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Auterion AI Node delivers supercomputer performance with NVIDIA Jetson Xavier NX module

Posted on 30 June, 2022 by Abhishek Jadhav

The U.S.-based drone software platform, Auterion announced the release of the AI Node, an onboard computer for drones and other mobile robots. The AI Node boosts the performance of the Skynode by adding the performance of a supercomputer at the edge.

The AI Node features the smallest AI computer for edge and embedded systems, the NVIDIA Jetson Xavier NX bringing the performance of a supercomputer to the edge in a small form-factor SOM. The resources required for compute-heavy AI algorithms like object recognition, tracking, or counting are delivered by the AI node using the Jetson module. Furthermore, the NVIDIA Jetson Xavier NX offers up to 21 TOPS of accelerated computing which facilitates the delivery of the required horsepower to process data from multiple high-resolution sensors and to run modern neural networks in parallel.

As enterprises leverage more powerful cameras and sensors on drones, the huge amount of data being created will overload any current data link, including 5G,” said Markus Achtelik, vice president of engineering at Auterion. “It’s much more efficient to process raw data onboard via supercomputer so that the operator or even the software itself can engage in real-time decision-making. AI Node delivers the horsepower to run modern neural networks in parallel and distil data from multiple high-resolution sensors—which translates into faster innovation for enterprises and other organizations.”

Auterion’s AI Node is a development and prototyping platform that is embedded in an enclosed unit with extended memory, a wide input voltage range, and a variety of connections. NVIDIA libraries can be used to optimize applications and are easily deployed by using the Auterion developer tools.

The AI Node supercomputer can seamlessly be integrated with the Skynode with its easy integration with the open ecosystem of Auterion, making it a powerful solution for the end-users. AI node runs on the same software as the Skynode, the Auterion OS which facilitates providing the users with an identical user experience.

“Some of our customers have very specific requirements necessitating a considerable amount of onboard computing,” said the CEO and principal engineer at Watts Innovations, Bobby Watts. “For this, we turned to Auterion and AI Node, which allows us to run GPU intensive software onboard for applications such as vision-based precision landing, real-time mission navigation and other vision-based capabilities. Because AI Node is a part of Auterion’s tight ecosystem, the integration and implementation is as clean as could be.”

For more information on Auterion AI Node supercomputer, kindly visit their press release page. In addition, the onboard computer can now be pre-ordered from Auterion’s product page.

Avnet MaaXBoard 8ULP comes with i.MX 8ULP processor, designed for edge applications

Posted on 30 June, 2022 by Abhishek Jadhav

New York-based electronics distributor and manufacturer, Avnet, has launched the MaaXBoard 8ULP single-board computer to help embedded engineers in developing secure intelligent edge applications. To improve overall compatibility and performance, the hardware platform comes with a multifunctional interface and supports various communication protocols.

Avnet MaaXBoard 8ULP single-board computer is designed with NXP i.MX 8ULP processor that features two Arm Cortex-A35 processor cores and an Arm Cortex-M33 core. The application processor is tightly integrated with 3D/2D GPUs, a Cadence Tensilica Hifi 4 DSP, and Fusion DSP for low-power edge AI applications. One of the most highlighting features of the MaaXBoard 8ULP is that it comes with NXP’s EdgeLock secure enclave, which is pre-configured to simplify complex security implementation and improve time to market.

“Use of the NXP i.MX 8ULP applications processor and PCA9460 PMIC on the Avnet SOM provides a promising new option for developers implementing energy-efficient, secure edge-AI applications with advanced audio and display capabilities,” said Amanda McGregor, senior director of Product Innovation, Advance Edge Processors, NXP.

