mesh networking News - CNX Software - Embedded Systems News

August 1, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

SmartBug smart switch integrates neatly into in-wall sockets (Crowdfunding)

SmartBug is a smart switch based on ESP32 wireless SoC, equipped with several sensors to measure temperature, humidity, power usage, and listen to sounds. It is designed to fit neatly into most in-wall sockets found around the world. Each SmartBug relies on mesh networking to communicate with each other and extend the range, WiFi for Internet connection, and Bluetooth low energy (BLE) to control additional devices without the need for any additional hub. SmartBug’s key features: MCU – 32-bit dual-core microcontroller with WiFi, wireless mesh, Bluetooth LE Connectivity 2.4GHz WiFI 4 Wireless mesh to let SmartBug act as a signal repeater Bluetooth 4.0 and BLE to control home appliances Audio Digital microphone for voices commands, baby crying (only enable if the plugin is downloaded in the app). Buzzer On-Off Relay up to 2200W, both AC and DC. Sensors – Temperature & humidity sensor, built-in power meter (current, voltage, and power) […]

July 27, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 10 Comments

$2 MXCHIP EMC3080 WiFi and Bluetooth LE IoT module integrates Cortex-M33 MCU

MXCHIP EMC3080 Cortex-M33 WiFi & Bluetooth-IoT module

While nowadays most people from the maker community are working with ESP8266 or ESP32 modules or boards for IoT projects requiring Bluetooth LE and/or WiFi connectivity, we’ve also covered some low-cost alternatives such as Bouffalo Labs BL602 or Realtek RTL8710. MXCHIP EMC3080 module offers yet an alternative with 2.4 GHz 802.11 b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth LE 4.2/5.0. Where it differentiates against other solutions is that it features a more secure Cortex-M33 core clocked at 100 MHz, as found in UNISOC V5663 and Ameba RTL8722DM wireless SoCs, but still getting a fairly low price tag of $2.35 on Seeed Studio, which drops to $2.10 per pieces for orders of 10 or more units. MXCHIP EMC3080 module specifications: MCU – MX1300CF Cortex-M33 processor at up to 100 MHz with 256KB SRAM, 2MB XIP flash, 384 or 512 bytes OTP memory Connectivity WiFi 802.11 b/g/n 1T1R WiFi @ 2.4GHz Single Frequency HT20 support […]

July 9, 2021July 21, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments

Nokia E63 phone converted into LoRa messenger for secure, off-the-grid communication

While LoRa radios are mostly designed to transmit data from sensors and to actuators, there have been attempts to leverage LoRa for messaging in the past with, for instance, the Meshtastic Mesh Networking Project to help hikers exchanged their GPS coordinates or other short messages, the Raspberry Pi Pico powered PICOmputer with QWERTY keyboard, display, and a LoRa module, and Pine64 is also working on developing LoRa hardware for messaging. Trevor Attema decided to repurpose his Nokia E63 Blackberry-like phone with a custom STM32H7 board with a LoRa radio while keeping the enclosure, display, backlighting, keyboard, and speaker which he calls the Off The Grid Messenger, or OTG Messenger for shorts. The custom board also adds Microchip ATECC608 crypto authentication chip for encrypted messages, and the LoRa Messenger would allow a theoretical transmission range of 16 kilometers in line of sight which would allow a small group of people to […]

May 4, 2021May 4, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments

Ebyte E104-BT11 Bluetooth Mesh module features Silicon Labs EFR32MG21 MCU

Ebyte E104-BT11 is a Bluetooth Mesh module offered in four variants with support for gateways (G) and node (N) versions, as well as PCB or IPEX antenna versions. Interestingly it is based on Silicon Labs EFR32MG21 Cortex-M33 microcontroller also found in ITEAD Zigbee 3.0 USB dongle, so it’s not impossible that it could be repurposed for Zigbee or Thread with firmware from Silabs. Ebyte E104-BT11 module specifications: Wireless MCU – Silicon Labs EFR32MG21 Arm Cortex-M33 microcontroller @ up to 80 MHz with DSP and FPU, up to 1024 kB flash, up to 96 kB RAM, 2.4 GHz IEEE 802.15.4 for Bluetooth LE, Zigbee, or Thread Wireless connectivity Bluetooth Mesh/BLE support with default firmware, up to 10,922 devices supported Max Tx power – 20 dBm Rx sensitivity- -88 to -97 dBm (-97 dBm typ.) Max data rate – 1Mbps Antenna – PCB antenna up to 200-meter range, or IPX antenna up […]

April 6, 2021April 7, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 9 Comments

