Gigadevice Category - CNX Software - Embedded Systems News

December 31, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 13 Comments

Year 2025 in Review, CNX Software stats, and looking ahead to 2026

Time for the last post of 2025, as the year is almost over. I’ll look back at key developments and notable products launched in 2025, share some CNX Software website traffic statistics, and look ahead to 2026. Year 2025 in Review After 22 product releases in 2024, Raspberry Pi calmed down a little bit in 2025, and the highlights of the year included the Raspberry Pi 500+ mechanical keyboard, the 5-inch variant of the Raspberry Pi Touch Display 2, and a Raspberry Pi 5 1GB RAM. What didn’t quite stop were the accessories from third parties for Raspberry Pi SBC and Raspberry Pi Pico boards. The most exciting Arm SoC release of 2025 was probably the 12-core CIX P1 Armv9 SoC found in Radxa Orion O6 SBC, MINISFORUM MS-R1 Arm mini PC, and Orange Pi 6 Plus board, but while performance was fine, it was overhyped in 2024, and software […]

December 22, 2025December 22, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 6 Comments

GigaDevice GD32VW553-UNIFI – A $2+ WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 LE wireless IoT module

GD32VW553-UNIFI is an inexpensive wireless IoT module based on GigaDevice GD32VW553 RISC-V microcontroller featuring 2.4 GHz WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 LE connectivity, and offered with a PCB antenna or IPEX antenna connector. The GD32VW553 MCU integrates 320KB SRAM and 4096KB on-chip flash, and supports link rates of up to 114.7 Mbps over WiFi and 2 Mbps over Bluetooth LE. The UNIFI module exposes 18 GPIOs from the microcontroller and is available in two different temperature ranges: -40 to +85°C or -40 to +105°C. GD32VW553-UNIFI specifications: SoC – GigaDevice GD32VW553 CPU – 32-bit RISC-V processor up to 160 MHz with RV32I/M/A/F/D/C/P/B instruction extensions Memory – 320KB (288 KB + 32KB shared) SRAM Storage – 4096 KB flash Wireless WiFi 802.11b/g/n/ax compatible 802.11i (WPA, WPA2, WPA3). Open, shared key, and pair-wise key authentication services Single antenna 1×1 stream in 20MHz channels upport of 802.11ax MCS up to MCS9 with a Max […]

December 17, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

Fusion HAT+ Raspberry Pi expansion board targets motor and servo control with AI and LLMs

SunFounder Fusion HAT+ for Raspberry Pi 5/4/3B+ and Zero single board computers is a motor control and GPIO expansion board designed to work with LLMs such as ChatGPT or Gemini using the board’s built-in speaker and microphone for voice interaction. It features four DC motor drivers, twelve PWM servo channels, four ADC inputs, I2C, SPI, and UART interface for sensors, and ships with two 18650 rechargeable batteries with smart power management & safe shutdown. It can be used in smart cars, humanoid robots, robotic arms, multi-legged spiders, and smart home systems. Fusion HAT+ specifications: MCU – Gigadevices GD32E203C8T6 Arm Cortex-M23 microcontroller @ 72MHz with 64KB flash, 8KB SRAM. Motor control – 4x motor ports Audio 2030 audio chamber speaker connected to an I2S audio port MEMS microphone Expansion 4-channel digital pins 4-pin I2C interface compatible with Qwiic/STEMMA Qt 7-pin SPI interface 4-pin UART interface 12-channel PWM pins for servos 4-channel […]

October 29, 2025October 29, 2025 by Debashis Das - 8 Comments

Waveshare MK20 macro keyboard features twenty mechanical keys with 0.85-inch color LCD keycaps

Waveshare MK20 Multi Functional AI Voice Control Panel

Waveshare MK20 is a multifunctional macro keyboard with twenty mechanical keys featuring 0.85-inch LCD keycaps. As an upgrade to the earlier MK10 model, it adds a 2.8-inch secondary display along with two control knobs. The device supports AI voice interaction, real-time data display, and smart home integration with Home Assistant. Like its predecessor, the MK20 relies on a dual-system architecture: an Allwinner T113-S3 dual-core Cortex-A7 processor runs Linux to drive the displays, and a GD32 microcontroller runs QMK for low-latency keyboard and knob input. Each LCD key offers 128×128 resolution and supports dynamic images, videos, and multi-layer overlays, while the 2.8-inch secondary display (428 × 142 resolution) provides status or customization information. The keyboard also includes two rotary encoders with aluminum caps for volume, playback, or timeline control. The device is built with an aluminum alloy top case and a 2.5D acrylic lens for durability. Waveshare MK20 specifications: Main Controller – Allwinner […]

