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Introducing Aetina’s New MXM GPU Series: Harnessing NVIDIA’s Ada Technology for Enhanced Performance

Posted on 12 February, 2024 by Aditi Ambadkar

Aetina Introduces New MXM GPUs Powered by NVIDIA Ada Lovelace

Aetina has introduced its latest MXM GPU series, leveraging NVIDIA’s advanced Ada Lovelace architecture. This new lineup, comprising the MX2000A-VP, MX3500A-SP, and MX5000A-WP, is tailored to address growing demands for real-time ray tracing and AI-powered graphics across diverse sectors such as smart healthcare, autonomous machinery, smart manufacturing, and commercial gaming.

The flagship of Aetina’s new MXM GPU range is the MX5000A-WP, powered by NVIDIA’s RTX 5000 Ada GPU. This GPU boasts 9,728 CUDA cores, 76 RT cores, and 304 Tensor cores, along with PCIe 4.0 interface and up to 16GB GDDR6 memory. With a power consumption of just 115 watts, it is ideal for edge AI applications that demand high performance in a compact form factor. The GPU supports 4x DisplayPort 1.4a outputs and delivers a digital resolution of 7680 x 4320, ensuring immersive visual experiences.

The Aetina MX3500A-SP GPU, another member of the MXM series, features the NVIDIA RTX 3500 Ada GPU with 5,120 CUDA cores and a base/boost clock of 1725/2250 MHz. It utilizes a PCIe Gen 4 x16 interface for rapid data transfer and is equipped with 12GB of GDDR6 memory clocked at 18 Gbps. Like its counterpart, it supports a maximum digital resolution of 7680 x 4320 and includes DisplayPort 1.4a outputs.

Lastly, the Aetina MX2000A-VP, powered by an NVIDIA RTX 2000 Ada GPU, features 3,072 CUDA cores and a base/boost clock of 1635/2115 MHz. It employs a PCIe Gen 4 x8 interface for fast data transfer and includes 8GB of GDDR6 memory with an 18 Gbps memory clock and a 128-bit interface width. This GPU supports up to three DisplayPort 1.4a outputs and a maximum digital resolution of 7680 x 4320.

All the GPUs support DirectX 12 Ultimate, Vulkan 1.2, and OpenGL 4.6, ensuring compatibility with the latest gaming and graphics standards. They are designed to seamlessly operate with 64-bit versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11, providing a versatile and future-proof solution for various applications.

Aetina’s MXM modules, including the MX2000A-VP, MX3500A-SP, and MX5000A-WP, come with features enhancing their suitability for edge AI integration in challenging environments. These include conformal coating for rugged applications, Error Correction Code (ECC) for data integrity, and a five-year support commitment, facilitating innovation in edge AI.

Pricing details for these GPUs have not been disclosed by Aetina. For more information, refer to the product announcement.

Banana Pi BPI-F3 De Board – Featuring 8-Core RISC-V K1 Processor with Up to 16GB LPDDR4/4X RAM Support

Posted on 12 February, 2024 by Debashis Das

The Banana Pi BPI-F3 Dev Board, developed by SpacemiT Technologies Ltd., is a compact development board developed by the RISC-V Foundation’s RVA22 standards. The 8-core RISC-V K1 chip powers it and features 16GB of RAM and a 2.0 TOPs NPU, among many others.

Previously, we have covered many development boards and SBCs, such as the Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero, the Banana Pi BPI-Wifi6 Mini, the Banana Pi BPI-M7, and many other products designed by Banana Pi.

The K1 chip features an 8-core 64-bit processor with Vector 1.0 technology. That delivers 2.0 TOPs of AI computing power for enhanced parallel processing. It is ideal for unstructured data and AI tasks. Additionally, it also achieves a 20% reduction in energy waste through SpacemiT’s branch prediction and power management, ensuring high performance with ultra-low power consumption.

The device supports up to 16GB LPDDR4/4X memory, offers 4K video decoding/encoding, and includes connectivity options like 5-lane PCIe 2.1 and MicroSD slot. The BPI-F3 features HDMI, two RJ45 ports, one USB 3.0, two USB 2.0 ports, and a 26-pin GPIO header for versatile interfacing and expansion.

