LILYGO T-Echo Lite is a small Nordic Semi nRF52840 board with a 1.22-inch e-Paper display, a Semtech SX1262 LoRa transceiver, and an L76K GPS module, that’s especially suitable for Meshtastic off-grid messaging firmware. It looks like it could even serve as the base for a Meshtastic watch. The T-Echo Lite is a lightweight version of the earlier T-Echo that ships with a larger 1.54-inch e-paper display. Three Lite versions are available: T-Echo Lite Core – Castellated module with nRF52840, LoRa, power, and battery management T-Echo Lite Base – A breakout board for the Core module with battery and solar panel connectors, Qwiic connector, USB port, an interface for a 1.22-inch e-paper display, and an optional GPS expansion header T-Echo Lite Main Unit – Complete solution built around the Base version, a 1.22-inch e-paper display, and an acrylic enclosure. The L76K GPS module is still an option. T-Echo Lite specifications: LILYGO […]
SenseCAP Solar Node P1 and P1-Pro are low-cost outdoor Meshtastic repeaters
We’ve just written about RAKwireless solar-powered WisMesh repeaters to extend the range of Meshtastic networks, but there are now lower-cost options with Seeed Studio’s SenseCAP Solar Node P1 and P1-Pro repeaters. Both feature a solar panel, XIAO nRF52840 Plus and Wio-SX1262 modules, but the SenseCAP Solar Node P1-Pro adds GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo support with the XIAO L76K and four 18650 batteries for backup power.. SenseCAP Solar Node P1 and P1-Pro specifications Main controller – XIAO nRF52840 Plus SoC – Nordic nRF52840 Arm Cortex-M4F microcontroller @ up to 64 MHz with 1 MB flash, 256 KB SRAM, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, 802.15.4 connectivity Storage – 2 MB onboard Flash USB – USB-C port for power and programming Wireless Wio-SX1262 Module – Semtech SX1262, TXOP=22dBm@862-930MHz) Output Power – Up to +22 dBm Frequency Range – 862 MHz to 930 MHz Modulations – LoRa, (G)FSK, Long Range FHSS Sensitivity – Down to -148 […]
BPS is a GPS alternative working over ATSC 3.0 digital TV signals
Broadcast Positioning System (BPS) is an alternative to GPS designed for timing and positioning over ATSC 3.0 digital TV signals, and mainly designed as a backup solution for national security. GPS is critical in providing not only location data, but also timing data for critical infrastructure such as power grid, telecommunication networks, and so on. However, GPS signals can be spoofed, and/or satellites could potentially be damaged or even taken down. That’s where BPS comes in as an alternative with a much broader network of base stations, and both GPS and BPS signals can be compared, meaning it can be used to detect spoofing as well. It works by adding a preamble with timing data and a Data PLP (Physical Layer Pipe) with tower information and location. One tower is enough for timing data, and positioning will also be possible with four towers within range. Time accuracy is 100ns (95% […]
LILYGO T-Watch S3 Plus smartwatch gets GPS and 940mAh battery
LILYGO has recently introduced the T-Watch S3 Plus, an ESP32-S3 smartwatch which can be considered an upgrade from the previous generation T-Watch S3, adding a u-blox MIA-M10Q GPS and a larger 940mAh LiPo battery for extended battery life. The T-Watch S3 Plus smartwatch still supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth LE, and LoRa connectivity, and integrates a 1.54-inch 16-bit full-color TFT LCD display with capacitive touch and a wide-viewing angle. The smartwatch also features an infrared (IR) transmitter that can be used for remote control or proximity detection. T-Watch S3 Plus specifications Wireless MCU – Espressif Systems ESP32-S3 CPU – Dual-Core 32-bit Tensilica LX7 @ up to 240 MHz with vector instructions for AI/ML acceleration Memory – 512KB SRAM, 8MB PSRAM Storage – 16MB flash, 384KB ROM Wireless – Wi-Fi 4 and Bluetooth 5 LE/Mesh Display – 1.54-inch 16-bit full color TFT LCD display with 240×240 resolution, capacitive touch; ST7789V SPI controller Audio – […]
