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52Pi W01 U2500 HAT Adds Dual 2.5GbE Ethernet and M.2 NVMe SSD to Raspberry Pi 5

Posted on by Debashis Das

52Pi W01 U2500 HAT is an expansion module designed to add 2.5GbE Ethernet and M.2 NVMe SSD to Raspberry Pi 5. This configuration makes it easy for users to build NAS, databases, media servers, and other applications with the Pi5.

The U2500 supports M.2 M-key NVMe SSDs (2230, 2242, 2260, and 2280) with 2.5 GbE Ethernet with a Realtek RTL8156BG chipset. For fast access and support the M.2 SSD is connected directly to the Raspberry Pi’s PCIe port that supports Gen2 & Gen3 standards. But one of two 2.5GbE ports gets connected to a USB port of the Pi using a special adapter that ships with the product.

Previously we have written about products developed by 52Pi  including the 52Pi NVMe M.2 HATs and other PCIe HATs for the Pi5 like the Raspberry Pi AI kit, the PI-5 connector adapter, and much more, feel free to check those out if you are interested in the topic.

The HAT converts two USB 3.0 ports into two Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, ideal for web servers and IoT projects. It mounts securely onto the Raspberry Pi 5 with four holes, leaving the 40-pin GPIO header accessible.

52Pi W01 U2500 HAT Specifications

  • Form Factor: Raspberry Pi HAT
  • Compatibility: Raspberry Pi 5 (exclusive!)
  • Storage:
    • M.2 NVMe (M-key)
    • 2230/2242 SSD sizes supported
  • Networking:
    • Dual 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports
    • USB 3.0 to Ethernet conversion
  • Interface: PCIe x1 (for NVMe)
  • Power: Draws power from Pi’s USB ports (no external needed)
  • Misc:  LED indicator for M.2 disk activity.
  • Dimensions:  85 x 56 x 15.15mm

The package comes complete with everything needed to mount the HAT onto your Raspberry Pi 5. Included are the W01 U2500 HAT, screws, PCIe cables, pin header, copper pillars, an SSD securing pillar, and a screwdriver for easy installation. More information about this HAT can be found on the Wiki Page.

This U2500 HAT is available for $49.99 on the 52Pi online store. However, note that the Wiki page for this product is not available as of the publication date.

LILYGO’s T3-S3 ESP32-S3 Board is Suited for IoT Applications

Posted on by Saumitra Jagdale

T3-S3-ESP32-S3-feature-image

The IoT industry is constantly looking for improvements in boards that fixate on communication interfaces and low-power performance. We recently came across LILYGO’s T3-S3 ESP32-S3 board which can be lauded for its long-distance communication capabilities and energy efficiency.

Key Specifications and Features

The T3-S3 ESP32-S3 board uses the SX1280 LoRa Transceiver for communication which operates at 2.4 GHz frequency. Note that a power amplifier can be used with the SX1280. Here, a Power Amplifier is used for boosting the signal strength and increasing the signal quality which could be convenient with IoT networks spanning geographically. Additionally, with the PA, users have the liberty to either prioritize “maximizing range” or “optimizing power consumption”  as needed. SX1280 also has a high-efficiency PA giving +12 dbm, and a low RX current of 9.9 mA. The recommended chip output is 2-5 dbm, ensuring the module output to 20 dbm. The optimal setting for damage prevention is 3 dbm, any setting higher than 5 dbm can damage the FEM resulting in weak or unclear signals.

SX1280 is one of the first transceiver ICs to have time-of-flight functionality. It can operate in “Mesh Network”, meaning if one of the devices in the mesh goes offline, data can travel through another path, or a device can act as a relay between two devices. These factors make T3-S3 useful for remote applications or for communication in places without cellular coverage. This makes the T3-S3 ESP32-S3 board more reliable.

The micro-controller unit of T3-S3 is ESP32S3FH4R2, having memory specifications as 4MB FLASH, and 2MB PSRAM with QSPI, this gives the board the ability to make external memory as fast as internal memory. The flash memory chip works at a maximum speed of 80MHz and does not support auto-suspend. Although a speed of 120MHz or auto-suspend functionality can be achieved, to do so please contact espressif.