Banana Pi BPI-F3 Development Board Specification:

RISC-V K1 Chip: 8-core, 64-bit, 2.0 TOPs AI power.
Performance: Vector 1.0 tech for enhanced parallel processing.
Power Efficiency: 20% less energy waste with SpacemiT tech.
Memory: Supports up to 16GB LPDDR4/4X.
Video: 4K decode/encode capabilities.
Connectivity: PCIe 2.1, USB 3.0, USB 2.0, 12x UART.
Expansion: Versatile interface and module slots.
Durability: Operates between -40°C to 85°C.
Global Use: Suitable for users worldwide.
Applications: Ideal for automation, AI, and IoT.

Banana Pi has not provided information on pricing or availability yet. However, details about the product announcement are available on their website.

Introducing the Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero: A Versatile Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W Alternative

Posted on 7 February, 20247 February, 2024 by Aditi Ambadkar

In the ever-expanding world of single-board computers (SBCs), the Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero emerges as a compelling alternative to the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W, boasting a familiar form factor with enhanced features and performance. Built on the Allwinner H618 platform, this diminutive yet powerful SBC offers a host of capabilities suited for diverse applications.

The Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero represents a significant advancement over its predecessor, the BPI-M2 Zero, released in 2017. While maintaining a similar form factor, the BPI-M4 Zero harnesses the prowess of a quad-core Arm Cortex-A53 processor clocked at up to 1.5GHz, providing enhanced processing power for various tasks.

Specifications

Processor: Allwinner H618 quad-core Arm Cortex-A53
Memory: 2GB LPDDR4 RAM
Storage: 8GB eMMC flash, expandable via microSD card slot
Video Output: Mini HDMI 2.0a supporting up to 4Kp60 resolution
Connectivity: Dual-band WiFi 5, Bluetooth 4.2 with external antenna connector
Expansion: 40-pin GPIO header, 24-pin “Misc” FPC connector
Dimensions: 65 x 30 mm

From DIY projects to IoT applications, the BPI-M4 Zero offers versatility, equipped with features like USB ports, GPIO headers, and connectivity options. Its compatibility with Raspberry Pi accessories and extensive software support broaden its utility across various domains.

While Banana Pi promises a Ubuntu Desktop image for the BPI-M4 Zero, users can leverage existing software designed for similar SBCs like the Orange Pi Zero 2W, minimizing the need for extensive modifications. This ensures ease of adoption and seamless integration into existing projects.

Available for purchase on platforms like Aliexpress for $28.90 plus shipping, the Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero offers competitive pricing, making it an attractive option for hobbyists, educators, and professionals alike. For reference, the Orange Pi Zero 2W (2GB RAM) is available on Amazon for $26.99 and even lower prices on Aliexpress.

With its compact form factor, robust specifications, and extensive software compatibility, the Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero emerges as a noteworthy contender in the realm of SBCs. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or a hobbyist enthusiast, this versatile board opens doors to a myriad of possibilities, promising an exciting journey into the world of embedded computing.

A new addition to the Arduino Nano family: Nano ESP32

Posted on 7 February, 202410 February, 2024 by Gustas Borisovas

Arduino Nano boards are one of the most widely used prototyping boards. There is a classical version of Nano and more advanced ones like Nano 33 IoT, BLE Sense Rev2, RP2040, and many more. For those who use these boards, we have great news. Arduino just released a new addition to their Nano family – Nano ESP32!

MicroController

The new Nano ESP32 is packed with all kinds of features. Starting with its microprocessor – ESP32-S3 (embedded in the NORA-W106-10B from u-blox). It contains Xtensa LX7 dual-core 32-bit processor that can reach speeds up to 240 MHz. Read-only memory (ROM) is 384 kB, while static RAM (SRAM) is 512 kB with an additional 16 kB in the real-time clock (RTC). SRAM is 215 times larger than in classical Nano board! Moving on, this module from u-blox has a built-in antenna and supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. Wifi can reach speeds up to 150 Mbps, Bluetooth up to 2 Mbps.

Pins

This module has 14 digital and 8 analog pins. They support protocols like SPI (pins D11, D12 and D13), I2C and I2S (A4/A5), UART (D0/D1) and even CAN/TWAI® (Two Wire Automotive Inferace).

