Bulgarian open hardware specialist Olimex has revealed its latest innovation, the ESP32-H2-DevKit-LiPo. This compact, cost-effective development board is specifically crafted for individuals keen on delving into Matter devices and the Internet of Things (IoT).
At the heart of the ESP32-H2-DevKit-LiPo lies the Espressif ESP32-H2 microcontroller. Sporting a single 32-bit core clocked at up to 96MHz, this chip boasts 32kB of static RAM, 128kB of on-chip ROM, 4kB of low-power RAM (LPRAM), and 4MB of flash memory, ensuring ample resources for diverse IoT applications.
The board’s versatility is further enhanced by its array of 19 GPIO pins and integrated peripherals, including ADC, SPI, I2C, I2S, UART buses, and PWM support. Such features empower users to customize and expand their projects with ease.
However, the ESP32-H2-DevKit-LiPo truly shines in its wireless capabilities. It boasts support for Bluetooth 5 Low Energy and IEEE 802.15.4 LR-WPAN, encompassing protocols like Thread, Zigbee, and the emerging Matter standard. This enables seamless connectivity and communication across IoT devices, paving the way for innovative applications.
Practicality meets convenience with the board’s design, featuring two USB Type-C connectors for programming and debugging, a lithium-polymer (LiPo) battery connector with charging circuitry, and connectors like Qwiic/STEMMA QT and UEXT for hassle-free expansion.
Despite its advanced features, the ESP32-H2-DevKit-LiPo remains remarkably affordable, priced at just €8 (approximately $8.66). Orders are now open on the Olimex store, with shipping slated to commence by the end of the month. Additionally, the hardware design files are available on GitHub under the reciprocal GNU General Public License 3, fostering a culture of openness and collaboration in the IoT community.
In a previous post, we discussed the Radxa Zero 3W & 3E, both powered by the Rockchip RK3566 and designed to mimic the form factor of the Raspberry Pi Zero 2W and Orange Pi Zero 2W. At that time, Radxa had not disclosed its pricing. However, they have recently announced that these models will be available exclusively at the Arace Tech online store with competitive pricing.
The SBC is powered by an RK3566-based SBC which is a quad-core 64-bit Cortex-A55 CPU (up to 1.8GHz) with an ARM Mali G52 2EE GPU. They support OpenGL ES versions up to 3.2, Vulkan 1.1, and OpenCL 2.0, enhancing their graphical processing capabilities.
The SBC is versatile and can be configured with 1,2,4 and 8GB LPDDR4 RAM options. It also has a Micro SD slot along with multiple connectivity options including Gigabit Ethernet with PoE (extra HAT required), USB-C OTG, USB 3.0, and Micro HDMI (1080P@60fps). Additionally, it features a 40-pin header for extensive interfacing (UARTs, SPI, I2C, etc.), and dual power inputs (5V DC, 3.3V).
Radxa ZERO 3E SBC Specifications
SoC: Rockchip RK3566
CPU: Quad-core Arm Cortex-A55 (ARMv8) 64-bit @ 1.6GHz
GPU: Arm Mali-G52-2EE, supporting OpenGL ES 1.1/2.0/3.0/3.1/3.2, Vulkan 1.1, and OpenCL 2.0
RAM: Options for 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB LPDDR4
Storage: Micro SD card slot
Ethernet: Gigabit Ethernet port with PoE support (additional PoE HAT required)
USB: USB 2.0 Type C OTG and USB 3.0 Type C Host
Display: Micro HDMI port supporting 1080P@60fps
Camera Interface: MIPI CSI camera port
GPIO: 40-pin header supporting various interfaces including:
Up to 5 UARTs
1 SPI bus
Up to 2 I2C buses
1 PCM/I2S
Up to 6 PWMs
Up to 28 GPIOs
Power: 2 x 5V DC inputs, 2 x 3.3V power pins
Operating Conditions: Optimal between 0°C to 50°C; throttles at 80°C to prevent overheating
Cooling: External cooling (heat sinks, fans) is recommended for continuous high-performance operation
Certifications: CE, FCC
Dimensions: 72 mm x 30 mm
Radxa indicates that the ZERO 3E will be compatible with operating systems like Debian, Ubuntu, and Android, catering to various uses. Last time when we wrote about this there was no documentation available but this time around the company has provided us with reliable documentation, you can check that out on the company docs page.
