CNX Software - Embedded Systems News

January 5, 2019 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 11 Comments

D-Link DWR-2010 5G NR Enhanced Gateway Targets the Home Market

It’s possible to use 3G/4G WiFi router either with built-in support or an external cellular USB dongle, but most people likely do so as a backup solution since fixed broadband Internet is usually cheaper and faster, obviously depending on your location. But things may be different with 5G connectivity as currently announced 5G modems, such as Qualcomm Snapdragon X50 or Samsung Exynos Modem 5100, promise download speeds of up to 5 to 6 Gbps. D-Link has unveiled 5G NR WiFi 5 gateway for the home market with D-Link DWR-2010 right before CES 2019. The 5G NR enhanced gateway supports download speeds that are over 40 times faster than the average fixed broadband speed of 70 Mbps in the US, so that would be close to 3 Gbps. D-Link DWR-2010 5G NR enhanced gateway key features: 5G connectivity Chipset – Qualcomm SDX55 (Snapdragon X55) Embedded 5GNR NSA module (3GPP Rel.15) Sub-6 […]

January 4, 2019 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 8 Comments

Necunos NC_1 is a Pricey Open Source Linux “Phone” without Modem

Several weeks ago, I wrote about the upcoming “Necuno Mobile” phone made by a company called Necunos and running Linux on NXP i.MX6 Quad processor. The phone was supposed to be 100% open source hardware which all software and hardware resources to be made available publicly. There has been progress since then, as well as a name change since Necunos NC_1 is now up for pre-order for 1,199 Euros including VAT and international shipping with delivery promised in March 2019. Necunos NC_1 specifications are said to include: SoC – NXP i.MX 6Quad quad-core Arm Cortex-A9 processor with Vivante GPU System Memory – 1GB RAM Storage – 8 GB storage Display – 5″ touchscreen (attached or detached) Audio – 3.5mm audio jack, built-in microphone, and speaker Connectivity – 2.4 GHz 802.11 b/g/n WiFi Misc – Power, volume, and user programmable buttons USB – 1x micro USB port Battery – 3,500 mAh […]

Graperain Samsung, Rockchip RK3588, and Qualcomm CPU modules, SBCs, and carrier boards

January 4, 2019January 4, 2019 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments

PIPO X3 Windows Mini PC / PoS Integrates a Thermal Printer

PIPO has launched several Windows 10 mini PC with a built-in touchscreen display suitable for PoS (Point of Sale) applications. You just had to connect your own thermal printer and/or barcode scanner. It now appears the company has taken their Atom x5 based PIPO X12 model and redesigned a case around the main board to integrate a thermal printer to print receipts. Meet PIPO X3. PIPO X3 specifications: SoC – Intel Atom x5-Z8350 “Cherry Trail” quad-core processor @ 1.44 GHz / 1.92 GHz (Turbo) with Intel HD graphics 400 System Memory – 2 GB DDR3 Storage – 32 GB flash, and micro SD slot up to 64GB Display – 8.9″ PLS display with 1920×1200 resolution Video Output – HDMI 1.4a output Audio Output – HDMI, 3.5mm audio jack, built-in stereo speaker. Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet ports, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi 4 and Bluetooth 4.0 with external antenna USB – 3x USB […]

January 4, 2019January 4, 2019 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 16 Comments

MECOOL KM8 P Octa-core TV Box Sells for $21 and Up (Promo)

From time to time some pretty good deals come up in my news feed, and today I’ve found out MECOOL KM8 P, a TV box powered by Amlogic S912 octa-core processor is sold for $21.28 and up including shipping. The lowest price is for the 1GB RAM / 8GB flash version, so you may consider selecting the 2GB/16GB model for $33.60 instead if you are interested in this type of device. Mecool KM8 P specifications: SoC – Amlogic S912 octa-core ARM Cortex A53 processor @ up to 1.5 GHz with Arm Mali-820MP3 System Memory – 1 or 2GB DDR3 Storage – 8 or 16GB eMMC flash, micro SD slot up to 32GB Video & Audio Output – HDMI 2.0a up to 4K @ 60Hz with CEC and HDR support, and 3.5mm AV port (composite + stereo audio) Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet, dual-band 802.11 b/g/n/ac WiFi 5 USB – 2x USB […]

