CNX Software - Embedded Systems News

June 9, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 9 Comments

Arm/Intel Windows systems-on-module come with modular eMMC or/and RAM modules

am335x system-on-module replaceable emmc & ram

It’s been a long time since I’ve written about a Windows CE (WinCE) compatible module, but apparently, those are still being developed with China-based UNERON offering eSOM335x Windows CE system-on-module based on Texas Instruments AM335x Arm Cortex-A8 processor, and eSOM3735z Windows 10 module equipped with an Intel Atom Z3735G processor. What’s even more intriguing is that the company relies on replaceable & upgradable eMMC flash and RAM modules for the Arm SoM, and while the 1GB RAM is soldered on the Intel module, it’s still possible to upgrade the eMMC flash that way. We’ve seen eMMC modules on several single board computers in the past including ODROID-C4 or Renegade SBC, but I think it’s the first time I see this option on a system-on-module. UNERON eSOM335x AM335x system-on-module Specifications: SoC – Texas Instrumentx Sitara AM3358BZCZA100 Arm Cortex-A8 up to 1GHz with PowerVR SGX530 3D GPU (optional AM3359, AM3354, or AM3352) System Memory – 128MB, 256MB, 512MB, or 1024MB DDR3L 16-bit […]

June 9, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments

IZIRUN open-hardware STM32 development boards expose GPIOs through M.2 connector (Crowdfunding)

IZIRUNF7 STM32F7 MCU board with M.2 socket

M.2 sockets are typically used to connect wireless or storage expansion boards to laptops, computers, and SBC’s. But nothing precludes them from being used for another purpose, and earlier this year we wrote about Sparkfun MicroMod MCU boards with an M.2 connector for GPIOs, I2C, SPI, etc… IZITRON has expanded the concept with three slightly larger (IZIRUN) STM32 boards routing more IOs to the M.2 connector, and additional features such as built-in EEPROM and buttons. IZIGOBOARD carrier board is then used to host the STM32F0, STM32F4, or STM32F7 board in order to ease development. IZIRUN STM32 development boards IZIRUN boards specifications: Microcontroller IZIRUNF0 – STMicro STM32F030CCT6 Cortex-M0 MCU @ 48 MHz with 256KB flash, 32 KB SRAM IZIRUNF4 – STMicro STM32F407VET6 Cortex-M4 MCU @ 168 MHz with 512KB flash, 192KB SRAM IZIRUNF7 – STMicro STM32F769NIH6 Cortex-M7 MCU @ 216 MHz with 2MB KB flash, 532KB SRAM On-board RAM – IZIRUNF7 only – 8MB SDRAM Storage 16KB EEPROM IZRUNF0/4 – 512KB […]

Aetina DeviceEdge Mini Edge AI computers support NVIDIA Jetson SO-DIMM modules

NVIDIA Jetson modules offer a wide range of AI performance starting from the entry-level 492 GFLOPS Jetson Nano module up to the 32 TOPS Jetson AGX Xavier platform. That’s probably Aetina decided to offer its DeviceEdge Mini AI edge solution with either Jetson Xavier NX, Jetson Nano, or Jetson TX2 NX pin-compatible SO-DIMM modules designed for applications in smart transportation, factories, retail, healthcare, AIoT, robotics, etc… The three models M1, M2, and M3 can all take the Jetson modules listed above, and come in a very similar form factor with the following key features: Common features: Storage – 128GB M.2 NVMe SSD (default) Video Output – Micro HDMI 1.4 connector Networking – Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 port, optional WiFi/Bluetooth M.2 module USB – 1x USB Type-C OTG only port Expansion 1x M.2 2242 M-key socket fitted with NVMe SSD 1x M.2 2230 E-key socket for optional Wifi/BT function 1x DB15 male connector with 5x GPIO, 1x UART, 1x I2C, 1x CAN […]

June 8, 2021June 8, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

NXP’s Ultra-Wideband (UWB) evaluation kits work with Apple U1 chip

The Fira Consortium was established in 2019 to provide an Ultra Wide-Band (UWB) ecosystem for real-time centimeter accuracy indoor positioning with companies such as NXP Semiconductors and Samsung Electronics on board. More companies have joined since then including Apple which designed its own UWB chip – the Apple U1 – found in recent iPhone 11 & 12 smartphones, as well as Apple Watch Series 6 to enable “Nearby Interaction“. If you’d like to develop UWB-enabled IoT applications, NXP has announced two beta UWB evaluation kits – developed with partners – compatible with Apple U1: Murata Type2BP EVK and MobileKnowledge’s UWB Kit Mobile Edition. Murata Type2BP EVK Specifications: Wireless chips/modules Murata’s Type2BP ultra-small UWB module based on NXP Trimension SR150 Arm Cortex-M chip for IoT devices. 802.15.4z compatible and supports 3D AoA (Angle-of-Arrival) for extra precision. NXP QN9090 Arm Cortex-M4 Bluetooth 5.0 LE SoC with 640 KB flash, 152 KB RAM, 128 KB ROM Storage – SPI flash memory Connectivity UWB […]

