Page 138 – Electronics-Lab.com

FriendlyElec launched a Rockchip RK3399 powered single-board computer for NAS applications

Posted on 12 August, 202212 August, 2022 by Abhishek Jadhav

In a follow-up to the earlier NanoPi R4S, FriendlyElec has announced the release of the NanoPi R4SE, an open-source platform with dual-Gbps Ethernet ports designed for IoT applications.

The new NanoPi R4SE is powered by a Rockchip RK3399 hexa-core processor with a clock speed up to 1.5GHz. A microSD card can be used to install the 16-bit eMMC flash module, which has 32GB of storage. The majority of the features in this model are the same as in the previous NanoPi R4S, including dual GbE (RJ45) network ports, one of which is served by the SoC and the other by the PCIe controller.

However, the GPIO and USB 2.0 connectors have been removed, and the router is now only available with 4GB LPDDR4 and no alternative for only 1GB RAM. Since archiving high throughputs is typically a barrier for router boards, the new onboard flash provides better read/write speeds than the previous model. Additionally, there are two USB 3.0 Type-A ports and a USB Type-C power connector (5V/3A).

Specifications of NanoPi R4SE single-board computer:

SoC: Rockchip RK3399
- CPU: Hexa-core processor with dual-Core Cortex-A72 up to 2.0 GHz, quad-core Cortex-A53 up to 1.5GHz
- GPU: Mali-T864 GPU with OpenGL ES1.1/2.0/3.0/3.1, OpenCL, DX11, and AFBC support, 4K VP9 and 4K 10-bit H265/H264 60fps video decoder
System Memory: 4GB LPDDR4
Storage: 32GB eMMC flash, MicroSD card slot
Networking: 2x GbE, including one native Gigabit Ethernet and one PCIe Gigabit Ethernet
USB: 2x USB 3.0 Type-A ports
Debugging: 3-pin debug UART header (1,500,000 bps by default)
Misc: 1x power LED, and 3x user LEDs (SYS, LAN, WAN), user button, 2-pin RTC battery connector, 5V fan connector, one MASK button for eMMC update
Power Supply:
- 5V/3A via USB-C connector
- RK808-D PMIC and independent DC/DC enabling DVFS, software power-down, RTC wake-up, system sleep mode
Dimensions: 66 x 66 mm (8-layer PCB); enclosure: 72 x 72 x 29 mm
Temperature Range: -0°C to 80°C

The hardware can be used as a portable compact PC to run Android or a lite version of Ubuntu Linux. A compact metal box with the dimensions of 72x72x29 mm can also be used to house the board. If you are thinking about purchasing this metal enclosure, it is very well-designed and is highly recommended, primarily if used in harsh industrial workplaces.

It supports the FriendlyWrt OS, a customized version of the well-known OpenWrt Linux distribution. Most users would find it highly interesting to use it as a personal firewall device because of a pair of 1GbE ports. It is an excellent platform for developing IoT applications, NAS applications, Samba file sharing servers, printer servers, etc.

More details on the technical specifications of the NanoPi R4SE can be availed from the FriendlyELEC’s Wiki page.

LattePanda Team Launch LattePanda 3 Delta – the Fast and Pocket-sized Single-board Computer

Posted on 10 August, 202212 August, 2022 by mixos

The LattePanda Team launched the world’s thinnest pocket-sized hackable computer – LattePanda 3 Delta with global electronic components distributors. The collaboration will ensure that the product choice for LattePanda 3 Delta is passed on to customers through quick, easy online selection via the website of global electronic components distributors and LattePanda.

“LattePanda Team is so proud to cooperate with the global electronic components distributors for this joint launch. It delivers an exciting message to our customers that they can gain fast, easy access to our high-performance and hackable LattePanda 3 Delta anywhere in the world. Our collaboration will assure even higher levels of customer service,”

said Sandy Zhang, CMO of LattePanda Team.

