CNX Software - Embedded Systems News

August 30, 2021October 21, 2022 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 9 Comments

Linux 5.14 Release – Main changes, Arm, MIPS, and RISC-V architectures

Linus Torvalds has just announced Linux 5.14 release which happens to almost coincide with the anniversary of the initial announcement of the “small” project on August 25, 1991, about 30 years ago. Here’s Linux 5.14’s announcement: So I realize you must all still be busy with all the galas and fancy balls and all the other 30th anniversary events, but at some point you must be getting tired of the constant glitz, the fireworks, and the champagne. That ball gown or tailcoat isn’t the most comfortable thing, either. The celebrations will go on for a few more weeks yet, but you all may just need a breather from them. And when that happens, I have just the thing for you – a new kernel release to test and enjoy. Because 5.14 is out there, just waiting for you to kick the tires and remind yourself what all the festivities are […]

August 29, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

Leverage ESP32-S3 AI capabilities with the ESP-DL library

ESP32-S3 is the first Espressif wireless processor with AI instructions, and ESP-DL library for ESP-IDF allows you to easily leverage those AI instructions using boards such as the ESP32-S3-DevKitC-1. The ESP-DL library provides APIs for Neural Network (NN) Inference, Image Processing, Math Operations, and Deep Learning Models that make full use of ESP32-S3’s AI instructions with a 16-bit face recognition model running 6.25 faster, while the 8-bit model is 2.5 times faster than without acceleration. The ESP-DL library can be used as a project component. For instance, it can be used as a submodule of ESP-WHO computer vision framework, by simply copying it to the esp-who/components/ directory. The Model Zoo contains several pre-trained models for (human) face detection & recognition, and cat face detection, with more being developed including color detection and hand-pose detection. Espressif Systems also provides tools to use your own models, and a convention tool allowing you […]

ArmSoM RK3588 AIModule7 NVIDIA Jetson Nano-compatible SOM

August 28, 2021August 28, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 23 Comments

LibreELEC 10.0 minimal Linux OS for media playback released with Kodi 19.1

While most TV boxes and SBCs nowadays ship with or support a version of Android, people who just want the best viewing experience may prefer to switch to a Linux distribution such as LibreELEC or CoreELEC. The good news is that LibreELEC 10.0 has just been released with Kodi 19.1 and Linux 5.10 LTS. LibreELEC 10.0 is said to work well for Allwinner, Rockchip, and “Generic” Intel/AMD devices, while the Raspberry Pi 4 release’s codebase is rather new, and there may still be a few rough edges. Support for the previous generation Raspberry Pi boards has been dropped, and there’s no support for Amlogic platforms as CoreELEC already provides good support. Since LibreELEC 10.0 is based on Kodi 19.1, it benefits from the same features as Kodi 19 “Matrix” release including AV1 video decoding, a new skin, HDR support, and more. LibreELEC 10.1 support a wide range of single board […]

August 27, 2021April 20, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments

Feature-packed i.MX 8M Plus SBC offers dual GbE, PCIe, RS485, CAN Bus, 4G & 5G modems, and more

We’ve already covered plenty of NXP i.MX 8M Plus systems-on-module and carrier boards, but here’s another solution with Forlinx OKMX8MP-C SBC single board computer based on FETMX8MP-C SoM with 4GB LPDDR4 and 16GB eMMC flash. The feature-packed board also offers dual Gigabit Ethernet, 4G and 5G cellular connectivity support via mPCIe and M.2 sockets, multiple display and camera interfaces, RS485 and CAN Bus connector, USB interfaces, various expansion headers, and more… Forlinx OKMX8MP-C specifications: Forlinx FETMX8MP-C System-on-Module SoC – NXP i.MX8M Plus with quad-core Cortex-A53 processor @ up to 1.6 GHz, Arm Cortex-M7 real-time core, Vivante 2D/3D GPUs, 1080p60 video decoder/encoder, 2.3 TOPS AI accelerator System Memory – 2GB, 4GB (default), 6GB, or 8GB LPDDR4 Storage – 16GB eMMC flash Ultra-thin board-to-board connector (4x 80-pin connector with 0.5mm pitch) Supply Voltage – 5V Temperature Range – -40°C to +85°C Dimensions – 62 x 36 mm (8-layer ENIG PCB) Storage – […]

August 27, 2021October 6, 2022 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 14 Comments