Specifications of Avnet MaaXBoard 8ULP:

SoC: NXP i.MX 8ULP processor featuring 2x Arm Cortex-A35 clocked at a frequency of 1GHzand an Arm Cortex-M33 processor core
Memory: 2GB LPDDR4 RAM and 768kB shared memory RAM (8ULP on-chip)
Storage: 32GB eMMC storage
Wireless connectivity: Optional 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5
USB ports: 2x USB 2.0 host and 1x USB 2.0 device
Display interface: MIPI DSI LCD interface
Camera interface: MIPI-CSI Camera interface
LEDs: 1x user RGB LED
Expansion: RJ45 Ethernet port, U.FL external antenna, 40-pin Pi-HAT expansion header, 16-pin Mikroe click shuttle header, 6-pin WTB header, 10-pin JTAG/SWD debugger header
Power: USB Type-C connector with 5V power input
Operating temperature: 0°C to 70°C
Dimensions: 85×56 mm

The hardware platform is manufactured as two PCBs– a system-on-module as shown in the figure above is connected to a baseboard through 2x 100-pin connectors to support a rich set of input/output interfaces. Some of these interfaces include a Gigabit Ethernet, two USB 2.0 host interfaces, a Raspberry Pi HAT compatibility through 40-pin header, and a Mikroe Click 16-pin header.

“Utilizing the small form factor of the MaaXBoard 8ULP ensures that the most complex aspects of the hardware implementation are already pre-engineered in the SOM—significantly reducing the engineering risk and providing a path from development to integration into custom products,” said Jim Beneke, vice president of Products & Emerging Technologies, Avnet. “It also reduces supply chain risks, since the compact SOM replaces dozens of components, many of which have long lead times.”

For more information on the Avnet MaaXBoard 8ULP single-board computer, head to the official product page for more information.

e-con Systems™ Launches Multi-camera Solution for NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin Based on Sony STARVIS IMX485

Posted on 29 June, 202229 June, 2022 by mixos

e-con Systems™, a leading embedded OEM camera company, and an NVIDIA Elite Partner, today launched the e-CAM82_CUOAGX – a 4K ultra-low-light camera powered by the NVIDIA® Jetson AGX Orin™ system-on-a-module and based on the Sony STARVIS IMX485 sensor. The product will be officially launched at Embedded World 2022, to be held at the Exhibition Centre in Nuremberg, Germany, from June 21^st to 23^rd.

This large sensor camera (1/1.2”) can be readily integrated with NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin and is designed to address the rising processing needs of AI-based embedded vision applications such as autonomous mobile robots and agricultural vehicles. This large sensor size will also enable

e-CAM82_CUOAGX to capture high-resolution images with more detail and clarity.

In addition, this low-light camera houses the Sony STARVIS IMX485 sensor with a large pixel size of 2.9µm (H) x 2.9µm (V), which is double the size of most 4K sensors available in the market today. This, in turn, will ensure high sensitivity even in absolute darkness.

e-CAM82_CUOAGX is a multi-camera solution that can connect up to 6 cameras to have an extended field of view for building 360-degree surround-view systems. Further, e-con Systems will support any customization required on NVIDIA Isaac ROS to reduce the camera integration efforts for robotic vision systems.

“NVIDIA Jetson platforms are powerful AI computers for energy-efficient autonomous machines. Being an elite camera ecosystem partner of NVIDIA, e-con Systems designs and manufactures numerous Jetson-based vision solutions to help machines see the world with high-quality cameras. e-CAM82_CUOAGX is a Sony STARVIS IMX485-based ultra-low light 4K camera solution specially designed for NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin. This large sensor camera and the AGX Orin development kit are the ideal combo for edge AI-enabled systems like autonomous machines and Intelligent Transport Systems.”, said Gomathi Sankar, Senior Product Manager at e-con Systems™

“NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin complements e-con’s multi-camera solutions to deliver high-quality, 4K vision-based applications for autonomous machines,” said Durga Peddireddy, Jetson partner ecosystem and camera solutions lead at NVIDIA. “This multi-camera offering also supports the widely adopted GMSL interface that extends connectivity for areas such as industrial robotics.”

e-CAM82_CUOAGX in combination with NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin (the latest system-on-a- module from NVIDIA that offers 8x the performance of its previous generation) is set to revolutionize edge-based AI analytics applications, offering a maximum performance of 275 TOPS. It is a high-resolution camera that is capable of streaming Full HD @ 90fps and 4K UHD @ 72fps.