LattePanda 3 Delta is poised to define a new era of computing and drive mega creativity for tech enthusiasts and industry innovations. It gets a significant performance boost by upgrading from the Celeron

N4100 of the LattePanda Delta to the Intel 11th-generation Celeron N5105 processor with up to 2.9GHz burst frequency, maintaining almost the same pinout and layout as the previous version to allow for effortless system migration or upgrading by replacement. Compared to its previous version, the CPU of LattePanda 3 Delta speeds up to 2 x faster while the GPU speeds up to 3 x faster to support usage like playing a 4K HDR video and running heavy games.

Faster Transfer than Ever

LattePanda 3 Delta uses Wi-Fi 6 whose transfer speed is up to 2.4Gb/s, 2.7 times faster than Wi-Fi 5. It is also equipped with a USB 3.2 gen2 x1 port that has an ultra-high bandwidth, delivering up to 10Gb/s of throughput which is twice faster than USB3.2 gen1 x1 (previously known as USB3.0). Besides, LattePanda 3 Delta has a Gigabit Ethernet port onboard, which can connect to the Internet at extremely high speed.

Faster Memory & Larger Storage for Abundant Creativity

LattePanda 3 Delta uses 2933MHz high-frequency LPDDR4 RAM -up to 8GB, 2x larger than that of the previous generation -for superfast, smooth performance. The storage – up to 64GB – has been doubled for installing more software and data without any external storage.

Windows & Linux Compatible

LattePanda 3 Delta is compatible with both Windows 10 and Linux OS. It is worth mentioning that Windows 11 can also run on LattePanda 3 Delta.

Watch Dog& Auto Power On makes unattended operation with ease

New Cooling Fan ensures better cooling and sustains the best performance

Up to 42 Expandable Interfaces guarantee true hackability and rich playability

Customized 12.5-inch 4K IPS Touch Display has an ultra-high resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels and HDR feature as well as provides two USB Type C and one mini HDMI port.

Key Features And Specifications:

CPU: Intel Celeron N5105 @2.0~2.9GHz, 4 Core and 4M Cache
8GB LPDDR4 @2933MHz RAM
64GB eMMC
2 M key (support NVMe SSD), M.2 B key (support SATA SSD,4G & 5G Module)
WiFi 6 @2.4Gb/s
Bluetooth 5.2
Co-Processor: Arduino Leonardo
2x USB 3.2 Gen1
USB 3.2 Gen2
USB Type C
USB 2.0 (Pin header)
HDMI 2.0b, Display port 1.4 via USB-C, eDP
Dimension: 125mm x 78mm x 16mm
Operating System: Windows 10, Windows 11 and Linux

Design as the world’s thinnest pocket-sized single-board computer, LattePanda 3 Delta is not only the optimum development tool for creative developers, talented and eager individuals but also suitable for IoT Edge, robotics, smart factory, home automation, handheld devices, and AI localization.

To view the LattePanda 3 Delta’s more improved functions, please go to LattePanda – A Windows 10 Computer with integrated Arduino.

Doogee S89 Series – The Rugged Phone Series With 12000mAh Battery And RGB Lights

Posted on 9 August, 2022 by mixos

The Nothing phone (1) has been in the news recently for its unusual design. And it is already inspiring other brands, or… Doogee plans to launch the versatile S89 series, a pair of rugged phones with an RGB light effect on the back. But that’s not the only thing that makes the S89 series unique. This series comes with an enormous 12000 mAh battery.

The Nothing Phone (1) advertises its light effects as “Glyph”. But Doogee markets theirs as “Breathing Light.” The Doogee’s breathing light has more of an RGB light effect as compared to the Nothing phone. Users can customize what colors they prefer and assign them to different functions. Doogee also claims users can control other aspects such as light pattern and speed and select a series of colors to glow in the desired sequence.

If you have a sense of déjà vu, it’s because the S89 series is based on the legacy of an earlier Doogee series—the Doogee S88 series. The S88 series, with a massive 10,000 mAh battery and RGB light, remains one of the best-selling series to come out of the company, and they are trying to recapture that fire again.

