Calao Systems SMC-NTEK1 is a SMARC System-on-Module Powered by Nvidia Tegra K1

Calao Systems has introduced a new system-on-module compliant with SGET SMARC specifications, and powered by Nvidia Tegra K1 quad core Cortex A15 processor, that targets embedded systems for vision, video, data analytic and high computing applications. Calao SMC-NTEK1-IXX module specifications: SoC – Nvidia Tegra K1 quad core Cortex A15 processor with a Kepler GPU System Memory – 2GB DDR3L Storage – 8 GB e-MMC, 8 MB SPI Flash, 1x EEPROM with unique S/N and MAC address Security – 1x Trusted Platform Module (TPM), 1x Crypto Authentication I/Os via MXM3 edge connector: Storage – SATA 3Gb/s, 1x SDIO Video Output – 1x LVDS, 1x HDMI Video Input / Camera – 2x CSI Audio I/F – 1x I2S, 1x S/PDIF Out Debugging – 1x JTAG Network connectivity – 1x Gigabit Ethernet USB – 2x USB 2.0 Host, 1x USB 2.0 OTG 1x PCIe x1 4x UART, 1x SPI, 3x I2C, 12x GPIO […]

pcDuino8 Uno is an Allwinner H8 Octa-core Development Board with Arduino Headers

H7 Hummingbird development board powered by Allwinner H8 octa-core Cortex A7 processor with support for 1080p H265 video decoding launched this summer, but Merrii does not usually provide much support to individual developers. Linksprite is about to launch a new H8 development board that also comes with Arduino compatible headers. pcDuino8 Uno board specifications: SoC – AllWinner H8 octa-core ARM Cortex-A7 processor @ up to 2.0GHz with PowerVR SGX544 GPU @ up to 700MHz System Memory – 1GB DDR3 Storage – micro SD card slot up to 32GB Video Output – HDMI 1.4 up to 1080p with HDCP support Audio I/O – HDMI, 3.5mm analog audio jack Connectivity – Ethernet (100M LAN shown on board, but “Gbps” listed in specs) USB – 1x USB 2.0 host port, 2x micro USB ports (1x OTG, 1x power only) Camera – 1x MIPI CSI header Expansion Headers – Arduino Uno headers with 14x […]

Marsboard AM335X Development Board Features a TI Sitara AM335x SoM

Haoyu Electronics brought us several Allwinner and Rockchip Marsboard in the past few years, and now they’ve released a version based on Texas Instruments AM335x processor, with a form factor and features similar to  the Beaglebone Black, but comprised of a baseboard and system-on-module. Marsboard AM335x board specifications: CM-AM335x System-on-module: SoC – Texas Instrument AM335x (AM3358) ARM Cortex A8 processor @ 1Ghz with SGX530 3D GPU System Memory – 512MB DDR3 SDRAM Storage – 4GB eMMC Flash Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet PHY (LAN8710A) SoM Connectors – two 50×2 pin headers, 1.27mm pitch Misc – Power Indicator LED Power Management Unit – TPS65910 SIM-AM335X Baseboard Video Output – HDMI type A socket (via TDA19988 LCD to HDMI converter) Storage – mircro SD slot (bottom of the board) Connectivity – RJ45 connector for Fast Ethernet USB – 1x USB 2.0 Host port, 1x micro USB port Debugging – 14-pin JTAG interface (not […]

CX-S500 is a Xiaomi Mi Box Mini Clone with Amlogic S805 Processor and a USB Port

Earlier this year I reviewed Xiaomi Mi Box Mini, and so far this year it’s one of my most popular blog posts despite being basically usable for non Chinese speakers, and lacking a USB port. A Chinese company decided it might be a good idea to design an Android mini PC lookalike, but powered by Amlogic S805, while also adding a much needed USB port. C-S500 specifications: SoC – Amlogic S805 quad core ARM Cortex A5 @ 1.5GHz with quad core Mali-450MP GPU System Memory – 1 GB RAM Storage – 8 GB NAND flash Connectivity – 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi (Realtek RTL8723) , and Bluetooth Video & Audio Output – HDMI USB – 1x USB 2.0 port Power Supply – Integrated into device. Probably 100-240V input (TBC) Dimensions – TBD (Specs listed as 208 x 83.05 x 22 mm, but clearly wrong) Weight – N/A The company (Sunchip?) did not […]

