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PYNQ-Z1: Python Productivity for Zynq-7000 ARM/FPGA SoC

Posted on by mixos

Python Productivity for Zynq – A Special Project from Xilinx University Program

The PYNQ-Z1 board is designed to be used with PYNQ, a new open-source framework that enables embedded programmers to exploit the capabilities of Xilinx Zynq All Programmable SoCs (APSoCs) without having to design programmable logic circuits. Instead the APSoC is programmed using Python, with the code developed and tested directly on the PYNQ-Z1. The programmable logic circuits are imported as hardware libraries and programmed through their APIs in essentially the same way that the software libraries are imported and programmed.

The PYNQ-Z1 board is the hardware platform for the PYNQ open-source framework. The software running on the ARM A9 CPUs includes:

  • A web server hosting the Jupyter Notebook design environment
  • The IPython kernel and packages
  • Linux
  • Base hardware library and API for the FPGA

For designers who want to extend the base system by contributing new hardware libraries, Xilinx Vivado WebPACK tools are available free of cost.

Features

  • ZYNQ XC7Z020-1CLG400C:
    • 650MHz dual-core Cortex-A9 processor
    • DDR3 memory controller with 8 DMA channels and 4 high performance AXI3 slave ports
    • High-bandwidth peripheral controllers: 1G Ethernet, USB 2.0, SDIO
    • Low-bandwidth peripheral controller: SPI, UART, CAN, I2C
    • Programmable from JTAG, Quad-SPI flash, and microSD card
    • Artix-7 family programmable logic
      • 13,300 logic slices, each with four 6-input LUTs and 8 flip-flops
      • 630 KB of fast block RAM
      • 4 clock management tiles, each with a phase-locked loop (PLL) and mixed-mode clock manager (MMCM)
      • 220 DSP slices
      • On-chip analog-to-digital converter (XADC)
  • Memory:
    • 512MB DDR3 with 16-bit bus @ 1050Mbps
    • 16MB Quad-SPI Flash with factory programmed globally unique identifier (48-bit EUI-48/64™ compatible).
    • MicroSD slot
  • Power:
    • Powered from USB or any 7V-15V source (see recommended products)
  • USB and Ethernet:
    • USB-JTAG Programming circuitry
    • USB-UART bridge
    • USB OTG PHY (supports host only)
    • Gigabit Ethernet PHY
  • Audio and Video:
    • Electret microphone with pulse density modulated (PDM) output
    • 3.5mm mono audio output jack, pulse-width modulated (PWM) format
    • HDMI sink port (input)
    • HDMI source port (output)
  • Switches, push-buttons, and LEDs:
    • 4 push-buttons
    • 2 slide switches
    • 4 LEDs
    • 2 RGB LEDs
  • Expansion Connectors:
    • Two standard Pmod ports
      • 16 Total FPGA I/O
    • Arduino/chipKIT Shield connector
      • 49 Total FPGA I/O
      • 6 Single-ended 0-3.3V Analog inputs to XADC
      • 4 Differential 0-1.0V Analog inputs to XADC

To find out more about PYNQ, please see the project webpage at www.pynq.io. Here you will find materials to help you get started and a forum for contacting the supporting community.

4DSystems – Diablo16- and Picaso-based LCD modules

Posted on by mixos

RS Components, a global multi-channel provider of industrial and electronic products and solutions, has introduced the Gen4 Series of integrated TFT LCD modules and related starter packs from embedded graphics specialist 4D Systems. Gen4 display modules are designed for ease of integration and use by electronics design engineers developing touch screen interfaces, achieving high functionality with a limited space requirement. Gen4 Series LCD modules are powered by either a Diablo16 or a Picaso GPU, both manufactured by 4D Systems and incorporating advanced graphics functionality. The displays come in a number of sizes from 2.4″ (240 x 320 pixels) up to 7.0″ (800 x 480 pixels). Resistive and capacitive touch screen options are available, and RS can also offer non-touch-sensitive versions.

Each module incorporates a 30-pin ZIF (zero insertion force) FFC (flexible flat cable) socket for easy connection to an application or motherboard, or to peripheral boards providing additional functionality. An onboard microSD memory card connector allows for multimedia storage and data logging, while a dedicated PWM audio pin enables sound generation via an external amplifier.