Interfaces

Coming to interfaces, the T3-S3 ESP32-S3 board comes with SMA and two IPEX connectors. SMA connectors find themselves in RF applications. One of the IPEX connectors is near the SMA connector and the other is near the Wi-Fi antenna. As they are compact they are used in applications with limited space. Also, these connectors can be used for both RF and Wi-Fi communication giving users more options and versatility.

The T3-S3 ESP32-S3 board can be connected to external devices via various ports and pins such as,

  • 21 multi-function GPIO pins.
  • USB type-C connector.
  • TF card slot.
  • Wifi and Bluetooth 5.0
  • The peripheral interfaces include SPI, I2C, and ADC.
  • A Reset + Boot button.

Included Accessories with T3-S3 Board :

Some miscellaneous features included in the board:

  • 1 LoRa antenna.
  • The OLED display of 0.96 inches has a resolution of 128×64 with I2C driver.
  • 1 JST 2.0mm 2P for connecting a battery.
  • 2 2.54mm Male PIN (1*13P).

This board is compatible with Arduino IDE, Micropython, and ESP-IDF  for programming. This allows users from all software backgrounds to easily work on this board.

LILYGO’s T3-S3 ESP32-S3 LoRa 0.96 inch Development Board fit for IoT applications is available on the Lilygo website. Meanwhile, the sample codes are available on their Github.

Espressif Thread Border Router Supports IPv6, Service Discovery, and NAT64

Posted on by Debashis Das

Espressif thread Border Router is a SP32-H2 and ESP32-S3 powered development board with thread Interoperability Certificate V1.3.

Espressif Thread Border Router is a SP32-H2 (802.15.4) and ESP32-S3 (WiFi + BLE) powered development board that has acquired Thread Interoperability Certificate V1.3, which makes it a Thread-Certified Component that supports Matter application scenarios.

The ESP Thread Border Router supports the latest Thread 1.3 standard, including features like IPv6 connectivity, service discovery, multicast forwarding, and NAT64. Additionally, it offers product-ready functionalities such as a web configuration interface, automatic updates, and optimized radio performance.

Espressif Thread Border Router Specifications

  • ESP32-S3-WROOM-1
    • SoC: ESP32-S3 dual-core 240 MHz with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 4 and Bluetooth 5.0 LE
    • Memory: 2MB PSRAM
    • Storage: 4MB SPI flash
    • Dimensions: 25.5 x 18 x 3.1 mm
  • ESP32-H2-MINI-1 (D4N2)
    • MCU: ESP32-H2 96 MHz RISC-V with Bluetooth 5.2 LE/Mesh and 802.15.4 radios
    • Storage: 2MB flash
    • Dimensions: 13.2 x 16.6 x 2.4 mm
    • Interfaces (ESP32-S3 <-> ESP32-H2):
      • UART, SPI
      • RESET, BOOT
      • 3-wire PTA for RF coexistence
  • Connectivity
    • USB: 2x Type-C (one for each module)
  • Expansion
    • ESP32-S3: 26-pin GPIO header
    • ESP32-H2: 8-pin GPIO header
  • Additional Features
    • Reset and Boot buttons for each module
    • 3 user LEDs on ESP32-H2

Espressif offers an optional ethernet board to add Ethernet, HMI, and voice control to their development board. This versatile board is primarily for Thread Border Router development but can also be used for Zigbee Gateways.

The ESP Thread Border Router SDK, sample code, and documentation are available on Espressif’s website and GitHub. Zigbee hardware support exists, but the corresponding SDK has not been released yet.

The board is priced at around $10.00 and can be purchased from AliExpress or Sparkfun. Additional information can be found on Espressif’s announcement page.

uEye ACP series provides added customization options for board-level cameras

Posted on by mixos

Cost-effective from lot size one, readily available, highly variable

As versatile as the IDS industrial camera families are, sometimes customer requirements are so particular that a customized development would be desirable. However, this often only makes sense for larger quantities. For this reason, the company has developed the uEye ACP series: its modular design principle allows for a vast range of camera variants. The online configurator helps to put together unusual models that are available from stock. True to the philosophy: be uncompromisingly happy instead of making compromises.