Xiaomi Mi AX9000 WiFi 6 Enhanced router supports up to 1000 clients

Xiaomi launched the Mi AX6000 WiFI 6 Enhanced router, not to be confused with WiFI 6E, at the beginning of the year. The router offers up to 4804Mbps link at 5 GHz, and up to 574Mbps with a 6+1 antenna configuration, as well as one 2.5GbE port, and several Gigabit Ethernet ports. But for people requiring even more bandwidth, Xiaomi Mi AX9000 WiFi 6 Enhanced router offers even more wireless throughput using three frequency bands with four antennas each, and up to 1148 Mbps at 2.4 GHz, up to 4804Mbps at 5.2GHz, and up to 2402Mbps at 5.8GHz, which the company refers to as the 5G_Game band. Xiaomi Mi AX9000 WiFI 6 Enhanced Edition router specifications: SoC – Qualcomm IPQ8072 quad-core Cortex-A53 processor @ 2.2 GHz with dual-core 1.7GHz NPU (network acceleration engine / processing unit) System Memory – 1GB RAM Connectivity Wired 1x 2.5GbE LAN/WAN port 1x Gigabit Ethernet […]

October 21, 2020 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 3 Comments

Qualcomm IPQ6000 embedded SBC offers dual Gigabit Ethernet and WiFi 6 connectivity

At the beginning of the month, we covered Mango-DVK development kit based on a Qualcomm IPQ6000/IP6010 powered system-on-module enabling 2.5GbE and WiFi 6 connectivity. Wallys Communications contacted us earlier this week, about one of their new “802.11ax low-end product”, namely DR6000 SBC that happens to be based on Qualcomm IPQ6000 “CP03” reference design, and offers both WiFi 6 and dual Gigabit Ethernet connectivity in a round-shaped board. DR6000 / CP03 specifications: SoC – Qualcomm Atheros IPQ6000 quad-core Arm Cortex-A53 processor @ 1.2GHz processor System Memory – 512MB DDR3L Storage – 128MB Nand Flash, 16MB NOR flash Networking Wired – 2x Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 ports Wireless 2.4GHz 2×2 MU-MIMO OFDMA 802.11b/g/n/ax WiFi 6, up 573 Mbps, up to 20dBm per chain 5GHz 2×2 MU-MIMO OFDMA 802.11a/n/ac/ax WiFi 6, up to 1201 Mbps, up to 20dBm per chain 2x U.FL Connectors, diplexer allows dual band concurrent operation USB – 1x micro USB […]

September 14, 2020September 14, 2020 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

Silicon Labs Introduces Bluetooth 5.2 BGM220S SiP and BGM220P PCB Module

Silicon Labs has recently announced two hardware modules based on the company’s BG22 secure Bluetooth 5.2 SoC, namely BGM220S System-in-Package (SiP) measuring just 6x6mm, and BGM220P, a slightly larger PCB variant optimized for wireless performance along with a better link budget for greater range. Both modules can be integrated into products with up to 10-year battery life from a single coin cell. All BGM220S/P variants can support Bluetooth Direction Finding and some of the parts can also handle Bluetooth Mesh Low Power protocol. Silicon Labs BGM220S/P key features: Wireless SoC – Silicon Labs EFR32BG22 Arm Cortex-M33 with DSP instructions and floating-point unit, up to 512 kB Flash, 32 kB RAM, 2.4 GHz radio with TX power up to 8 dBm, and Embedded Trace Macrocell (ETM) for advanced debugging Supported Protocols Bluetooth Low Energy (Bluetooth 5.2) Direction-finding Bluetooth mesh Low Power Node Various MCU peripherals include ADC, up to 25x GPIOs, […]

March 11, 2020March 11, 2020 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments

Meshtastic Mesh Networking Project Combines ESP32, LoRa and GPS Radio

Meshtastic is a project using off-the-shelf, inexpensive ESP32-based hardware with GPS & LoRa connectivity to create mesh networks helping hikers. skiers, paragliders, or people exercising other outdoor activities communicate short messages such as their GPS location. This allows each member of a private mesh network to see the location and distance of all other members and read/or any text messages sent to a group chat. No phone is required unless you have an ESP32 LoRa board without GPS in which case it would get the GPS coordinates from your phone over Bluetooth. A phone is also needed to send a message. The project currently works on three different boards TTGO T-Beam, TTGO LORA32 and Heltec LoRa 32. The T-Beam is recommended as it sells for around $26 plus shipping and features a 18650 battery holder so you can source the battery easily locally. Just make sure to purchase the right […]