mcu News - Page 3 of 64 - CNX Software

October 9, 2025October 8, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 6 Comments

upyOS modular MicroPython-based OS for microcontrollers works with ESP32, RP2040, etc…

upyOS is a modular, lightweight MicroPython-based operating system (OS) that provides a Unix-like experience on low-resource microcontrollers such as Espressif Systems ESP32/ESP32-C3/ESP32-S3, Raspberry Pi RP2040, and others. Inspired by smolOS, upyOS offers remote development tools, OTA updates, and a built-in web server. Its modular architecture separates system functions into reusable components, instead of large, monolithic programs. Key Features: Modular architecture: Commands and system functionality are broken down into small, independent modules to reduce memory usage. Built-in shell environment: Execute commands and scripts directly, providing a Unix-like CLI experience. Startup and shutdown scripting: Configure boot and shutdown behaviors using /etc/init.sh and /etc/end.sh. Recovery mode: A built-in failsafe mechanism lets users recover the system when booting fails. Background execution: Supports threads and asyncio for background tasks, along with & sufix, hold, resume, kill and killall commands for process control. Remote development support: Telnet and FTP servers allow file transfer and terminal access over […]

October 7, 2025November 19, 2025 by Debashis Das - 5 Comments

Sub $7 CH32V317 board offers 10/100Mbps Ethernet, dual USB 2.0 Type-C, DVP interface

The nanoCH32V317 from MuseLab is a low-cost RISC-V development board designed for prototyping embedded systems and education. Built around the 144MHz WCH CH32V317WCU6 MCU. This development board is suitable for various embedded, IoT, prototyping, and automation projects. Other features of the development board include a USB 2.0 high-speed and full-speed controller, a 10/100Mbps Ethernet MAC with PHY, SDIO, and a DVP interface for digital video input, as well as advanced motor PWM timers for control applications. The board also includes an 8MHz main crystal and a 32.768KHz RTC crystal. For programming, it includes a dual USB Type-C interface, a USB ISP, as well as an SWD port. nanoCH32V317 board specifications: MCU – WCH CH32V317WCU6 32-bit RISC-V core up to 144 MHz clock frequency USB 2.0 High-Speed (HS) and Full-Speed (FS) controllers Integrated Ethernet MAC + 10/100M PHY DVP interface, SDIO, and advanced motor PWM timer support Memory – Up to […]

October 6, 2025November 19, 2025 by Debashis Das - No Comments

1GHz Renesas RA8T2 Cortex-M85 MCUs feature MRAM and EtherCAT for industrial motor control

Renesas has recently introduced the new RA8T2, an AI-powered motor control Cortex-M85 MCU that can be considered a direct upgrade to the RA8T1, which launched last year. The RA8T2 offers higher performance along with networking options for industrial, robotics, and other motor control systems. The RA8T2 features a 1GHz Arm Cortex-M85 core, an optional 250MHz Cortex-M33 core, up to 1MB MRAM and 2MB SRAM, a 300MHz PWM timer, dual 16-bit ADCs with simultaneous sampling, high-speed comparators, fast PWM shutdown, and more. Connectivity options include dual Gigabit Ethernet, EtherCAT slave, USB, CAN FD, I3C, and SPI, while security features include TrustZone and a cryptographic engine. Renesas RA8T2 key features and specifications: MCU core Arm Cortex-M85 up to 1 GHz (Armv8.1-M, TrustZone, FPU, MVE, ETM) Arm Cortex-M33 up to 250 MHz (Armv8-M, DSP, TrustZone, ETM) Memory & Storage Up to 1 MB MRAM 2 MB SRAM (with ECC) 256 KB TCM for […]

October 5, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 11 Comments

Easily add 80+ Mbps Ethernet to microcontrollers with WIZ630io QSPI RJ45 module

WIZnet WIZ630io is a small module featuring an RJ45 jack and a W6300 controller supporting up to 80+ Mbps Ethernet over QSPI @ 150 MHz. As a reminder, the W6300 features 64KB of SRAM for 8 sockets, each with a 4KB TX/RX buffer by default. It is notably found in the WIZnet W6300-EVB-Pico2 development board powered by a Raspberry Pi RP2350 MCU. The WIZ630io allows you to easily add Ethernet to any RP2350 board or other microcontroller with a SPI or QSPI interface. WIZnet WIZ630io specifications: W6300 QSPI Ethernet controller Host Interface – High-speed QSPI (MODE 0/3), system bus with 2 address signals & 8-bit data Internal 32KB SRAM for Tx/ Rx buffers (64KB in total) 8x independent sockets with 64KB Memory 10BaseT / 10BaseTe / 100BaseTX Ethernet PHY Integrated Auto negotiation (Full and half-duplex, 10 and 100-based) Auto-MDIX only on Auto-Negotiation Mode IP Fragmentation not supported Hardwired TCP/IP protocols […]