Doogee is claiming it has found a way to engineer a 12000mAh battery into the S89 series’ 19.4mm thick case. This is impressive considering the size of the battery and the company’s ability to manage to keep the weight of the phone at 400g.

When you hear a large battery, it sounds good until you realize you have to charge it. Doogee’s fast charging technology is up to par with its large battery ambitions. The S89 Pro will ship with a 65W fast charger (the first rugged phone to ship with a 65W charger), which is capable of recharging the battery from 0 to 100% in about two hours. The S89, on the other hand, only comes with a 33W charger.

For cameras, the S89 series features a tri-camera setup, with the S89 Pro going for a 64MP + 20MP + 8MP set up on the back. The S89, on the other hand, comes with a 48MP + 20MP + 8MP setup. Both devices’ main cameras are tuned to get the best out of every shot that is taken. Both the 20MP sensors are for night vision, and finally, the 8MP sensors are meant to be used for ultra-wide shots. Sony built all the sensors used on the rear of this series.

Under the hood, the S89 series trusts the MediaTek Helio P90 to handle its performance. The S89 Pro will then pair the chipset with a base memory configuration of 8GB + 256GB. The S89, on the other hand, features an 8GB + 128GB base memory setup.

It goes without saying that the S89 series is waterproof and dustproof with its IP68 and IP69K ratings. It is also MIL-STD-810H certified, making it drop-proof. Furthermore, it also comes with NFC, runs Android 12 OS out of the box, reverses charging, custom button, and many more.

Pricing, Availability, and Giveaways

The S89 series’ launch date is earmarked for August 22nd on both AliExpress and Doogeemall.

Between August 22 and August 26, the S89 series will see heavy discounts on AliExpress, with the S89 Pro’s original price of $459.98 USD slashed to $229.99 USD. The S89, on the other hand, will see a 50% discount, bringing its original price of $399.98 USD down to $199.99 USD.

Doogee has also provided a $10 limited-time coupon for further discounts. This coupon is only available for very early buyers, so the earlier you place an order, the cheaper the price you get.

There is also a way to win one of these rugged phones for free. Doogee has two ongoing giveaways in which winners will be selected and sent a free S89 series. To learn more about the giveaway rules and prizes, click here to visit the S89 webpage series.

Arduino Portenta Max Carrier

Posted on 5 August, 20225 August, 2022 by mixos

Arduino Portenta Max Carrier transforms Portenta modules into single-board computers or reference designs. These designs enable edge AI for high-performance industrial, building automation, and robotics applications. Thanks to dedicated high-density connectors, it can be paired with Portenta X8 or H7. This allows to easily prototype and deploy into industrial projects. This Arduino Pro carrier further augments Portenta connectivity options with Fieldbus, LoRa®, Cat-M1, and NB-IoT.

Features

Easily prototype industrial applications and minimize time to market
A powerful carrier exposing Portenta peripherals (e.g. CAN, RS232/422/485, USB, mPCIe)
Multiple connectivity options (Ethernet, LoRa®, CAT-M1, NB-IoT)
MicroSD for data logging operations
Integrated audio jacks (line-in, line-out, mic-in)
Standalone when battery powered
Onboard JTAG debugger via micro-USB (with Portenta H7 only)

more information: https://store.arduino.cc/products/portenta-max-carrier/

Texas Instruments TPSM8282x/TPSM8282xA Buck Converter Power Modules

Posted on 5 August, 2022 by mixos

Texas Instruments TPSM8282x/TPSM8282xA 1A/2A/3A Buck Converter Power Modules are converters in a MicroSiP™ power module optimized for small solution size and high efficiency. The TI power modules integrate a synchronous step-down converter and an inductor to simplify design, reduce external components, and save the PCB area. The low profile and compact solution are suitable for automated assembly by standard surface mount equipment. To maximize efficiency, the converter operates in PWM mode with a nominal switching frequency of 4MHz and automatically enters Power Save Mode operation at light load currents.