(Low)Power

How you can power this module? Can you use a 12V power supply? Well, there are 3 ways of powering this board:

The operating voltage of this system is 3.3V, so you can connect 3.3V straight to a 3.3V pin
Another way is supplying 5V via USB-C connector. With this method, the VBUS pin will output 5V
You can also use a VIN pin. It has wide input voltage range from 6V to 21V

Furthermore, this module has 2 low-power modes. Light sleep – in this mode module draws about 240 μA. Dee sleep – current consumption in this mode is only 7 μA! These modes can greatly reduce power consumption drastically and preserve battery. This is a great feature for people who do battery-powered projects.

MicroPyThon

“Nano ESP32 brings MicroPython and IoT to the fingertips of Arduino user” – this is how Arduino describes their software and hardware compatibility. They believe that their new Nano ESP32 module is the best platform to learn MicroPython. They even have a free course called MicroPython101. There they explain what boards you can use with MicroPython, how to set them up, what code editors to use, and everything related to getting started programming. After setup, there is an actual course where you can learn to use MicroPython in statements, loops, control digital and analog I/O, PWM signals, serial protocols, connect to IoT, and even do some practical examples with external component modules. At the end, there are also a few projects you can practice on.

Video

More information

You can get an Arduino Nano ESP32 board from the Arduino store for 20$ and the board with headers for 21$. For more information about the board, you can check its datasheet.

Introducing the ESP32-C61: Advanced Features and Compatibility for IoT Development

Posted on 7 February, 20248 February, 2024 by Aditi Ambadkar

Espressif Systems, a prominent manufacturer of system-on-chip (SoC) solutions for IoT (Internet of Things) applications, has announced the impending launch of the ESP32-C61. This SoC is designed to meet the increasing demand for advanced Wi-Fi 6 capabilities alongside Bluetooth 5 technology. The ESP32-C61 represents a significant advancement over its predecessors, the ESP32-C2 and ESP32-C3 models.

Key features of the ESP32-C61 include:

Integration of Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5 Technologies: Wi-Fi 6, also known as 802.11ax, is the latest standard in wireless networking technology, offering higher data rates, increased capacity, and improved performance in dense environments. Bluetooth 5 provides enhancements in range, speed, and data broadcasting capacity over previous Bluetooth versions.
Expanded Memory Options: The ESP32-C61 offers increased memory capacity compared to previous models. It includes 320KB of on-chip SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) and 256KB of ROM (Read-Only Memory). Additionally, it is compatible with Quad SPI flash memory, allowing for flexible storage options.
Optimized Peripherals: The ESP32-C61 has optimized peripheral interfaces to facilitate seamless integration with various sensors, actuators, and external devices commonly used in IoT applications.
32-bit Single-Core RISC-V Microcontroller: The core processing unit of the ESP32-C61 is based on the RISC-V architecture, a modern and open-source instruction set architecture (ISA) known for its efficiency and flexibility. The microcontroller operates at up to 160 MHz, providing ample processing power for IoT applications.
Quad SPI PSRAM Support: One of the standout features of the ESP32-C61 is its support for Quad SPI PSRAM (Pseudo-Static Random Access Memory). This allows developers to augment the on-chip memory with additional high-speed external memory, offering up to 120MHz data transfer rate. This expanded memory capability frees developers from memory constraints and enhances scalability for future IoT developments, enabling more complex applications and data-intensive processes.

Espressif Systems has announced the ESP32-C61 SoC, which combines Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5 technologies, offers expanded memory options with Quad SPI PSRAM support and is powered by a 32-bit RISC-V microcontroller for IoT applications.

The ESP32-C61 prioritizes security with features like secure boot, flash and PSRAM encryption, and cryptographic accelerators. Its hardware-based ECDSA Digital Signature Peripheral safeguards private keys from software breaches. Additionally, it integrates a Trusted Execution Environment with an Access Permission Management hardware block and Physical Memory Protection for enhanced application security management.