Key features and benefits of e-CAM82_CUOAGX

Ultra-low-light camera: Housing the Sony STARVIS IMX485 camera and having a sensor with a large optical format and pixel size, e-CAM82_CUOAGX is ideal for low-light applications.
Readily integrated with NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin: Makes the camera suitable for applications that need heavy processing.
4K resolution: Enables e-CAM82_CUOAGX to capture more details and a large field of view.
Large sensor and pixel size: Helps to collect more details of the scene with superior clarity even in absolute darkness.

These key features make e-CAM82_CUOAGX suitable for applications such as:

Autonomous mobile robots like service robots, warehouse robots, delivery robots, etc.
Autonomous tractors and other agricultural vehicles
People detection and crowd analytics systems
Telehealth devices

Have a look at the introduction video of e-CAM82_CUOAGX to learn more about the features and applications of the camera.

To help the developers of camera-based embedded devices that use Jetson AGX Orin, e-con Systems is extending the support for all its camera modules to this future-ready processor. This means all of e-con’s camera solutions – spanning global shutter, IP67 rated cameras, 2MP to 18MP resolution, GMSL2 cameras, multi-camera solutions, 3D time of flight and stereo cameras, etc. – can now be readily evaluated with NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin.

Availability of e-CAM82_CUOAGX

Customers interested in evaluating e-CAM82_CUOAGX – the Sony STARVIS IMX485-based 4K ultra-low-light camera – can purchase the product from e-con Systems’ online store. You can also learn more about e-CAM82_CUOAGX by visiting the product page.

For other cameras supporting the NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin, please visit the Jetson Orin camera hub page.

Customization and integration support

With a proper understanding of customers’ pain points, e-con Systems also offers customization services that reduce efforts on prototyping, product integration, and product deployment. Please write to camerasolutions@e-consystems.com for any customization or integration support.

Innergie, a Delta Electronics Brand, Launches C6 Adapter with GaN Technology

Posted on 29 June, 2022 by mixos

Innergie, a consumer power brand of Delta that won several international certifications and awards, today announced the launch of the C6 60 W USB-C adapter for Innergie’s flagship “One For All” Series. The latest C6 adapter takes advantage of Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology and boosts charging efficiency for consumers by up to 91.5%.

The new C6 adopts GaN instead of traditional Si-MOSFET components to optimize its electrical circuitry and to enhance power efficiency. Equipped with high-power delivery, the C6 automatically detects the output voltage for any device and provides fast charging for a wide range of 3C products. The C6 lowers operating temperature by 10 degrees Fahrenheit at 60 W full load charging—compared to Innergie’s previous 60C Pro generation of adapters.

Since working from home (WFH) is the “new normal,” seamless integration across multiple devices is a critical factor in determining energy efficiency during WFH. Innergie’s “One For All Series” adopts USB-C—the dominant connector primarily used by most smart devices—to support a power range spanning 30 W to 63 W. The series features PD 3.0 fast charging and output power customization for different devices by utilizing dynamic power allocation technology. Now users can charge laptops, mobile phones, tablets, earphones, game consoles and other devices. Innergie will continue to deploy GaN technology for new products in the “One For All Series” line—bringing efficiency, simplicity and convenience to our daily lives.

For more information about the Innergie C6: https://bit.ly/innergiec6gan

Available on Amazon for $47.99: https://amzn.to/3JYSi3e

LONGER RAY5 Laser Engraver: Is it meant for you?

