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AAEON Releases PICO-TWL4, a Robust, Efficient 2.5” SBC for the Industrial Automation Market

Posted on 24 July, 202524 July, 2025 by mixos

Premier embedded computing provider AAEON, has announced the release of the PICO-TWL4, a compact Pico-ITX board powered by Intel® Processor N-series processors (formerly Twin Lake).

The board is available in SKUs featuring both the 6W, quad-core Intel® Processor N150 and the 15W, octa-core Intel® Core™ 3 Processor N355. On its ultra-small 100mm x 72mm PICO-ITX form factor, the PICO-TWL4 leverages the optimized single and multi-thread performance of the newest efficiency-focused Intel processing platform while retaining the robust industrial design that AAEON’s Pico-ITX line is known for.

The board offers up to 16GB of DDR5 memory via SODIMM slot, two LAN ports (2.5GbE and 1GbE), and six USB interfaces, made up of two physical USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports and four USB 2.0 via pin header. For display, the PICO-TWL4 has both LVDS and HDMI, with the board’s LVDS co-layed with eDP, providing greater variety to users based on project requirements.

Key Features:

Choice of Intel® Processor N150 or Intel® Core™ 3 Processor N355
DDR5 4800MHz SODIMM x 1, up to 16GB
HDMI 1.4 x 1, eDP 1.4b/LVDS x 1
Intel® Ethernet Controller I226, 2.5GbE RJ-45 x 1, Realtek RTL8111H, 1GbE RJ-45 x 1
Full-size mSATA/mPCIe x 1, M.2 2230 E-Key x 1
USB 3.2 Gen2[x1] x 2, USB 2.0 x 4
RS-232/422/485 x 2, RS-232 x 2
TPM 2.0, SATA 6Gb/s x 1, 4-bit GPIO, SMBus/I2C x 1

Consistent with the product line’s popularity with systems integrators in the industrial automation space, the PICO-TWL4 also offers a wide variety of conducive internal connectors, including four COM port headers (two for RS-232/422/485, two for RS-232), a 4-bit GPIO, and SMBus. It should be noted that the I2C is also available as an alternative to SMBus.

Adequate storage for its intended markets is available in the form of one SATA connector alongside a choice of either a full-size mSATA or mPCIe slot. Additional expansion for the installation of peripherals such as Wi-Fi cards are also present through the board’s M.2 2280 E-Key slot.

While the PICO-TWL4 has a default power input of 12V via a dual-pin phoenix connector, AAEON notes that this can be extended to a 9V to 36V range with the addition of an optional power adapter card. Additionally, an optional lockable DC jack connector is listed, which may be helpful in maintaining the stability of the board’s power supply in industrial applications with high levels of vibration.

The PICO-TWL4 is now in mass production and available for order via the AAEON website’s contact form. For more information and detailed specifications, please visit the PICO-TWL4 product page.

Hailo Announces General Availability of Hailo-10H Edge AI Accelerator with Generative AI Capabilities

Posted on 24 July, 2025 by mixos

Hailo, the leading chipmaker of edge AI processors, today announced the commercial availability of the Hailo-10H, its second-generation AI accelerator featuring powerful generative AI capabilities. Starting today, customers worldwide can download the software from Hailo’s website and place orders for the Hailo-10H, marking the highly anticipated arrival of the first market-available and orderable discrete AI processor with native support for generative AI workloads at the edge.

Building on the proven success of the company’s first-generation AI accelerator, Hailo-8, the Hailo-10H complements the industry-leading performance in vision AI tasks with new generative AI capabilities and introduces, for the first time, the ability to run large language models (LLMs), vision-language models (VLMs), and other generative AI models entirely on-device, without relying on cloud connectivity. This leap in functionality brings powerful generative AI to edge devices with unmatched cost and power efficiency, making the Hailo-10H a game-changing solution for product developers across multiple sectors including personal compute, automotive, telecommunication, retail, security and more.

“With the Hailo-10H now available for order, we’re taking another major step toward our mission of making AI accessible to all,” said Orr Danon, CEO and Co-Founder of Hailo. “This is the first discrete AI processor to bring real generative AI performance to the edge, combining high efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and a robust software ecosystem.”

