CNX Software - Embedded Systems News

August 16, 2023 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 11 Comments

SONOFF MINIR4M – A Matter-compatible WiFi Smart Switch

SONOFF MINI Extreme (MINIR4M) is the first Matter-certified home automation device from the company and appears to be based on the same hardware design as the SONOFF MINI Extreme (MINIR4) ESP32 WiFi smart switch that we reviewed last March and is still working fine in my bedroom. Support for the Matter protocol means better interoperability with other brands of Matter-certified products, so you should be able to use the MINIR4M wireless switch with a Samsung Matter-certified Smart Home gateway instead, as well as Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and other apps besides the eWelink mobile app. The main visual difference I see between the MINIR4 and MINIR4M is the color with Orange referring to WiFi support and Green to Matter support. SONOFF MINI Extreme (MINIR4M) specifications: MCU – Espressif Systems ESP32 dual-core wireless microcontroller Connectivity 2.4 GHz WiFi 4 Bluetooth LE used for pairing Matter certification Input – 100-240V […]

August 16, 2023August 17, 2023 by Sponsored Post - No Comments

Mecpow X3 Pro – A newly launched 10W laser engraver with air assist kit (Sponsored)

Mecpow X3 Pro 10W laser engraver air assist

Mecpow X3 Pro is a 10W laser engraver with an air assist kit to improve both the cutting accuracy and quality since it prevents the formation of soot on the surface of the material by removing debris and smoke for a cleaner cut or engraving. The laser engraver offers a wide 410x400mm working area that can be extended up to 750x400mm with an additional kit, precise engraving and cutting with 0.01mm accuracy, and plenty of safety features to protect the users such as an emergency button, fall detection, a flame sensor, etc… Mecpow X3 pro highlights: Laser – 10W diode laser with fixed focus Engraving accuracy – 0.01mm Focus spot – 0.06×0.08mm Engraving area – 410 x 400 mm. An optional extended kit is also available bringing that to 750 x 400mm Safety Sensors – Flame sensor and gyroscope for tilt alarm to stop the machine’s operation in the event […]

August 16, 2023 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

BOXER-6406-ADN Alder Lake-N fanless embedded computer supports 9V-36V DC input

AAEON Alder Lake-N Fanless Embedded Computer

AAEON BOXER-6406-ADN is a compact fanless embedded computer powered by the popular Intel Alder Lake-N family of processors with their the Processor N50, Processor N200, or Intel Atom x7211E SoC. The mini PC comes with up to 32GB DDR5, supports M.2 NVMe SSDs and 2.5-inch SATA drives for storage, integrates two HDMI 2.0 video outputs and two 2.5GbE ports, and features specific to the embedded/industrial market such as three DB9 serial connectors (COM ports), one DB15 connector for digital I/Os, and a wide range 9V-36V DC input terminal block. BOXER-6406-ADN specifications: Alder Lake-N SoC (one or the other) Intel Atom x7211E dual-core processor up to 3.2 GHz with 6MB cache, 16EU Intel UHD Graphics; 6W TDP Intel Processor N50 dual-core processor up to 3.4 GHz with 6MB cache, 16EU Intel UHD Graphics; TDP: 6W Intel Processor N200 quad-core processor up to 3.7 GHz with 6MB cache, 32EU Intel HD graphics; […]

August 16, 2023 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment

Ultra-compact 45x43mm CPU module features TI Sitara AM6231, AM6252, or AM6254 Arm SoC

Texas Instruments Sitara AM6254 development board

MYiR Tech has just announced the tiny, yet full-featured MYC-YM62X CPU module powered by Texas Instruments Sitara AM6231, AM6252, or AM6254 Cortex-A53/M4 processor for HMI and IoT applications as well as the corresponding MYD-YM62X development board used for evaluation. The new MYiR module joins other Texas Instruments AM62x system-on-modules such as Toradex Verdin AM62, Forlinx FET625x-C, Variscite VAR-SOM-AM62, and others, but at just 45x43mm, it is the smallest AM62x CPU module we’ve seen so far yet the company says it still provides access to all features from the processor thanks to its 222 castellated holes. MYC-YM62X CPU Module Specifications: SoC (one or the other) Texas Instruments AM6254 (AM6254ATCGGAALW) with quad-core Cortex-A53 @ 1.4GHz, Cortex-M4F real-time core @ 400MHz, 3D GPU, 2x PRU-SS running up to 333MHz Texas Instruments AM6252 (AM6252ATCGGAALW) with dual-core Cortex-A53 @ 1.4GHz, Cortex-M4F real-time core @ 400MHz , no GPU, PRU-SS running up to 333MHz Texas Instruments […]