LILYGO T-Deck Pro – An ESP32-S3 LoRa messenger with e-paper touch display, keyboard, and 4G LTE or audio codec option
LILYGO T-Deck Pro is a LoRa messenger based on an ESP32-S3 WiFi 4 and Bluetooth 5.x SoC, and offered with a 3.1-inch e-paper display with touchscreen, a Blackberry-like QWERTY keyboard, a GPS module, speaker, microphone, and a 3.5mm audio, as well as IMU and light sensors. It builds upon the T-Deck Plus design, but replacing the 2.8-inch IPS display with a 3.1-inch e-paper display allows for a slimmer design and should offer longer battery life despite the smaller 1,400 mAh battery used in the new model. Two versions of the T-Deck Pro are available: one with a Simcom 4G LTE modem and a cheaper one with a PCM5102A audio codec. LILYGO T-Deck Pro specifications: SoC – ESP32-S3FN16R8 CPU – Dual-core Tensilica LX7 microcontroller @ up to 240 MHz 2.4 GHz 802.11n WiFi 4 and Bluetooth 5.0 LE connectivity Memory – 8MB PSRAM Storage – 16MB SPI flash Storage – MicroSD card […]
emCraft SOM-NRF9151 – A Nordic Semi nRF9151 System-on-Module with LTE-M, NB-IoT, DECT NR+, and GNSS
Better known for its Linux and uCLinux-powered system-on-modules, emCraft has just launched the SOM-NRF9151 system-on-module powered by a Nordic Semi nRF9151 Arm Cortex-M33 SiP (System-in-Package) with LTE-M, NB-IoT, and DECT NR+ connectivity, and GNSS functionality. The SoM also features a 16MB SPI flash, an nPMIC1300 for power management, a Nano SIM card slot, and a footprint for an eSIM. I/Os and power signals are exposed through two 50-pin board-to-board connectors, and the company provides a starter kit with a baseboard for evaluation. emCraft SOM-NRF9151 specifications: SiP – Nordic Semi nRF9151 CPU – Arm Cortex-M33 @ 64 MHz Memory – 256 KB SRAM Storage – 1 MB flash Wireless – LTE-M, NB-IoT, and DECT NR+ modem with GNSS 700-2200 MHz LTE bands: B1-B5, B8, B12, B13, B17-B20, B25, B26, B28, B65, B66, B85 Power Class 5 20 dBm Power Class 3 23 dBm 1.9GHz NR+ band support Certified for global operation […]
u-blox DAN-F10N – The world’s smallest dual-band (L1/L5) GNSS module with an integrated patch antenna fits in a 4cm2 package
u-blox has recently announced the world’s smallest L1, L5 dual-band GNSS module with an integrated patch antenna for precise meter-level positioning in applications such as asset tracking, telematics, industrial automation, consumer UAVs, and sports trackers. The module features a compact 20x20x8mm dual-band patch antenna with a unique packaging technology, enabling surface mounting for automated manufacturing and simplified integration. Its SAW-LNA-SAW RF architecture and an LTE B13 notch filter in the L1 RF path enhance out-of-band jamming immunity, ensuring smooth operation near cellular modems. The module includes internal flash memory for firmware upgrades and supports an antenna switch function for operation with an external active GNSS antenna. DAN-F10N GNSS module specifications: Storage – Internal Flash for firmware GNSS receiver u-blox F10 engine GPS: L1 C/A, L5 QZSS: L1C/A, L1S, L1Sb, L5 Galileo: E1B/C, E5a BeiDou: B1C, B2a NavIC: L5 SBAS: L1 C/A, BDSBAS B1C Communication protocol NMEA UBX binary RTCM v. […]
Makerdiary nRF9151 Connect Kit board offers LTE-M, NB-IoT, DECT NR+, and GPS connectivity, on-board battery charger
Makerdiary nRF9151 Connect Kit is a Nordic Semi nRF9151-based board with LTE-M, NB-IoT, GNSS, and DECT NR+ connectivity, an on-board battery charger, and a built-in nRF52820 “interface” MCU for debugging and programming. The board features a USB-C port for power and programming, two 20-pin headers for expansion with through and castellated holes, a nano SIM card slot and a footprint for an eSIM, user and reset buttons, and a few user LEDs. Makerdiary nRF9151 Connect Kit specifications: SiP – Nordic Semi nRF9151 CPU – Arm Cortex-M33 @ 64 MHz Memory – 256 KB SRAM Storage – 1 MB flash Wireless – LTE-M and NB-IoT modem with GNSS 700-2200 MHz LTE bands: B1-B5, B8, B12, B13, B17-B20, B25, B26, B28, B65, B66, B85 Power Class 5 20 dBm Power Class 3 23 dBm 1.9GHz NR+ band support Certified for global operation Security – Arm TrustZone + Arm CryptoCell Interface MCU – […]