The ESP32-C61 retains standard microcontroller peripherals such as I2C, I2S, SPI, UART, LED-PWM, ADC, Timers, and DMA, while introducing specialized peripherals like the Event Task Matrix and Zero-crossing comparator for enhanced automation and detection capabilities. It remains compatible with Espressif’s IoT Development Framework (ESP-IDF) and ESP-Matter-SDK for Matter protocol compatibility. Additionally, firmware options like ESP-Hosted and ESP-AT enable usage as a communication co-processor with an external host. For more details, refer to the official product announcement or contact Espressif’s customer support.

Project-piCo is an Open-Sourced Raspberry Pi Pico with a USB Type-C Port

Posted on 7 February, 2024 by Debashis Das

Sam Hocevar’s Project-piCo is an open-source Raspberry Pi Pico board with a USB Type-C port.

In a Reddit post, Hocevar explains

I really wanted a Type-C connector on my Pico H, and I wanted it even more when I found out that the device was released less than 5 years ago and it still had a Micro-USB port on it.

In his GitHub, he goes on to explain that he was able to utilize the Pi Foundation’s schematics, PCB design files, and a third-party bill of materials (BOM). But what helped the most was the mechanical layout diagrams for the original Raspberry Pi Pico to ensure the new variant should be a drop-in replacement for any project. And with all that, he was able to design the whole thing in KiCad.

He continues and explains by removing four holes and adding space for the Type-C port at the top, I could design and route the board better. So, I based my revision on a purple clone board I found. It’s like reverse-engineering the reverse-engineered.

The mechanical layout provided by the Pi Foundation was extremely useful in creating my board dimensions. Since my footprint was made in KiCad, anybody should be able to implement it for their projects.

With all this, the board now also has some issues like there are No copper pours for power distribution and complicated wiring, including many layer changes to prevent overlaps. The ‘LED‘ label is upside down compared to the original Pico, which I find annoying. I’m considering replacing resistor R11 with an LM4040 voltage reference to improve the design, but for now, I’ve kept the same components as the original Pico for easy swapping. The design check shows 41 errors and 13 warnings, but I’ve ignored these for now. I’m open to suggestions for improving the design.

Sam Hocevar has shared the KiCad files for ‘project-piCo’ on GitHub under the WTF Public License 2. More details are available in his Reddit post.

Raspberry Pi 5 Now Supports Two SSDs with Geekworm X1004 HAT+

Posted on 7 February, 202416 February, 2024 by Debashis Das

The Geekworm X1004 HAT+ for the Raspberry Pi 5 supports two SSDs, allowing for a total storage capacity of up to 8TB. It enables quick data transfer speeds—up to 5 Gbps using PCIe 2.0 and up to 8 Gbps with PCIe 3.0.

Previously, we have seen many companies build NVMe HATs for the Pi5 like Waveshare M.2 HAT+, Pimoroni NVMe Base, and PineBerry Pi HatDrive feel free to check those out if you are looking for NVMe HATs.

The Geekworm X1004 HAT+ expansion board appears to be made by SupTronics Technologies and is also known as the “RPi5-PIP NVMe Shield X1004”. The board claims to offer read and write speeds of PCIe 2.0 5Gbps / PCIe 3.0 8Gbps, thanks to the ASM1182e PCIe 2.0 x1 switch. However, upon reviewing the specifications of this chip, it’s clear that it does not support PCIe 3.0 speeds, so you’re limited to PCIe 2.0 5Gbps speeds. In practical terms, this means you can expect up to 400MBps, and if two SSDs are used, the speed drops to 200MBps.

Using an SSD to boot the OS on the Raspberry Pi is not possible with the ASM1182e, as it’s not supported by the Raspberry Pi 5 firmware(and most likely it would never be). You’ll need a microSD card for the OS, and SSDs can only serve as storage, according to Geekworm’s wiki.

