SMLight’s SMHUB Nano Mg24 may look like the company’s earlier SLZB-06p Zigbee to Ethernet/WiFi/USB coordinators, but it’s a more powerful Linux-based Zigbee/Thread Smart Hub that pairs SOPHGO SG2000 RISC-V SoC with Silicon Labs MG24 multi-protocol wireless MCU. Unlike traditional Zigbee/Thread adapters that connect to a host through USB or Ethernet, the SMHUB Nano Mg24 is an all-in-one solution that runs all major automation apps directly on the device, eliminating the need for a Raspberry Pi, Mini PC, or other hardware server. SMHUB Nano Mg24 specifications: SoC – SOPHGO SG2000 CPU cores 1x C906 64-bit RISC-V core @ 1GHz or 1x Arm Cortex-A53 core @ 1GHz (selectable at boot) 1x C906 64-bit RISC-V core @ 700MHz MCU – 8051 8-bit microcontroller core @ 25 to 300 MHz with 6KB SRAM GPU – None VPU – H.265/H.264 video decoding and encoding (5M @ 30fps) ISP – 5M @ 30fps NPU – 0.5 TOPS Memory […]
Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 Z-Wave USB adapter launched for $69
Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 is a new Z-Wave USB adapter with Long Range support, which follows the launch of the Home Assistant Connect ZBT-1 (SkyConnect) Zigbee 3.0, Thread, and Matter USB dongle in 2022. Home Assistant explains that Z-Wave operates in the sub-GHz (865-926 MHz) frequency band, where waves can more easily go through thick walls and reach across large households, and do not need to compete in the crowded 2.4 GHz airspace used by wireless protocols such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and Thread. Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 specifications: SoCs Silicon Labs ZG23 Cortex-M33 Z-Wave microcontroller @ 78 MHz ESP32-S3 wireless MCU used as USB-to-serial bridge (WiFi and Bluetooth present, but not used by the firmware) Wireless Z-Wave, Z-Wave Long Range Z-Wave series 800 Range – Tested up to 1.5km (line of sight) by Nabu Casa Antenna Frequency range: 860-930 MHz The frequency used by end devices depends on the […]
Geniatech APC680 Edge AI and TV Box is powered by Synaptics VS680 AI SoC with 7.9 TOPS NPU
Geniatech APC680 is described as an “AI-powered TV box” powered by Synaptics VS680 quad-core Cortex-A73 SoC with a built-in 7.9 TOPS NPU and designed for smart entertainment and edge computing. The system comes with 4GB RAM and 16GB eMMC flash by default, 4K capable HDMI output and input ports, gigabit Ethernet, WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0, a few USB ports, and a range of wireless options including 4G LTE, Zigbee, Z-Wave, and LoRa. Besides being just an AI-powered TV box, it could also be used as a Smart Home gateway in more ways than one. Geniatech APC680 specifications: SoC – Synaptics VS680 CPU – Quad-Core Arm Cortex-A73 processor GPU – Imagination PowerVR Series9XE GE9920 with support for OpenGL ES 3.2, OpenCL 1.2, Vulkan 1.1, and DirectFB VPU Up to 2160p60 decode with AV1, H.265, H.264, VP9, VP8, and MPEG-2 Up to 1080p60 encode with H.264, VP8 NPU – 7.9 TOPS with […]
Semtech LR2021 “LoRa Plus” transceiver supports LoRa Gen 4, Amazon Sidewalk, Meshtastic, wM-BUS, Wi-SUN FSK, and Z-Wave
Semtech LR2021, the first chip in the LoRa Plus family, supports LoRa Gen 4 technology with both terrestrial and satellite networks in the Sub-GHz, 2.4 GHz ISM bands, and licensed S-band, while keeping backward compatibility with previous-generation LoRa devices. But it goes beyond just supporting LoRa and LoRaWAN networks, since it features expanded physical layer modulations for fast long-range communication (FLRC) enabling compatibility with various low-power wireless protocols such as Amazon Sidewalk, Meshtastic, Wireless M-Bus (Wm-BUS), Wi-SUN FSK, and Z-Wave when integrated with third-party stacks. Semtech LR2021 key features and specifications: Terrestrial and non-terrestrial network (NTN), Sub-GHz, 2.4GHz ISM and licensed S-band radio. Frequency Ranges 150-960 MHz 1600-2500 MHz Multi-PHY compatibility enables low-power wireless protocols with third-party stacks. FLRC up to 2.6 Mbps, LoRa up to 200 kbps Modulation – FSK, LoRa, LR-FHSS, FLRC, O-QPSK, OOK Multi-region operation with single switch-less front-end design. +22 dBm to -10 dBm transmitter Rx […]
