 MHz, 2x Vivante GC7000XSVX GPUs System Memory – 1  to 8GB LPDDR4 RAM Storage – 64MB to 256MB Octal SPI/DualSPI SPI NOR Flash, 4 GB to 128 GB eMMC flash, 4kB EEPROM Connectivity – 2x Gigabit Ethernet PHY 4x 120-pin Board-to-board connectors with: Display – 2x LVDS, 2x MIPI DSI, 1x HDMI Video Input / Camera – 1x HDMI, 2x MIPI CSI Audio – 2x ESAI, up to 4x SAI Networking – 2x 10/100/1000 Mbit/s Ethernet USB – 1x USB OTG,  1x USB 3.0 Serial – 1x UART, 2x …

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Posted on - 3 Comments on ESP32-WROOM-32D / ESP32-WROOM-32U WiFi & Bluetooth Modules Deliver Better RF Performance

ESP32-WROOM-32D / ESP32-WROOM-32U WiFi & Bluetooth Modules Deliver Better RF Performance

ESP-WROOM-32 is likely the most popular ESP32 WiFi + Bluetooth module on the market, but a few months ago, Espressif Systems unveiled two variants named ESP32-WROOM-32D / ESP32-WROOM-32U, which are based on ESP32-D0WD (5x5mm package) instead of ESP32-D0WDQ6 (6x6mm package), and are said to offer better RF performance ESP32-WROOM-32D is the most similar to ESP-WROOM-32 since it also comes with a PCB antenna, while ESP32-WROOM-32U is much smaller as it relies on an external WiFi/Bluetooth antenna via a u.FL connector. Both new modules are pin-to-pin compatible with ESP-WROOM-32 Key features: CPU – Espressif ESP32-D0WD dual core Tensilica processor Storage – 32Mbit SPI flash Crystal – 40 MHz Connectivity – Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n up to 150 Mbps, Bluetooth 4.2 LE I/Os – 38- catellagated pin with I/Os + GND plane Antenna ESP32-WROOM-32D – on-board antenna ESP32-WROOM-32U – u.FL connector for external IPEX antenna Dimensions ESP32-WROOM-32D – 18 x 25.5 x 3.1 mm ESP32-WROOM-32U – 18 x 19.2 x 3.2 mm There …

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Posted on - 1 Comment on Low Cost Renesas Target Boards for RX MCUs are Designed for Home Appliances, Building & Industrial Automation

Low Cost Renesas Target Boards for RX MCUs are Designed for Home Appliances, Building & Industrial Automation

Renesas Electronics has announced three new Target Boards for the RX65N, RX130 and RX231 32-bit Microcontroller (MCU) groups designed for home appliance, building and industrial automation applications. Each board has minimal features with an on-chip debugger, a mini USB port, the micro-controller, and through-hole pin headers providing access to all MCU signals. This design allows to access all MCU features while keeping the price below $30. Renesas Target Board specifications: MCU Renesas RX65N (R5F565NEDDFP) 32-bit RXv2 MCU @ 120 MHz with 2MB+32KB ROM, 640KB RAM Renesas RX130 (R5F51308ADFP) 32-bit MCU @ 32 MHz with 512KB+8KB ROM, 48 KB RAM Renesas RX231 (R5F52318ADFP) 32-bit RXv2 MCU @ 54 MHz with 512KB+8KB ROM, 64 KB RAM Expansion Unpopulated 12-pin Pmod connector 2x unpopulated 50-pin MCU headers Misc 2-pin Current measurement header Reset and user push buttons Power LED (Green), ACT LED (Green), 2x user LEDs (Green) 2-pin emulator reset header Power Supply 5V via mini USB port 3.3V via external power supply …

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Posted on - 10 Comments on $1 RDA5981 WiFi IoT Arm Cortex-M4 SoC is Designed for Smart Home Devices, Smart Speakers

$1 RDA5981 WiFi IoT Arm Cortex-M4 SoC is Designed for Smart Home Devices, Smart Speakers

RDA Microelectronics processors are found in a few cheap smart and not-so-smart phones, as well as the even cheaper Orange Pi i96 board. But the company does not only design cellular chips, but their portfolio also includes solutions for the Internet of Things and TV & radio tuners. RDA5981 is a WiFi IoT chip specifically designed for smart home & audio application, such as smart speakers, and it’s found in devices running Baidu DuerOS, the Chinese equivalent of Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. The company explains it can be widely used in televisions, set-top boxes, smart appliances, wireless monitors, and other products. RDA5981 A/B/C processor specifications: CPU – Arm Cortex-M4 @ up to 160 MHz with integrated MPU and mbed uvisor System Memory  – Up to 448 KB SRAM for network stack and application, external PSRAM interface Storage – Up to 32Mbit SPI flash Connectivity WiFi 2.4 Ghz 802.11b/g/n WiFi up to 150 Mbps with 20/40 MHz bandwidth WPA, WPA2, …

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Posted on - 16 Comments on $34 SmartFusion2 Maker Board Arm Cortex-M3 + FPGA Board Supports ESP32 & ESP8266 Modules

$34 SmartFusion2 Maker Board Arm Cortex-M3 + FPGA Board Supports ESP32 & ESP8266 Modules

Xilinx Zynq SoCs are probably the most well-known FPGAs with ARM cores, as their Cortex A9/A53 cores can run Linux, but they are not the only ones. Microsemi launched SmartFusion2 SoC comprised of FPGA fabric and an Arm Cortex-M3 core in 2013, as well as a $300 development kit. The company has now partnered with Digikey to launch SmartFusion2 Maker Board, a low-cost evaluation platform for the SoC that comes with Gigabit Ethernet, a USB port, a connector for ESP8266 module, PCB footprint for ESP32 module, among other features like a light sensor, LEDs, and buttons. SmartFusion2 maker board (M2S010-MKR-KIT) main features & specifications: SoC  – Microsemi SmartFusion2 M2S010 SoC with: Arm Cortex-M3 @ 166 MHz, 6oKB+80KB eSRAM, 256KB eNVM FPGA with 12,084 logic element, 400 Kbits RAM Storage – 16 Mbit SPI Flash Connectivity Gigabit Ethernet via VSC8541 PHY, RJ45 connector Connector for ESP8266 (Sparkfun WRL-13678 – not included) Laid out footprint for ESP32 (DFRobot ESP-WROOM-32 – not included) …

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