IDS Imaging Development Systems has developed all essential camera components for the uEye ACP series – such as sensor boards, connectors and lens holders – as standard modules that can be freely combined. The range includes USB3 and GigE Vision interfaces, connector boards with various connector options, flex cables and a wide range of image sensors from 0.5 to 20 MP.

uEye ACP allows for a wide range of combinations

Customized board-level cameras are available off the shelf in quantities as low as one, without the usual development cycles of individual projects. Furthermore, customers have the option of receiving the camera fully assembled or as individual components. As is customary for IDS, careful testing before shipment and quality “Made in Germany” are a matter of course in both cases.

In addition to the uEye ACP product line, the industrial camera manufacturer also takes on customized development projects. On request, an experienced team carries out everything that is technically possible, from individual design to adaptations of the housing, board electronics and connector configuration, as well as software adaptations.

More information: https://www.ids-imaging.us/ueye-acp-cameras.html

Neuron-1 is A 5-Axis CNC Motion Control System with RJ45 Connectors and Plug-and-Play Functionality

Posted on by Debashis Das

Neuron-1 is a universal 5-axis CNC motion controller used to control CNC machines, such as milling machines, routers, and lathes, and the most unique thing about this board is that it uses RJ45 connectors to make a plug-and-play system. The board is based on Teensy 4.1 and includes a variety of features that make it easy to use and install, including the RJ45 connectors, a plug-and-play system, and configurable inputs and outputs. It is also compatible with a variety of firmware and software.

Previously we have written about similar controllers such as the Phi Mainboard 5LC, the Plex Controller, and many other homegrown controllers feel free to check those out if you are interested in the topic.

Neuron-1 CNC Motion Control System Specifications

  • CPU: Teensy 4.1
  • Firmware: grblHAL (32-bit)
  • Axis Control: 5-axis (Step/Dir/Enable)
  • I/O:
    • 5x Closed-loop Stepper/Servo alarm inputs
    • Opto-isolated limit switch inputs (mechanical & inductive)
    • 4x Opto-isolated auxiliary inputs
    • 24-5V outputs for spindle, coolant, dust extraction
    • 3x 24-5V auxiliary outputs (M-code controlled)
    • 0-10V / 5V PWM for spindle VFD/laser
  • Connectivity:
    • USB
    • Ethernet
    • SD Card
    • Auxiliary USB
    • I2C
  • Additional:
    • 5/24V input/output configurable
    • POE-style power over I/O
    • Reverse polarity/fuse protection
    • Compatible with IoSender, (future) CortexInterface software
  • Form Factor: Compact module with RJ45 connectors

In terms of software and tools, the board supports GrblHAL firmware and IoSender software, and on the products page, the company mentions that the support for CortexInterface software is an upcoming feature of there.

Italian startup Cortex Automation designed the board so that it’s plug-and-play and includes everything you’ll need to build a CNC device with ease. Other than that not much information about the board is available at the time of writing. But upon searching for a bit I found the GitHub repo for the Neuron-1 you can check that out if you want to find some more information about the product.

The company is not selling the board right now and does not mention when the board will be available for sale more information about that can be found on the Neuron-1 products page.

Infineon CY8CKIT-062S2-AI PSoC 6 Edge AI Evaluation Kit is Built for Seamless AI Integration in Embedded Applications

Posted on by Debashis Das

Infineon CY8CKIT-062S2-AI Evaluation Kit is a Hardware platform focused on Machine Learning (ML).

Infineon CY8CKIT-062S2-AI Evaluation Kit is a Hardware platform focused on Machine Learning (ML). Built around the PSoC 6 family of MCUs this dev board includes sensors like radar, microphone, magnetometer, IMU, air pressure sensor, and much more. The board features Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for connectivity and includes an expansion header that can be used to connect other modules and sensors. These features make this board useful for applications like smart home automation, industrial monitoring, wearables, etc.

