CNX Software - Embedded Systems News

June 7, 2025June 7, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 5 Comments

BUG: ethical hacking USB device with RP2040, ESP32-S3, or STM32 MCU (Crowdfunding)

Tarun’s BUG is a USB stick with a small display described as an “AI-powered Ethical Hacking Device”, supporting voice control, and offered with either a Raspberry Pi RP2040 dual-core MCU, Espressif Systems ESP32-S3 wireless SoC, or STM32F411 Cortex-M4F microcontroller. The device also features a microSD card for storage, and WiFi and BLE connectivity for the ESP32-S3 version. The BUG is said to offer “cutting-edge HID injection capabilities” (e.g. keyboard/mouse emulation) with wireless control and ChatGPT integration. It is made for ethical hackers, cybersecurity trainers, tech educators, and DIY makers. BUG specifications: Microcontroller (one or the other) Raspberry Pi RP2040 dual-core Cortex-M0+ microcontroller @ up to 133 MHz with 264KB SRAM Espressif ESP32-S3 dual-core LX7 microcontroller @ 240MHz with vector instructions, 512KB SRAM, WiFi 4 and Bluetooth 5.x connectivity STMicro STM32F411 Arm Cortex-M4F MCU @ 100MHz with 512KB Flash, 128KB SRAM Storage – MicroSD card slot inside the USB Type-A port […]

June 6, 2025June 6, 2025 by Paisit Wongsongsarn - 7 Comments

Seeed Studio XIAO-2CH-EM Review: 2-Channel Wi-Fi AC Energy Meter with two CT clamps, ESPHome preloaded

XIAO 2-channel Wi-Fi AC Energy Meter Review

We have received a review sample of an energy metering device from SeeedStudio called the XIAO 2-Channel Wi-Fi AC Energy Meter (XIAO-2CH-EM). This device uses a clamp-on CT (Current Transformer) method on the live wire that you want to measure, without needing to modify the existing electrical wiring. XIAO-2CH-EM comes with several key features such as dual CT sensors (CT1 and CT2), native ESPHome & Home Assistant Integration, precise measurement with factory calibration, and bi-directional power flow monitoring. While the XIAO-2CH-EM has 2 CT input ports, it will only ship with one CT clamp by default, but users can purchase an additional CT clamp if needed. The two CT channels operate independently, and each one can measure bidirectional power and supports devices using up to 100A of current. That should be enough for an ordinary home. The XIAO-2CH-EM comes pre-flashed with ESPHome firmware from the factory, meaning it can be […]

Graperain Samsung, Rockchip RK3588, and Qualcomm CPU modules, SBCs, and carrier boards

June 6, 2025June 7, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 18 Comments

Intel Celeron N4020 dual-core mini PC sells for $45 with 4GB RAM, 128GB eMMC flash

We’ve seen x86 mini PCs for under $100 a few times, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen one going for under $50, and that’s exactly what the Wo-we HU-MNPC05-L mini PC has to offer as the system is sold for $44.99 on Amazon with an old Intel Celeron N4020 dual-core Gemini Lake Refresh processor first introduced in 2019. What’s even more surprising is that it’s not a barebone model like cheaper mini PCs usually are, but it ships with 4GB of RAM and a 128GB eMMC flash. No sane person would likely attempt to use the thing as a Windows Desktop, but it may be an option for Linux distributions for workloads similar to what you would typically run on a Raspberry Pi 4/5, or for older Windows applications, or as a basic HTPC. Wo-we HU-MNPC05-L specifications: SoC – Intel Celeron N4020 dual-core Gemini Lake Refresh processor @ 1.1 […]

June 6, 2025June 7, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment

Raspberry Pi 5-based portable AI learning platform features 41 modules, supports Arduino Nano, RPi Pico, and Micro:bit boards (Crowdfunding)

CrowPi 3 is a Raspberry Pi 5-powered all-in-one portable AI learning and development platform with a 4.3-inch touchscreen display, plenty of plug-and-play electronic modules, a breadboard area, and support for Arduino Nano, Raspberry Pi Pico, and BBC Micro:bit MCU boards for expansion. It’s basically another take on the CrowPi 2 laptop based on the Raspberry Pi 4 with similar modules placed under the keyboard, but in a different form factor. The CrowPi 3 portable learning platform replaces the 11.6-inch Full HD display with a 4.3-inch display and does away with the keyboard, but is equipped with a more powerful Raspberry Pi 5 SBC capable of handling real-time AI tools such as ChatGPT and LLaMA (with smaller, distilled models). CrowPi 3 specifications: Main Board – Raspberry Pi 5 SBC Compatible MCU boards Arduino Nano boards BBC Micro:bit boards Raspberry Pi Pico boards Display – 4.3-inch IPS touchscreen display with 800×480 resolution […]

