mcu News - CNX Software - Embedded Systems News

June 25, 2026June 25, 2026 by Debashis Das - 5 Comments

OpenC6 BIOS project brings PC-like firmware to ESP32-C6 MCU with network boot and OTA update support

OpenC6 BIOS is an open-source project by Rompass that takes a different approach to MCU development. It adds a BIOS-like system to the ESP32-C6, so the system part and application code can run separately rather than being combined into a single firmware image. In traditional development, hardware setup, networking, and application code are combined into a single firmware image. But the OpenC6 BIOS operates differently: it runs as the base system on the ESP32-C6 and handles hardware initialization and system functions. Instead of flashing a full application each time, it can load small payload programs separately. These payloads can run from RAM or flash (XIP) and use system functions through a simple Application Binary Interface (ABI), without needing the full firmware. In some ways, it operates like AkiraOS, but with a BIOS-like interface. Key features of the OpenC6 BIOS architecture: Dynamic CPU scaling – Adjusts CPU frequency based on load […]

June 24, 2026June 26, 2026 by Debashis Das - 3 Comments

RP2350B bells&whistles development board features on-board RP2040 debugger, HDMI, and microSD card slot

While searching Tindie for a new project, I found a new Raspberry Pi RP2350B-based development board called “Bells&Whistles,” which is interesting because it also features an onboard RP2040-based debugger running Picoprobe firmware, removing the need for a separate debug probe. Other than that, it has an HDMI output, a MicroSD card slot for storage, an optional 8 MB of PSRAM, and since it uses the Raspberry Pi RP2350B variant, it supports up to 46 GPIO pins. The board also features two USB Type-C ports, one for the RP2350B and the other for the RP2040 debugger, and is especially useful for clutter-free rapid prototyping and development workflows. RP2350B bells&whistles board specifications: SoC – Raspberry Pi RP2350B CPU Dual-core Arm Cortex-M33 @ 150 MHz with Arm TrustZone Dual-core RISC-V Hazard3 @ 150 MHz Only two cores can be used at any given time Memory – 520 KB on-chip SRAM Package – QFN-80 Memory – […]

June 22, 2026June 21, 2026 by Debashis Das - 4 Comments

UTFS is a lightweight, zero-allocation file system for embedded devices

μTFS lightweight, zero allocation file system

CLI Systems has introduced UTFS (μTFS), a simple, lightweight embedded storage system designed for small MCUs. Unlike traditional file systems like FAT32 or EXT4, or even lighter options like LittleFS and SPIFFS used on boards like the ESP32, UTFS is much simpler. It does not use dynamic memory and avoids complex features like wear leveling, making it easier to use on low-resource devices. Designed for flat, byte-addressable memory like raw EEPROM, CPU flash pages, or external SPI/I²C flash, UTFS allows bare-metal firmware to store named data blobs (“files”) back-to-back. Each file is appended with a fixed 24-byte header containing metadata like identifiers, sizes, and application-defined signatures. UTFS specifications and features Footprint – Fixed 24-byte header per file; zero heap usage (no malloc) Format – TAR-inspired sequential layout; forward-compatible so files can be added later without breaking existing memory layouts Storage Agnostic – Requires porting only two functions to interface with […]

June 12, 2026June 12, 2026 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments

Fortior FU75xx dual-core motor control MCU family combines 32-bit RISC-V core with 2nd-gen Motor Engine (ME2) core

Fortior FU75xx RISC-V motor control microcontroller

Motor driver IC specialist Fortior Technology has recently introduced the FU75xx dual-core motor control MCU family, pairing a 32-bit RISC-V core and the company’s proprietary 2nd-generation Motor Engine (ME2) core. The RISC-V core is used for parameter configuration and routine processing, while the ME core integrates FOC and CORDIC modules that enable fast calculation of FOC (as quick as 5µs) or square-wave control for sensored/sensorless BLDC/PMSM motors. The chips have an impressive list of peripherals (see specs below) and target high-speed computing and real-time control for robotics and motion systems, such as industrial servo drives, robotic joints, smart home appliances, and new energy vehicle systems. FU75xx MCU specifications: Dual-core CPU RISC-V core @ 48 MHz ME2 motor engine core @ 48 MHz with FOC module and CORDIC module Memory – 12kB SRAM, 4kB PRAM for program execution Storage – 64kB Flash with ECC and CRC, self-program and code protection I/Os […]

