CNX Software - Embedded Systems News

May 9, 2014May 9, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments

Rikomagic MK902 II Android TV Box with Rockchip RK3288 Coming Soon

Rikomagic MK902 is an Android mini PC powered by Rockchip RK3188 quad core processor, and there’s even a Linux version. The company has announced it has been working on an upgrade of the device named MK902 II, and powered by Rockchip RK3288. It will initially sell with Android, but I would not be surprised with a PicUntu version is also sold later, and even an MK 902 II Chromebox could hit the market, since Rockchip released Chromium OS overlay files for RK3288. They’ve also provide MK902 II specifications: SoC – Rockchip 3288 quad core ARM Cortex A17 up to 1.8 GHz with Mali-T764 GPU System Memory – 2G DDR3 Storage – 8 or 16 GB flash + micro SD slot (up to 32GB) Video Output – HDMI, AV Audio Output / Input – HDMI, stereo audio (via AV port), optical S/PDIF, microphone Video Codecs – MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.263, H.264, […]

May 8, 2014May 11, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment

Imperas Releases ARM Cortex A53 & A57 Open Source Models for OVPsim

Since the end of 2012, it has been possible to use ARM 64-bit Fast models to run code compiled for the new ARMv8 architecture by emulating a 64-bit ARM processor inside an Intel / AMD processor. ARM fast models are not the only “free” option anymore, as Imperas has released OVPsim 20140430 with open source models for ARM Cortex A53 and Cortex A57 cores. OVPsim is a virtual platform that’s available free of charge for personal usage. The simulator itself (OVPsim) is closed source, but processor, peripheral and platform models are released under the Apache License version 2.0. OVP models of the ARM Cortex-A53 and Cortex-A57 are fully instruction accurate models, and you can use them for personal with an additional free license key, but if you want to make use of advanced features such as TrustZone and hardware virtualization you’ll need to purchase a commercial version (Imperas Developer or […]

May 8, 2014May 8, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 28 Comments

MINIX NEO X8 and X8s Android TV Boxes are Now Available for Pre-order for $119 and up

Last month, MINIX announced their NEO X8 and NEO X8s Android TV boxes powered by Amlogic S802 and S802-H (with Dolby/DTS support). The company disclosed the specifications but they did not provide price information. This morning, I noticed the devices were available for pre-order on DealExtreme for $132 and $151.56, and I went to look for it on Aliexpress where NEO X8 sells for as low as $119 and NEO X8s for $148. All prices include shipping. One shop also sell these for well over $200 with the new MINIX NEO M1 air mouse. Both devices come with 2GB RAM, HDMI video output, stereo and optical S/PDIF audio outputs, Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity, and 3 USB ports. Whereas NEO X8 features 8GB flash, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Amlogic S802 SoC, NEO X8s boasts 16GB flash, dual band 2.4/5GHz Wi-Fi, and Amlogic S802-H which properly supports Dolby and DTS audio pass-through via […]

May 7, 2014May 7, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 6 Comments

How to Open Tronsmart Vega S89 (Elite) and Access the Serial Console

Tronsmart Vega S89 (Elite) is an Android TV based on Amlogic S802 quad core ARM Cortex A9 processor @ 2GHz, and is one of the fastest Chinese ARM box on the device, at least until Rockchip RK3288 and AllWinner A80 devices come to market. In my unboxing post, I mentioned the UART pins were available, and sometimes in March Amlogic released U-boot and Linux source code for M802/S808, so it’s likely some developers will play around, and eventually run Linux (Ubuntu, Debian, …) on the platform. So today, I’ve done some preliminary work by connecting a USB to serial debug board to my device. The steps to follow are straightforward, and should work on Beelink M8/S82, Jesurun S82, MBOX-S82, IdeaStar S82, etc… which are basically the same box with different names. Before accessing the serial port, we’ll need to open the box. Start by removing the 3 sticky pads at […]