September 9, 2025September 9, 2025 by Debashis Das - 16 Comments

QMK-compatible macro keyboard features 0.85-inch LCD keycaps, 2.01-inch display

Waveshare MK10 stream deck like macro keyboard with LCD keycaps

Waveshare has recently released the MK10, a Stream Deck-like macro keyboard featuring ten mechanical keys with 0.85-inch LCD keycaps and a secondary 2.01-inch screen. The macro keyboard also supports AI voice interaction, real-time hardware and weather data integration, and customizable themes with drag-and-drop editing. The company also highlights Home Assistant compatibility for Smart Home control. The device features a dual-system architecture, where an Allwinner T113-S3 dual-core Cortex-A7 processor runs Linux, and a GD32 microcontroller runs QMK firmware, ensuring low-latency mechanical input. The 10 LCD keys can display images or videos with overlay support, and the 2.01-inch screen shows additional status or customization options. The mechanical switches are rated for 50 million presses with a defined actuation force and travel. The device uses an aluminum alloy top case, a hardened 2.5D acrylic lens, and supports two placement methods: flat or at a 40° angle. Waveshare MK10 specifications: Main Controller – Allwinner […]

July 5, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 9 Comments

LUNYEE 3018 Pro Ultra review with offline controller and Easel CNC software (Part 2)

We have already checked out the specifications, assembled the machine, and performed basic tests with the LUNYEE 3018 Pro Ultra CNC Router in the first part of the review. We’ve now had time to use the machine to carve text and logos on wood and aluminum. It was Suthinee’s first CNC machine, so the LUNYEE 3018 Pro Ultra was reviewed from the point of view of a beginner. We used both the offline controller with files provided on the SD card and the Easel web-based CNC software. Selecting and installing a drilling bit Our sample came with 1/8″ drilling bits that ship by default with the CNC router, and the optional “LUNYEE 1/4″ Shank CNC Router Bit Essential Kit” as well as ER11 collets for each kit. Selecting the bit will depend on the size of the work and the desired cutting pattern as shown below. The first step is […]

June 15, 2025July 8, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

LUNYEE 3018 Pro Ultra Review – Part 1: Unboxing and assembly of the CNC Router with a 500W spindle

LUNYEE has just sent us a 3018 Pro Ultra CNC router for review. The CNC machine is an update to the 3018 Pro Max with improved performance and precision, as well as wider material support. It features a 500W spindle motor with a maximum speed of 5000mm/min, a full aluminum alloy structure, and an HGH15 linear guide X-axis that allows for reliable milling of hard materials such as aluminum, copper, and brass. Its 3-axis lead screw drive system provides smooth movement with an accuracy of ±0.1mm. The machine comes partially pre-assembled and should only take a short time to assemble. Safety features include an emergency stop switch and limit switches on every axis. It’s compatible with popular GRBL-compatible software such as Fusion360, Easel, Candle, UGS, LaserGRBL, LightBurn, and so on, and can be used for milling wood, acrylic, carbon fiber, and there’s also an option for installing a laser module, […]

June 13, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

GigaDevice GD32C231 entry-level Arm Cortex-M23 MCU ships with 12KB ECC SRAM, 32KB or 64KB ECC flash

GigabiDevice GD32C231 low cost Cortex M23 MCU

GigaDevice GD32C231 entry-level microcontroller is built around a 48 MHz Arm Cortex-M23 core with up to 64KB ECC flash, 12KB ECC SRAM, and is offered in 20-pin to 48-pin packages with up to 45 GPIOs, a range of peripherals, analog inputs, and timers. The company says the GD32C231 series targets cost-effective small home appliances, BMS (Battery Management Systems), small-screen display devices, battery-powered handhelds, industrial auxiliary controls, and automotive aftermarket systems. GigaDevice GD32C231 key features and specifications: Core – Arm Cortex-M23 @ up to 48 MHz Memory – 12KB SRAM with ECC Storage – 32KB or 64KB flash with ECC Audio – 1x I2S Low-speed Peripherals Up to 45x GPIO Up to 3x USART, 2x I2C, 2x SPI Analog 12-bit ADC with 13 channels 2x analog comparators Timers 4x 16-bit general-purpose (GP) timers 16-bit Advanced (AD) timer RTC IWDG, WWDG 24-bit SysTick Misc – CRC module Supply Voltage – 2.3 to […]