The Radxa Zero 3E comes in three variants: 1GB RAM for $15.99, 2GB RAM for $20.99, and 4GB RAM for $30.99, available only at the Arace Tech online store.
In a recent announcement, orange has recently announced some key details about their latest Orange Pi 5 Pro SBC. From that, we know this new board will be built around the RK3588S SoC and It will have a GbE port with PoE+ support, M.2 Key slot for expansion, and Wi-Fi5/BT5.0 connectivity 6 TOPS NPU 16GB of LPDDR5 eMMC 5V/5A DC
The RK3588S SoC features a quad-core Cortex-A76 CPU (up to 2.4GHz) and a quad-core Cortex-A55 CPU (up to 1.8GHz), alongside an ARM Mali-G610 quad-core GPU (up to 1GHz) and a 6-TOPS NPU for enhanced AI capabilities.
The RK3588S is the latest and greatest SoC that Radex has to offer, and this is not the first board to utilize this SoC. Previously, the ROCK 5C used this SoC to power their SBC, and the trend is likely to continue.
The SoC also features a Mali-G610 GPU, along with a 6 TOPS NPU. On top of that, It supports LPDDR5 RAM options (4GB, 8GB, or 16GB) and versatile storage including eMMC, MicroSD, and M.2 slots. Supporting HDMI 2.1 for 8K at 60Hz and HDMI 2.0 for 4K at 60Hz, it also features DP1.4 ALT. With MIPI 4-Lane for high-res video, ES8388 codec for audio, and a 40-pin GPIO header, it’s a flexible, multimedia-centric board.
Upgraded Orange Pi Pro Specifications
SOC: Rockchip RK3588S (8nm LP process)
CPU: 8-core 64-bit processor utilizing big.LITTLE architecture with four Cortex-A76 cores at 2.4GHz and four Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8GHz
GPU: Arm Mali-G610, supports OpenGL ES 1.1/2.0/3.2, OpenCL 2.2, and Vulkan 1.2
NPU: Embedded with up to 6 TOPS computing power, supports INT4/INT8/INT16 mixed operations
Power Outputs: Supports DC 5V and 3.3V from the expansion port
Other Features:
Buttons: MaskROM, RESET, POWER
Indicators: RGB LED tri-color
Cooling: 5V 2PIN 1.25mm fan socket
Real-Time Clock: 3V 2PIN 1.25mm socket
Debugging: UART via 40PIN expansion port
Supported Operating Systems:
Orangepi OS (Droid), Orangepi OS (Arch), Ubuntu, Debian, Android 12
Physical Specs:
Dimensions: 89mm x 56mm x 1.6mm
Weight: 62g
Power Supply: Type-C, 5V @ 5A
The Orange Pi RK3588S board offers multiple Orange Pi OS variants including OH, Arch, and Droid OpenWRT for network projects, mainstream Linux distributions like Ubuntu and Debian, and an Android image for graphical applications. Additionally, the Linux source code is available for custom development, accommodating a wide range of use cases and developer needs.
At the time of writing orange Pi has not disclosed the pricing for any variants of these boards yet. For further details, please visit the product page.
Ambiq, renowned for low-power “intelligent devices,” has introduced its cutting-edge Apollo510 system-on-chip (SoC), heralding a significant advancement in energy efficiency and performance for edge AI applications.
The Apollo510 brings forth a remarkable 30-fold improvement in power efficiency compared to its predecessors, setting new benchmarks for energy conservation in the industry. Powered by an Arm Cortex-M55 core with Helium acceleration extensions, this chip ensures enhanced performance with a tenfold reduction in latency and halved energy consumption.
