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Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments on Realtek RTL8127, RTL8159, and RTL8261C will power low-cost, efficient 10 Gbps Ethernet cards, USB adapters, and switches

Realtek RTL8127, RTL8159, and RTL8261C will power low-cost, efficient 10 Gbps Ethernet cards, USB adapters, and switches

Realtek RTL8127 10GbE PCIe card

Realtek showcased RTL8126, RTL8157, and RTL8251B 5 Gbps Ethernet solutions at Computex 2023, and the first Realtek RTL8126 5 Gbps Ethernet PCIe and M.2 adapters were introduced in 2024, shortly followed by RTL8157 5GbE USB 3.2 adapters. The company has now unveiled upgraded solutions for 10 Gbps Ethernet networking at Computex 2025 with the RTL8127 10GbE PCIe controller and variants, the RTL8159 10GbE USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 controller, and the RTL8261C PHY for 10GbE switches. Realtek RTL8127 10GbE PCIe NIC Realtek RTL8127 specifications: Ethernet – 10Mps, 100Mps, 1000Mps, 2500Mps, 5000Mps, and 10Gbps Host interface – PCIe Gen4 Features Modern standby Self loopback diagnostic Hardware ECC and CRC Power consumption – 1.95 Watts Package – 9×9 mm QFN88 The Realtek RTL8127 will be found in PCIe and M.2 cards, or directly soldered on motherboards or CPEs. The good news is the low power consumption, which should make cooling easier and cheaper […]

Posted on by Debashis Das - No Comments on Adafruit Sparkle Motion Stick – A compact ESP32-S3 USB WLED controller board with dual 5V LED outputs, an I2S Mic, and a snap-fit enclosure

Adafruit Sparkle Motion Stick – A compact ESP32-S3 USB WLED controller board with dual 5V LED outputs, an I2S Mic, and a snap-fit enclosure

Adafruit Sparkle Motion Stick + Enclosure Kit

Adafruit has recently released the Adafruit Sparkle Motion Stick, a compact, WLED-friendly Neopixel USB controller board built around an ESP32-S3 Module designed for audio-reactive LED projects, cosplay props, holiday lighting, and more. The module comes with a USB Type-A port for programming and power input (5V, 2A max), and a simple enclosure for protection (not weatherproof). It includes a built-in I2S microphone for audio-reactive effects, an IR receiver for remote control. Other than that it has a user-programmable button, an onboard NeoPixel LED, and a red status LED with two 5V-level shifted signal outputs with power and to connect the LEDs a screw terminal blocks. Adafruit Sparkle Motion Stick specifications SoC – ESP32-S3 dual-core Xtensa LX7 MCU @ 240MHz with 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and BLE 5 LED Control – 2x level-shifted output channels (5V logic) with terminal blocks (26–20AWG support) Audio Input – Built-in I2S MEMS digital microphone for audio-reactive lighting Infrared […]

Posted on by Debashis Das - 4 Comments on Waveshare RA4M1-Zero mini development board features secure boot, firmware encryption, and castellated design

Waveshare RA4M1-Zero mini development board features secure boot, firmware encryption, and castellated design

RA4M1 Zero Mini Development Board versions

Waveshare RA4M1-Zero is a mini development board built around the Renesas RA4M1 32-bit Arm Cortex-M4 MCU running at 48MHz. The MCU also features 256KB of flash memory, 32KB of SRAM, 8KB of EEPROM, and a built-in Floating Point Unit (FPU). Hardware peripherals include a 14-bit ADC, a 12-bit DAC, a CAN bus controller, an onboard USB 2.0 interface, and WS2812 RGB LED. The MCU also supports firmware encryption, secure boot, and tamper-proof security features to ensure application safety. Its small size (23.5 x 18mm) and castellated module design make it suitable for space-constrained applications, including IoT devices, industrial control systems, secure embedded systems, and compact sensor nodes. RA4M1-Zero mini development board specifications: MCU – Renesas RA4M1 (R7FA4M1AB3CFM) as found in the Arduino UNO R4 CPU 32-bit Arm Cortex-M4F @ 48MHz Memory – 32KB SRAM Storage – 256KB Flash, 8KB EEPROM USB – USB 2.0 device interface via USB Type-C connector […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments on HydraLink USB-to-Automotive Ethernet dongle works over a single twisted pair (Crowdfunding)

HydraLink USB-to-Automotive Ethernet dongle works over a single twisted pair (Crowdfunding)

Hydralink

HydraLink is a compact USB-to-Automotive Ethernet dongle that supports 100BASE-T1 and 1000BASE-T1 standards over a single twisted pair (no large RJ45 connector needed) and provides a solution for diagnosing, testing, and prototyping automotive networks. The rationale behind HydraLink is that the automotive sector is undergoing a shift from CAN-based systems to advanced Automotive Ethernet networks like BroadR-Reach (802.3bw) that allow multiple in-vehicle systems to simultaneously access information over unshielded single twisted pair cables.  So as I understand it, the HydraLink is the modern equivalent of OBD-II USB scanners relying on Ethernet instead. HydraLink specifications: Networking – 100 Mbps or 1000 Mbps automotive Ethernet via 2.54 mm pin header (Note: the board below features a Broadcom BCM89811 BroadR-Reach automotive Ethernet RGMII transceiver limited to 100BASE-T1 data rate) USB – USB 3.0 Gen 1 Type-C port Misc – Link activity and link speed LED indicators Power Supply –  5V via USB interface […]

