CNX Software - Embedded Systems News

April 30, 2026 by Debashis Das - No Comments

STMicro VD65G4 and VD55G4 0.56MP global shutter image sensors enable ultra-low-power always-on event-driven vision

VD55G4 and VD65G4 always on ultralow power global shutter image sensors

STMicroelectronics VD65G4 and VD55G4 are ultra-low-power 0.56-megapixel global shutter CMOS image sensors designed for battery-operated edge AI and always-on vision applications. The main difference between the two sensors is that the VD65G4 features a color RGB Bayer pattern, while the VD55G4 is a monochrome sensor designed to capture visible to near-infrared (NIR) light. Both sensors use a compact 1/9-inch optical format and a 2.16 µm pixel pitch, utilizing Back Side Illuminated (BSI), CDTI, and 3D stacking technologies to achieve a tiny 2.73 x 2.16 mm bare-die footprint. STMicro VD65G4 and VD55G4 specifications: Resolution – 0.56 MP (804 x 704) Chroma VD65G4 – RGB Bayer (RGGB). VD55G4 – Monochrome (Clear, Visible to NIR). Optical Characteristics – 1/9-inch (2.3mm) optical format with a 30° linear CRA and close to 1:1 aspect ratio. Pixel Technology – 2.16 µm x 2.16 µm pixel size utilizing global shutter, BSI, CDTI, and 3D stacking. Frame Rates […]

April 29, 2026April 29, 2026 by Debashis Das - 11 Comments

MiciMike’s open-source drop-in PCB converts Google Home Mini into a local voice assistant (Crowdfunding)

The MiciMike Home Mini Drop-In PCB is an open-source replacement mainboard designed to convert a 1st Gen Google Home Mini into a fully local, privacy-focused voice assistant running Home Assistant Voice. Built around an ESP32-S3 MCU and an XMOS XU316 audio processor, it removes cloud dependencies without any case modifications or soldering. The board offers on-device wake word detection, echo cancellation, and noise suppression via two MEMS microphones, and comes pre-flashed with ESPHome for easy Home Assistant integration. The PCBA fully supports local voice processing, optional cloud LLM integration, media playback, and Snapcast. It’s released as open hardware under the CERN-OHL-S v2 license, with complete design files available, making it suitable for privacy-focused smart-home automation, DIY voice assistants, and hardware-reuse projects. MiciMike Home Mini Drop-In PCB specifications: Compatibility – Google Home Mini 1st generation Wireless MCU – Espressif Systems ESP32-S3 CPU – Dual-core Xtensa LX7 microcontroller @ up to 240 […]

SONOFF NSPanel Pro Gen2 – A 86-Type Smart Home control panel with two relays, dual-band WiFi, Zigbee 3.0, Matter support

SONOFF NSPanel Pro Gen2 is an 86-type Smart Home control panel featuring a 3.95-inch touch display, two relays supporting up to 10A, and dual-band WiFi 4, Bluetooth LE, and Zigbee 3.0 connectivity. The device also integrates a 1.5W speaker and a microphone for voice interaction, light and proximity sensors, and runs Android on a Rockchip RK3326-S SoC paired with 2GB RAM and 32GB eMMC flash. SONOFF NSPanel Pro Gen2 specifications: SoC – Rockchip RK3326-S CPU – Quad-core Cortex-A35 processor @ 1.5 GHz GPU – Arm Mali-G31 GPU System Memory – 2GB DDR3 Storage – 32GB eMMC 5.1 flash Display – 3.95-inch capacitive touchscreen color TFT display with 480×480 resolution Audio – 1.5W speaker, digital microphone for two-way communication (intercom) Connectivity Zigbee 3.0 support via EFR32MG24 Dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WiFi + Bluetooth Matter support Relay – Dual-gang relay up to 5A per gang, or 10A in total (resistive […]

April 29, 2026 by Debashis Das - No Comments

MoreSense MS-07 – An ESP32-S3 indoor air quality monitor with SEN66 multisensor and Home Assistant support

MoreSense MS-07 CO2 PM NOx VOC Temp and Hum Wifi Sensor

MoreSense MS-07 indoor air quality monitor is built around the Sensirion SEN66 multisensor, powered by an ESP32-S3 microcontroller, and features a 3.5-inch capacitive IPS touchscreen for local data visualization and control. The MS-07 is a direct upgrade to the earlier MS-06, replacing the Sensirion SCD40 used for basic CO₂, temperature, and humidity measurement with the more advanced Sensirion SEN66 multisensor, which adds support for PM1.0, PM2.5, PM4.0, PM10, nitrogen oxides (NOx), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Like the previous model, it focuses on local operation and privacy, and supports integration with Home Assistant and Domoticz via MQTT autodiscovery, as well as Homey through the HomeyDuino app. It is typically used in homes, offices, and indoor environments to track air quality, comfort levels, and pollution metrics in real time. MoreSense MS-07 specifications: Microcontroller – ESP32-S3 SoC, dual-core XTensa LX7 @ up to 240 MHz; 512KB SRAM; Integrated 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and BLE Storage […]