The chip is claimed to deliver up to a 30-fold efficiency improvement over a Cortex-M4-based microcontroller
With 3.75MB of on-chip static RAM (SRAM) and tightly-coupled memory (TCM), along with 4MB of non-volatile memory, the Apollo510 guarantees seamless data handling and processing. Its high-bandwidth interfaces enable efficient communication with external memories, facilitating swift information exchange.
Built on Arm’s TrustZone technology, the Apollo510 prioritizes security with features like a trusted execution environment (TEE) and tamper-resistant one-time programming. This ensures robust protection for on-device AI applications, meeting the stringent security requirements of modern industries.
The Apollo510 addresses the evolving needs of various sectors, including health, industrial, and smart home applications. With its promise of significant performance gains, developers and device manufacturers are empowered to embrace the AI era with confidence.
Sampling with selected customers now, the Apollo510 is scheduled for general availability in the fourth quarter of the year. Ambiq will showcase the chip’s capabilities live at the Embedded World conference from April 9th to 11th. More information is available on the Ambiq website.
Espressif Systems has recently introduced the ESP32-C5 a MCU with dual-band (2.4 & 5.0 GHz) WiFi-6 and Bluetooth 5.0LE support.
Previously we have seen Espressif release many MCU such as the ESP32-C6, and ESP32-C61, both of which are capable of handling 2.4GHz radio connectivity, but this is the first module from Espressif that will support both the 2.4 & 5.0 GHz radio.
Support for 5 GHz Wi-Fi on the ESP32-C5 enhances IoT devices with OFDMA and MU-MIMO for efficient, low-latency connectivity in crowded settings, and there will also be support for TWT which will add to extended battery life. This MCU can support 5G speeds so this setup will enable applications like live streaming, Wi–Fi dongles, and IPcameras. Espressif ensures software continuity with the ESP-IDF, supporting both ESP32 and ESP8266 devices, and offers options for using ESP32–C5 as a co-processor via ESP-AT or ESp-hosted SDKs.
ESP32-C5 Specifications:
CPU: Single-core 32-bit RISC-V processor, up to 240 MHz
Memory: 400KB SRAM on-chip
Storage: 384KB ROM on-chip, supports external flash
Connectivity:
Dual-band 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 (2.4GHz & 5GHz)
Backward compatible with 802.11b/g/n (Wi-Fi 4)
20MHz bandwidth in 802.11ax mode
20/40MHz bandwidth in 802.11b/g/n mode
OFDMA for uplink and downlink
Downlink MU-MIMO
Extended device sleep periods with TWT for improved battery life
Bluetooth 5.0 LE
I/O Capabilities:
Over 20 programmable GPIOs
Interfaces: SPI, UART, ADC
SDIO 2.0 Slave interface
Miscellaneous: Temperature sensor, Real-Time Clock (RTC)
At the time of writing the company has not provided us with pricing information for the ESP32-C5, so more details can be found on their press release page.
Adafruit has recently added two new members to the Trinkeyfamily, the AdafruitSHT45Trinkey and the Adafruit SHT41 Trinkey both of those are designed to add temperature and humidity-sensing capabilities to any USB HOST device.
The main difference between the two boards lies in their accuracy and cost. The SHT45 Trinkey offers higher precision, with ±1.0% RH accuracy from 25 to 75% and ±0.1°C temperature accuracy from 0 to 75°C. The SHT41 Trinkey provides ±1.8% RH accuracy from 25 to 75% and ±0.2°C temperature accuracy from 0 to 75°C.
Both the boards are designed around a Microchip ATSAMD21E18 microcontroller. They are designed to slip into any USB A port on a computer or laptop. Additionally, they feature a NeoPixel LED, capacitive touch input, and a reset button, with minimal extra circuitry for streamlined operation.
The boards are designed for seamless use with any USB host device and automatically present temperature, and humidity data to the host device. It can also provide data in CSV format via a virtual serial port upon connection. Their compatibility with various USB-host devices extends beyond PCs and Raspberry Pis, thanks to using a standard USB profile.