Posted on by Debashis Das - 2 Comments on Adafruit Sparkle Motion – An ESP32-based addressable LED controller with four outputs, 100W USB-C power, and WLED/xLights support

Adafruit Sparkle Motion – An ESP32-based addressable LED controller with four outputs, 100W USB-C power, and WLED/xLights support

Adafruit Sparkle Motion

The Adafruit Sparkle Motion is an ESP32-based LED controller board designed to drive addressable LEDs, including WS2812B, APA102, SK6812, LPD8806, UCS2904, and SM16704. It supports both WLED and xLights projects and features an onboard 100W USB-C PD port to drive even high-voltage LED setups. The board includes dual power input options (USB-C PD with 5/12/20V selection and 2.1mm DC jack), a 5A fuse, and level-shifted output terminals for controlling addressable LEDs. The board also features a built-in I2S digital microphone, IR receiver, Stemma QT I2C port, USB-serial with auto-reset, GPIO breakout pads, onboard NeoPixel and status LED, and multiple JST and terminal connectors for sensor and control integration. It comes pre-assembled with terminal blocks for easy wiring, making it suitable for applications such as wearable electronics, home decor lighting, audio-reactive displays, and remote-controlled installations. Adafruit Sparkle Motion Specifications: SoC – ESP32-S3 dual-core Xtensa LX7 MCU @ 240MHz with 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments on IP67-rated Helios SK51 CAN Keypad adds five programmable RGB tactile buttons to CAN Bus applications

IP67-rated Helios SK51 CAN Keypad adds five programmable RGB tactile buttons to CAN Bus applications

Helios SK1 CAN Keyboard

Helios SK51 CAN Keypad is a waterproof (IP67-rated) keypad connected over CAN Bus with five tactile silicone buttons and LED backlighting. Each button is fully programmable and offers a 24-bit RGB color option. In some ways, it reminds me of the T-Keyboard-S3-Pro mechanical keypad, but instead of relying on USB, the SK51 CAN Keypad works over a CAN Bus compliant with the SAE J1939 standard, and it’s designed for more demanding environments. Helios SK51 specifications 5x programmable buttons with integrated display, each with a status LED on top. CAN protocols SAE J1939 compatible protocol Transmit – Button status on press/release or 1s interval Receive Simple Mode: Set backlight & status LED colors, brightness, and flash Full RGB: 24-bit RGB per LED (16.7 million colors) CAN Termination – Not Fitted USB – USB-C for firmware update Supply Voltage –  6 to 35 VDC Power Consumption – 5 to 200mA, depending on […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 5 Comments on ESP-HDMI-Bridge is an ESP32-P4 HDMI streaming adapter with USB, Ethernet, WiFi, and microSD card

ESP-HDMI-Bridge is an ESP32-P4 HDMI streaming adapter with USB, Ethernet, WiFi, and microSD card

ESP32-P4 MIPI HDMI adapter

ESP-HDMI-Bridge is an ESP32-P4-based HDMI streaming adapter based on Lontium Semiconductors’s LT8912B MIPI-DSI to HDMI bridge chip outputting MIPI-DSI video signal of ESP32-P4 to HDMI devices. It allows the user to connect a computer to an HDMI display or projector through USB, Ethernet, or WiFi, or use it directly as a digital signage player or live dashboard connected to an HDMI display. The current solution is based on the ESP32-P4-Function-EV-Board connected via its MIPI DSI connector to a 50x40mm board with the LT8912B bridge, a MIPI DSI input connector, LVDS and HDMI video outputs, and a 12-pin header with I2C, I2S audio, etc., with everything housed in a plastic enclosure. The best is to watch the video below, which shows various demos: USB to HDMI up to 720p30 or 1080p15 Ethernet to HDMI WiFi to HDMI up to 1080p40 using the ESP32-C6 2.4 GHz WiFi 6 module on the ESP-P4 […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments on Xero MCU is a compact USB-C board based on STM32F411 microcontroller (Crowdfunding)

Xero MCU is a compact USB-C board based on STM32F411 microcontroller (Crowdfunding)

Xero MCU board

Xero MCU is a small STMicro STM32F411 Arm Cortex-M4F microcontroller board with a USB-C port, twenty through and castellated holes for GPIOs, a Debug connector, Reset and Boot buttons, and a few LEDs. The 100 MHz MCU embeds 512KB flash and 128KB SRAM, and the board is said to be designed for hobbyists, students, and professionals. For reference, the Xero MCU board features the same STM32F411CEU6 microcontroller found in the Black Bill board. However, it’s quite shorter at about half the size, and features castellated edges, making it suitable for soldering on a baseboard. Xero MCU specifications: Microcontroller – STMicro STM32F411CEU6 Arm Cortex-M4F MCU @ 100MHz with 512KB Flash, 128KB SRAM USB – 1x USB Type-C port for power and programming Expansion – 2x 20-pin through and castelled holes with up to 17x GPIO, I2C, 2x SPI, 2x UART, 4x ADC, 5V, 3.3V, and GND Debugging – 4-pin debug connector […]

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