The Hailo-10H is fully compatible with Hailo’s mature and widely adopted software stack and benefits from the support of a vibrant global developer community with more than 10,000 users each month. It empowers developers to run state-of-the-art vision and generative AI models directly on edge devices, delivering real-time responsiveness with ultra-low latency.

By processing data locally, the Hailo-10H ensures strong data privacy, since personally identifiable information remains on the device, while significantly reducing overall system costs by minimizing both cloud bandwidth usage and the need for expensive cloud-based AI service subscriptions. Just as importantly, the AI operates independently of cloud connectivity, ensuring consistent availability even in environments with limited or no internet access.

Specifically designed for edge devices across consumer, enterprise, and automotive markets, including media centers, home gateways, and automotive cockpit systems, the Hailo-10H enables advanced use cases like natural language human-machine interaction, visual awareness, and multi-modal AI to run seamlessly within the power and cost constraints typical of edge environments.

In performance benchmarks, the Hailo-10H has demonstrated outstanding results across generative workloads. For example, achieving a first-token latency of under 1 second and over 10 Tokens per Second on a variety of 2B language and vision-language models. For video analytics, the Hailo-10H enables state-of-the-art object detection (e.g., YOLOv11m) on a real-time 4K video stream. All of these come at a typical power consumption of just 2.5W, making it ideal for compact, efficient AI-enabled systems. The Hailo-10H is automotive-qualified to AEC-Q100 Grade 2 standards and is aimed at automotive designs with 2026 start of production.

With the Hailo-10H now available for order, Hailo continues to lead the way in redefining what’s possible with AI at the edge, delivering the future of intelligent computing in the here and now. To start integrating Hailo-10H into your next product, contact Hailo.

Renesas Unveils RZ/A3M Arm Cortex-A55 Microprocessor for High-Performance HMI Applications

Posted on 17 July, 202517 July, 2025 by Sayantan Nandy

Renesas Electronics Corporation has introduced the RZ/A3M, a new Arm Cortex-A55 microprocessor targeting complex HMI (Human-Machine Interface) applications. Operating at up to 1.0 GHz, the RZ/A3M supports RTOS environments and integrates large on-chip SRAM and SDRAM interfaces to handle real-time graphical processing tasks. The processor includes a built-in LCD controller supporting WXGA (1280×800) resolution, making it suitable for high-resolution display systems. Ideal for next-gen home appliances, office devices, industrial automation, medical equipment, and building control interfaces, the RZ/A3M also supports camera and video output, delivering enhanced visual performance for wide-screen applications.

Built on the architecture of its predecessor, the Renesas RZ-A3UL, the RZ/A3M incorporates a 64-bit Arm Cortex-A55 processor running at up to 1 GHz, complemented by 128 KB of on-chip SRAM. Its standout feature is the integration of 128MB on-chip DDR3L SDRAM in a single System-in-Package (SiP), supports both MIPI DSI and parallel display interfaces, and adds a 2D graphics accelerator for smoother user interfaces. The RZ/A3M is intended to speed up development and minimize system costs. Both external NAND and NOR flash are supported via QSPI for data and code storage.

Renesas RZ/A3M specifications:

CPU: Single-core 64-bit Arm Cortex-A55 processor @ up to 1.0 GHz (Arm NEON / FPU supported)
GPU: Integrated 2D graphics drawing engine
Memory:
- On-chip shared SRAM (128 Kbytes with ECC)
- Built-in 128MB DDR3L-1600 SDRAM (16-bit bus width)
Storage:
- SPI Multi I/O Bus Controller x 1 channel (4-bit Double data rate)
- Support booting from Serial NAND or Serial NOR Flash
- SD card host interface x 1 channel
Display I/F: 4-lane MIPI DSI or Digital parallel output up to 1280×800 resolution @ 60 Hz
Audio: Serial sound interface (SSI/I2S)
USB: 1x USB 2.0 (Host-Function)
Additional Peripherals:
- GPIO | 2x I2C Bus Interface | 2x SCI (Serial Communication Interfaces)
- 5x SCIF (Serial Communication Interfaces with FIFO)
- 2x RSPI (Renesas Serial Peripheral Interfaces)
- Multi-Function Timer Pulse Unit – 1x 32-bit, 8x 16-bit
- 3x 32-bit general-purpose timer | Watchdog Timer
Sensor: 1x Thermal Sensor Unit
Temperature Range: -40 to +85°C
Supply Voltage: 2.97 to 3.63 V (PVDD)