Previously we have written about similar AI and Machine learning-powered dev boards like the TIDEP-01004, the Avnet RASynBoard, the AISonic IA8201 feel free to check those boards out if you are interested in the topic.

Infineon CY8CKIT-062S2-AI Dev Board Specifications

  • Microcontroller Unit (MCU)
    • Infineon PSoC 62S2 MCU
    • Dual-core Arm Cortex-M4F and Cortex-M0+
    • Up to 1 MB Flash memory
    • 288 KB SRAM
  • Wireless Connectivity
    • Murata Electronics LBEE5KL1YN-814 module
    • Wi-Fi 4 (802.11b/g/n) with speeds up to 65Mbps
    • Bluetooth 5.2 BR/EDR/LE with speeds up to 3Mbps
  • Sensor Suite
    • XENSIV 60 GHz radar sensor: presence detection, counting, tracking, gesture sensing, and motion detection
    • XENSIV MEMS microphone: sound detection (e.g., siren, cough, snore, baby cry)
    • DSP368 barometric pressure sensor
    • BMI270 inertial measurement unit (IMU)
    • PDM-PCM interface for additional microphones
  • Interfaces
    • USB Type-C for power and data transfer
    • Two Pmod connectors for expansion
    • Five CapSense buttons and two CapSense® sliders
    • Arduino Uno R3 shield-compatible headers
  • Security Features
    • Hardware-based Root of Trust (RoT)
    • Hardware cryptographic accelerators
    • Secure onboarding, boot, key storage, and firmware updates
    • Trusted firmware-M security services
  • Debugging and Programming
    • KitProg3 onboard debugger and programmer
  • Dimensions: Not Mentioned

The evaluation kit includes pre-built machine-learning models for easier application development. It’s compatible with Infineon’s ModusToolbox software, a versatile embedded development tool used in the PSoC 64 IoT Security Workshop Development Kit. ModusToolbox supports machine learning, connectivity, and security and is compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS. The board also supports the Imagimob Studio platform, simplifying the creation and deployment of machine-learning models on small devices like the PSoC 6 MCU.

The board also supports TensorFlow Lite Micro and neural network acceleration via CMSIS-DSP and CMSIS-NN. Combined with robust hardware and connectivity options such as MQTT, HTTP, and AbIROC Bluetooth, it facilitates rapid prototyping and the development of AI applications.

The Infineon CY8CKIT-062S2-AI Evaluation Kit is priced at $37.50 on Mouser Electronic and $50 on DigiKey.

by cnx-software

AAEON Unveils New RISC Computing Line Powered by Texas Instruments

Posted on by mixos

Compact, environmentally resilient, and incorporating Texas Instruments AM62x Sitara Processors, the PICO-AM62 & SRG-AM62 show AAEON make big moves in cost-efficient RISC-based computing.

AAEON, a leading provider of compact embedded solutions, has announced two new additions to its RISC computing line: the PICO-AM62, a single board built on the PICO-ITX form factor, and the SRG-AM62, its RISC Gateway system counterpart.

Both the PICO-AM62 and SRG-AM62 represent a new approach from AAEON’s RISC Computing Division, powered by Texas Instruments™ AM62x Sitara™ Processors. These processors consist of a quad-core Arm® Cortex®-A53 CPU, single-core Arm® Cortex®-M4F MCU, and integrated GPU support.

The new product line stands out for its cost-efficiency and reliability. Both the PICO-AM62 single-board and the compact SRG-AM62 Gateway System are available in SKUs with a wide temperature tolerance of -40°C to 85°C and a power input range of 9V to 36V. The products are based on Texas Instruments™ processors, which are highly scalable and have a 20-year lifespan. This influenced AAEON’s vendor choice and should attract customers looking for cost-effective, durable IoT solutions. The environmental ruggedness of both the PICO-AM62 and SRG-AM62 makes them well-suited for deployment in challenging environments, such as in-vehicle digital clusters or industrial applications.

At both board and system levels, the platform offers dual LAN ports, camera, and sensor support. These features, combined with their compact dimensions, make them strong candidates for applications such as building access monitoring. Additionally, both products host an HDMI 1.4b interface. The PICO-AM62, in particular, includes an LVDS connector for display output, which is well-suited for human-machine-interface (HMI) use.