In Power Save Mode, the device operates with typically 4µA quiescent current. Using the DCS-Control topology, the device achieves excellent load transient performance and accurate output voltage regulation. The EN and PG pins, which support sequencing configurations, bring a flexible system design. An integrated soft startup reduces the inrush current required from the input supply. Over temperature protection and hiccup short circuit protection deliver a robust and reliable solution.

Features

Low profile MicroSiP™ power module
Up to 95% efficiency
2.4V to 5.5V input voltage range
0.6V to 4V adjustable output voltage
4µA operating quiescent current
DCS-control topology
Power save mode for light load efficiency
100% duty cycle for the lowest dropout
Hiccup short circuit protection
Output discharge
Power good output
Integrated soft startup
Overtemperature protection
2.0mmx2.5mmx1.1mm 10-Pin µSiL package
29mm² total solution size

Block Diagram

more information: https://www.ti.com/product/TPSM82821

Analog Devices Inc. AD4130-8 Ultra Low Power 24-Bit Sigma-Delta ADC

Posted on 5 August, 20225 August, 2022 by mixos

Analog Devices Inc. AD4130-8 Ultra Low Power 24-Bit Sigma-Delta ADC is a high precision measurement solution for low bandwidth battery-operated applications. The AD4130-8 features a fully integrated analog front end (AFE). It includes a multiplexer for up to 16 single-ended or eight differential inputs. The device also has a programmable gain amplifier (PGA), 24-bit sigma-delta (Σ-Δ) analog-to-digital converter (ADC), on-chip reference, and oscillator. These features improve the battery-operated lifetime, first in, first out (FIFO) buffer, and duty cycling.

Features

Ultralow current consumption (typical):
- 32µA continuous conversion mode (gain = 128)
- 5µA duty cycling mode (ratio = 1/16)
- 0.5µA standby mode
- 0.1µA power-down mode
Built-in features for system-level power savings
- Current saving duty cycle ratio is 1/4 or 1/16
- Smart sequencer and per channel configuration minimizes host processor load
- Deep embedded FIFO minimizes host processor load (depth of 256 samples)
- Autonomous FIFO interrupt functionality, threshold detection
- Single supply as low as 1.71V increasing battery length
RMS noise 25nV rms at 1.17 SPS (gain = 128) – 48nV/√Hz
Up to 22 noise-free bits (gain = 1)
Output data rate 1.17 SPS to 2.4 kSPS
Operates from 1.71V to 3.6V single supply or ±1.8V split supplies
Band gap reference with 15ppm/°C maximum drift
PGA with rail-to-rail analog input
Adaptable sensor interfacing functionality
- Matched programmable excitation currents for RTDs
- On-chip bias voltage generator for thermocouples
- Low-side power switch for bridge transducers
- Sensor open wire detection
Internal temperature sensor and oscillator
Self and system calibration
Flexible filter options
Simultaneous 50Hz/60Hz rejection (on selected filter options)
General-purpose outputs
Diagnostic functionality
Crosspoint multiplexed inputs
- Eight differential/16 pseudo differential inputs
5MHz SPI (3-wire or 4-wire)
Available in 35-ball, 2.74mm × 3.6mm WLCSP
Temperature range −40°C to +105°C

Block Diagram

more information: https://www.analog.com/en/products/ad4130-8.html

SiliconBrite SBT3000 Power Line Smart AC Switch Controller

Posted on 5 August, 2022 by mixos

SiliconBrite SBT3000 Power Line Smart AC Switch Controller monitors incoming line voltage to ensure downstream loads operate within safe maximum continuous voltage ratings. The SBT3000 will automatically disable the AC switch in over-voltage line conditions. This will protect and isolate the load and minimize the potential of catastrophic failure modes.