Loongson Introduces MIPS64 3A2000 & 3B2000 Processors Based on GS464E Architecture

Loongson recently unveiled two new quad core processors Loongson-3A2000 & Loongson-3B2000 targeting respectively consumer electronics and server, and on the company’s new GS464E architecture using MIPS64 cores. Both processors are 4-way superscalar processors built on a 9-stage, super-pipelined architecture with in-order execution units, two floating-point units, a memory management unit, and a crossbar interconnect. According to Imagination Technology, Chinese media reported that 3A2000 CPU was designed at high-performance consumer electronics products such as desktop computers and laptops, 64-bit embedded and DSP applications, and network routers, while 3B2000 will be used in 8 to 16 core server systems, meaning there would be 2 to 4 quad core processors in these servers. I could not find anything about the new processors on Loongson product page, but a white paper describes GS464E architecture in details. Unfortunately, the document is entirely in Chinese, except the abstract and some charts and tables: Loongson GS464E is […]

Gateworks Introduces an Embedded Android LCD Touchscreen Development Kit

Gateworks has launched a rugged touchscreen LCD devkit featuring one of their Freescale i.MX6 based Ventana SBC, namely Ventana GW5224, that is similar to Ventana GW5220, but with a quad core Freescale i.MX 6Quad instead of the i.MX 6Dual found in the latter. GW11036 Embedded Android Development Kit features and specifications: GW5224 single board computer SoC- Freescale i.MX6 Quad with 4x Cortex A9 core @ 1GHz and Vivante GPU (automotive grade: -40 to +125C) System Memory – 1GB DDR3-800 SDRAM Storage – 2GB Flash, micro SD slot, serial configuration EEPROM Connectivity – 1x Gigabit Ethernet port (RJ45) Video Output and Input – HDMI 1.4 out,  LVDS output,  3x analog composite video inputs Audio – HDMI, analog stereo Line In/Out Expansion – 2x Mini PCIe sockets including one with PCIe signalling Other I/O ports: Serial – 2x RS232, CAN Bus 2.0B @ 1 Mbps Master/slave SPI, GPIO USB – 1x USB […]

Asus VivoStick PC is a Cherry Trail HDMI TV Stick Running Windows 10

We’ve had many Bay Trail-T HDMI TV stick in the past year, but recently some Cherry Trail low power mini PCs such as Tronsmart Ara X5 and MeegoPad T04 have started to hit the virtual shelves, and now Asus is the first company to announce a Cherry Trail HDMI TV Stick, and it’s pretty good looking, although its shaper reminds me of fluorescent markers… Asus VivoStick PC specifications: SoC – Unamed Intel Cherry Trail processor Memory & Storage – Single eMCP chip with 2GB DDRL3 and 32GB eMMC (no micro SD slot) Video Output – HDMI Audio Output – HDMI, 3.5mm audio jack Connectivity – WiFi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.0 USB – 1x USB 3.0 port, 1x USB 2.0 port, 1x micro USB port (for power) Power Supply – 5V via micro USB port Dimensions – 138 x 15 x 14 mm Weight – 70 grams The stick will […]

Acer Jade Primo is the First Smartphone PC Running Windows 10 Continuum

At least two operating systems companies are working on mobile desktop converge: Microsoft with Windows 10 Continuum and Canonical with Ubuntu, Mir and Unity 8. There are still software and hardware challenges ahead, but I envision that in a couple of years my smartphone will also be my Ubuntu powered computer. But so far it looks like Microsoft might be ahead, as jointly with Acer they announced and demo Windows 10 Continuum on Jade Primo smartphone. The smartphone itself is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor, with a 5.5″ AMOLED display, and 21MP & 8 MP cameras. I could not find details about RAM and storage. When the phone is connected to a dock via its micro USB to HDMI (MHL) cable, it pairs with Bluetooth mouse and keyboard, and you can simply use Windows 10 just like on a real computer running Office, browsing the web and so […]