Wireless communication, such as Wi-Fi and 4G/LTE, is also available via full and half-size mini cards. Both products also feature a multipurpose I/O connector for industrial control functions such as RS-232/422/485, CANBus, UART, GPIO, and I2C. Leveraging this versatility, it is easy to see how the products could serve as a flexible foundation for low-cost industrial automation devices. AAEON notes that the PICO-AM62 hosts additional serial configuration options. Combining its multipurpose I/O connector with two pin headers, users can pair two RS-232/422/485 interfaces with two CAN-FD, four full RS-232/422/485 by BOM, all the way to four RS-485 alongside dual UART.

For detailed specifications and more information about the PICO-AM62 & SRG-AM62, please visit https://www.aaeon.com/en/ or contact your AAEON representative via AAEON’s dedicated contact form.

AAEON Debuts AQ7-ADN Qseven Module Featuring Intel Processor N-Series & MIPI Camera Support

Posted on by mixos

The AQ7-ADN extends AAEON’s adoption of the low-power Intel platform across its Computer-on-Modules range.

Having recently adopted the Intel Atom® Processors x7000E, Intel® Processor N, and Intel® Core™ i3-N305 platforms to a number of its Computer-on-Modules, AAEON has gone a step further by releasing the AQ7-ADN CPU module. The company’s first offering on the diminutive 70mm x 70mm Qseven form factor for a number of years, the AQ7-ADN is available in SKUs featuring a range of CPUs from Intel’s new range, from the 6W Intel® Processor N200 and N50 to the 15W Intel® Core™ i3-N305, offering a variety of performance options to suit different application needs.

Key Features:

  • Alder Lake-N CPU
  • 70mm x 70mm Qseven form factor
  • PCIe [x1] x 4
  • LPDDR5x, up to 8GB

The AQ7-ADN offers up to 8GB of high-bandwidth soldered LPDDR5x system memory for expedited data processing, while staying aligned with the power efficiency of its CPU selection. The module also accommodates to up to 64GB of eMMC for storage, with SATA support and four PCIe slots also available.

The module’s compact dimensions and lightweight 0.26 lb. design make it easy to integrate into space-constrained applications. Despite this, the AQ7-ADN houses a broad selection of connectors suitable for various industrial applications. For peripheral device support, the AQ7-ADN offers an Ethernet connector for Realtek RTL8111H-CG (1GbE), as well as dual USB 3.2 Gen 2 and six USB 2.0 interfaces. The AQ7-ADN also features a 4-lane MIPI CSI connector to enable high-quality image acquisition. In terms of industrial communication protocol support, the module provides users with UART, I2C, SMBus, and an 8-bit GPIO.

Dual display output is available via DP and co-laid eDP and LVDS, which, alongside its Intel® UHD Graphics, makes the AQ7-ADN suitable for applications requiring high-quality visual output, such as Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI). Another clear selling point for the module is its four PCIe slots, which open the door to a range of benefits, including the integration of Wi-Fi, frame grabber cards, and SSDs.

The AQ7-ADN is available for order via the eShop, priced as follows:

The AQ7-ADN is now in mass production and available for order via the AAEON eShop. For detailed specifications and more information about the AQ7-ADN, please visit its product page on the AAEON website.

MYIR Launches New SOM Based on Rockchip RK3568 Processor

Posted on by mixos

MYIR has launched the MYC-LR3568, a cost-effective System-on-Module (SoM) that is powered by the high-performance, low-power quad-core ARM Cortex-A55 processor RK3568 from Rockchip. This SoC boasts robust Mali-G52 2EE GPU capabilities and supports up to1 TOPs NPU.It also supports various video codecs, including 4K 60fps H.265/H.264/VP9 decoding and 1080P 60fps H.265/H.264 encoding, guaranteeing high-quality video playback and recording for users.