To support developers, Renesas provides a robust and comprehensive HMI development environment that includes the Flexible Software Package (FSP) with FreeRTOS or Azure RTOS support, complete with evaluation kits like the Renesas EK-RZ/A3M, sample software, and development tools. Additionally, third-party GUI libraries from ecosystem partners—such as LVGL, Crank, SquareLine Studio, and Envox—are compatible with the RZ/A3M to further accelerate graphical interface development.

Renesas RZ/A3M is available for purchase from the company website at around $13.94 per unit for orders around 500 quantities in bulk volume. The EK-RZ/A3M evaluation kit goes for $284.97 on resellers such as Digikey. Additional information may be found on the product page and the press release.

Microchip PIC64GX1000 Curiosity Kit: RISC-V Linux Dev Board with HDMI, mikroBUS, and Secure Boot Support

Posted on 17 July, 202517 July, 2025 by Sayantan Nandy

Microchip’s Curiosity PIC64GX1000 Kit is a development platform built around the PIC64GX MPU family. It integrates a 64-bit RISC-V quad-core application-class processor designed to support Linux-based systems and real-time applications. The processor features a five-stage in-order pipeline architecture that is not affected by Meltdown and Spectre vulnerabilities. It supports asymmetric multiprocessing and deterministic latencies, making it suitable for mid-range intelligent edge compute applications.

The kit includes 1GB DDR4 memory and a microSD card slot for Linux boot. It offers a Gigabit Ethernet interface, three UARTs accessible via USB Type-C, and a USB-to-JTAG interface for debugging. Peripheral expansion is supported via a MikroBUS header for Click boards, a MIPI CSI-2 Rx camera connector, and HDMI output. Communication with expansion boards is supported using standard protocols like I2C and SPI.

The PIC64GX MPU features a configurable processor and memory subsystem with secure boot and hardware key management features for secure operation. It is pin-compatible with Microchip’s PolarFire SoC FPGAs, allowing the reuse of existing designs and offering a path for system scalability. This kit is targeted for low-power, embedded compute systems requiring Linux support and secure operation.

Microchip PIC64GX1000 Curiosity kit specification:

Processor:
- 4x SiFive U54 RISC-V 64-bit application cores @ 600MHz
- 1x SiFive E51 RISC-V 64-bit monitor core @ 600MHz
- 3.125 CoreMarks/MHz, 1.714 DMIPS/MHz
- In-order 5-stage pipeline (not affected by Meltdown/Spectre)
- Supports Linux and real-time workloads (AMP-capable)
Memory and Storage:
- 1GB LPDDR4 RAM (MT40A512M16TB-062E)
- 32GB pre-installed microSD card (bootable with Linux)
Networking and Connectivity:
- VSC8221 Gigabit Ethernet PHY with RJ45 (10/100/1000 Mbps)
- 3x UART (via FT4232HL USB-to-UART bridge and USB Type-C)
Display and Expansion:
- HDMI 1.4 video output
- MIPI CSI-2 Rx connector for camera modules
- mikroBUS headers for Click boards
- 14-pin User IO connector (12x GPIO, 3.3V/power rails)
Debugging and Programming:
- On-board FlashPro5 debugger (USB-to-JTAG)
- 2x push buttons (SW1–SW2) for debugging
- 1x reset button (SW9)
- 4x DIP switches (SW8)
- 8x user-addressable debug LEDs (LED1–LED8)
Power:
- 5V/3A via USB Type-C (J4) or 5V barrel jack (J7)
- Jumper selectable power source
Dimensions: 104mm × 84mm

The PIC64GX1000 Curiosity Kit supports free, open-source development using Visual Studio Code with C/C++, Embedded Tools, and CMake extensions. Required tools include Git, Python 3.8+, and CMake 3.27.1+. Windows users need UsbDriverTool, while Linux users must install libusb, libftdi, libhidapi, and unzip. The kit supports Canonical’s official Ubuntu RISC-V builds (24.04 LTS and 25.04), enabling quick setup. However, using features like GPIO or mikroBUS requires building a custom OS image, as these are not supported in Microchip’s application notes.