The Gen4 Series is fully compatible with the 4D Systems Workshop4 IDE, which offers a choice of four development environments: Designer, for programming in native 4DGL (4D Graphics Language) code; ViSi, providing drag-and-drop object placement to aid 4DGL code generation, and allowing the developer to visualise how the display will look when in use; the fully object oriented ViSi-Genie, which performs all 4DGL coding automatically; and a Serial mode that allows the Gen4 module to be controlled from a host device with a serial port.

As a space-saving measure, all display related circuitry in Gen4 Series modules is recessed into the plastic mounting base. A pre-installed cover lens bezel (CLB) option — a glass cover with overhanging edges — allows the display to be mounted flush within a panel or enclosure using double-sided adhesive tape on the overhanging glass, without the need for any mounting hardware.

For first-time 4D Systems users, RS recommends the Gen4 Starter Kit range, which bundles all hardware required to get up and running. Starter kits typically include a Gen4 display module, an interface module, a programming adaptor, a 4 Gbyte microSD card, a 5-way cable for easy connection to a breadboard or host, a 150 mm 30-way FFC and a quick start guide.

The 4D Systems Gen4 Series is shipping now from RS.

CUI’s MEMS Microphones deliver enhanced audio quality

Posted on by mixos

CUI’s analog and digital MEMS microphones deliver enhanced audio quality in extremely compact packages.

CUI’s MEMS microphones provide users with improved audio quality and performance in compact, low-profile packages as small as 2.75 mm x 1.85 mm x 0.95 mm. Featuring sensitivity ratings from -44 dB up to -26 dB, signal-to-noise ratios from 57 dBA up to 65 dBA, and sensitivity tolerances as low as ±1 dB, these MEMS microphones are ideal for a range of portable consumer electronics applications.

Features

  • Compact sizes as small as 2.75 mm x 1.85 mm
  • Depths as low as 0.95 mm
  • Analog and digital pulse density modulation (PDM) output types
  • Sensitivity ratings from -44 dB ~ -26 dB
  • Sensitivity tolerances as low as ±1 dB
  • Signal-to-noise ratios from 57 dBA ~ 65 dBA
  • Current consumption as low as 80 µA
  • 300 Ω output impedance rating
  • Top port and bottom port versions

more information: www.oemsecrets.com & www.digikey.com

BeagleBone SBC features dual Cortex-A15 Soc and AI support

Posted on by Tope Oluyemi

Open source community BeagleBoard.org has announced their BeagleBone AI SBC which features a dual Cortex-A15 TI AM5729 SoC that enables AI support via dual C66x DSPs and 4x EVE cores. The SBC comes with 1GB RAM, 16GB eMMC, WiFi, and GbE. The SoC includes four powerhouse embedded-vision-engine (EVE) cores with AI capabilities. BeagleBoard.org’s limited product page says the SoC can run AI code on its dual TI C66x DSPs and the four new EVE cores.

The AI-enabled chips are supported via an optimized TIDL machine learning OpenCL API with pre-installed tools, says the open source project.

BeagleBoard claims that the calculations for computer-vision models on the AM5729 run at 8x times the performance per watt in comparison to the EVE-less AM5728. The EVE cores were designed by TI for automotive vision applications via a Vision AcclerationPac architecture.  BeagleBoard does not provide any clock rate for the AM5729’s dual -A15 cores, but judging from the AM5728 which clocks at 1.5GHz, the AM5729 might clock around 1.5GHz also. The SoC also features a PowerVR SGX544 3D GPU and Vivante GC320 Core 2D accelerator.

Built on the proven BeagleBoard.org open source Linux approach, BeagleBone AI fills the gap between small SBCs and more powerful industrial computers. Based on the Texas Instruments AM5729, developers have access to the powerful SoC with the ease of BeagleBone Black header and mechanical compatibility. BeagleBone AI makes it easy to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used in everyday life via the TI C66x digital-signal-processor (DSP) cores and embedded-vision-engine (EVE) cores supported through an optimized TIDL machine learning OpenCL API with pre-installed tools. Focused on everyday automation in industrial, commercial and home applications.

Feature highlights

  • BeagleBone Black mechanical and header compatibility
  • TI AM5729 processor featuring 4 PRUs and 4 EVEs
  • 1GB RAM and 16GB on-board eMMC flash with high-speed interface
  • USB type-C for power and superspeed dual-role controller; and USB type-A host
  • Gigabit Ethernet and high-speed WiFi
  • Zero-download out-of-box software experience

Just like the other BeagleBone SBC variants, the AM5729 has 4x programmable, real-time PRU cores. The AI SBC’s RAM is increased to 1GB and the eMMC storage is increased to 16GB compared to the BB Black. The board offers GbE and high-speed WiFi. It is also further equipped with a USB Type-A port and a USB Type-C port, which enables power and superspeed dual-role controller. According to BeagleBoard.org. The BeagleBone AI will offer BeagleBone Black header and mechanical compatibility, as well as a “zero-download out-of-box software experience.”