Posted on 28 June, 202228 June, 2022 by Abhishek Jadhav

Laser engraving technology has been widely used by designers, makers, and hobbyists to engrave solid marks on different types of materials that are exposed to the engraver machine. Laser engraving machines are designed for cutting, etching, marking, and engraving hard materials while automating the process through the use of computer software. LONGER is regarded as a leading laser engraver manufacturer and has now launched a new LONGER RAY5 laser engraver with a 3.5-inch built-in touch screen and 32-bit motherboards for seamless operation.

Before purchasing any laser engraver, it is very important to know what kind of materials the LONGER RAY5 laser engraver machine can be used. Some of the engraving materials include wood, paper, plastic, leather, PCB board, aluminum oxide, non-reflective plating, and lacquered metal, among many others. The cutting materials include cardboard, non-woven fabric, light wood, acrylic material, and thin plastic board. The manufacturer has also provided a list of dangerous materials on which the LONGER RAY5 laser engraver should not be used– PVC, Lexan, ABS, HDPE, Polystyrene foam, fiberglass, Polypropylene, coated carbon fiber, etc.

At the heart of the LONGER RAY5 laser engraver is a 32-bit Espressif microcontroller that can be clocked up to a frequency of 240MHz. We presume that the embedded ESP32 microcontroller is based on the Xtensa 32-bit LX7 single-core processor that includes 320kB of onboard static SRAM and 128kB of flash storage. Some of the software that can be used to operate the LONGER RAY5 laser engraver is LabserGRBL and LightBurn software for Windows operating systems. If you are planning to use Mac or Linux operating system, then you can consider using the LightBurn software.

Specifications of LONGER RAY5 Laser Engraver

CPU: ESP32 microcontroller
Display: 3.5-inch built-in touch screen
Working area: 400×400 mm2
Engraving speed:
- Minimum: 40 mm/minute
- Maximum: 10,000 mm/minute
Power supply: 110-240V with 50-60Hz
Power adapter output: 12V/5A
Power consumption: 60W
Interfaces: USB and TF card
Software support:
- Windows: LaserGRBL And LightBurn Software
- Mac/Linux: LightBurn Software
Carving materials: Wood, paper, plastic, leather, PCB board, aluminium oxide, non-reflective plating, and lacquered metal
Cutting materials: Cardboard, non-woven fabric, light wood, acrylic material, plastic board
Input format: BMP, JPG, PNG, DXF, AI, SVG, etc.
Operating temperature: -20℃ to 50℃

Key features of LONGER RAY5 Laser Engraver

The LONGER RAY5 Laser Engraver is equipped with a 3.5-inch color touch screen display for offline engraving and cutting. The existing technology is dependent on the computer, and if the computer is down during the engraving process, it may cause the engraving machine to stop. But with LONGER RAY5 Laser Engraver, the offline operation of the machine can be taken care of using the touch screen which is connected through the SD card and the onboard microcontroller.
Cost-saving is another key feature of the LONGER RAY5 Laser Engrave, as multiple batches of the same pattern can be processed using two or more of this laser engraver machine, rather than buying multiple computers and equipment.
Easy-to-use and user-friendly is the selling point for the LONGER RAY5 Laser Engraver. Several types of equipment in the market require knowledge and field expertise to operate the machine, but this LONGER RAY5 Laser Engraver has a simple and unified user interface with simple operation processes.
The powerful onboard microcontroller comes from Espressif ESP32 manufacturer that operates at a speed of 240MHz and is faster than that of an 8-bit microcontroller, and command transmission speed is faster too. The offline operation can only be supported if an SD card is inserted, which is supported by a powerful ESP32 microcontroller.
Five safety protections, including thermal protection, move protection, motionless protection, emergency stop button, and eye protection.