Features

Low energizing current 60uA (typical)
Line to Neutral voltage monitoring
Line to Load voltage monitoring
User adjustable maximum load voltage
‘In-cycle’ Over-Voltage load isolation
Suitable for use with IGBT AC switch
Zero-volt (Line to Load) AC switch connect
Zero-volt (Line to Load) AC switch disconnect
Compatible with 50Hz/240V and 60Hz/110V
Output gate drive voltage of 16V
Timing pin for programmable recovery delay
SOIC 8-pin package

more information: https://www.siliconbrite.com/sbt3000

u-blox Unveils New LTE-M Cellular Module with eSIM — Targets Size-constraint IoT Projects

Posted on 5 August, 20225 August, 2022 by Emmanuel Odunlade

The evolving embedded SIM technology in IoT devices offering cellular connectivity is increasingly becoming popular. More companies are adapting the concept of eSIM, especially for devices that reside in difficult-to-access locations or those that require you to pay a field technician to help change SIM cards in order to change carriers.

u-blox, a Swiss company expert in positioning and wireless communication technologies and services, has announced its first cellular module designed for size-constrained applications with high requirements in robustness and security. The SARA-R500E comes with an embedded SIM (eSIM) that lets you connect IoT devices to cellular networks thus eliminating the need for a separate SIM card and supporting components.

“SARA-R500E greatly simplifies logistics for device makers, as the eSIM is already integrated inside the module,” says Samuele Falcomer, Product Manager, Product Center Cellular at u-blox. “All the customers have to do is activate connectivity and choose the data plan that best fits their needs via the u-blox Thingstream IoT service delivery platform. Particularly those customers that are too small to negotiate dedicated data plans with mobile network operators will benefit from a competitively priced offering.”

The eSIM embedded in the module offers product developers and end-users some advantages:

Security of devices is increased since the eSIM cannot be stolen or removed.
End users do not need to insert the eSIM in by themselves, so product developers can build tightly sealed devices that meet the demanding IP67 and IP68 criteria (resistance to external forces like dirt, dust, sand and water).
IoT designs will use less board space as there will be no need for supporting hardware that normally holds and connects plastic SIM cards.
The SARA-R500E streamlines sourcing as it offers the module, data plans, and the SIM from one house.

Key Features of the SARA-R500E module include:

eSIM with various connectivity plans
Improved robustness and reliability
Reduced total solution footprint (cost-effective and power efficient)
Does not require external SIM or SIM holder
Pin-to-pin compatible with all the other modules in the u-blox SARA family
Uses the SARA-R5 AT command interface
Offers the option to access u-blox’s MQTT Anywhere service (this reduces bandwidth requirements for cellular data transfer, saving cost and power)
First variants to offer out-of-the-box connectivity on a North American LTE-M cellular network.

The module is suitable for rugged IoT applications such as smart meters, environmental sensors, surveillance cameras, etc.

Software protocol support:

Dual stack IPv4 and IPv6
PPP over IPv4 and IPv6
Embedded TCP/IP, UDP/IP, FTP, HTTP, DNS
Embedded MQTT and MQTT-SN
Embedded CoAP and LwM2M
Embedded TLS/DTLS
SIM provisioning (BIP)

u-blox has said that the first batch of the SARA-R500E modules will be available in September, this year. Other useful details on the module can be found on the product page.

Sparkfun Unveils The Arducam Pico4Ml-based Machine Learning And Ai Concept Kit

Posted on 5 August, 20225 August, 2022 by Abhishek Jadhav

SparkFun, a Colorado-based embedded electronic device manufacturer, has announced the release of the Machine Learning and AI Concept Kit, which serves as a starting point for learning the fundamentals of prediction algorithms based on historical data and inputs. With the help of this kit, you can put your innovative idea into practice by utilizing artificial intelligence technology that “learns” from what you teach it. The kit will also provide you with an open-ended approach to machine learning and artificial intelligence, offering you many alternatives to realize new project ideas and enabling you to process incoming data against ML-trained datasets.