The Curiosity Kit is available for purchase directly from Microchip for $150 and can also be ordered through Avnet. For more information, you can visit the product page and the official GitHub repository.

Thanks to Hackster.

Kiwi-DVK OpenWrt Development Kit Features Qualcomm IPQ9570 SoC, Wi-Fi 7 SoM, and 2.5GbE with 48V PoE

Posted on 17 July, 2025 by Sayantan Nandy

8devices has recently launched their latest embedded networking board with Qualcomm IPQ9570/QCN9274 SoC featuring Kiwi Wi-Fi 7 System-on-Module available in commercial or industrial temperature range, as well as a development kit based on the module. The Kiwi Development Kit (DVK) is a compact, cutting-edge platform designed for high-performance networking and flexible I/O expansion.

The Kiwi-DVK aims to allow to be integrated with the Kiwi SoM, a compact system on module introduced earlier this year. The Kiwi SoM has an integrated GPU, a Quad-core ARM Cortex-A73 processor, and several fast interfaces like Ethernet, USB 3.0, and PCIe. High-performance Wi-Fi 7 connectivity and high-throughput multi-user support are provided by the Qualcomm IPQ9570 SoC and QCN9274 radio chip, which power the Kiwi Wi-Fi 7 SoM. At the hardware level, the OpenWrt Kiwi-DVK has an SFP port for fiber-based networking, a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port with passive 48V PoE support, and a 10 Gbps Ethernet interface. The Kiwi SoM’s entire interface capabilities have been rendered available by the Kiwi-DVK, giving developers access to its processing and communication capabilities in a modular test environment.

Kiwi Wi-Fi 7 SoM

Kiwi Wi-Fi 7 SoM Specifications:

SoC: Qualcomm IPQ9570 64-bit Quad-core ARM Cortex-A73 processor @ 2.2GHz, with 1 MB L2 Cache Memory
System Memory: 1GB DDR4 DRAM (Expandable up to 3GB)
Storage: 4GB SDIO3.0 eMMC Flash
Networking:
- Wireless:
  - Qualcomm QCN9274 Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with tri-band support (2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz)
  - IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ax/be 2×2 MU-MIMO 2.4GHz 20/40 MHz 4096 QAM
  - IEEE 802.11 a/n/ac/ax/be 2×2 MU-MIMO 5GHz 20/40/80/160/320 MHz 4096 QAM
- Wired: 2x USXGMII, 10GBase-R, SGMII+ or SGMII and 1x USXGMII-M, PSGMII, QSGMII, SGMII+ or SGMII
- Antenna: 4x LGA pads on module
Display: LCD controller
PCIe: 3x PCIe 3.0 (x2 single lane and x1 dual lane)
USB: 1x USB 3.0
Audio: 1x I2S/TDM SoundWire, PCM 24-bit sample size multi-channel digital audio interface
Low-speed interfaces:
- 1x UART, 2x SPI, 1x I2C EEPROM
- 34x GPIO with Audio Pulse Width Modulation interface support
Misc: Power Management IC and 4x RF Pins
Power Supply: 3.3V DC Supply Voltage
Dimensions: 65.9 x 42.5 mm
Humidity: 10-90% RH
Temperature Range
- Storage:
  - Commercial: 0-110°C
  - Industrial: -40-110°C
- Commercial Operating Temperature: 0-65°C
- Industrial Operating Temperature: -40-85°C

Kiwi-DVK Wi-Fi 7 and 2.5GbE with 48V PoE Development Kit

Kiwi Development Kit Specifications:

SoM: Kiwi industrial-grade Wi-Fi 7 module
Storage: eMMC module socket, MicroSD card slot
Networking:
- Wired:
  - 2.5Gbps Ethernet RJ45 port with 48V passive PoE support
  - SFP port for fiber-based networking
  - 10 Gbps Ethernet interface
- Wireless:
  - Wi-Fi 7 on Kiwi module
  - 4x u.FL antenna connector (2x for 5 to 6 GHz and 2x for 2.4 GHz bands)
USB: 1x USB 3.0 Type-A port | 1x USB C port dedicated for UART access and 1x USB C PD for power
Debugging: UART console
Expansion:
- M.2 A+E PCIe slot 0 (share lanes with M.2 B+M slot 0)
- M.2 B+M PCIe slot 0 (share lanes with M.2 A+E slot 0)
- M.2 A+E PCIe slot 1
- mPCIe slot (share lanes with M.2 B+M slot 1)
- M.2 B+M PCIe slot 1 (share lanes with mPCIe slot)
- 2.54mm pitch GPIO header
Misc: Bootstrap switch for PCIe routing selection, 3.3/5V switch for PCIe slots, Reset button
Power Supply:
- DC-Jack input 12/24V via 2-pin terminal block
- 24-48V PoE via 2.5GbE RJ45 port
Dimensions: 280 x 200 mm

On the software front, Kiwi-DVK incorporates Kiwi SoM, which supports OpenWrt Linux. The Kiwi DVK is currently available for $219 on the 8Devices online shop and for €193 through CODICO.

Rutronik RAB7: AI-Powered Sensor Fusion Arduino Shield with Bosch, Infineon, and Sensirion Sensors

Posted on 17 July, 202517 July, 2025 by Sayantan Nandy

With a total of seven environmental and inertial sensors facilitated by Bosch, Infineon, and Sensirion, the fully open-source hardware Arduino shield known as the Rutronik Adapter Board RAB7 is intended for AI-powered Sensor Fusion application. The RAB7 Adapter Board can be readily integrated with other Rutronik System Solutions base boards and adapter boards thanks to its Arduino-compatible interface. Technically complex projects can be rapidly developed and prototyped more easily and affordably thanks to this modular concept. It is powered by a single 3.3V supply by means of Arduino headers. All of the sensors are set up to use the I2C and SPI interface via ADAM-TECH connectors that are compatible with Arduino. Smart agriculture, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), professional kitchens, and building automation can all benefit from the RAB7 Arduino shield adapter.

Rutronik Adapter Board RAB7 specifications:

Sensor Suite:
- Infineon XENSIV DPS368XTSA1 digital barometric pressure sensor
- Bosch BMP585 digital pressure sensor
- Sensirion SGP41-D-R4 VOC indoor air quality sensor
- Bosch BME690 low-power digital gas, pressure, temperature, and humidity sensor with AI support
- Bosch BMI323 6-axis low-power IMU
- Sensirion SHT41-AD1B-R2 high-precision humidity and temperature sensor
- Bosch BMM350 3-axis magnetic sensor for 9-axis absolute orientation
Host Interface:
- Standard Arduino headers with 3.3V single supply
- I2C sensor interface (default)
- Optional SPI sensor interface (via unsoldering solder bridges)
- Keystone Electronics test point for GND signal
Power Management:
- 3.3V input via Arduino headers
- MaxLinear SPX3819 1.8V low dropout regulator (LDO)

The RAB7 Arduino Shield Adapter Board is an open-source hardware with all relevant files shared in a hardware repository with Altium schematics and PCB layout, mechanical drawings, Bill of Materials, assembly drawings, and Gerber files.

Coming to the software section, users need to install Infineon ModbusToolbox software and select the “RAB7-SENSORFUSION Demonstration” code in Project Creator. Alternatively, the code can be found on GitHub in the repository for the selected development board. The documentation is provided in a PDF file hosted on GitHub.

Rutronik sells the Adapter Board RAB7-SENSORFUSION Arduino shield for a price of $ 111.22. For more information, it is highly recommended to go through the product page.

Waveshare RA4M1-Zero Mini Development Board Offers 48MHz ARM MCU with Arduino Support, Secure Boot, FPU, and CAN Bus

Posted on 17 July, 2025 by Sayantan Nandy

Waveshare has introduced the RA4M1-Zero, a compact, cost-effective Mini Development Board built around the 32-bit Renesas RA4M1 MCU, based on the ARM Cortex-M4 architecture with a 48MHz operating frequency and a built-in Floating Point Unit (FPU).