Mixtile Edge 2 Kit review with Home Assistant, 2-in-1 Zigbee & Z-Wave mPCIe module
We received the Edge 2 Kit IoT gateway on the Rockchip RK3568-powered Edge2 single board computer (SBC) and a 2-in-1 Zigbee and Z-Wave mPCIe card from Mixtile which we will be reviewing from the perspective of smart home applications using Home Assistant open-source home automation framework. Let’s dive into the details. Unboxing Mixtile Edge 2 Kit CNX Software previously reported on the Mixtile Edge 2 Kit in 2022 and you can check the detailed specifications and block diagram in that earlier article. Since then, Mixtile has found a wider range of applications for the device and is also promoting it as an Edge AI Box that performs AI object detection using the Edge 2 Kit (or the more powerful Mixtile Blade 3) using the built-in NPU (Neural Processing Unit) with up to 1 TOPS of AI performance for tasks such as object detection. Let’s unbox it and take a closer […]
$20 Zigbee & Z-Wave mPCIe module targets Home Assistant gateways
Mixtile’s “2-in-1 Zigbee & Z-Wave mPCIe module” is a relatively inexpensive way to add Zigbee and Z-Wave connectivity to a Home Assistant server without having USB dongles sticking out of the server and taking some of its spare USB ports. The module is compatible with any computer, gateway, or SBC with a spare mini PCIe socket featuring a USB 2.0 interface such as Rockchip RK3568-powered Mixtile Edge 2 Kit gateway. You’ll also need some way of mounting the antennas after connecting them to the IPEX-1 antenna connectors on the module, the Edge 2 Kit comes with multiple antenna holes. Mixtile 2-in-1 Zigbee & Z-Wave mPCIe module specifications: Wireless MCUs Silabs EFR32MG24 Arm Cortex-M33 @ 78.0 MHz with 256 kB RAM, 1536 kB flash Radio Frequency – 2.4 GHz (802.15.4 radio) TX Power – up to +19.5 dBm RX sensitivity – -105.4 dBm at 250 kbps Protocols – Zigbee, Matter, Thread […]
Silicon Labs partners with Nabu Casa to support Home Assistant development
Silicon Labs has entered an official partnership with Nabu Casa, the company behind the popular Home Assistant home automation software, to support the development of Home Assistant open-source software and Silicon Labs-based hardware platforms. Most open-source embedded software projects start as a one-person (or a small team) effort as the vendor-provided firmware and related software may not have the features set needed by this user or group of users. So they hack existing hardware to build something that better fits their requirements often without input/help from the silicon vendor or product manufacturer. But sometimes the project becomes popular enough that large companies start to help it with support and funding. That’s apparently the case for Home Assistant project with Silicon Lans and Nabu Case entering an official partnership. The announcement does not provide details about the partnership but explains this should lead to better support and improvements for both Home […]
Linux-based DIN Rail smart controller works with Zigbee, Z-Wave, KNX, and Ajax Systems security solutions
CONNECT Y1 Smart Controller in a DIN Rail gateway running Ubuntu Linux and acting as the main control of YoctoCONNECT’s Smart Home/Smart Building solution with YoctoBus (RS485) and Ethernet interfaces, support for expansion blocks, and third-party integration with Zigbee, Z-Wave, KNX, and Ajax Systems security and smart home solutions. The Y1 Smart Controller handles automation algorithms and RS485, Ethernet, and USB communication for automated control systems for lighting, power distribution equipment, ventilation systems, climate control, and other electrical loads in various sectors such as Industry 4.0, Smart Homes, and Smart Cities. CONNECT Y1 Smart Controller specifications: SoC – Quad-core processor @ 1.2 to 2.4 GHz System Memory – 512MB, 1GB, or 2GB DDR3 RAM Storage – 16GB or 32 GB eMMC flash Audio – 3.5mm audio output jack; AirPlay support Connectivity YoctoBUS (RS485) interface via 3-pole terminal block 10/100M Ethernet RJ45 port USB 2.0 interface for Z-Wave or Zigbee Ajax […]