Specifications of Laser Technology:

Laser technology: Diode laser
Spot size: 0.08×0.08 mm2
Laser wavelength: 450-460 nm
Power supply: 12V/3A
Laser class: FDA Class IV, or Class 4 IEC Standard
Focus type: Fixed focus– 30 mm focal range

Package content

LONGER RAY5 Laser Engraver
Weight: 4.75 kgs
Machine size assembled: 61x67x20 cm
Package size: 59x31x15 cm

Conclusion

Overall, the LONGER RAY5 Laser Engraver looks like a decent product to buy, but you should be aware of the carving and cutting materials, as they should align with your requirements. If you are looking to engrave a metal piece, this product might not be the best one for you. However, as most applications are based on wood, paper, plastic, and leather, the LONGER RAY5 Laser Engraver should be an ideal choice for you.

Interested people can purchase the product from the official product page which is priced at $309. However, since we are happy to provide you with a couple to receive a flat $30 off, use coupon code RAY5$30 on the checkout page.

LONGER RAY 10W

The company will soon launch the LONGER RAY 10W version of their engraver that supports a more powerful laser module able to engrave on even more materials. The release is scheduled for the end of July 2022.

CrowPi L is a Cost-effective Way of Learning Programming

Posted on 27 June, 2022 by Saumitra Jagdale

After CrowPi and CrowPi 2, Elecrow has come up with the Lite version of CrowPi 2. This Raspberry Pi computer can be a great start for a newbie to enter the field of embedded development. CrowPi L is the third and most refined edition of the CrowPi family, it was introduced after resolving a few restrictions identified by the users and Raspberry Pi enthusiasts. Some of the issues faced by the users included difficulty in installing the Raspberry Pi, switching systems, cooling and connecting an external display. With this new CrowPi L, the company assures to bring new experiences to the users.

Following the tradition of the CrowPi family, this new design aims to provide a very affordable program learning experience. CrowPi L is available in 4GB and 8GB variants. The laptop will offer a customized operating system which will mainly focus on education software, but the company also provides a long list of supported well-known operating systems, including Raspberry Pi OS, Ubuntu, Windows IoT, ArchLinux, RISC OS etc. The main vision of the company is that any OS working on RaspberryPi 4 should be compatible with the laptop. There are 96 courses in the learning kit which makes it a true programming kit for beginners.

Technical Specifications of CrowPi L

Equipped with an 11.6-inch IPS screen, the CrowPi L provides a resolution of 1366 x 768. The built-in 5000 mAh rechargeable battery is projected to last 3 hours, making it more like a laptop.
CrowPi also offers an in-built webcam, speakers, and a headphone jack for a good telecommunication experience. Also, a standard keyboard with a touchpad makes the interfacing experience better.
Raspberry Pi installation is considerably easy and quick with its magnetically hooked design. Unlike its predecessors, which were compatible with the Raspberry Pi 3B+, 3B or 4, the latest CrowPi L operates only with the Raspberry Pi 4B.
This device has Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.0 to give excellent networking connectivity, and all of the other capabilities of the RaspberryPi 4 board.
Multitasking is feasible with a two-monitor configuration, which increases productivity. The external display can be connected via an HDMI port which may increase your viewing area. It may also help the user to browse the web, display additional information, or mirror your laptop screen. It also has a 40-pin GPIO interface for making innovative projects. For more detailed specifications, read the user manual.

Learning Made Easier With CrowPi L

For Hardware:- CrowPi supports hardware projects too. It provides a Crowtail kit which is only available with the advanced kit and also a 40-pin GPIO extension shield. The Crowtail Starter Kit comes with 22 modules, including RGB LEDs, ultrasonic sensors, infrared sensors, and more. The jumper wires included in the kit make it simple to develop a project without the hassle of soldering.

For Programming:- CrowPi L offers courses for beginners interested in learning programming as well as for RaspberryPi enthusiasts. RaspberryPi comprises 96 programming courses which include 40 Letscode lessons and 56 Python Lessons. Letscode, a self-developed programming software, supports a variety of programming languages and platforms, including visual programming on the Raspberry Pi. On the other hand, you can also learn basic to advanced level Python with CrowPi L. A beginner may learn the foundations of programming by following these courses. They allow users to master the underlying logic of programming and enhance logical thinking to the advanced level of Python grammar, complete hardware projects using code, consolidate and develop programming skills, and foster systematic design thinking.

