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Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments on FOSDEM 2026 schedule – Embedded, RISC-V, Robotics, Rust, Open Hardware, and more

FOSDEM 2026 schedule – Embedded, RISC-V, Robotics, Rust, Open Hardware, and more

FOSDEM 2026 schedule

FOSDEM 2026 will take place on January 31-February 1, with thousands of developers meeting in Brussels to discuss open-source software & hardware projects. The free-to-attend “Free and Open Source Software Developers’ European Meeting” gets more traction every year, and in 2026, there will be at least 1,113 speakers, 1,016 events, 70 tracks, and potentially close to 10,000 attendees. As usual, I’ll create a virtual schedule with sessions most relevant to the topics covered on CNX Software from the “Embedded, Mobile and Automotive” and “Open Hardware and CAD/CAM” devrooms, but also other devrooms, including “RISC-V”, “Robotics and simulation”, and “FOSS on Mobile”, among others. I’m aware some of the talks overlap by a couple of minutes or so… FOSDEM 2026 Day 1 – Saturday, January 31 10:40 – 11:15 – RISC-V Vector optimisations in FFmpeg by Rémi Denis-Courmont FFmpeg is the most versatile multimedia codec and format support library, and was […]

Posted on by Sponsored Post - No Comments on YumiAI: An AI-Native End-to-End Hardware Innovation Platform For Embedded Engineers (Sponsored)

YumiAI: An AI-Native End-to-End Hardware Innovation Platform For Embedded Engineers (Sponsored)

YumiAI From Vision to Factory

Anyone who has designed a custom ESP32 board or an RK3588 carrier knows the real bottleneck isn’t creativity — it’s the grunt work. Finding components that are actually in stock, checking pin compatibility, verifying footprints, building symbols, and dealing with yet another “NRND” surprise. It slows down even simple projects. A Multi-Agent System Built for Hardware Workflows YumiAI is an AI-Native Generative Hardware Innovation Platform. YumiAI has five specialized agent clusters: Market Insight agent clusters: General AI gives summaries. YumiAI focuses on “Engineering Feasibility.” It asks: Will we hit patent issues? Is the cost competitive? It outputs a technical research report for hardware decisions. Function Definition agent clusters: interprets requirements (“STM32WL LoRaWAN node, USB-C power”) and structures them into a proper engineering spec. Component Selection agent clusters: pulls real-time availability and pricing from DigiKey, Mouser, and LCSC. Circuit Topology agent clusters: Our Agent has industrial algorithms and simulation built in. It performs “Physical […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments on PCBWay’s Christmas Event Is Now Live (Sponsored)

PCBWay’s Christmas Event Is Now Live (Sponsored)

PCBWay Christmas 2025

As the holiday season approaches, PCBWay is thrilled to announce their Christmas Promotions! If you’ve been considering starting a project or testing out their services, this is a great time to begin. Don’t hesitate to visit the website to learn more: https://www.pcbway.com/activity/christmas2025.html. Activity Time: November 28th to December 31st Unlock Special Material Advantages To encourage customers to explore more capabilities and remove barriers to innovation, PCBWay has launched special benefits on some material options. For PCB manufacturing, the solder masks of purple, pink, and matte black incur no additional cost. For 3D printing, UTR8100 Clear and Somos Ledo orders can enjoy 10% off on materials + 20% off on the starting price. Never miss this chance to try these services at a low price and add a splash of premium color for your projects. Discover Special Offers Cost-effectiveness has always been a priority for customers. Recognizing this, except for the […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 7 Comments on Ridiculously tiny ESP32-C3 board features USB-C, one LED, and a ceramic antenna

Ridiculously tiny ESP32-C3 board features USB-C, one LED, and a ceramic antenna

World smallest ESP32-C3 board

PegorK’s f32 might be the world’s smallest ESP32-C3 board. It measures just 9.85 x 8.45 mm, or slightly larger than the area covered by a USB Type-C connector. A board of this size will have limited features, and besides the ESP32-C3FH4 RISC-V WiFi and Bluetooth microcontroller, it comes with a USB-C port, a ceramic antenna, and a single GPIO pin connected to an LED. f32 specifications: SoC – Espressif Systems ESP32-C3FH4 Single-core 32-bit RISC-V microcontroller @ up to 160 MHz Memory – 400 KB SRAM Storage – 4MB flash Wireless 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 4 & Bluetooth 5.0 USB – 1x USB Type-C port for power and programming Misc Tiny LED connected to GPIO10 Ceramic antenna Crystal Power Supply – 5V via USB-C port; 3.3V LDO Dimensions – 9.85 x 8.45 mm (the height must be around 4-5 mm) The PCB was designed using DipTrace and manufactured with a board thickness […]