Adafruit Trinkey USB Temperature and Humidity Sensor Specifications
Connectivity: Native USB, supports serial console, MIDI, Keyboard/Mouse HID, disk drive for Python scripts
Compatibility: Arduino IDE, CircuitPython
LED: 1x RGB NeoPixel
Input: Capacitive Touchpad
Sensors: SHT41 Temperature + Humidity sensor with thermal isolation
Utility: Reset switch for code restart or bootloader mode
Design: Slim, keychain-friendly
Reprogramming the USB Temperature and Humidity Sensor Trinkey is easy. Adafruit provides CircuitPython and Arduino IDE libraries for all Trinkey components, allowing for customization of data output, format, or functionality.
Adafruit offers two versions of the USB Temperature and Humidity Sensor Adafruit Trinkey – one with the SHT41 sensor named SHT41 Trinkey sells for $10.95 and a more accurate version with the SHT45 sensor named SHT45 Trinkey sells for $17.95.
Openterface Mini-KVM offers a simple solution for managing headless devices like mini PCs, kiosks, or servers directly from your laptop or desktop. This plug-and-play tool lets you control your target device without needing extra peripherals such as keyboards, mice, or monitors.
Key Features and Benefits:
Plug-and-Play Convenience: Enjoy rapid setup with no software installation or configurations required on the target device.
Versatile Compatibility: Currently supports macOS, with forthcoming support for Windows and Linux.
Network Independence: Experience stable and fast headless control via HDMI and emulated keyboard/mouse (HID) input, eliminating network dependency.
Portability: Its compact and lightweight design makes it ideal for professionals on the go, allowing you to control your devices whenever and wherever needed.
High Definition with Low Latency: Capture video in Full HD (1920×1080 resolution at 30 fps) with minimal latency (under 140 milliseconds), ensuring smooth and responsive performance.
Audio Integration: Seamlessly capture and play the target device’s audio directly on your host computer.
BIOS-Level Access: Gain direct access to the target device’s BIOS for firmware updates and startup management.
Clean Setup: Leave no software traces on the target device, maintaining a clutter-free workspace.
Switchable USB Port: Easily toggle USB access between the host and target devices.
How It Works
The mini-KVM captures the screen stream from the target computer and displays it on the app on the host computer.
Users can move the mouse to the app window on the host and start controlling the mouse cursor of the target device, similar to VNC, operating two systems simultaneously on one screen.
When the app is focused, whatever users type via the keyboard on the host is also transmitted to the target device.
Keyboard and mouse inputs in the app are converted into Human Interface Device (HID) control signals for the target computer.
The app synchronizes the target computer’s screen and cursor with the display of the host computer.
Open Source Hardware
Openterface Mini-KVM is built on open hardware and utilizes open-source host software, ensuring transparency and flexibility. Stay tuned for more information and documentation, available on our website.
ILABS, a leading European embedded electronics specialist, has unveiled the RP2040 Connectivity Board, a feature-rich development board centered around Raspberry Pi’s cost-effective RP2040 microcontroller unit (MCU). This board is designed to offer comprehensive connectivity solutions for IoT applications, incorporating Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and even cellular capabilities.
The RP2040 Connectivity Board is an all-in-one solution, integrating a u-blox SARA-R412M module and an Espressif ESP32-C3 coprocessor. This combination enables seamless connectivity options, making it suitable for a wide range of IoT projects. According to ILABS, the board is compatible with Arduino/PlatformIO and caters to both professional and hobbyist users requiring versatile connectivity features.
At its core, the RP2040 Connectivity Board is powered by the Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller, offering dual-core 133MHz Arm Cortex-M0+ processing, 264kB of static RAM (SRAM), and advanced programmable input/output (PIO) blocks. Additionally, it features the Espressif ESP32-C3FN4 for Wi-Fi and BLE connectivity and the u-blox SARA-R412M module for Cat. M1 LTE, NB-IoT, and eGPRS cellular connectivity in areas without Wi-Fi coverage.
The board includes a BConnect port for use with external hardware breakouts, like this “Easy NFC” board.
Key features of the board include an 8MB flash chip, a 26-pin general-purpose input/output (GPIO) header with analog inputs, physical reset, and boot-select buttons, a USB Type-C connector for power and data, and optional battery support via an onboard lithium-battery charging circuit. The inclusion of a nano-SIM slot for the u-blox module further enhances its cellular connectivity capabilities.