At the heart of the board is the Arducam Pico4ML TinyML Dev Kit, a single board system powered by Raspberry Pi’s RP2040 microcontroller. Furthermore, it is capable of powering TensorFlow Lite for Microcontrollers, a scaled-down machine learning program. The hardware has a monochrome sensor that makes image processing simple for most machine vision applications, a QVGA camera module with low power consumption, and a customizable 1-bit video data serial interface with video frame and line sync.

Meanwhile, you can view a live preview of the camera or the results of any of your ML models in real-time on the Pico4ML’s small 160×80 LCD TFT display, which is connected to the board through the SPI interface. The Pico4ML’s audio chip can generate PDM signals directly, and this integration enables the RP2040 to accept audio input. Additionally, a 2.5mW low-power 9-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) is included for motion tracking.

Besides Arducam, SparkFun includes an IoT Power Relay that allows you to design an Internet of Things project with reliable and secure power control. Therefore, using the Power Relay, you can simply manage the power going to a device with an Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or another single-board computer. Lastly, the pan/tilt included with this kit is an “easy to assemble” bracket that moves on two axes using servos, making it suitable for camera and helping-hand applications.

The Machine Learning and AI Concept Kit are available for $89.95 on the official product page. To get started, the company is directing electronic hobbyists to the Edge Impulse Studio platform, which offers full Pico4ML support.

Hardkernel Odroid-smartpower 3 Is A Low-cost Power Monitoring Solution That Sells At $45

Posted on 5 August, 20225 August, 2022 by Abhishek Jadhav

Low energy consumption is one of the key catalysts for scalable product launches. If your product is power-hungry, customers will certainly give you negative feedback. Consequently, every developer strives to make their products have extended battery lives, and they are increasingly looking for solutions to address the challenges with power consumption. Hardkernel, best known for its ODROID family of single-board computers, seeks to address this issue by making energy optimization more approachable. ODROID SmartPower 3, a compact, easily deployable power supply that monitors voltage, current, and power of the system load, can be used by embedded system developers to optimize energy consumption.

At the heart of the embedded device is the ESP32-S2 system-on-chip featuring a dual-core processor, but unfortunately no support for Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Along with two DC plug cables that work with the ODROID-XU4, ODROID-N2, and ODROID-C4, the device comes with a USB-C data cable. The 15V/4A PSU is an optional power supply that you will additionally require. Additionally, it can be used for possible voltage drops, and software and hardware can be enhanced with applications that someday want to run on batteries.

Specifications of ODROID SmartPower 3

SoC: ESP32 dual-core processor via ESP32-WROOM-32E module
Display: 3.5-inch TFT IPS LCD wide viewing angle with 480×320 resolution
Host Interface: USB Type-C port for firmware updates and data communication with PC
Output Channels: 2x output channels (Max 50W + 50W) via banana jacks each
Output Voltage: DC 3V to input voltage – 1V
Output Current: DC 3A max per channel
Measurement: Voltage, Current, Power; Maximum sampling rate- 200Hz (5msec interval)
Input Voltage: DC 9V to 21V
Misc:
- LED- RED(Power), BLUE(Alive)
- Button – ON/OFF/Menu/Cancel, Output Channel On/Off
- Rotary encoder to adjust voltage and ampere also works as Select/Setup button

CNX Software’s post has brought to our attention that, although the data is exhibited on display in real-time, the Smart Power 3’s capacity to transmit data to a host computer makes it most useful. The program only transmits data over USB to a serial interface at 921,000 bps even though ESP32 supports Wi-Fi communication. Further, a comprehensive report of the voltage, ampere, and wattage values is sent to a serial console programmer like GNU Screen rather than employing complex software to handle the data.

If you are interested in the SmartPower 3 tool, head to the product page where you can purchase the device for $45. For more information and links to the firmware source code, visit the official ODROID Wiki page.