Posted on by Sponsored Post - No Comments on A Catalyst for Open Source: NextPCB Launches KiCad Projects Platform to Fuel the Future of KiCad (Sponsored)

A Catalyst for Open Source: NextPCB Launches KiCad Projects Platform to Fuel the Future of KiCad (Sponsored)

kicadprojects

NextPCB, a global leader in PCB manufacturing and assembly solutions, proudly announces the launch of kicadprojects.com, a dynamic open-source community dedicated to supporting open-source hardware and enriching KiCad, the renowned open-source EDA tool for schematic capture and PCB layout. This initiative unites engineers, students, and innovators worldwide to share projects, collaborate, and support the KiCad community and core KiCad development. A Hub for Collaboration and Innovation Developed and maintained by NextPCB, a platinum KiCad sponsor, kicadprojects.com is more than a platform—it’s a thriving hub where the global KiCad community can: Share & Showcase Projects – Upload and explore innovative PCB designs, schematics, and tutorials. Streamline Collaboration – Download project files, generate automated BOMs, and visualize designs straight from your browser with NextPCB’s KiCad EDA viewer. Open Source, Open Impact In a bold commitment to open-source stewardship, NextPCB will donate $10 (USD) towards the KiCad Project for every approved project uploaded […]

Posted on by Sponsored Post - No Comments on September Exclusives at PCBWay: Big Savings on PCBs and 3D Printing (Sponsored)

September Exclusives at PCBWay: Big Savings on PCBs and 3D Printing (Sponsored)

PCBWAY Limited Time Discount for PCB manufacturing and 3D printing in September 2025

This September, PCBWay is bringing you two exciting limited-time offers that showcase both style and versatility. Whether you’re designing with PCBs or prototyping with 3D printing, these will help you create more while spending less. Offer One: Free Purple Solder Mask in PCBs Tired of generic green solder mask? In September, switch things up—get purple PCBs, without any additional charge for color. Originally starting at $38.43, now you can get 10 purple PCBs for just $5. Purple PCBs not only add aesthetic value but also reflect creativity in your projects. Whether you’re showcasing your work at exhibitions, impressing clients with prototypes, or simply making your personal projects stand out, let’s seize this chance to create eye-catching boards now. Offer Two: TPU in 3D Printing – From $7.96 In addition to PCB manufacturing, PCBWay also offers high-quality 3D printing services. This month, TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) is their highlight material. Normally starting […]

Posted on by Sponsored Post - 9 Comments on ALLPCB offers one dollar PCB prototyping with free shipping (Sponsored)

ALLPCB offers one dollar PCB prototyping with free shipping (Sponsored)

ALLPCB one dollar PCB prototyping free worldwide shipping

For hobbyists, small businesses, and engineers in Europe and the United States, prototyping printed circuit boards (PCBs) is a critical step in turning innovative ideas into reality. However, one significant barrier often stands in the way: high shipping costs. These expenses can quickly inflate the total cost of small-scale PCB orders, making prototyping less accessible for individuals and startups with limited budgets. Few PCB manufacturers offer significant discounts on small-scale orders, and shipping fees can sometimes rival or even exceed the cost of the PCBs themselves, discouraging experimentation and innovation. To address this issue, ALLPCB, a leading PCB manufacturing and assembly provider, has launched an exciting new campaign designed to make PCB prototyping more affordable for everyone. New users can now enjoy $30 off their first PCB order, plus an additional $30 off shipping costs. What sets this offer apart is its flexibility—there are no limitations on PCB size, number […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments on microSD-express Pi Adapter is an ultra-small microSD Express adapter for the Raspberry Pi 5

microSD-express Pi Adapter is an ultra-small microSD Express adapter for the Raspberry Pi 5

Tiny microSD Express adapter for Raspberry Pi 5

We’ve just written about Will Whang’s RPI5-SDexpress-Hat board, which adds a microSD Express slot to the Raspberry Pi 5, but it’s not that small, and it’s using the 40-pin GPIO for power, so it’s not convenient if you want to install another Raspberry Pi HAT+. Vassily Petrov’s “microSD-express Pi Adapter” is a much smaller microSD Express adapter on a flexible PCB that plugs directly into the PCIe FFC connector and nothing else, driving power from the PCIe connector only. There’s not much on the PCB itself besides a microSD Express card slot and a Microchip MIC2230 800mA/800mA step-down DC/DC regulator.  We’re told speeds of up to 800 MB/s are achievable, limited by the PCIe Gen3 x1 interface on the Pi 5 itself. For reference, the RPI5-SDexpress-Hat was tested at about 600 MB/s for sequential reads and under 200MB/s for sequential writes using a 256GB Samsung microSD Express card. A worry […]

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