CrowPi L is a cost-effective way of learning programming with new facilities. It comes with a Basic Kit and an Advanced Kit, the figure above shows the differentiation between both these kits. One can buy this robust device starting at an affordable price from CrowPi’s official website.

SparkFun Thing Plus Dual-Port Logging Shield provides access to microSD via SPI and USB Type-C

Posted on 27 June, 2022 by Abhishek Jadhav

Colorado-based embedded electronic device manufacturer, SparkFun, has announced the commercial availability of the Thing Plus Dual-Port Logging Shield. Due to its Thing Plus form factor, the device is easily compatible with the existing modules and sensors available on the market. At present, there are several data logging embedded devices, like the OpenLog Artemis and Qwiic OpenLog that require the microSD card to be popped out and plugged into a computer in order to read the logged data. But this can become a problem when the developer is building an embedded systems application and cannot eject the microSD card. SparkFun provides the solution through its new Dual-Port Logging Shield, which solves this problem by providing easy access to the microSD card data through both SPI and the USB Type-C port.

At the heart of the board is the ATtiny841 microcontroller, which allows the system designer to optimize power consumption versus processing speed by achieving throughputs approaching 1 MIPS (million instructions per second) per MHz. The onboard microcontroller acts as an arbiter, that is the ATtiny841 will automatically put the Dual-Port Logging Shield into SPI mode if the developer powers up the Thing Plus. This enables the Arduino code to easily access the microSD as if the shield were powered from the computer by connecting it via the USB-C and the ATtiny841 microcontroller puts the shield into SDIO “thumb drive” mode.

The ATtiny841 microcontroller can be configured automatically to SPI mode or SDIO “thumb drive” mode if one can power up the Thing Plus and get the computer connected simultaneously. Furthermore, this simplifies switching between the two modes and this can be achieved by giving the ATtiny841 some simple commands over I2C.

The board is designed to be mounted on or under one of the Thing Plus boards. By making use of the Arduino SD libraries, logging and reading data to and from the microSD card respectively is possible over SPI. You can also read and write files at up to 35MBytes/second by connecting the microSD card to the computer via a USB Type-C port. In addition, the board provides the USB2241 Ultra-Fast USB 2.0 Media Controller which supports FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS. It also provides support for cards up to 32GB.

SparkFun Thing Plus Dual-Port Logging Shield is priced at $29.95 which can be ordered from the official product page. The manufacturer has also provided a hookup guide on the website.

Espoir, an open-source ESP32-powered PoE+ board with mikroBUS header

Posted on 27 June, 2022 by Abhishek Jadhav

There have been several crowdfunding campaigns in recent times, but most of them deal with single-board computers, radio modules, and development boards. Some of the most recent coverage includes the Mixtile Blade 3 and STEPFPGA development boards. Raspberry Pi Foundation recently announced the launch of PoE+ HAT specially designed for Raspberry Pi single-board computers that support the IEEE 802.3at-2009 PoE standard. Quebec-based open-source IoT automation electronics manufacturer, Connaxia, has announced a crowdfunding campaign on CrowdSupply which is yet to go live. The new project is a fully compliant Power over Ethernet+ board that is fueled by an ESP32 microcontroller– Espoir.

At the heart of the board is the ESP32-MINI-1 processor that features an ESP32-U4WDH embedded with ESP32-MINI-1 microprocessor clocked at a frequency of 240MHz. The tightly integrated chip also comes with a 448kB ROM and 520kB SRAM of which 16kB is used in RTC. Also, on the wireless connectivity side, the ESP32-MINI-1 processor supports IEEE802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth v4.2 BR/EDR and Bluetooth LE.

