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July 7, 2026 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

Mercedes-Benz hosts open-source hardware Automotive Rapid DEvelopment Platform (ARDEP)

ARDEP (Automotive Rapid DEvelopment Platform) is an open-source hardware and software platform hosted on Mercedes-Benz’s GitHub account and released under an Apache 2.0 license. The ARDEP V2 main board is based on an STMicroelectronics STM32G474VE Arm Cortex-M4F microcontroller for motor control with CORDIC and FMAC hardware math accelerators, and features CAN-FD and LIN transceivers, while the PowerIO Shield features 6 outputs and 6 inputs supporting up to 48V and 3A per channel. ARDEP V2 specifications: MCU – STMicroelectronics STM32G474VE Arm Cortex-M4 with FPU at up to 170 MHz Math accelerators – CORDIC for trigonometric functions and Filter Mathematical ACcelerator (FMAC) Memory – 128 KB SRAM Storage – 256 KB single-bank flash USB 1x USB Type-C “ARDEP” port 1x USB Type-C “Debugger” port Transceivers 2x CAN-FD capable transceivers, each with a common mode choke, ESD protection, and hardware-configurable 120 Ohm termination 1x LIN transceiver, software-selectable master or slave mode I/Os DB-9 […]

July 7, 2026July 7, 2026 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 9 Comments

PocketMage – An ESP32-S3-based Personal Digital Assistant (Crowdfunding)

PocketMage is an open-source hardware, ESP32-S3 personal digital assistant (PDA) with a primary, sun-readable 3.1-inch E Ink display, a secondary 1.8-inch OLED for high-refresh rate feedback, a full tactile QWERTY keyboard, and a capacitive scroll bar. The device also features a microSD card slot for storage, a buzzer for audio/sound feedback, a USB-C port for charging the 1,200 mAh battery or connecting a USB keyboard, as well as an RTC and an FPC connector for GPIO expansion. PocketMage specifications: SoC – ESP32-S3 microcontroller with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless connectivity Memory – 2 MB QSPI PSRAM Storage 16 MB QSPI flash MicroSD card slot Displays Primary 3.1-inch E Ink/e-paper display with 320×240 resolution Secondary 1.8-inch OLED with 256×32 resolution Audio – Piezo buzzer for beeps and boops USB – USB Type-C port for charging and peripherals like a keyboard User input Built-in tactile QWERTY keyboard Capacitive scroll bar USB keyboard support […]

June 5, 2026June 5, 2026 by Debashis Das - 2 Comments

EKOS – An ESP32-S3 ePaper dashboard housed in an oak-aluminum enclosure (Crowdfunding)

EKOS A Programmable Open Source ePaper Hub in Solid Oak

Designed by StillFixing in Normandy (France), the EKOS is a local-first, low-power ePaper dashboard built around an ESP32-S3 SoC. It operates without any cloud dependency, subscriptions, or external accounts, offering full privacy, faster response times, and direct local control. The device comes in two variants: the EKOS Pure is a minimalist, non-touch version with two physical buttons for basic control, and the EKOS Sense adds a capacitive touch layer for smart home control, such as toggling devices, triggering scenes, or managing tasks. Both models feature a repair-friendly design with no adhesives, using four screws for assembly and a user-replaceable lithium-polymer battery. Additionally, the dashboard can be updated entirely over your home network without needing the internet. You can push data to the screen using a local API from a phone or PC, link it straight to Home Assistant, or use it to control other ESPHome devices around your house. EKOS […]

May 17, 2026May 17, 2026 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

ESP32-S3 boards feature WAGO connectors for LED strips, buttons, other swappable modules

Rev Adrian Kennard (RevK) has designed several open-source hardware ESP32-S3 WiFi and Bluetooth IoT boards with WAGO connectors for interfacing LED strips, buttons, and other GPIO modules. Initially developed for the gloves and the helmet of an Iron Man suit, the ESP32-S3 boards can be used for any relevant project that needs more flexibility than soldered modules and more reliability than GPIO headers or even screw terminals, which can be susceptible to vibrations. WAGO push-in connectors make the ESP32-S3 boards especially suitable for prototyping and wearables, where being able to quickly swap modules is beneficial. The first board designed for gloves is called “Battery powered controller development board” with the following specifications: Core module – ESP32-S3-MINI-1-N4-R2 SoC – ESP32-S3 dual-core Xtensa LX7 processor with WiFi 4 and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity Memory – 2MB PSRAM Storage – 4MB QSPI flash PCB antenna USB – 1x USB-C for power and programming Expansion […]

