CNX Software - Embedded Systems News

April 25, 2019 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 3 Comments

Mecool K6 Dual DVB-T2/T/C + DVB-S2 Tuner TV box is Powered by HiSilicon Hi3798M Processor

VideoStrong has launched many Amlogic based Android TV boxes with one or two digital TV tuners, often under the Mecool brand, over the years. But their latest Mecool K6 set-top box features instead an HiSilicon Hi3798M processor with GB RAM, 16GB storage, and two independent tuners supporting DVB-T2/T/C and DVB-S2 standards for respectively terrestrial & cable TV, and satellite. Meecool K6 set-top box specifications: SoC – Hisilicon Hi3798M quad-core Arm Cortex-A53 processor, Arm Mali 450MP GPU System memory – 2GB DDR3 Storage – 16GB eMMC Flash, microSD card slot up to 32GB Video Output – HDMI 2.0 up to 4K/2K with HDCP2.2, HDR; AV port (composite) Video Decoder HiVXE 2.0 Processing Engine 10-bit H.265/HEVC, H.264 AVC, 10-bit VP9 up to 4Kx2K @ 60 fps Encode – H.265 up to 1080p30 or 2x 720p30 fps HDR – HDR10 & HLG Audio Output – HDMI digital audio, stereo audio via AV port, optical S/PDIF […]

April 25, 2019 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 3 Comments

Gateworks GW16130 Mini PCIe Satellite Modem Targets IoT Applications

Some IoT applications may require 24/7 worldwide coverage, and cellular networks are suitable since they may not provide coverage in remote locations, at sea, or at altitude. The only solution in that case is to go with satellite communication through thank to networks such as the ones provided by Iridium Communications. Gateworks GW16130 makes it easy to add a satellite modem card to your projects thanks to it’s mini PCIe form factor and USB 2.0 interface. Gateworks GW16130 mini PCIe card key features & specifications: Iridium 9603N SBD (Short Burst Data) Satellite Transceiver Max Message payload – 340 bytes upload, 270 bytes download Automatic message notification on incomming messages Operates anywhere on earth including North & South Poles Supports E-mail messages or HTTP POST UART AT command interface Operating frequency – 1616MHz to 1626.5MHz 1.6W Average transmit power -117dBm Receiver sensitivity Onboard u.Fl antenna port for antenna connection Host Interface […]

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

April 24, 2019April 24, 2019 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments

SAPPHIRE FS-FP5R 5×5 AMD Ryzen R1606G/R1505G Motherboard Comes with Three DisplayPort++ Outputs

AMD Ryzen Embedded R1000 dual core/quad thread processors launched a few days ago, and we’ve seen a few products based on the new processor including Atari VCS gaming console, and ASRock iBox-R1000 mini PC as well as the corresponding 4″ NUC-R1000 motherboard. Sapphire FS-FP5R 5×5 is another motherboard based on AMD Ryzen R1606G or R1505G processor with support for three independent display connected over DisplayPort++, and targeting for small form factor embedded applications such as electronic gaming machines, medical imaging, interactive digital signage, thin clients, PoS (Point-of-Sale) terminals and more. Sapphire FS-FP5R 5×5 specifications: SoC (one or the other) AMD Ryzen Embedded R1505G dual core/quad core processor @ with Radeon Vega 3 graphics; 12 to 25W TDP AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G dual core/quad core processor @ with Radeon Vega 3 graphics; 12 to 25W TDP System Memory – 2x DDR4 ECC/Non-ECC SO-DIMMs; Dual Channel speed up to DDR4-2400 Storage – […]

April 24, 2019April 25, 2019 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 9 Comments

Geniatech ATV1660K TV Box Supports Dual HDMI Output, HDMI Input

There are many applications that may benefit from dual display support from digital signage to healthcare to retail or entertainment either to provide access to two different output for the service provider and customer or simply to mirror content. Most Android TV boxes only come with one display output however, so in most cases, you’d have to switch to an Intel mini PC or add a USB-C display adapter if supported by the hardware. Geniatech ATV1660K TV box supports dual HDMI output out of the box, as well as HDMI input. The Android 5.1 TV box is powered by the time-tested Rockchip RK3288 processor and comes with 2GB RAM and 16GB storage by default. Geniatech ATV1660K specifications: SoC – Rockchip RK3288 quad-core Arm Cortex-A17 processor at up to 1.8GHz, with Mali-T764 GPU System Memory – 2GB DDR3 (1GB optional) Storage – 16GB eMMC flash (4GB-32GB optional), full-size SD card slot […]