June 8, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments

Topton L4 mini laptop comes with a 7-inch 1024 x 600 display

I remember many years ago, I had an Acer Aspire One D255E netbook with a 10.1-inch display with 1024 x 600 resolution. I liked its portability, but the performance was rather poor and I got headaches with the 600-pixel vertical resolution, and some badly designed programs, such as USB firmware flashing tools, would not show fully on the display and be unusable. Well almost ten years later, I’m happy to report you too can experience the same pain, with Topton L4 mini laptop equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen display offering a 1024 x 600 resolution. On the plus side, it comes with an Intel Celeron J3455 processor, 8GB RAM, and up to 1TB SSD storage, as well as a webcam and Lenovo TrackPoint-like pointing stick both of which are pretty rare on 7-inch laptops. Topton L4 mini laptop specifications: SoC – Intel Celeron J3455 quad-core Apollo Lake processor @ 1.50 GHz / 2.30 GHz (Burst(, Intel HD Graphics 500; 10W […]

June 7, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 9 Comments

Keyboard also serves as USB-C hub with 11 ports from audio jack to VGA

I’m not sure who needs this, but if you’d like a USB-C hub with a QWERTY keyboard and a good variety of ports, you’ll be glad QGeeM Keyboard and USB-C hub/dock station exists. The device comes with one HDMI port, one VGA D-Sub connector, 3x USB 3.0 ports, a memory card reader, an RJ45 port for Ethernet, an audio jack, and USB-C port with USB-C PD 3.0 support up to 100W. This may look like a keyboard PC, but nope, it’s just a USB-C hub that happens to have a built-in keyboard. QGeeM Keyboard and USB-C hub key features: Storage – MicroSD and full-size SD/SDXC card readers (multiplexed) up to 2TB Video Output HDMI 1.4 port up to 4Kp30, VGA D-Sub connector up to 1920×1080 @ 60 Hz Dual display setups up to 1080p60 per display Mirroring and extended display modes supported Audio -3.5mm audio AUX jack Networking – Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 port USB 3x USB 3.0 ports for data […]

Combining OSTree and SW Containers for reliable IoT Device updates

CNXSoft: This is a guest post by Drew Moseley, Technical Solutions Architect at Toradex, explaining how the company updates Linux IoT devices firmware with OSTree (aka libostree) open-source operating system build and deployment tool, as well as Docker software containers. Every day more and more connected devices are being brought to market and estimates for the total size of the Internet of Things (IoT) market are as high as $1.5 trillion by 2027. Gas pumps, medical devices, and point of sale systems are increasingly connected, making it virtually impossible to avoid interacting with these devices, even for complete Luddites. In the home, devices such as power meters, light switches, and security cameras are commonly internet-enabled allowing for smart home functionality. The level of complexity in the software for these devices increases with the functionality, and the number of devices with software defects in the field is growing. In many cases, these systems are designed, produced, and shipped without any consideration […]

June 6, 2021June 7, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 16 Comments

Low-cost AMD Mini PC offered with AMD 3020e APU or Ryzen R1305 embedded processor

While there’s a fair amount of AMD mini PC’s, few target the low-cost segment of the market. Maxtang MTN-FP50 offers a cheaper option with either AMD 3020e dual-core APU or AMD Ryzen Embedded R1305 dual-core processor, and pricing starting at around $250 shipped with 4GB RAM and 128GB storage. The mini PC is equipped with two HDMI ports for dual 4K monitor setups, Gigabit Ethernet, five USB 3.0/2.0 ports, and can be upgraded in various ways thanks to SO-DIMM sockets for up to 64GB RAM, M.2 socket for SSD, SATA port for a 2.5-inch drive, and another M.2 slot for the wireless module. Maxtang MTN-FP50 specifications: SoC Mobile processor – AMD 3020E APU with 2-core/2-thread processor @ 1.2GHz / 2.6 GHz (Max Boost frequency, 3x CU Radeon Vega 3 graphics @ 1.0 GHz ; 6W TDP (The manufacturer offers optional AMD 2500U or 3500U 15W processor) Embedded processor – AMD Ryzen Embedded R1305G 2-core/4-thread @ 1.5 GHz / 2.8 GHz; […]