April 29, 2026April 29, 2026 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

Rockchip RK3326-S quad-core Cortex-A35 SBC targets smart audio devices

Boardcon EM3326S is a single board computer powered by a Rockchip RK3326-S quad-core Cortex-A35 processor paired with up to 4GB LPDDR4 memory and 128GB eMMC flash. With a 3.5mm audio jack and a speaker connector, Fast Ethernet, WiFi, and Bluetooth connectivity, the company says the board mainly targets smart audio applications. But it could certainly be used for a wider range of applications with RGB LCD and MIPI DSI display interfaces, MIPI CSI and DVP camera interfaces, an RS485 terminal block, a mini PCIe socket plus a SIM card slot for 4G LTE connectivity, and more. Boardcon EM3326S specifications: SoC – Rockchip RK3326-S CPU – Quad-core Cortex-A35 @ 1.5GHz with 512KB L2 cache GPU – Arm Mali G31-2EE with support for OpenGL ES 1.1/2.0/3.2, DirectX 11 FL9_3, OpenCL 2.0, and Vulkan 1.0 VPU Video Decoder – MPEG-4, H.264, H.265/HEVC, VP8, VC-1 up to 1080p60 Video Encoder – H.264 video encoder […]

April 28, 2026 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments

ESP32-C5-WIFI6-KIT dual-band WiFi IoT board offers up to 32MB flash, 8MB PSRAM, onboard or external WiFi antenna

Waveshare ESP32-C5-WIFI6-KIT development kit looks similar to the official Espressif Systems ESP32-C5-DevkitC-1 board, but offers a wider range of options, including different PSRAM and flash capacities, and onboard or external antenna selection. While the official devkit ships with 8MB PSRAM, 4MB SPI flash, and a PCB antenna, the Waveshare board is offered with up to 8MB PSRAM, 16MB or 32MB flash, and either a PCB and external antennas. It also adds battery support and can be ordered with or without pre-soldered headers. Waveshare ESP32-C5-WIFI6-KIT specifications: Wireless module – ESP32-C5-WROOM-1 or ESP32-C5-WROOM-1U SoC – ESP32-C5 CPU Single-core 32-bit RISC-V processor @ up to 240 MHz Low-power RISC-V core @ 40 MHz acting as the main processor for power-sensitive applications Memory – 384 KB SRAM on-chip Storage – 320 KB ROM Connectivity Dual-band (2.4GHz/5 GHz) 802.11ax WiFi 6, with 802.11b/g/n WiFi 4 standard fallback 20MHz bandwidth for the 802.11ax mode 20/40MHz bandwidth […]

April 28, 2026 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 21 Comments

What a difference two years make? Comparing SBC prices in 2024 and 2026

Looking back, 2024 feels like a golden year for single board computers, as the increasing price of RAM (and storage and other components) since late 2025 due to the AI demand has made those much less attractive, price/performance ratio-wise. We’ve already documented Raspberry Pi SBC price hikes, and after several increases, the Raspberry Pi 5 16GB went from $120 to $305, or a 154% change in price. Yesterday, I noticed the Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero had a new version with 4GB RAM and 32GB eMMC flash, and a reader was quick to point out the $181 price tag to Europe was painful, bearing in mind it also includes VAT and shipping. Looking at the original December 2023 article, the BPI-M4 Zero 2GB/8GB sold for $28.90 plus shipping, and it now shows up at $115 before taxes. That’s a 297% hike, or about four times the price from a little over […]

April 28, 2026April 27, 2026 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 8 Comments

ESP32-C5 Mini USB-C board supports 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WiFi 6, up to 14x GPIO pins for IoT projects

ESP32-C5 Mini is a tiny development board with dual-band (2.4/5 GHz) WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.x LE, and an 802.15.4 radio for Zigbee, Thread, and Matter, as well as two 9-pin headers offering up to fourteen GPIOs for IoT and Smart Home projects. It reminds me of the XIAO ESP32-C5, but it’s slightly longer and features an ESP32-C5HF4 SoC instead of an ESP32-C5HR8 + 8MB SPI flash, meaning it lacks PSRAM, and only comes with 4MB flash on-chip instead of external flash. It also adds four GPIO pins and comes with a built-in antenna and an IPEX antenna connector. NiceMCU ESP32-C5 Mini specifications: Wireless MCU – Espressif Systems ESP32-C5HF4 CPU Single-core 32-bit RISC-V processor @ up to 240 MHz Low-power RISC-V core @ 48 MHz acting as the main processor for power-sensitive applications Memory – 384 KB SRAM on-chip Storage – 320 KB ROM, 4MB SPI flash Wireless Dual-band (2.4/5 GHz) […]