Imagination Technologies to design RISC-V cores

Now better known for its PowerVR embedded GPUs, Imagination Technologies tried to enter the CPU market by purchasing MIPS Technologies and introducing microAptiv, interAptiv, and proAptiv cores in 2012. It did not end up well, as the company had to sell its MIPS technology a few years later, and the MIPS architecture is now barely supported. But Imagination is now working on getting back into the CPU space by designing RISC-V cores. At least that’s what the company revealed in a press release also announcing overall revenues increased by 55% to $76m in H1 2021, with $70m in cash, and no external third-party debt. This year Imagination is re-entering the CPU market with designs based around the RISC-V open ISA. Imagination’s heritage in CPU enables it to provide innovative and patent protected technologies for the discrete CPU market as well as addressing demand for heterogeneous solutions that combine GPU, CPU […]

August 27, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

AAEON FWS-2280 is an Elkhart Lake network appliance for SD-WAN, UTM, Firewall, VPN…

AAEON FWS-2280 Elkhart Lake network appliance

AAEON FWS-2280 is a Linux network appliance based on an Intel Elkhart Lake Atom x6000E, Celeron, or Pentium processor, with up to 32GB RAM, with 5 wired interfaces, supports for wireless expansion. The system is designed to power network applications including UTM (Unified threat management ), firewall, SD-WAN (Software-defined Wide Area Network), VPN, and more. AAEON FWS-2280 specifications: SoC – Intel Elkhart Lake dual-core or quad-core processor Intel UHD Graphics, defaulting to the 10W Intel Celeron J6412 quad-core processor @ 2.0/2.6 GHz System Memory – 1x 260-pin DDR4 SO-DIMM @ 3200MHz up to 32GB Storage – SATA III port (2.5-inch SATA bay), mSATA slot Video Output – HDMI Networking 4x Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 ports via Intel i211 controllers 1x SFP cage via Intel i210 controller Optional wireless connectivity (4G, 5G, WiFi, Bluetooth, etc…) via mini PCIe and M.2 sockets, plus 5x antenna holes USB – 2x USB 2.0 port Expansion […]

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

August 26, 2021August 26, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

MiniLink IIoT Node – An Arduino compatible RS485 to LoRaWAN node with wireless expansion

Designed by Thailand-based Saijai Tech, MiniLink IIoT Node is an Arduino compatible board based on either an ESP32 WiFi & Bluetooth SoC or an unnamed Microchip Cortex-M0+ microcontroller designed for Smart Agriculture or industrial applications (e.g. PLC controllers). The board includes an RS485 interface for sensors or actuators, an ACER-branded LoRa module, and expansion headers to add an extra wireless module with either LoRa PtP (P2P, Point-to-Point), NB-IoT, or 3G/4G LTE & GNSS, and some of those add an extra RS485 port. MiniLink IIoT node key features & specifications: MCU (one or the other) Espressif ESP32 dual-core processor with 2.4 GHz WiFi and Bluetooth LE Microchip Arm Cortex-M0+ microcontroller (probably SAMD21) LPWAN – ACER AS923 LoRaWAN module Sensor interface – RS485 or UART via terminal block (jumper selectable) Expansion – 2x 14-pin header for expansion modules Misc – User & reset buttons, RS485/UART selection jumpers, user and power LEDs, USB/TTL […]

August 26, 2021 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 9 Comments

UGOOS AM7 Android 11 TV box with Amlogic S905X4, WiFi 6 is up for pre-order

When Ugoos AM6B Plus 2021 TV box was introduced with Amlogic S922X-J and WiFi 6, we noted the company was working on UGOOS AM7, a more affordable TV box that also supports WiFi 6, and comes with the latest Android 11 running on Amlogic S905X4 processor with 4K AV1 video playback. UGOOS AM7 is now available for pre-order on Aliexpress for around $128 including shipping. The device includes 4GB RAM, 32GB eMMC flash, 4K HDR video output at up to 60 Hz, Gigabit Ethernet, WiFI 6, and Bluetooth 5.0. Ugoos AM7 specifications: SoC – Amlogic S905X4 quad-core Cortex-A55 processor with Arm Mali-G31 MP2 GPU System Memory – 4GB LPDDR4 Storage – 32GB eMMC flash storage Video Output – HDMI 2.1 up to 4Kp60 with HDR, HDCP 2.2, CEC support; 3.5mm AV port with composite video (and stereo audio) Video Codecs 4Kp60 AV1, VP9, H.265/HEVC, H.264 AVC 1080p60 H264 MVC, MPEG-4, […]