This was designed in the standard Zero-size form factor (18 x 23.5 mm) created by Waveshare, which is made to fit into space-limiting embedded projects. It has 256KB Flash, 32KB SRAM and 8KB EEPROM with an option of firmware encryption to secure it, secure boot and tamper protection for the ultimate security. Its board contains a 14-bit ADC, 12-bit DAC, CAN bus interface, USB 2.0 interface and an on-board colour LED-scheme (RGB). The board is available in two revisions, with and without a pre-soldered pin header, and the castellated SMT profile also allows its use in SMD and quick mass-manufacture. The most often-used applications are IoT application development, building embedded system prototypes, kits for learning, and any secure application based on microcontrollers that require a compact form factor and reliability.

Earlier, we have learn about other mini development boards including the DFRobot Beetle RP2040 mini development board, the WeAct STM32G4, the Minima, and others. But this one is far upgraded in every way.

RA4M1-Zero Mini Development Board Specifications: But

MCU: Renesas RA4M1 (R7FA4M1AB3CFM)
CPU: 32-bit ARM Cortex-M4 core, up to 48MHz
Memory: 32KB SRAM
Storage:
- 256KB Flash
- 8KB Data Flash (EEPROM)
Floating Point Unit: Built-in FPU for enhanced math performance
USB: USB 2.0 (Full-Speed, USB 1.1 Host/Device via Type-C)
Interfaces and I/Os:
- CAN bus controller
- 14-bit ADC
- 12-bit DAC
- Multiple GPIOs
- UART
- I2C
- SPI
Miscellaneous:
- WS2812 RGB LED (connected to GPIO D6)
- BOOT and RESET buttons
Security Features: Firmware encryption, secure boot, tamper-proof features
Power Supply:
- USB Type-C input
- Onboard ME6217C33M5G LDO (max 800mA)
- 3.3V/5V voltage selection via 0Ω resistor (default: 3.3V)
Dimensions: 18mm x 23.5mm

The RA4M1-Zero allows development and debugging to be easier as it supports Arduino IDE. To get started, simply install the RA4M1-Zero board package in the Arduino IDE, and after that, we can upload the code directly with the IDE. To flash firmware, we may use the official Renesas flashing tool. All we have to do is press and hold the BOOT button, press the RESET button to get into bootloader mode, pick the right COM port, upload your firmware file, and then do the flashing.

At the time of writing, the RA4M1-Zero mini development board is available in two versions: one is the RA4M1-Zero without headers, and the other is RA4M1-Zero-M with pre-soldered headers. You can purchase these from AliExpress for around $8.59 and $9.45, and from Amazon for about $13.99 and $14.99. They’re also listed on Waveshare’s official store starting at $6.49, excluding shipping charges.

FlippenHeimer Turns Flipper Zero into an Ultra-Compact Geiger Counter Module

Posted on 17 July, 2025 by Sayantan Nandy

Designed to be integrated with the multi-purpose electronic tool Flipper Zero, the FlippenHeimer functions as a miniature Geiger counter add-on module. Using the Flipper’s display and power supply, users can keep an eye on the levels of beta and gamma radiation, making it a portable radiation detector.

The FlippenHeimer, which draws its foundation on a J305 Geiger–Müller tube, proposes graph-based visual feedback and real-time data logging. In addition to that, the device features “atomic dice roller” functionality that creates unpredictable results by utilizing the sporadic nature of radioactive decay. LM358 op-amps, 2N3904 and MPSA42 transistors, 555 timers, inductors, and high-voltage capacitors comprise a few of the device’s fundamental components. By virtue of the aforementioned characteristics, this gadget can be readily utilized and employed to perform tasks like creating random values, monitoring radiation levels for hobbyists, and raising awareness of environmental issues.

FlippenHeimer Specifications:

Interface: Connects to Flipper Zero via GPIO/UART (plug-and-play with 2.54mm angled pin GPIO header)
Detector: J305 Geiger-Müller glass tube functions as a gamma and beta radiation detection device
Display: Flipper Zero display is used for live CPS-CPM/µSv readout (via community app)
Feedback: Audible clicker and visual LED indicator for real-time detection
Power Supply:
- Tube Operating voltage: 400V DC generated via onboard boost converter
- Main power: Powered by Flipper Zero (no external power required)
Dimensions: 117 x 28.9 x 17.7 mm (with 3D printed casing)
Enclosure: Optional 3D-printable model available

This Geiger counter module for Flipper Zero works with custom firmware forks like RogueMaster and Unleashed. The project is completely open-sourced, and all the necessary details, including schematic, app compatibility details, calibration steps, and required electronic components, can be found on FlippenHeimer’s GitHub repository.