Specifications of Espoir PoE+ board:

SoC: ESP32-MINI-1 processor
1. Processor core: Single-core or dual-core processor
2. Clock frequency: 240MHz
3. Storage: 4MB flash storage
4. Memory: 520kB SRAM
Wireless connectivity: IEEE802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2 and Bluetooth LE
USB ports: USB 2.0 via USB Type-C connector
Expansion: 100Base-T Ethernet port, expansion headers with two grounds, 4x additional only input pins, and ESP32 reset signal
Interfaces: mikroBUS socket with two grounds
IOs: 12
Weight: 31 grams
Dimensions: 50.8×61.0 mm

Open Source Hardware Associated certified PoE+ board brings mikroBUS headers to provide the flexibility to interface off-the-shelf modules and sensors. In addition to the Espoir PoE+ board, the manufacturer has also provided two add-on boards to get started– mikroShields. The IO One mikroShield is designed to provide 9 signal-voltage-ground 3-pin connector, a temperature and humidity sensor as well as an I2C connector. This board is designed for agricultural and gardening IoT applications. The other board is the Pmod compatible mikroShield to provide 12-pin header for a way to connect Pmod compatible devices and wired extension modules.

As an open-source project, the project files are detailed documentation and files are available on the official project page. Also, Espoir PoE+ board has not yet launched on CrowdSupply and is currently under pre-launch phase, you can still sign up on the project page to get timely notifications.

Raspberry Pi 400 inspired Orange Pi 800 personal computer inside a keyboard

Posted on 27 June, 2022 by Abhishek Jadhav

There has been extensive coverage on the Raspberry Pi 400 news that witnessed innovation in designing single-board computers. All manufacturers, developing embedded boards in the same design and form factor, lack a lot of innovation, which is much needed in this demanding edge AI growth. Despite the fact that standard form-factor single-board computers provide the flexibility to interface existing modules and sensors, the new keyboard-based personal computer saw a new era of designing embedded devices. Like the Raspberry Pi 400, Shenzhen Xunlong announced a new personal computer inside a keyboard– Orange Pi 800, powered by a six-core Rockchip RK3399 system-on-chip and integrated 4GB LPDDR4 RAM.

At the heart of the Orange Pi 800 is the Rockchip RK3399 system-on-chip that features an Arm 64-bit processor core based on the large and small size core architecture of big.LITTLE. The integrated dual-core Arm Cortex-A72 processor core is clocked up to a frequency of 1.8GHz, and the quad-core Arm Cortex-A53 has a speed of 1.4GHz. The tightly integrated Arm Mali-5860MP4 graphics unit is also incorporated. The hardware device is equipped with 64GB of eMMC flash storage and on wireless connectivity, there is an onboard module to support dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz IEEE802.11b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 BLE.

“Orange Pi 800 is designed to provide users with a higher quality, more cost-effective, and better user experience,” said the project manager of Xunlong Software. Inheriting Orange Pi’s open-source gene, Orange Pi 800 is also completely open-source, and we hope to create, discover and imagine richer products together with users. Orange Pi 800 will bring users unprecedented freedom, creation and a rich experience.”

Specifications of Orange Pi 800 personal computer:

Module: Rockchip RK3399 system on chip with dual-core Arm Cortex-A72 and quad-core Arm Cortex-A53
GPU: Arm Mali-5860MP4
Memory: 4GB LPDDR4 RAM
Storage: 64GB eMMC flash storage
Wireless connectivity: IEEE802.11b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 BLE
Video: Support 4K at 60 frames per second
Audio: 3.5mm jack (audio output) and MIC (audio input)
Keyboard: 78-key QWERTY keyboard
Expansion: 1x HDMI 2.0 and 1x VGA (for video), 2x USB 3.0
GPIOs: 26 pins
Power: USB Type-C
Dimensions: 286x122x22 mm
Weight: 385 grams

The Orange Pi 800 personal computer is designed with special heat-conducting silicage to keep the computer cool and silent even in heavy workloads. The hardware is also manufactured with pre-installed Python and Scratch for easy educational setup and exploration to build multimedia applications. With the ability to connect to an external display through HDMI or VGA port, the hardware can be used for streaming live video feeds. Advanced wireless connectivity also gives you the advantage of using fast video transfer from various embedded devices and edge sensors.