May 7, 2026May 7, 2026 by Debashis Das - 1 Comment

FalCAN Probe is an open-source, STM32-based USB to CAN/RS-485/RS-422 adapter

Most USB-to-bus adapters, including tools like CANTact Pro or MeatPi’s Ollie V1 and V2, typically support either CAN or RS-485/RS-422 as fixed-function serial devices. In contrast, the FalCAN Probe by Anders B. Nielsen is a multi-protocol USB adapter based on the STM32F042 microcontroller. The FalCAN Probe is a compact open-source USB Type-C board that connects a computer to CAN, RS-485, and full-duplex RS-422 networks. Instead of using a fixed USB bridge, it exposes the MCU’s native USB interface along with SWD and GPIOs, and can also be used as a small Arm Cortex-M0 development platform. FalCAN Probe specifications: MCU – STMicro STM32F042C6Tx Arm Cortex-M0 microcontroller @ 48 MHz with 32KB flash, 6KB SRAM Host Interface – USB 2.0 Full Speed via USB Type-C port Interfaces (non-isolated) CAN bus via Texas Instruments SN65HVD230 transceiver; enumerates as a GS_USB CAN device when jumper JP4 is open RS485 and full-duplex RS422 via dual […]

April 19, 2026April 19, 2026 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 10 Comments

BeagleConnect Zepto – A “$1 computer” based on TI MSPM0L1117 Cortex-M0+ MCU

BeagleBoard.org Foundation’s BeagleConnect Zepto “$1 computer” is an upcoming open-source hardware board powered by Texas Instruments MSPM0L117 Cortex-M0+ MCU, part of the MSPM0 family introduced in 2023. It’s a tiny board with mikroBus-compatible headers, a TAG-CONNECT JTAG connector, two Qwiic connectors for expansion (or one Qwiic connector + USB-C depending on the variant), Boot and Reset buttons, and an RGB LED. BeagleConnect Zepto specifications: MCU – Texas Instruments MSPM0L117 CPU – 32MHz Arm Cortex-M0+ core Memory – 16KB SRAM Storage – 128KB dual-bank flash Package – QFN32 (5×5 mm) USB – Optional USB-C port for power (multiplexed with one of the Qwicc JST connectors) Expansion mikroBUS headers supporting a choice of about 2,000 ClickE add-on boards; one of the sides is compatible with some Raspberry Pi HATs (note limited to 12 pins) Up to 2x Qwicc connectors with full Grove function: I2C, UART, ADC, GPIO Debugging – 8-pin TAG-CONNECT JTAG […]

April 9, 2026April 10, 2026 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 5 Comments

Open-source hardware DAB+ receiver combines ESP32 SoC with Skyworks SI4684 digital radio chip

When I wrote about a DIY ESP32-S3 internet radio last week, “raspbeguy” commented he’d rather choose an ESP32-based DIY DAB+ receiver kit, such as the one offered by the PE5PVB project based on a Skyworth SI4684 receiver. I first heard about DAB (Digital Audio Broadcast) in 2003 when we considered adding it to a CD player. It’s basically the digital equivalent of analog FM/AM radios, and I haven’t heard much about it since DAB and the “new” DAB+ standard are mostly a European story (see coverage map below). PE5PVB’s open-source hardware DAB receiver might still be worth a look. PE5PVB’s SI4684 ESP32 DAB+ receiver features: Controller – ESP32 microcontroller with WiFi and Bluetooth (DoIT ESP32 devkit v1) Storage – MicroSD card slot Display – Color LCD screen with 320×240 resolution (SPI) Audio 2x RCA connectors for speakers 3.5mm headphone jack with amplifier DAB+ receiver – Skyworks SI4684 loaded with DAB+ […]

April 3, 2026April 3, 2026 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 3 Comments

Sentinel Core – A Raspberry Pi CM5 mini-ITX carrier board with a PCIe x16 slot (Crowdfunding)

Sanctuary Systems’ Sentinel Core is a Raspberry Pi CM5 mini-ITX carrier board with a PCIe x16 slot to easily connect a graphics card to accelerate 3D graphics, video transcoding, or AI workloads. It’s basically a larger Raspberry Pi CM5 IO board with a prototyping area, a PCIe slot, and a 24-pin ATX power connector. The Sentinel Core also comes with two HDMI ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, two USB 3.0 ports, MIPI DSI/CSI connectors, and the usual 40-pin GPIO header. Sentinel Core specifications: Supported module – Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 via 2x 100-pin B2B connectors Video Output – 2x HDMI 2.0 ports Networking Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 port Optional WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.x on Raspberry Pi CM5 USB – 2x USB 3.0 ports, 1x USB 2.0 Type-C port PCIe – High-speed, full-length PCIe x16 slot with PCIe 2.0 x1 signal (PCIe 3.0 unofficially supported) Expansion 40-pin Raspberry Pi GPIO […]