August 15, 2023November 13, 2023 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 6 Comments

Khadas Mind Review – An ultra-thin Core i7-1360P mini PC tested with Windows 11

We wrote about the Khadad Mind portable mini PC a few weeks ago with quite a unique design bringing the Intel Core i7-1360P Raptor Lake processor to a super thin design and enabling extension through the Mind Link connector with PCIe, HDMI 2.1, and USB 3.2 Gen 2 interfaces. We’ve now had time to test the Khadas Mind with the Khadas Dock adding 2.5GbE, two HDMI ports, and several 5 Gbps USB connectors, as well as an audio jack and a full-size SD card reader with the Windows 11 Home operating system, so we’ll report our experience that has been mostly positive. Software overview and features testing The Khadas Mind ships with Windows 11 Home 22H2 build 22621.1992 and the System About menu confirms we have a mini PC equipped with an Intel Core i7-1360P processor with 32GB RAM. HWiNFO64 provides more details about the Core i7-1360P processor, Khadas Mind […]

August 15, 2023August 16, 2023 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 7 Comments

Mini review of GGtag e-paper display programmable through sound or USB serial

GGtag is a 3.52-inch e-paper display based on the Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller and programmable through sound or USB serial from your web browser, plus it also supports emulation of 125 kHz RFID tags (ASK and FSK). When Radoslav Gerganov contacted me about the upcoming Crowd Supply campaign for the GGtag e-paper badge, I happened to have just discussed using an e-paper display to sell some samples on Facebook Groups where requirements include using the seller’s name and date in the photos. So I asked for a sample if any were available, and I just received it today… GGTag specifications: MCUs Raspberry Pi RP2040 dual-core Cortex-M0+ microcontroller @ 133 MHz with 264KB SRAM Microchip ATtiny85 8-bit AVR microcontroller (used for RFID) Storage – 2 MB flash Display – 3.52-inc e-paper display with USB – 1x USB Type-C port for power and serial programming Sensor – PDM digital microphone for data-over-sound […]

August 15, 2023 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment

Privacy-focused DIY video doorbell leverages ESP32-CAM board, ESPHome firmware, Home Assistant

Seeing the lack of privacy-focused video doorbells on the market, Tristam (aka ThatGuy) decided to design his own doorbell with an ESP32-CAM board purchased from Amazon and flashed with ESPHome open-source firmware for easy integration with Home Assistant so there’s no need to rely on third-party cloud services. The DIY design also comes with other off-the-shelf parts with a momentary push button, a 10kΩ resistor, an RGB LED ring light, M2.5 brass inserts and screws, and a 10-meter micro USB cable all of which can be purchased from Amazon or another shop. He also needed eSUN white PETG filament to 3D print the custom plastic enclosure. The assembly requires two wires to the push button for 3.3V and GPIO 14 pulled to the ground with the 10k Ohm resistor and three wires to the RGB LED ring (5V, GND, GPIO15). Tristam notes the RGB LED ring is optional, and the […]

August 14, 2023August 14, 2023 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments

ALFA Network HaLow-U – An 802.11ah WiFi HaLow USB adapter supporting AP and STA mode

ALFA Network HaLow-U is an 802.11ah WiFi HaLow USB adapter based on the Newracom NRC7292 chipset and NXP i.MX 6 processor that works both in access point (AP) and client (STA) modes. It delivers long-range WiFi up to one kilometer in the 900 MHz frequency ISM bands and is mostly useful for IP cameras and high-end sensors. The ecosystem around WiFi HaLow (802.11ah) is expanding slowly, but surely, and we previously covered a mini PCIe card, a WiFi HaLow development board, and a gateway kit to extend the range of IP cameras, and also ALFA Network’s AHPI7292S Raspberry Pi HAT that found its way into RAKWireless WisGate Connect gateway. The new HaLow-U USB adapter adds another way to bring WiFi HaLow connectivity to more devices. HaLow-U specifications: SoC – NXP i.MX6 Arm Cortex-A9 processor System Memory – 256MB DDR3 Storage – 32MB NOR flash Connectivity 802.11ah HaLow Newracom NRC7292 chipset […]