September 29, 2025November 2, 2025 by Debashis Das - No Comments

Olimex RP2350-PICO2 open hardware boards expose all 48 GPIOs for breadboard prototyping

Olimex RP2350 PICO2 BB48 Open Source Development Board

Olimex RP2350-PICO2-BB48 and RP2350-PICO2-BB48R open hardware development boards are built around the Raspberry Pi RP2350B MCU, and expose all 48 GPIOs in a 0.6-inch dual-inline PCB layout. Compared to the earlier PICO2-XL and PICO2-XXL boards, this new board features a breadboard-friendly design with options for PSRAM and microSD on the BB48R version. Other features include USB-C power/data, BOOT and RESET buttons, a 2A 3.3V regulator, UEXT and Qwiic/Stemma connectors, status LED, and debug pads. With pre-soldered headers, it can be plugged directly into a breadboard, making it ideal for DIY projects, IoT, retro computing, and hardware prototyping. Olimex RP2350-PICO2-BB48 and RP2350-PICO2-BB48R specifications: MCU – Raspberry Pi RP2350B CPU Dual-core Arm Cortex-M33 @ 150 MHz with Arm Trustzone, Secure boot OR Dual-core RISC-V Hazard3 @ 150 MHz Either two cores can be used. Memory – 520 KB on-chip SRAM Package – QFN-80 Memory – 8 MB external QSPI PSRAM (only on […]

September 26, 2025September 26, 2025 by Debashis Das - No Comments

Nordic nRF54LM20A Cortex-M33 wireless MCU doubles the SRAM to 512 KB, increases flash capacity

Nordic Semiconductor nRF54LM20A Low Power Matter Bluetooth MCU

Nordic Semi’s nRF54LM20A is a new Cortex-M33-based high-memory wireless MCU part of the nRF54L Series with double the SRAM and higher flash capacity compared ot the nRF54L15. It targets consumer, industrial, healthcare, and smart home applications, and is especially suitable for HID peripherals and gaming devices. The SoC integrates a 128 MHz Arm Cortex-M33 core with a RISC-V coprocessor, 2 MB NVM, and 512 KB RAM, alongside up to 66 GPIOs, high-speed USB, and Nordic’s fourth-generation ultra-low-power 2.4 GHz radio supporting Bluetooth LE, Thread, Zigbee, Channel Sounding, and Matter. It offers twice the processing power, three times the efficiency, and up to 50% lower power consumption than the nRF52 Series. nRF54LM20A key specifications and comparison with other nRF54 Series SoCs: The nRF54LM20A comes in two packages: a CSP98 (3.9 x 3.7 mm) package for compact designs with 66 GPIOs, and a QFN52 (6 x 6 mm) package with 35 GPIO […]

September 24, 2025September 23, 2025 by Debashis Das - No Comments

Renesas RA0L1 low-cost Cortex-M23 MCUs adds capacitive, EMI-resistant touch

Renesas RA0 Capacitive Touch Ultra Low Power MCUs

Renesas has expanded its low-cost RA0 series of low-cost, low-power Cortex-M23 MCUs with the new RA0L1, the first in the lineup to feature integrated capacitive touch. Designed for low-cost battery-powered applications with responsive touch control, ultra-low current consumption, and fast wake-up. The RA0L1 combines up to 64KB flash, 16KB SRAM, and a 1.6V–5.5V operating range with peripherals such as a 12-bit ADC, temperature sensor, multiple UART/I2C/SPI interfaces, timers, RTC, and a random number generator. It supports up to 24 capacitive touch channels using Renesas’ self-capacitance technology, a high-accuracy ±1% on-chip oscillator, safety functions, and security features including TRNG and unique ID. Renesas RA0L1 MCU specifications: MCU Core – Arm Cortex-M23 Armv8-M Core up to 32MHz Memory and Storage 16KB SRAM with parity Code Flash – Up to 64KB Data Flash – 1KB(1M program/erase cycles) Flash read protection (FRP) 128-bit unique ID Human-Machine Interface Capacitive Touch Sensing Unit – up to […]

September 22, 2025September 22, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 5 Comments

Using an overpowered vape as a secondary display

Last week, we noted that it was possible to run a web server on a disposable vape through its USB-C port, and now I’ve been shown DOOM on an even more overpowered vape acting as a secondary display, which is a bit larger in size than the WeAct Display FS 0.96-inch USB display we just covered. Perhaps I should add a ‘vaporware’ category on CNX Software… The new hack was done by Aaron Christophel (ACT1441) using an Aspire PIXO Vape with a Cortex-M4F MCU, a small color LCD, a USB-C port, Bluetooth LE connectivity, and a battery. Aspire PIXO vape hardware specifications: MCU – Puxa PY32F403XC Arm Cortex-M4F microcontroller @ 144 MHz with 64KB RAM, 256KB Flash Storage – External 16MB SPI Flash Display – 323 x 173 LCD Wireless – WS8000 BLE chip USB – 1x USB Type-C port Misc Heating Coil Vape microphone (designed to detect airflow from […]