June 6, 2025 by Debashis Das - No Comments

Jetway PIC-ASL1 – A low-power Intel Atom x7213RE/x7433RE fanless industrial Pico-ITX SBC

Jetway PIC-ASL1 is a low-power, fanless Pico-ITX SBC built around the Intel Atom x7213RE or x7433RE Amston Lake SoC for industrial use. This SBC is very similar to the Alder Lake-N-based JPIC-ADN1, which Jetway released just last year. While both boards support up to 32GB DDR5 memory and dual displays via HDMI 2.0b and LVDS/eDP, the PIC-ASL1 adds industrial-grade resilience with shock/vibration resistance, a Nano SIM slot for cellular connectivity, and an Intel PTT for security. It also features a similar I/O layout, including dual USB 3.2 Gen 2, four USB 2.0, serial headers, two M.2 expansion slots, and a SATA III port for storage. Additionally, the PIC-ASL1 complies with various industrial standards, making it more suitable for use in harsh industrial environments compared to the ADN1. Jetway PIC-ASL1 specifications: Amston Lake SoC (one or the other) Intel Atom x7213RE dual-core processor @ 2.0 to 3.4 GHz with 6MB cache, […]

June 5, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments

ESP32-P4-MINI development board offers two 34-pin GPIO headers, ESP32-C6 wireless module

Another day, another ESP32-P4 RISC-V MCU board with the ESP32-P4-MINI equipped with an ESP32-C6 wireless module and exposing all I/Os through two 34-pin GPIO headers. The board also features two USB-C ports, one for data and one for debugging, MIPI DSI and MIPI CSI connectors to add a display and a camera, a microSD card slot for storage, and a few buttons and LEDs. It’s basically a board for engineers wanting to access all features of the ESP32-P4 without extra bells and whistles. ESP32-P4-MINI board specifications: SoC – Espressif Systems ESP32-P4 CPU Dual-core 32-bit RISC-V HP (High-performance) CPU @ up to 400 MHz with AI instructions extension and single-precision FPU Single-RISC-V LP (Low-power) MCU core @ up to 40 MHz Memory 768 KB HP L2MEM (for dual-core CPU), 32 KB LP SRAM, 8 KB TCM (for LP MCU core) 32MB PSRAM Storage – 128 KB HP ROM, 16 KB LP […]

Rockchip RK3568, RK3588 and Intel x86 SBCs and SoMs in 2025

June 5, 2025June 5, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment

STMicro STM32WBA5MMG is a tiny wireless module with Bluetooth LE 6.0, Zigbee 3.0, and OpenThread

STMicro’s STM32WBA5MMG is a tiny (12.5 x 8 mm), ultra-low-power 2.4 GHz wireless module based on the STM32WBA55UG wireless microcontroller with support for Bluetooth 6.0 LE, Zigbee 3.0, and OpenThread. The company further adds that designing a board for the module does not require any RF expertise, it provides a fully integrated Bill of Materials (BOM) with 32 MHz and 32 kHz crystals and integrated antenna matching or optional external antenna configurations, and its compatibility with 2-layer PCBs helps reduce costs. STM32WBA5MMG specifications: Wireless MCU – STMicro STM32WBA55UG Core – 32-bit Arm Cortex-M33 CPU with TrustZone®, MPU, DSP, and FPU Memory – 128 KB SRAM, including 64 KB with parity check Storage 1 MB flash memory with ECC, including 256 KB with 100 kcycles 512-byte (32 rows) OTP ART Accelerator – 8 KB instruction cache allowing 0-wait-state execution from flash memory (frequency up to 100 MHz, 150 DMIPS) Wireless Bluetooth […]

June 5, 2025June 5, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 5 Comments

Map Remote ID-enabled drones with ESP32-C3/S3 and Meshtastic LoRa modules

Colonel Panic’s Mesh Mapper is a project designed to map drones emitting the FAA’s Remote ID over WiFi or Bluetooth with location, altitude, pilot position, and identification data. This project utilizes an ESP32-C3 or ESP32-S3 to capture Remote ID transmissions within range, and then feeds the data into a Python Flask web application part of Mesh Mapper that provides real-time visualization and logging. Meshtastic allows multiple detection nodes to share information across a mesh network, so several ESP32 nodes can be deployed in an area and be alerted when drones fly within your property or neighborhood. While you could use your own ESP32-C3/S3 board and Meshtastic hardware for this project, Colonel Panic designed a breakout board for XIAO ESP32C3 or ESP32S3 WiFi & Bluetooth module and Heltec LoRa 32 V3 connected over serial to make things easier. Something like the XIAO ESP32S3 for Meshtastic & LoRa devkit might also do, […]