January 3, 2019 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 11 Comments

IPFS Distributed, Resilient Internet Protocol Aims to Replace HTTP

HTTP(S) is the protocol used to retrieve content from the Internet, and files are stored in a server with all clients downloading files from this location. It works fine, but also comes with shortcomings such as traffic costs for the content provider, lack of resiliency if the server is down, and lack of persistence as for example all files hosted on GeoCities web hosting service are now gone. Having all files hosted on a single server also makes it too easy for governments or companies to censor content. But while looking at FOSDEM 2019 schedule yesterday, I found out an initiative aiming to solve HTTP shortcomings had been in development for several years, IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) is a described as a peer-to-peer hypermedia protocol to make the web faster, safer, and more open, with the ultimate goal of replacing HTTP. The four main advantages over HTTP listed for the […]

January 3, 2019January 3, 2019 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments

LG Unveils 8K, HDMI 2.1 Capable TVs Powered by Alpha 9 Gen 2 Processor

Last year Samsung unveiled their first 8K TV right before CES 2018 with a 85″ QLED model that can now be yours for a cool $15,000, and capable of upscaling SD / HD content to 8K using artificial intelligence since 8K content was not – and still is not – broadly available. One year has passed, and now LG has announced two new 8K TVs with HDMI 2.1 inputs just before CES 2019. Both 88″ Z9 OLED TV and 75″ SM99 8K LCD TV are powered by the company’s α9 (Alpha 9) Gen 2 processor running deep learning algorithms to deliver enhanced picture and sound. The press release gives an overview of how AI works on both video and audio as follows: In addition to content source detection, the new processor finely adjusts the tone mapping curve in accordance with ambient conditions to offer optimized screen brightness, leveraging its ability […]

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

January 3, 2019January 3, 2019 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments

Samsung Exynos Auto V9 Octa-core Cortex A76 Processor Targets Automotive Infotainment Systems

Samsung Exynos processors are well known for their use in mobile processor, but the company has now announced their first automotive grade processor with Exynos Auto V9 SoC featuring eight Cortex A76 cores clocked at up to 2.1 GHz, a Mali G76 GPU, a HiFi 4 audio digital signal processor (DSP), an intelligent neural processing unit (NPU), and a safety island core that supports Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL)-B standards. Exynos Auto V9 does not come with the latest Cortex-A76AE cores for autonomous driving, as instead the processor is specifically designed for in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) systems, and will be found in Audi cars starting in 2021. The processor also supports LPDDR4 and LPDDR5 DRAM, can control up to six independent displays and twelve cameras. Three separate sets of Mali G76 GPU cores will enable simultaneous support for the cluster display, central information display (CID) and rear-seat entertainment (RSE). The NPU […]

January 2, 2019 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 25 Comments

ESP-EYE ESP32 AI Development Board Supports Face detection, Voice wakeup

Sometimes last month, Espressif Systems contacted me to send a mysterious new development kit together with a 10-year anniversary T-shirt, an offer I found hard to decline 🙂 So I got a new year present this morning delivered by DHL… The letter lists the main specifications of ESP-EYE development board: WiSoC- ESP32 dual core Tensilica LX6 processor with WiFi and Bluetooth Memory – 8MB PSRAM Storage – 4MB flash Camera – 2MP OV2640 camera Audio – Microphone USB – 1x micro USB port for power and programming Misc – Reset, boot and function buttons, 2x LEDs Dimensions – 41 x 21 mm It reminds me of ESP32-CAM camera board, except it adds a microphone, it’s even smaller, and as an official Espressif board, software support might be better. AI features such as face recognition or detection, and voice wake-up are supported out of the box. The board ships with a […]

Boardcon LGA3576 Rockchip RK3576 System-on-Module designed for AI and IoT applications