Key Features of the RP2040 Connectivity board are:
High-Performance Microcontroller: Powered by the RP2040 from Raspberry Pi, featuring a dual-core Cortex M0 processor at 133MHz, equipped with 8 MByte of FLASH memory and 264 Kbyte of integrated RAM.
Diverse Connectivity Options:
LTE (Cat M1/NB-IoT/eGPRS): Includes the SARA-R412M module for international GSM and LTE-M/NB-IoT coverage, offering robust IoT security and efficient data transfer.
WiFi/BLE: Integrated with the ESP32-C3FN4 chip, providing a full range of WiFi and BLE functionalities, including various operating modes and advanced features.
USB Type C Interface: Equipped with a modern USB Type C port, ensuring compatibility with contemporary devices and enhanced durability.
Built in LiPO battery charger and standardized battery connector
Enhanced Power Efficiency:
Low power supply design, enabling lower battery voltage operation and extended battery life.
On board battery charger that charges the attached battery with up to 500mA, enabling rapid charging times.
User Interface and Programming:
Two accessible buttons for easy reset and UF2 mode activation.
Flexible antenna design with options for on-board chip antenna or U.FL connector for external antenna use.
Additional Specifications:
Backward Compatibility: Ensures seamless software integration with previous board versions.
Nano SIM Card Slot: Supports various prepaid SIM card options, including 1NCE IoT Flat Rate for LTE connectivity.
Versatile Application Potential: Ideal for remote monitoring systems, smart connected devices, and other IoT applications.
BConnect interface that allows the user to hook up a wide range of peripherals such as NFC readers, accelerometers etc.
Moreover, ILABS has implemented its proprietary BConnect interface, providing a flexible alternative to existing standards like Gove, STEMMA QT, and Qwiic. This interface utilizes flat flexible circuit (FFC) cables and connectors for enhanced versatility. The RP2040 Connectivity Board is equipped with onboard chip antennas for Wi-Fi/BLE radios and includes a U.FL connector for attaching external antennas for GSM/LTE connectivity. Additionally, an antenna detection circuit ensures proper antenna connectivity, enhancing signal reception.
The RP2040 Connectivity Board is now available for purchase on the ILABS store at kr795 (approximately $80), offering a comprehensive solution for IoT enthusiasts and professionals seeking robust connectivity options for their projects.
MYIR has launched the Remi Pi, a unique and compact computer board that offers an affordable solution based on the Renesas RZ/G2L MPU, which takes into account the needs of serious product development and hobbyist creativity.
The Remi Pi leverages the RZ/G2L, a dual-core Arm Cortex-A55 processor clocked at 1.2GHz, along with an embedded Cortex-M33 co-processor, 3D graphics, and a video codec engine. It is ideal for applications such as entry-level industrial human-machine interfaces (HMI) and embedded devices with video functionality. The Remi Pi comes equipped with 1GB DDR4, 8GB eMMC, 32KB EEPROM, and a comprehensive set of peripherals including two debug serial ports, two USB 2.0 HOST ports, one USB 2.0 OTG port, two Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, a WiFi/Bluetooth module, one Micro SD card slot, and a 40-pin extension header. Additionally, it supports MIPI-CSI camera interface, HDMI display, LVDS display, and audio input/output capabilities.
The Remi Piis capable of running the Linux OS, and it comes equipped with multiple system options to cater to various application scenarios. The comprehensive myir-image-full system is ideal for Human Machine Interface (HMI) scenarios, while the lighter myir-image-core system is suitable for a range of industrial applications. These include RT-Linux real-time patches and EtherCAT master stations specifically designed for industrial control scenarios, LVGL tailored for lightweight industrial display scenarios, and FreeRTOS real-time operating systems specifically optimized for industrial real-time scenarios. Additionally, we are currently working on supporting Ubuntu and Debian systems for the Remi Pi, and these will be available in two months.