TI Vision AcclerationPac architecture with EVE cores

The SBC will likely continue to run Linux and will ship with open specifications. BeagleBoard.org. Says the SBC is aimed at “everyday automation in industrial, commercial and home applications.” Information on pricing and availability are unknown for the BeagleBone AI, but you can sign up for notifications at the BeagleBone AI product page.

ATtiny85 Thermocouple Thermometer measures up to +1350°C

Posted on by mixos

This project describes a thermocouple thermometer, capable of measuring temperatures up to +1350°C, using just an ATtiny85 and an OLED display. by David Johnson-Davies @ technoblogy.com

It uses the ATtiny85’s analogue-to-digital converter with a x20 gain option to measure the thermocouple voltage, and the internal temperature sensor to measure the ambient temperature (shown on the bottom line of the display), and it gives readings accurate to better than 5°C. Some possible applications include a cooking thermometer, a soldering-iron temperature monitor, or a wood burning stove temperature display.

ATtiny85 Thermocouple Thermometer measures up to +1350°C  – [Link]

Getting Started with a PIC16 programming

Posted on by mixos

Getting Started with a PIC16, Specifically, a PIC16f18326, by Mattia Maldini @ medium.com:

Today I’m going to make a quick tutorial on how to program a bare PIC16, specifically the PIC16f18326. No demo boards and no USB cable, just the MCU, a breadboard and a dedicated programmer.

One of the main reasons for this tutorial is the new MPLAB SNAP programmer. Up until about a year ago the cheapest option to program a PIC device was the PicKit3, sitting at the abundant price of ~40 Euros — far from the typical budget for an hobbist to get started. The SNAP finally fills that hole by coming as cheap as 13 Euros while keeping most of the functionality. It’s still pricey when compared to low-end options from competitors (I’m thinking about the 2 Euros ST-Link programmers), but an improvement nonetheless. You can grab one from Microchip’s official store.

Getting Started with a PIC16 programming – [Link]

Arduino IoT Cloud Public Beta Version brings new opportunities

Posted on by Ayo Ayibiowu

Arduino has never ceased to impress everyone, and recently have launched the Beta version of their IoT cloud that brings in more awesomeness. The beta version brings autonomy to the Arduino and Makers ecosystem. Now, the connection between an Arduino board and cloud is no more dependent upon services like “ThingSpeak”, “Thinger.io” and several others.

Arduino IoT Cloud
Devices connections

The Arduino IoT Cloud is a  simple and quite powerful Internet of Things platform. It makes it very simple for anyone to develop and manage IoT applications – freeing us from the most complex tasks and enabling us to focus on solving real problems in our business or everyday life. Built-in Arduino cloud services compatibility makes it aligned for all the processing you can think of. Data transfer from a board to the cloud has never been that much safe, especially when working with other less known and trustworthy platforms. With Arduino IoT platform, you don’t have to worry about that.

 

Arduino IoT Cloud
Arduino IoT Cloud

 

Another exciting feature of the new platform is the “auto-sketching“. Previously, you had to write a sketch program and upload it on the device to connect a board to the cloud, but this is a thing of the past. The Arduino IoT Cloud can do this for you, and it can quickly generate a sketch when setting things up. It frees you from the hectic work, and the device will be ready to run within 5 minutes, and of course, you can still add your own code. Arduino boards support HTTP REST API and MQTT. While as usual Command-Line Tools, Javascript, and Websockets are also integrated and supported.

What will the cloud offer?

  • Based on the Arduino environment familiar to millions of users
  • Build and deploy remote sensor monitoring using widgets
  • Connect to a spreadsheet, database, or automate alerts using webhooks
  • Devices secured using X.509 certificate-based authentication
  • Developers can create custom apps using Arduino IoT Cloud APIs
  • Based on open hardware and open IoT standards

Arduino IoT Cloud

While developing your own connected system, security is the utmost priority. To cope with it, X.509 certificate-based authentications are used. It is secure enough for all the data transferring through the system.