If you are interested in the product, more information can be found on the official product page. Unfortunately, Shenzhen Xunlong has not provided any further information on the pricing or availability of the Orange Pi 800 personal computer.

Developing Edge AI Applications Using Sitara AM62x

Posted on 27 June, 2022 by Saumitra Jagdale

Known for its world-class high-performance processors, Texas Instruments (TI) has unveiled its line of new Sitara AM62x processors. The new Sitara AM62x family includes the AM623 and AM625 single to quad Arm Cortex A-53 processors. Texas Instruments has launched these new processors to significantly boost the performance of edge artificial intelligence (AI) for next-generation applications, building on its tradition of delivering highly integrated processors. The processor design focuses on low power consumption, making them capable of dual-screen displays and human-machine interface (HMI) applications.

For developing a better experience, TI has announced an event to showcase new Sitara AM62x processors. The event will focus on demonstrating system-level solutions for the numerous AI and HMI applications of these new processors at Nuremberg, Germany, on June 21-23,2022.

With the evolving HMI demands for optimal designs, AM62x processors allow the recognition of the simple gestures by the machine and enable the control in a noisy environment. They allow remote control in a noisy environment via gestures. The addition of edge AI technologies such as machine vision, analytics, and predictive maintenance may help redefine HMI. The operations using HMI will be enhanced, and a flexible experience for the engineers will be provided as these processors are power and cost-efficient.

Technical Specifications of Sitara AM62x

Arm CPU – The powerful performance comes from the single, dual or quad-core Arm Cortex A53 processors, which can run up to a maximum 1400MHz.
Co-Processor- A single real-time highly efficient embedded processor ARM Cortex-M4F core clocked up to 400 MHz.
Memory- It uses the 4th generation of low-power DDR DRAM (LPDDR4) and DDR4 with a memory option of 4GB/ 8GB, respectively.
Storage- OSPI/QSPI interface with 166-MHz DDR / 200-MHz SDR for Serial NAND and Serial NOR flash devices.
Connectivity- It supports Gigabit Ethernet with the support of TSN.
Operating system- Linux/ Android

The GPU used in this new series of AM62x is not yet specified by the company, but it is known that they have used an unnamed 3D GPU.

Merits of Sitara AM62 Processors

Budget-friendly edge AI technology for new applications: The AM62x processors would be cost-effective and provide edge AI functions such as the recognition and detection of objects. The price starts from less than US$5, defining the AM62x as a truly cost-effective and high-performance processor. They also enable image processing functions for HMI devices and dual full-screen HD displays for several operating systems, including Linux and Android.

Reduction in power consumption by 50%: The AM62 processor is 50% more energy-efficient than competing devices, allowing applications powered by AA batteries to function for over 1,000 hours. Only a simplified power architecture can deliver such power efficiency; this processor has two dedicated power rails and 5 power modes. With a core voltage of 0.75 V, a deep sleep mode at <5 mW can extend the battery life, while an active power of <1.5 W is possible.

Flexible AI development using AM62x tools and resources: A variety of hardware and software tools and resources for AM62x processors help in making it cost-efficient and a less complex design. For achieving flexibility in the development of edge AI applications, the design includes the usage of operating systems such as Linux/ Android, which also helps in making the application fast. It comes with an EVM variant which is a third-party evaluation module (EVM) starting from US$25, helping the engineers to get started with the application development relatively faster.

The AM625 and AM623 processors from the new Sitara AM62x family offer a robust performance package with an effective cost and less power consumption technology. These processors are available in 13-mm-by-13-mm, 425-pin ALW packages with a price starting from less than US$5 in 1,000 quantities. These new power and cost-efficient processors are now up for sale at the official website of Texas Instruments (TI) and other distributors.