CNX Software - Embedded Systems News

May 25, 2023May 25, 2023 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

Reolink E1 Outdoor Pro 4K smart security camera supports WiFi 6 connectivity

Reolink E1 Outdoor Pro is a 4K smart security camera with PTZ and auto-tracking like the Reolink TrackMix, but instead of relying on PoE or WiFi 4/5, the camera comes with WiFi 6 connectivity for a faster and more stable network connection with less latency. Most of the WiFi security cameras I’ve been using come with 2.4GHz WiFi 4, and I’ve found connectivity to the solar-powered Reolink security cameras I’ve been using to be somewhat unreliable with difficulty connecting to them through the mobile app, although uploads to the cloud don’t suffer from those issues. So I typically prefer PoE or 4G LTE security cameras since the connectivity is more stable, but Reolink E1 Outdoor Pro security camera’s WiFi 6 support could help depending on the environment. Reolink E1 Outdoor Pro specifications: Camera – 4K Ultra HD resolution with 3x optimal zoom Color night vision with spotlight PTZ – 355º […]

May 25, 2023May 25, 2023 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments

Snagboot is an open-source cross-vendor recovery tool for embedded targets

Bootlin has just released the Snagboot open-source recovery tool for embedded platforms designed to work with multiple vendors, and currently STMicro STM32MP1, Microchip SAMA5, NXP i.MX6/7/8, Texas Instruments AM335x and AM62x, and Allwinner “sunxi” processors are supported. Silicon vendors usually provide firmware flashing tools, some closed-source binaries, that only work with their hardware. So if you work on STM32MP1 you’d use STM32CubeProgrammer, while SAM-BA is the tool for Microchip processors, NXP i.MX SoC relies on UUU, and if you’ve ever worked on Allwinner processors you’re probably family with sunxi-fel. Bootlin aims to replace all those with the Snagboot recovery tool. The Python tool is comprised of two parts: snagrecover using vendor-specific ROM code mechanisms to initialize external RAM and run the bootloader (typically U-Boot) without modifying any non-volatile memories. snagflash communicates with the bootloader over USB to flash system images to non-volatile memories, using either DFU, USB Mass Storage, or […]

May 25, 2023May 24, 2023 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

iW-RainboW-G55M is an OSM-LF compliant module based on TI AM62A Cortex-A53 processor

iWave Systems iW-RainboW-G55M is an OSM Size L compliant system-on-module based on Texas Instruments AM62A single to quad-core Cortex-A53 processor with up to 8GB RAM, 128GB eMMC flash, and a wireless module with WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and 802.15.4 radios. The iW-RainboW-G55M can leverage the vision processing and deep learning accelerator and the Arm Cortex-R5F real-time cores for control and device management found in the AM62A processor, as well as its display and camera interfaces, peripheral and networking options, to develop products for “man-machine applications at the edge”. iW-RainboW-G55M SoM specifications: SoC – Texas Instruments AM62A SoC (AM62A3, AM62A3-Q1, AM62A7, or AM62A7-Q1) Application processor – Up to four Arm Cortex- A53 cores @ 1.4GHz Real-time cores 1x Cortex-R5F @ 800MHz (MPU Channel with FFI) 1x Cortex-R5F @ 800MHz to support Device Management C7xV-256 Deep Learning Accelerator up to 2 TOPS System Memory – 2GB (default) to 8GB LPDDR4 RAM Storage […]

May 24, 2023 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

Imagination IMG CXM is a small GPU with HDR support for TV boxes, wearables, and Smart Home appliances

Imagination IMG CXM is a power-efficient embedded GPU family with HDR support user interfaces, thus enabling OEMs to provide users the enriching visual experience they have come to expect but at a lower cost and with more design flexibility. The new CXM GPUs also deliver close to 50% performance density improvement over IMG BXM consumer GPUs, offer support for 10-bit RGBA/YUV to deliver a HDR graphical user interface with less visible banding, and integrate well with Imagination RISC-V CPUs. Three CXM GPUs are available: The CXM-2-64 with 2 pixels per clock (PPC) and 64 FLOPS per clock is the smallest GPU with native support for HDR The CXM-4-64 with 4 pixels per clock (PPC) and 64 FLOPS per clock targets mainstream products The CXM-4-128 with 4 pixels per clock (PPC) and 128 FLOPS per clock targets is better suited to “premium DTV solutions” All share the following features: 10-bit RGBA/YUV […]