June 2, 2026June 2, 2026 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

Nordic adds AI-assisted development to the nRF Connect SDK and nRF Cloud

Nordic Semiconductor has added AI-assisted development to its wireless IoT microcontroller, with workflows covering the full life cycle from the first prototype to a deployed fleet. Many developers copy/paste information from LLMs trained on generic data. However, Nordic’s AI solution is specifically trained on the nRF Connect SDK documentation and nRF Cloud data and integrates with a developer’s favorite IDE. It also connects to Claude Code, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, or any other LLM at a much lower token cost thanks to the specialized model. The company says it’s based on an implementation of the Model Context Protocol (MCP), where the Nordic MCP servers give AI assistants access to validated sources from Nordic, including SDK documentation, API references, device configurations, and the customer’s field data from nRF Cloud. Highlights of Nordic’s AI-assisted development Connected to nRF Connect SDK documentation and nRF Cloud data Integrates with AI assistants such as Claude Code, […]

June 1, 2026June 1, 2026 by Debashis Das - No Comments

Nuvoton NuMaker-GestureAI-M55M1 module combines Cortex-M55 MCU with GC0308 camera for AI gesture control

Back in November last year, we covered the launch of the NuMicro M55M1 MCU from Nuvoton, which combines an Arm Cortex-M55 core with an Ethos-U55 microNPU for on-device AI and gesture control. Now, they have released the NuMaker-GestureAI-M55M1, a development module based on that MCU for AI vision-related applications. This new board integrates the M55M1 MCU with a GC0308 CMOS image sensor, a digital microphone, and a microSD card slot for storing AI models. It is designed for applications such as gesture control, basic vision systems, and touchless interfaces. NuMaker-GestureAI-M55M1 specifications: MCU – Nuvoton NuMicro M55M1R2LJAE CPU – Cortex-M55 MCU @ 220 MHz Memory – 1.5 MB SRAM Storage – 2 MB Flash AI Accelerator – Arm Ethos-U55 micro-NPU @ 220 MHz Storage – MicroSD card slot (located on the back) for storing AI model files Camera – Integrated VGA GC0308 CMOS image sensor Audio – On-board digital microphone (DMIC) USB – […]

May 29, 2026 by Debashis Das - No Comments

Microchip dsPIC33CK low-cost motor control MCU sells for $0.51 and up

Microchip dsPIC33CK low cost Value Line DSC motor controller

Microchip has expanded its dsPIC33 lineup with the dsPIC33CK Value Line family, a new series of low-cost 16-bit digital signal controllers (DSCs) designed for motor control applications. The devices deliver up to 100 MIPS of deterministic performance and integrate high-resolution PWM and a 12-bit ADC, making them suitable for motor Field-Oriented Control (FOC) and precision sensing tasks. These DSCs are designed to bridge the gap between basic microcontrollers and higher-end dsPIC33A devices. It offers flash memory from 32 KB to 256 KB, supports function consolidation to reduce component count and BOM cost, and is available in automotive-grade (AEC-Q100 Grade 1) versions with secure boot. Microchip dsPIC33CK specifications: MCU Core – 16-Bit dsPIC33CK CPU operating up to 100 MHz / 100 MIPS and DSP with 40-bit wide accumulators Memory & Storage 8 KB to 16 KB Data RAM 32 KB to 256 KB Program Flash with Error Correction Code (ECC) 384 […]

May 27, 2026May 29, 2026 by Debashis Das - 4 Comments

MuseLab nanoCH32H417 – A $17 WCH CH32H417 RISC-V MCU development board with USB 3.0, Fast Ethernet

nanoCH32H417 Development Board with Displa

Designed by MuseLab, the nanoCH32H417 is a development board for the WCH CH32H417 dual-core RISC-V MCU, which we covered earlier this year for its USB 3.0 (5 Gbps), UHS, and Fast Ethernet support. At that time, only the official CH32H417 development board was available, but this board adds a third-party option. The board exposes various features of the MCU, including one USB 3.0 port, two USB Type-C ports, a 100Mbps Ethernet interface, and a MicroSD card slot. It also simplifies the prototyping workflow by integrating a WCHLink-E debugger directly onto the board, meaning you won’t need to wire up an external programmer to flash the MCU or view serial output. MuseLab nanoCH32H417 specifications: MCU – WCH CH32H417QEU6 MCU QingKe RISC-V5F up to 400 MHz QinKe RISC-V3F up to 144 MHz GPU – Graphics Processing Hardware Accelerator GPHA Memory – 896KB SRAM Storage – 960KB Flash Storage – MicroSD card slot Display […]