Geekworm X1004 HAT+ Specifications:

Supported SBC: Raspberry Pi 5 only
Chipset: ASMedia ASM1182e PCIe 2.0 x1 switch, not supporting PCIe Gen 3
Storage: 2x M.2 sockets for NVMe SSDs, up to 8TB (4TB+4TB)
Data Transfer Speeds: Up to 5 Gbps with PCIe 2.0, claims of up to 8Gbps with PCIe 3.0 are questionable due to chipset limitations
Interfaces: Connects via Raspberry Pi 5 PCIe FFC connector and 40-pin GPIO header
Power Management: 5V DC through 40-pin GPIO, with 2x DC/DC converters delivering up to 3.5A each for SSDs, compatible with HAT+ standby power state
Additional Features:
- Designed for dual NVMe SSDs in 2280 size
- Compatible with Raspberry Pi official active cooler
- Includes blue LED indicators for power and drive status
- Features high-performance PCIe packet switch
- Supports stacking with other HATs
- Automatically turns off with Raspberry Pi 5 shutdown
Dimensions: 87mm x 57mm

The Geekworm X1004 is available on Aliexpress for $42.99, not including shipping. It will also be on Amazon with similar products soon.

Mcuzone MPW7 Wi-Fi 7 HAT for Raspberry Pi 5 Supports Google TPU

Posted on 7 February, 202416 February, 2024 by Debashis Das

The Mcuzone MPW7 is a HAT for the Raspberry Pi 5 that adds Wi-Fi 7 capabilities to the Pi5. It works with specific Wi-Fi modules like the Intel BE200, AX210, and AX200. On top of that, the company said the module will also have support for Google TPU, Wi-Fi 6/6E, and Bluetooth onboard.

The module’s design ensures easy access to the Raspberry Pi’s GPIO pins, even with the hat connected. It features clear labels on the board for clear identification of components. This Hat also supports Bluetooth but to work with it you need to connect the 1.25mm JST to one of the USBs of the Pi using a special converter board after which you will be able to work with the device frankly speaking this looks like a terrible design to save some cost. The company mentioned that this HAt will also support Google Cloud Tensor Processing Units(TPU).

Mcuzone MPW7 Module Specification:

M.2 E-Key Socket: Compatible with 2230 modules, it accommodates a variety of Wi-Fi modules.
Wi-Fi Module Compatibility: Supports several M.2 E-Key Wi-Fi modules, including the BE200, AX210, AX200, MT7922, and Intel 8265C among others.
Bluetooth Connectivity: Features a 1.25mm 4-pin USB interface for Bluetooth, integrated within the Wi-Fi module connecting to the MPW7.
Indicators: Equipped with on-board power and activity LED indicators for easy status monitoring.
Mounting Options: Includes four M2.5 fixing holes for secure installation.
GPIO Header Access: Designed to ensure easy access to the Raspberry Pi 5’s 40-pin GPIO header, facilitating seamless integration with other components.
Dimensions: 65mm x 56mm.

You can buy the Mcuzone HAT for the Raspberry Pi 5 on AliExpress for $9.99 that’s not include shipping.

Sipeed LicheeRV Nano: SOPHGO SG2002 Dev Boards with AI & Multimedia

Posted on 7 February, 2024 by Debashis Das

Sipeed recently launched four Sipeed LicheeRV Nano boards powered by the SOPHGO SG2002 RISC-V CPU. These boards support 100Mbps Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6, an NPU, a camera, an LCD, and more.

The board is powered by the SOPHGO SG2002 RISC-V CPU, offering users a choice between a C906 RISC-V processor with speeds up to 1GHz or an Arm Cortex-A53. It also includes a RISC-V C906 co-processor that operates at up to 700MHz.

The LicheeRV Nano features a 1TOPS@INT8 NPU, 4MP camera support, and a MicroSD slot for AI vision projects. It also offers multimedia capabilities with MIPI CSI/DSI inputs for camera and display, plus audio enhancements via an onboard MEMS microphone and 1W speaker amplifier

The W/WE series of the LicheeRV Nano offers dual-band Wi-Fi 6, and BLE 5, and the 4E/WE series includes 100Mbps Ethernet. It features a USB 2.0 OTG Type-C and two 14-pin GPIO headers. The LicheeRV-Nano-WE model comes with all peripherals, including Mic, Wi-Fi/BT5, and Ethernet. Sipeed plans to add mainline Linux support to its SDK, enhancing the board’s utility with its 2Gbit memory for running basic Debian desktops, ideal for lightweight tasks, which is incredible. Thinking about running Linux on this board paves the way for multiple applications.