The MYC-LR3568 SOM features a compact 381-pin LGA package design, with dimensions of 43mm x 45mm. It integrates core components such as RK3568J/RK3568B2 processor, 2GB of LPDDR4 memory, 16GB of eMMC storage, EEPROM and PMIC. Additionally, it provides flexibility by allowing customization of optional eMMC capacities of 8GB/32GB and optional memory sizes of 1GB/4GB/8GB. The MYC-LR3568 is compatible with Linux and Debian Operating Systems and caters to a diverse array of applications, such as IoT gateways, NVR storage, industrial control, HMI, cloud terminals, central vehicle controllers, and facial recognition systems.

MYIR provides the MYD-LR3568 Development Board for prototyping and evaluating purposes, tailored specifically for development based on Rockchip RK3568 solutions. It has a carrier board design built around the MYC-LR3568System-On-Module, enabling users to explore the diverse features of the RK3568 processor. The board comes with an extensive range of peripherals and interfaces, including two USB3.0, one USB2.0, two Gigabit Ethernet, two CAN interfaces, a WiFi/Bluetooth module, a Micro SD card slot, an Audio interfaceand a Mini-CSI interface. Moreover, itsupports multiple display interfacessucha as HDMI, Mini-DP, MIPI-DSI, and LVDS.

To further enhance its extensibility, the MYD-LR3568 development board features a 40-pin RPI-compatible expansion interface as well asa MiFAN custom 40-pin expansion interface. Additionally, MYIR offers optional modules to enrich the board’s functionalities, including MY-CAM004M 4ADH-to-MIPI Camera Module, MY-CAM005M MIPI Camera Module, MY-WIREDCOM RPI Module (RS232/RS485/CAN) and MY-LVDS070C LCD Module.

MYD-LR3568 Development Board Top-view

 

MYD-LR3568 Development Board Bottom-view

MYIR offers two standard configurations for the MYC-LR3568 SOM, tailored to fulfill the diverse requirements of our customers. These modules are competitively priced, and we furthermore extend discounts for bulk orders.

More information about the MYC-LR3568SOM can be found at: https://www.myirtech.com/list.asp?id=768

RealTek RTL8126 5Gbps Ethernet Card Costs $12 and more

Posted on by Debashis Das

The Realtek RTL8126 is a 5Gbps Ethernet controller IC designed for high-speed networking applications. It’s designed to be a low-power, cost-effective product that brings 5Gbps Ethernet connectivity to devices like desktops, laptops, and servers. The IC was first unveiled at Computex 2023 last year and at the time of writing, there are some M.2 modules and PCIe cards available at competitive prices.

There is not much information available about the specific product but, you can purchase it from Amazon for around $12. The module is a 5000Mbps Networking Card B+M Key to a PCIe Adapter. The module is an M.2 PCIe card with a ribbon cable coming out, and with the cable, the RJ45 jack is attached to a PCIe bracket. The card was added recently and there is not much information about it.

It’s very common knowledge that the 10GbE ICs get very hot without adequate cooling but the RealTek RTL8126 chip used here tops at about 82°C under heavy load. There are also divers available for the board and on Windows 11 the drivers are installed automatically. But if you are in Linux you need to install the drivers manually. The drivers are provided by RealTek for this chip, and it will not work seamlessly the new 5GbE controller has not made it to most Linux distributions.

RealTek RTL8126 5Gbps Ethernet Card Specifications

  • Interface: PCIe 3.0 x1
  • Speed: 5 Gbps
  • Compatibility: Cat5e and Cat6 cables
  • Form Factors:
    • M.2 PCIe module with PCIe bracket adapter
    • PCIe x1 card
  • Drivers:
    • Windows: Automatic installation
    • Linux: Requires manual driver installation (available from Realtek)
  • Price:
    • M.2 module: Starting at $12
    • PCIe card: Starting at $12

While choice is limited now, expect a surge in RTL8126 PCIe cards and M.2 modules due to their affordability. The RTL8126 is likely to replace the RTL8125 in upcoming mini PCs. For a 5GbE USB dongle, we’ll need to wait for the RTL8157 controller. Finding a dedicated 5GbE switch might be tricky, as current searches often yield 2.5GbE options. For now, a 10GbE switch might be the best bet.

by cnx-software.

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