To get your started, create an account on Arduino loT cloud. Choose the board which you want to configure on the interface. For this purpose, you would need an Arduino MKR board. Afterward, follow the instructions and the rest of the process is easy. It will ask you to download a plugin for that. All the processes are performed under one interface.

Local connections are not a headache to Arduino these days. Regarding configurations you have vast of options. All of these are possible on the beta version of Arduino loT Cloud, which will soon be launched in full version.

Arduino now offers a complete platform with the MKR family providing a streamlined way to create local IoT nodes and edge devices using a range of connectivity options and compatibility with third-party hardware, gateway, and cloud systems. Whilst the Arduino IoT Cloud allows users to manage, configure and connect not only Arduino hardware but the vast majority of Linux-based devices – truly democratizing IoT development.

— Massimo Banzi, Arduino CTO and Co-Founder

In past, users building connected applications had to get the hardware boards from one manufacturer and then get it connected to a cloud platform somewhere else. Updates which are supposed to solve issues, don’t always do that, but they could create compatibility issues. I once had a problem like that with PubNub platform, but this is gone now-days. One company offering all these functionalities, not only improves efficiency of development but also adds convenience.

Although all these sound like a promising concept, a question that creeps into me is – Is is a good idea if one organization to manage everything? is Arduino planning on becoming the Amazon of Hardware? Will over dependency on one platform be good for the maker’s community in the long run? Anyways, let’s enjoy the development for the time being.

Software upgradeable digital gas sensor platform targets smart refrigerators

Posted on by mixos

ZMOD4450 – Refrigeration Air Quality Sensor Platform

The ZMOD4450 gas sensor module is a software configurable platform designed for detecting gases associated with food ripening or rotting and is targeted for use in refrigeration air quality (RAQ) applications. The sensor is a 12-pin LGA assembly (3.0 x 3.0 x 0.7 mm) that consists of a gas sense element and a CMOS signal conditioning IC. The module’s sense element consists of a micro-heater and sensing material integrated on a silicon-based MEMS structure. It measures the metal oxide (MOx) conductivity, which is a function of the gas concentration.

The measurement results can be read via an I²C interface with the user’s microprocessor, which processes the data to determine the levels of gases present and to indicate the likelihood of food spoilage. The sensor can be used to activate and manage air quality purification and remediation systems. With the ZMOD4450’s low operating current consumption, the sensor is an excellent choice for applications, such as refrigerator control systems, measurement of fruit and vegetable quality and monitors for fruit and vegetable storage conditions.

Features

  • Measurement of gases associated with food ripening and storageat trace (ppb) concentrations, including ethylene, amines, volatile sulfur compounds and others
  • Software configurable methods of operation based on application and use case
  • Algorithm to set a control signal to trigger an external action based on RAQ
  • Firmware upgradable platform for application optimizations, such as ultra-low-power battery applications
  • Every sensor is calibrated with ethylene providing consistency from lot-to-lot
  • Complete qualification with harsh cases such as siloxanes

Block Diagram

more information: www.idt.com

RS adds Renesas Synergy S5D3 MCU and development board

Posted on by mixos

Renesas Synergy™ TB-S5D3 Target Board Kit helps designers evaluate the operation and performance of the S5D3 Microcontrollers. The S5D3 Target Board Kit offers initial firmware development and evaluation of the Synergy Software Package (SSP) on the Synergy™ S5D3 Microcontrollers. The Kit connects via a USB connector for the main MCU, or two PMOD connectors, and a selection of Pin headers. The kit includes 1 TB-S5D3 board and 1 USB Type-A to USB Micro-B cable.