April 24, 2019 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 31 Comments

RK3588 8K Arm Cortex-A76/A55 SoC, Rockchip Roadmap to 2020

Rockchip had their annual event yesterday offering a view of past achievements, as well as a glimpse into the future with new products announcements. The company is ready to go to the next level with their Rockchip RK3588 featuring Cortex-A76 and Cortex-A55 cores, 8K video decoding support, 4K user interface support, an NPU 2.0 (Neural Processing Unit) manufactured using an 8nm LP process. The processor should have eight cores in a 4+4 dynamIQ configuration according to a tip from “coldfish”, and the new 8nm process is expected to increase performance by 20 to 30 percent, while the power consumption will be reduced by 40 percent. Mass production is expected for Q1 2020. The company also showed a slide with their video encoder/decoder IP, and Gen3 should be in RK3588 since that’s the only one with an 8K 60 fps decoder using either AVS3 or H.266 (VVC). I’m quite confused with […]

April 24, 2019 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment

Intrinsyc Open-Q 855 Snapdragon 855 Development Board Launched for $1,149

When we wrote about Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Hardware Development Kit last month, and while it was not available at the time, we expected it to eventually be sold through Intrinsyc. And sure enough, the company is now taking orders for the very first Snapdragon 855 development board sold under the “Open-Q 855” name. Price tag: $1,149 for the board only. The expansion board and display pictured below are not included by default and sold separately We already had a pretty good idea of the technical details last month, but Intrinsyc has provided us with the missing bits of information for Snapdragon 855 HDK specifications: SoC – Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Octa-core processor with 1x Kryo 485 Gold Prime core at up to 2.7+ GHz, 3x Kryo 485 Gold cores at up to 2.4+ GHz, and 4x Kryo 485 Silver low-power cores at up to 1.7 GHz, Adreno 640 GPU, Hexagon 690 […]

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

April 23, 2019April 23, 2019 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment

Ruuvi Node Open-source Node Solution Combines Nordic Semi nRF9160 Cellular SiP & nRF52840 Bluetooth SoC

Back in 2016, we covered Ruuvi Innovations’ Ruuvitag open source Bluetooth & NFC sensor beacon is based on Nordic Semi nRF52832 Bluetooth SoC. The company has now introduced Ruuvi node, another open source multi-purpose, industrial-grade cellular gateway, environmental sensing, and asset tracking node solution based on not one, but two Nordic Semi chips with nRF91 cellular IoT SiP (System-in-Package) with NB-IoT and LTE M (eMTC) connectivity and nRF52840 multi-protocol Bluetooth 5.0 SoC. It’s an early announcement with the launch of the first pilots of Ruuvi Node planned for Q2/Q3 of this year, so the full specifications are yet to be released. However, thanks to a press release on Nordic Semi website, we do know that Ruuvi Node is meant to be maintenance-free, will include a solar panel for energy harvesting (which mean the included 45Wh battery may never run out depending on the application), several environmental sensors, GPS positioning provided […]

April 23, 2019April 23, 2019 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 9 Comments

Qualcomm Centriq ArmServer SoCs Are Truly Dead with the Closure of HuaXinTong

We already knew Qualcomm had given up on their Centriq processor since mid June 2018, but earlier this year, it seemed the solution had found a new life with HuaXinTong StarDragon 4800 Server SoC born out of a joint venture between Qualcomm and Guizhou provincial government. The processor was allegedly a customized version of the original Centriq 2460 48-core Arm SoC. But recent reports point out that 10 employees from HuaXinTong Semiconductor (aka HXT) have claimed the joint venture is closing down with executives at the company said the venture would shut down by April 30 in an internal meeting. HXT representatives declined to comment on the rumor. The Arm server market is really brutal. Qualcomm and Guizhou government had invested a combined $570 million in HXT as of August 2018 according to company’s fillings. Broadcom and AMD gave up one Arm server chips a little while ago. AFAIK, this […]