Previously, we covered the Flipper Blackhat — a Linux-based add-on device introduced by Flipper Lab, designed for the Flipper platform and primarily aimed at WiFi hacking and penetration testing. Feel free to check it out if you’re interested in this add-on.

Geiger counter and Atomic dice roller applications

The FlippenHeimer module comes in three versions – the Ultimate (fully calibrated and assembled with a 3D-printed enclosure), the El Handy KIT (DIY kit excluding 3D printed parts), and Poverty (only the PCB with SMDs pre-soldered). The kit is priced at $44.99 on the Tindie Store.

LILYGO T-LoRa Pager: ESP32-S3 IoT Board with LoRa, GNSS, NFC, and IMU Support

Posted on 17 July, 202517 July, 2025 by Sayantan Nandy

The T-LoRa Pager from LILYGO is a compact IoT development board designed for applications such as asset tracking, remote sensing, and portable communication. It is powered by the ESP32-S3 microcontroller and comes with 16MB flash and 8MB PSRAM. Key hardware features include an RTC circuit, GPIO expansion headers, a battery management system, an audio codec, and a MicroSD card slot for additional storage.

For wireless communication, the board integrates the SX1262 LoRa transceiver, supporting sub-GHz frequencies including 433MHz, 868MHz, 915MHz, and 920MHz. A variant equipped with the LR1121 chip adds support for 2.4GHz LoRa in addition to sub-GHz bands. The board also includes NFC functionality for short-range communication.

Positioning is handled by the u-blox MIA-M10Q GNSS module, capable of concurrently tracking signals from up to four satellite constellations. An onboard IMU provides motion sensing features, enabling orientation and movement detection. These integrated functions make the T-LoRa Pager suitable for low-power, location-aware IoT projects.

LILYGO T-Lora Pager specifications:

Processor: Espressif ESP32-S3 dual-core Xtensa LX7 @ up to 240MHz
Memory:
- 16MB Flash
- 8MB PSRAM
Display:
- 2.33-inch IPS LCD (ST7796)
- 480 × 222 resolution
Wireless Communication:
- LoRa via Semtech SX1262 (433/868/915/920 MHz)
- Optional: Semtech LR1121 for sub-GHz + 2.4GHz LoRa
- NFC with ST25R3916 (reader/writer, P2P, card emulation)
GNSS:
- u-blox MIA-M10Q module
- Concurrent tracking of up to 4 GNSS constellations
Motion Sensing: BHI260AP IMU with AI-assisted motion detection
Audio:
- RC01812 audio codec
- Microphone, speaker, and 3.5mm headphone jack support
User Interface:
- Full QWERTY keyboard
- Rotary encoder for UI navigation
- Built-in UI demo for interaction reference
Misc:
- RTC circuit
- GPIO expansion
- MicroSD card (TF card) slot
- Audio amplifier
- Keyboard interface
Power Management:
- USB Type-C input (5V @ 500mA)
- BQ25896 battery charger
- BQ27220 battery fuel gauge
- TI DRV2605 haptic driver
Mechanical Design:
- Foldable dual antennas
- Magnetic wireless charging support
- Mounting holes (M2)
- Dimensions: 106 x 89 x 23 mm

Software development for the T-LoRa Pager is supported through multiple platforms, including the Arduino IDE, ESP-IDF, and Visual Studio Code, allowing flexibility for various development workflows. Additionally, LILYGO provides example code and documentation on the product’s GitHub repository to assist with setup and application development.

At the time of writing, the T-LoRa Pager powered by ESP32-S3 is out of stock, but it is generally priced at $80.96. For more details, visit the official product page.