Features

  • Renesas Synergy™ S5D3 Microcontroller Group
    • R7FS5D37A3A01CFP
    • 100-pin LQFP package
    • 120MHz Arm® Cortex®-M4 core with Floating Point Unit (FPU)
    • 256KB SRAM
    • 512KB code flash memory
    • 8KB data flash memory
  • Connectivity
    • A Device USB connector for the Main MCU
    • S124 MCU-based SEGGER J-Link® On-board (OB) interface for debugging and programming of the S5D3 MCU. A 10-pin JTAG/SWD interface is also provided for connecting optional external debuggers and programmers.
    • Two PMOD connectors, allowing use of appropriate PMOD compliant peripheral plug-in modules for rapid prototyping
    • Pin headers for access to power and signals for the Main MCU
  • MCU reset push-button switch
  • MCU boot configuration jumper
  • Multiple clock sources
    • Main MCU oscillator crystals, providing precision 12.000 MHz and 32,768 Hz reference clocks
    • Additional low-precision clocks are available internal to the Main MCU
  • General purpose I/O ports
    • One jumper to allow measuring of Main MCU current
    • Copper jumpers on PCB bottom side for configuration and access to selected MCU signals
  • Operating voltage
    • External 5V input through the Debug USB connector supplies the on-board power regulator to power the Target Board logic and interfaces. External 5V or 3.3V may be also supplied through alternate locations on the Target Board.
  • A two-color board status LED indicating availability of regulated power and connection status of the J-Link interface
  • A red User LED, controlled by the Main MCU firmware
  • A User Push-Button switch, User Capacitive Touch Button sensor, and an optional User Potentiometer, all of which are controlled by the Main MCU firmware

Ally Winning @ eenewsembedded.com writes:

The MCU and target board address cost-sensitive applications that require a high-performance MCU, but don’t need on-chip graphics acceleration or Ethernet connectivity. The R7FS5D37A3A01CFP and TB-S5D3 integrate a 120MHz Arm Cortex-M4F processor core and advanced security, along with 512-KB Flash and 256-KB SRAM. The S5D3 MCU Group is based on a highly efficient 40nm process technology and is fully supported by the Synergy Software Package (SSP).

Block Diagram

Front View

Back View

Novasom launches the SBC-U1 IoT SBC based on ESP32

Posted on by Ayo Ayibiowu

Novasom – the SBC manufacturing company, is famous for its two set of product lines, the U-Line for low power IoT devices and M-Line for multimedia processing based applications. Their products are Intel and ARM processors based for different applications and operating systems. Their latest board in the market is the SBC-U1 which is based on the popular ESP32.

Novasom SBC-U1A

The SBC-U1 comes in two main variants. One with the name of Novasom SBC-U1, while the other with Novasom SBC-U1A. They both share almost 100% of the features, processor is a dual-core Tensilica LX6 with speed of 240 MHz and RAM of 384 KBs. It comes along with 4GB flash data storage memory and SD card support of up to 32GB. In terms of connectivity, 802.11 b/n/g WiFi (WiFi 4) and Bluetooth 4.1 LE are available which are aligned with modern versions installed in such products.

Novasom SBC-U1 – A Single Board Computer based on ESP32

With a broad spectrum of temperature stability, it has a good design to be kept in the long run. Temperature range is between -40 to 85C, with such, there is nothing to be worryabout.

Just like other ESP32 based boards, these boards are designed for IoT and Smart devices applications. Power and battery supply are also well optimized according to standards. 5V input, with 0.9 W active consumption is not that much to be worried about. Still, on standby, its consumption lowers down to 0.75mW.

SBC-U1/SBC-U1A board specifications:

  • SoC – Espressif Systems ESP32 dual core Tensilica LX6 processor @ 240 MHz, 384KB RAM
  • Storage – 4MB flash, micro SD card slot up to 32GB
  • Connectivity – 802.11 b/n/g WiFi 4, Bluetooth 4.1 LE
  • I/Os – 24-pin 2.54mm pitch header with up to 15 GPIO @ 3.3V, I2C, SPI, 2-ch 12-bit ADC, 2-ch 10-bit DAC, 2x protected inputs up to 30V
  • Misc – User LED, RTC
  • Power Supply
    • 5V inversion polarity protected
    • Battery support with a charger circuit
    • Consumption – 0.9W operating, 0.75mW in standby
  • Dimensions – 37.5 x 31 mm
  • Temperature Range – -40 to 85°C

The company claims that its processor is the smallest in size. Adding to it, the functionality it holds compete many big sized boards. In a system of slim design and the general trend for portability, these devices can easily be applied in several domains. The board runs FreeRTOS real-time operating system.

Novasom SBC-U1A front view

Both Novasom SBC-U1 and Novasom SBC-U1A seemed to have the same set of features, but the Novasom claims to have customization difference in both. Officially, Novasom SBC-U1A is an easy one to configure according to customized needs, header pins and extensions can be re-configured which is the reason behind is its compatibility and the A. While the Novasom SBC-U1 come with baseline specs that a user order for. For someone with plan to have addons, then Novasom SBC-U1A would be the most suitable option. Otherwise, there is no performance or other difference in these both versions.

More information about both devices is available in the products catalog.

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