Sipeed LicheeRV Nano Specifications:

Version Variants:
- LicheeRV-Nano-B: Basic system with microphone/speaker.
- LicheeRV-Nano-E: Adds Ethernet.
- LicheeRV-Nano-W: Adds WiFi6/BT5.
- LicheeRV-Nano-WE: Includes microphone/speaker, Ethernet, and WiFi6/BT5.
CPU: SOPHGO SG2002; selectable major core (1GHz RISC-V C906 or ARM A53) and a minor 700MHz RISC-V C906 core; low-power 25～300MHz 8051 core.
NPU: 1TOPS INT8, supports BF16.
Memory: Integrated 2Gbit (256MB) DDR3.
Storage: Bootable from TF card or SD NAND (SD NAND pads under TF card slot).
Video Interface:
- Output: 2-lane MIPI DSI, supports 6-pin capacitive touchscreen.
- Input: 4-lane MIPI CSI, supports dual CSI split.
Audio Interface:
- Output: Onboard PA amplifier for <1W speakers.
- Input: Onboard analog silicon microphone.
Connectivity:
- Wired: 100M RJ45 connector (E suffix version).
- Wireless: 2.4G/5.8G dual-band WiFi6 + BLE5.4 (W suffix version).
USB: 1x USB2.0 OTG Type-C.
I/O Interface: 2x 14-pin 2.54mm pin headers, breadboard-friendly.
Controls: 1x RST button, 1x BOOT button.
Indicators: 1x Power LED, 1x User LED.
Operating System: Buildroot Linux / Debian.
Dimensions: 22.86×35.56mm.

Sipeed offers hardware resources such as datasheets, schematics, drawings, and 3D models, along with software resources including the SDK LicheeRV-Nano-Build, datasheets, compiler toolchains, and software SDKs. These can be found on their GitHub repository. Additional technical documentation is available on Sipeed’s Wiki pages.

The Sipeed LicheeRV Nano prices vary from $8.90 to $13.90, with the WE variant as the most expensive. For more details, check the AliExpress product page.

SupTronics Launches Pi 5 Compatible NVMe and SATA HATs

Posted on 7 February, 20247 February, 2024 by Debashis Das

SupTronics Technologies has launched the X100x series of PCIe to NVMe Shields for the new Raspberry Pi 5. These Shields or HATs allow you to use NVMe SSDs of different sizes, including 2230, 2242, and 2280. The standout models are the X1004, which supports dual 2280 SSDs(up to 8TB), and the X1100, which lets you connect a 2.5-inch SSD or HDD.

After a bit of Googling, I figured out that SupTronics is not a new company and they make KVM over IP switches, Jetson Board Kits, Raspberry Pi kits, and Point of Sale (POS) machines.

The SupTronics X000x series offers different models for various needs. The top model, X1000 V1.5, works with M.2 2230 or 2242 NVMe SSDs at PCIe Gen. 2 speed, and can also run faster at Gen. 3 speed, though it’s not officially recommended. The X1001 V1.1 supports longer M.2 2280 SSDs. The X1002 V1.0 also supports M.2 2280 SSDs, but it’s designed to fit under the Raspberry Pi, keeping the top open for additional accessories.

The X1004 V1.0 model allows for two M.2 2280 SSDs but uses PCIe Gen. 2 instead of Gen. 3 due to its design. The smaller X1003 V1.3 supports M.2 2230 and 2242 SSDs, fits well with the Raspberry Pi 5 Active Cooler and Case (without the fan), and uses a short FFC cable.

The X1100 V1.0 is for using older 2.5-inch SSDs or HDDs with the Raspberry Pi 5. It mounts the drive underneath and connects via a USB 3 port adapter. However, SupTronics warns that M.2 drives with Phison controllers, like certain Western Digital models (Blue SN550 and SN580, Green SN350, Black SN850), may not work well with it.

A post on hackster.io first brought this to our attention, and thanks to a CNX Software post, we found out that Geekworm is selling these boards. The boards are also available on Amazon where the X1000 sold for $16.00, the X1001 sold for $15.50, the X1002 sold for $18.00, the X1003 sold for $16.00, and The All Mighty X1004 can Be found on AliExpress.