May 7, 2014May 7, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

DLink Introduces DSP-W215 Wi-Fi Smart Plug for iOS and Android

D-Link is entering the automation market with a Wi-Fi smart plug (Model DSP-W215) that configurable via WPS, allows you to control and monitor your electrical appliance via Android 4.0+ and iOS6+ mobile devices, and it even has an overheating protection mechanism that can apparently detect if the plug or the device itself overheats. Let’s go through the technical specifications: Wi-Fi – IEEE 802.11n (According to pictures found via FCC filings, the chipset is Atheros AR1311_AL1A) Misc – Power / Status LEDs, On/Off button Dimensions – 9 x 6.10 x 3.56 cm (3.54″ x 2.40″ x 1.40″) Weight – 125 g (4.41 ounces) Power Input – 100 to 125 V AC / 5W maximum power consumption Temperature Range – Operating: 0 to 40 °C, Storage: -20 to 65 °F Humidity – Operating: 10% to 90% non-condensing, Storage: 5% to 95% non-condensing Based on these specs, since it can only work between 100 […]

May 7, 2014November 23, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment

Intel based Chromebooks Announcements Galore By Acer, Asus, Dell, Lenovo and More

Yesterday, Intel and Intel had a press event about Chrome OS devices where Google discussed the success of Chrome OS, and Intel showed existing and upcoming Chromebooks based on Haswell and Bay Trail processors. After a short introduction by Intel, Google took the stage to discuss the commercial success of Chromebooks which are now found in 10,000 schools, and are among the best selling and best rated laptops on Amazon, as well as key advantages and features of Chrome OS: fast boot, new version every 6 weeks, and after offline support for google docs, soon offline support for video playback. Intel then continued by showing off some existing Haswell Chromebooks, a new HP Chromebox to become available in June, and LG All-in-One Chromebase with a 22″ display, Haswell Celeron 2955U processor, 2GB RAM, and 16GB SDD to sell later this month for $349. The company took a break from product announcement […]

May 6, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 8 Comments

GIGABYTE BRIX GB-BXBT-2807 Ultra Compact PC Kit Features a Low Power Intel Celeron N2807 “Bay Trail” Processor

A new BRIX system / Ultra compact PC kit has shown up on GIGABYTE website. GB-BXBT-2807 is powered by Intel Celeron N2807 which, with 4.3W TDP, is one of the most energy efficient Bay Trail processor, supports up to 8GB RAM, 2.5″ SATA drives, and comes with both HDMI and VGA output. GIGABYTE GB-BXBT-2807 specifications: SoC – Intel Celeron N2807 dual core processor at 1.58 GHz (Burst: 2.17GHz) with Intel HD graphics. 4.3W TDP System Memory – 1x SO-DIMM DDR3L 1.35V slot @ 1333MHz up to 8GB Storage -2.5″ SATA HDD (7.5/9mm thickness) Video Output VGA – Up to 2560 x 1600 @ 60Hz HDMI – Up to 1920 x 1600 @ 60Hz (HDMI 1.4a) Audio – HDMI, headphone/microphone jack, Realtek ALC283 codec. Connectivity – Gigabit LAN (Realtek RTL8111G), Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.0 (AW-NB159H module) USB – 1x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0 ports Expansion Slot – 1 x […]

May 6, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments

ARM Based COM Express Modules by MEN Mikro Electronik and Pactron

A few days ago, in a post listing different system-on-module (SoM) standards, I mentioned COM Express standard was targeting SoMs based on x86 processors, and SMARC was the equivalent for ARM. I still understand it’s the case as COM Express standard defines mechanical dimensions that are usually larger than SoM standard for low power processors, some buses found in ARM and x86 are different (e.g. AFAIK LPC and PCI are not found in ARM SoC), and the standard supports high power signals which are not needed in ARM or MIPS processors. Having said that, I’ve been pointed out to two ARM based COM Express modules, which could make sense if you want to use an ARM based module using existing COM Express compatible baseboards. The COM Express modules below feature Freescale i.MX6 and Marvell Armada XP SoCs, and have been designed respectively by MEN Mikro Electronik and Pactron. MEN Mikro […]