May 24, 2023May 25, 2023 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments

USB4 docking station supports up to five 4K displays with 120 Hz refresh rate

Action Star Technology, a Taiwanese OEM/ODM of USB productivity solutions part of Qisda (BenQ group), has unveiled its USB4 penta-4K120 docking station at Computex 2023 with support for up to five 4K displays at a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz. The docking station is based on Synaptics chips, and besides support for up to five 4K displays, it can also handle up to three 8K displays at 60+ Hz, and offers Ethernet, audio, and 10 Gbps USB 3.2 interfaces. USB4 Penta-4K120 docking station specifications: USB4 docking station backward compatible with USB-C/USB 3.x Based on Synaptics VMM9430 DisplayPort 2.1 (DP 2.1) multi-stream transport (MST) hub and DisplayLink DL-7400 universal display docking solution. See the separate (January 2023) press release about the chips Display Support up to 5x 4K/120Hz video outputs 1x native DisplayPort up to 8K/85Hz using DSC (8K/75Hz for HDR) 4x DisplayLink outputs up to quad 4K/120Hz or […]

May 24, 2023May 24, 2023 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 6 Comments

AMD Ryzen and Athlon 7020-C processors to power Chromebooks with up to 19.5 hours of battery life

Dell Latitude Chromebook 3445 with Ryzen or Athlon 7020-C processor

AMD has just unveiled the Ryzen and Athlon 7020-C series processor family designed for Chromebooks, with up to four “Zen 2” cores clocked at up to 4.3 GHz, AMD RDNA 2 graphics, and promises of high power efficiency with Chromebook based on the entry-level Athlon Silver 7120C processor lasting up to an estimated 19.5 hours on a charge. AMD says the Ryzen 3 7320C processor in the Dell Latitude Chromebook 3445 delivers 1.6 times higher average performance than a Chromebook based on the previous generation Ryzen 3 3250C processor and provides a 15% performance advantage with up to 3.5 hours longer battery life compared to the HP Chromebook MT7921 powered by an Intel Core i3-N305 “Alder Lake-N” processor. Four models are available at launch: Ryzen 5 7520C, Ryzen 3 7320C, Athlon Gold 7220C, and Athlon Silver 7120C. All are 15W TDP parts, manufactured with a 6nm process, and come with […]

May 23, 2023May 24, 2023 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 7 Comments

Zotac PI430AJ Pico mini PC features Airjet solid-state active cooling chips

ZOTAC PI430AJ Pico is the first mini PC equipped with (two) Airjet solid-state active cooling chips introduced at CES 2023, doing without the metal case required by typical fanless systems, and instead relying on a plastic case. The PI430AJ Pico is powered by a recent 7W Intel Core i3-N300 octa-core Alder Lake-N processor coupled with up to 16GB LPDDR5 RAM and an M.2 NVMe SSD up to 1TB capacity. The mini PC is showcased at COMPUTEX 2023 with a transparent cover to showcase the two FRORE Systems Airjet mini PC, but it will eventually be sold with a black plastic enclosure. ZOTAC PI430AJ Pico preliminary specifications: SoC – Intel Core i3-N300 octa-core processor up to 3.8 GHz with 6MB cache, 32EU Intel UHD Graphics Gen 12 @ 1.25 GHz; TDP: 7W System Memory – Up to 16GB LPDDR5 Storage – Up to 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD, microSD card slot Video […]

May 23, 2023May 23, 2023 by Paisit Wongsongsarn - No Comments

SONOFF TX Ultimate Review – A smart touch wall switch with innovative features

SONOFF has been producing a wide range of new products over the years, and since the beginning of the year, the company introduced various new products and features including the iHost Smart Home Hub local hub which no longer requires cloud connectivity. The one we are going to review is the Ultimate Smart Touch Wall Switch (also known as the SONOFF TX Ultimate). SONOFF stated that they wanted to provide a new experience with their smart switch. Initially, we couldn’t imagine what new experiences a smart switch could offer. When we think of SONOFF, we usually associate it with affordable smart switches that are durable and perform as expected, not stylish or feature-rich devices. However, the SONOFF TX Ultimate comes as a complete package with light, color, sound, and touch. SONOFF has also expanded the touch area, so there’s no need to worry about missing the button while pressing it. […]