Boardcon Idea3576 SBC Features Rockchip RK3576 SoC with 6 TOPS NPU, Dual Ethernet, and 4K Multimedia Support

Posted on 17 July, 2025 by Sayantan Nandy

The Boardcon Idea3576 is a single-board computer (SBC) built around the Rockchip RK3576 processor, featuring a hybrid octa-core CPU (4x Cortex-A72 @ 2.2GHz + 4x Cortex-A53 @ 1.8GHz) and a 6 TOPS NPU for AI workloads. It includes an ARM Mali-G52 GPU for graphics rendering and supports machine learning, edge AI, computer vision, and industrial control applications.

It supports up to 8GB LPDDR5 RAM, 512GB UFS storage, and NVMe SSDs. The onboard VPU enables 4K@120fps AV1/H.265/VP9 decoding and 4K@60fps H.264/H.265 encoding, making it suitable for multimedia processing, digital signage, and video analytics. Display and camera interfaces include dual MIPI-CSI, HDMI IN/OUT, and MIPI-DSI.

The board offers dual Ethernet, 4G module support, Wi-Fi 5, and Bluetooth 5.2 for connectivity. It also includes RS-485, CAN bus, SPI, UART, USB 3.0, and five ADCs for integration into industrial, automation, and robotics systems.

Boardcon Idea3576 SBC specifications:

SoC: Rockchip RK3576 octa-core processor
- 4x Cortex-A72 @ 2.2GHz
- 4x Cortex-A53 @ 1.8GHz
- MCU: Single-core ARM Cortex-M0
- NPU: 6 TOPS
- GPU: ARM Mali-G52 MC3 with support for OpenGL ES 1.1/2.0/3.2, OpenCL 2.0, Vulkan 1.1
Memory: 4GB LPDDR5 RAM (up to 8GB)
Storage:
- 32GB UFS storage (up to 512GB)
- Optional eMMC on baseboard (if UFS unused)
- MicroSD card slot
- M.2 M-key socket for NVMe SSD
- M.2 B-key socket for SATA or 4G LTE module (multiplexed)
Video:
- HDMI 2.1 output up to 4Kp120
- MIPI-DSI output up to 2Kp60
- HDMI IN (HDMI to MIPI-CSI)
- 2x 4-lane MIPI-CSI camera inputs
- VPU supports:
  - 8K@30fps / 4K@120fps H.265/HEVC, VP9, AV1, AVS2 decoding
  - 4K@60fps H.264/AVC decoding
  - 4K@60fps H.264/H.265 encoding
Audio:
- 3.5mm audio input/output jack
- 2x speaker outputs via 12-pin terminal block
- 8-channel audio via HDMI
Networking:
- 2x Gigabit Ethernet ports (Realtek RTL8211F-CG)
- Wi-Fi 5 (802.11a/b/g/n/ac) with Bluetooth 5.2
- M.2 socket for 4G LTE with Nano SIM slot
USB:
- 2x USB 3.0 Host
- 1x USB 2.0 OTG (multiplexed with USB 3.0 Host)
Serial and I/O:
- 1x debug UART (3-pin)
- 1x RS232 (12-pin terminal)
- 2x UART (TTL, 4-pin and 6-pin)
- 1x RS485 (12-pin terminal)
- 1x CAN bus
- 1x SPI
- 5x ADC
Misc:
- RTC with battery connector
- Power, Reset, and Recovery buttons
Power supply: +12V DC-in via DC jack
Dimensions:
- Baseboard: 155 mm x 115 mm
- CPU module: 40 mm x 30 mm

The Idea3576 board supports Debian 12 and Buildroot operating systems, running on the Linux 6.1.99 kernel with U-Boot as the bootloader. HDMI input is handled through a dedicated interface chip. Development tools include SecureCRT, AndroidTool.exe, and ADB, with cross-compilation supported on Ubuntu 22.04 systems. The manufacturer also provides a USB-to-UART serial driver in the download section for easy debugging and development.

This SBC is well-suited for edge AI processing, embedded vision applications, 4K media gateways, and industrial use cases requiring multiple interface options. Its design focuses on delivering reliable and scalable performance for demanding environments.

Previously, we covered other Rockchip RK3576-based SBCs such as the Banana Pi BPI-M5 Pro, Firefly AIO-3576JD4, and Toybrick TB-RK3576D. Feel free to check them out if you’re interested in similar boards.

Boardcon has not yet announced the pricing for the Idea3576 SBC. For additional information, please refer to the official product page.