The Remi Pi is delivered with a detailed Quick Start Guide and a USB-to-TTL serial cable. MYIR offers MY-CAM003M MIPI Camera Module, MY-WIREDCOM RPIModule (RS232/RS485/CAN), and MY-LVDS070C LCD Module as add-on options,which can be used for hardware expansion to cater to the demands of diverse projects. From image recognition to communication control to display interface, these modules will provide you with full support. Furthermore, the Remi Pi is compatible with various Pi extension modules through the 40-pin extension header, leveraging the Pi Ecosystem for convenient prototyping and innovative applications.
Specifications
Video
Software
The Remi Pi offers robust performance and functionality, all at an affordable price of $55 per unit.
The LattePanda team launched the LattePanda Mu, an exceptional micro x86 compute module poised to swiftly empower custom design solutions. With an Intel N100 CPU, it is compatible with Windows and Linux operating systems. The LattePanda Mu demonstrates superior CPU performance compared to the Raspberry Pi 5 and excels in GPU capabilities, guaranteeing seamless operation for complex computational tasks and demanding applications. Thanks to its compact form factor measuring 60mm x 69.6mm, the LattePanda Mu seamlessly integrates into diverse applications, including IoT, robotics, digital signage, and edge computing, ensuring efficient task handling and reliable performance across various scenarios.
The most significant attribute of the LattePanda Mu is its customizability. Users can design carrier boards according to their functional requirements, such as creating a dual-Ethernet port board for a router or providing a SATA interface for a Network-Attached Storage (NAS) solution. Additionally, with up to 9 PCIe 3.0 lanes, the LattePanda Mu can be equipped with a dedicated graphics card for more powerful applications, or expanded with the high-performance NIC to build a computing cluster.
The LattePanda Mu provides an adjustable TDP range of 6W to 35W, meeting diverse applications and performance demands. This compute module empowers users to design and integrate custom carrier boards, providing an extensive array of interfaces, including 3 HDMI/DisplayPort ports, 8 USB 2.0 ports, up to 4 USB 3.2 ports, and 9 PCIe 3.0 lanes.
“I am filled with confidence and passion for this innovative product. LattePanda Mu is not just a micro x86 compute module; it is a breakthrough design solution that offers users unlimited customization possibilities. With its powerful computing performance, GPU capabilities that surpass traditional options, and flexible thermal design power range, it becomes the ideal choice for various applications and performance needs. The customization options of the LattePanda Mu allow users to design carrier boards according to their requirements, providing perfect solutions for diverse application scenarios. I firmly believe that LattePanda Mu will lead innovation in the industry and achieve outstanding success,”
said WangBo, the product manager of LattePanda Mu.
The LattePanda Mu offers open-source carrier board designs and libraries in KiCAD format as reference materials, available for access and download from its GitHub repository. This enables developers to make necessary modifications and refinements, resulting in a significant reduction in development time. By integrating the most intricate components, the LattePanda Mu provides users with the freedom to design simpler elements. Moreover, customization services cater to various specialized requirements, enabling users to unleash the full potential of the LattePanda Mu and achieve exceptional results.
Specifications:
Processor: Intel Processor N100 4 Cores up to 3.4GHz
Memory: 4800MT/s 8GB with IBECC supported
Storage: eMMC 5.1 64GB
Display: 3 Ouputs; Max Resolution 4096 x 2160@60Hz
I/O:
PCIe 3.0: up to 9 lanes
SATA 3.0: up to 2 ports
USB 3.2 (10Gbps): up to 4 ports
USB 2.0 (480Mbps): 8 ports
I2C, UART and GPIOs
Power: 9~20V
Operating System: Windows; Ubuntu
Environment: 0~60°C; 0~80% relative humidity
Size: 69.6 x 60mm
The original price for LattePanda Mu is $139, with an early bird price of $99 for one week. The LattePanda Mu Kit includes LattePanda Mu, LattePanda Mu Lite Carrier and LattePanda Mu Active Cooler, originally priced at $190, with a promotional price for the first 100 users at $149. For further details on the LattePanda Mu and its remarkable capabilities, kindly visit the official LattePanda Mu website.
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