Radxa has released the X2L, an affordable single-board computer (SBC) powered by the Celeron J4125 Gemini Lake Refresh processor. The X2L comes with 2GB to 8GB of RAM, an M.2 socket for SSD storage, and another M.2 socket for a wireless module. It also offers a variety of ports, including dual HDMI, gigabit Ethernet, four USB ports, and a 40-pin GPIO header.

Specifications of the Radxa X2L include:

• Celeron J4125 quad-core Gemini Lake Refresh processor
• Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller for GPIO control
• 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB LPDDR4 RAM
• 1x M.2 M-Key socket for NVMe SSD storage
• Optional 32GB eMMC flash
• 2x HDMI ports
• 3.5mm headphone jack with microphone input
• Gigabit Ethernet port
• Optional WiFi and Bluetooth module
• 2x USB 3.0 Type-A ports, 2x USB 2.0 Type-A ports
• 40-pin GPIO header
• M.2 M-Key socket for NVMe SSD
• M.2 E-Key socket for wireless module
• RTC battery socket
• 4-pin header for PWM fan
• 3-pin debug header
• Power button, BOOTSEL button, clear CMOS button, and user button
• 12V/2A power supply via USB-C port
• Dimensions of 155 x 80 x 10 mm
• Temperature range of 0 to 50°C
• Certifications include FCC and CE

The Radxa X2L is available for purchase starting at $39 on Arace and AllNetChina. This price is for the model with 2GB of RAM. Users will need to add an M.2 SSD and a USB PD power supply. The 8GB model with a 32GB eMMC flash is also available for $79.

Source: CNX Software – Embedded Systems News.

Firefly has launched the EXT-2.5GE-RK3588-RT, a 2.5GbE Ethernet Expansion Board for the ROC-RK3588-RT Rockchip RK3588 SBC. The ROC-RK3588-RT SBC already features three Ethernet ports, making it ideal for routers and firewalls. The EXT-2.5GE-RK3588-RT adds four more 2.5GbE ports to the SBC, bringing the total number of Ethernet ports to seven with five 2.5GbE and two GbE RJ45 jacks. The board uses the RTL8125BG IC for Ethernet control and the PI6C557-05 IC as a spectrum clock generator.

Source: CNX Software – Embedded Systems News.

The Tillitis TKey is a unique USB-C security key based on a 32-bit RISC-V core, specifically the PicoRV32, housed in a Lattice iCE40 UP5K FPGA. Described as a “new type of flexible USB security token,” it draws inspiration from DICE (Device Identifier Composition Engine) and measured boot technologies. Unlike traditional security keys with persistent onboard storage, the TKey relies on loading apps onto the key each time it connects to a host device. This method, employing measured boot, generates a distinct identifier for each application, enhancing security by avoiding the storage of private keys on the device. Both the hardware and software for the TKey are entirely open-source, ensuring trustability. Developed by Tillitis, a Swedish security firm, the TKey has two versions: locked and unlocked. The locked version, targeting general users, is not reprogrammable, while the unlocked version allows full configuration using the Tillitis TK Programmer, based on a Raspberry Pi Pico, for added flexibility. Tillitis specializes in hardware trust products and emerged as a separate entity from the Mullvad VPN company in 2022.

Specifications:

• Processor:
  • 32-bit RISC-V PicoRV32 core @ 18 MHz
  • FPGA: Lattice iCE40 UP5K
  • 128 KiB RAM for TKey device application
  • 2 KiB RAM for firmware
  • 6 KiB ROM
  • Execution monitor
  • RAM protection
• Connector: USB-C
• Hardware Privilege Modes: Firmware mode and application mode
• Misc: Touch sensor, power indicator, status indicator
• Input voltage: 5V
• Max current consumption: 100mA
• Operating temperature: 0°C – 40°C

The Tillitis TKey RISC-V security key can be purchased from the Tillitis shop. The end-user version and the advanced user version are priced at 880 Swedish kronor (about $90), while the programmer is priced at 500 Swedish kronor (around $50).

Source: CNX Software – Embedded Systems News.

Terramaster, a NAS maker, has introduced three new models featuring Alder Lake-N processors. The Terramaster F2-424 and F4-424 are 2-bay and 4-bay network attached storage systems respectively, while the Terramaster F4-424 Pro is touted as the “most powerful 4-bay NAS in the industry to date.” These NAS systems offer significant performance improvements over previous models, with the Alder Lake-N processors delivering around 25% faster CPU performance and even higher graphics performance compared to older chips. The F2-424 and F4-424 come with 8GB of DDR5 memory, while the F4-424 Pro includes 32GB of RAM.

The specifications for the Terramaster NAS systems are as follows:

• Terramaster F2-424 and F4-424:
  • Processor: 15-watt N95 CPU with 4 cores, 4 threads, CPU speeds up to 3.4 GHz, and 1.2 GHz UHD integrated graphics
  • Memory: 8GB DDR5 (supports up to 32GB)
• Terramaster F4-424 Pro:
  • Processor: 7-watt Core i3-N300 CPU with 8 cores, 8 threads, speeds up to 3.8 GHz, and a 1.25 GHz UHD GPU with 32 execution units
  • Memory: 32GB RAM

Prices for the Terramaster NAS systems start at $380 for the 2-bay F2-424 and $500 for the 4-bay F4-424. The high-performance F4-424 Pro is priced at $700. However, it’s important to note that the price does not include hard drives for storage.

In addition to the powerful processors, the new Terramaster NAS systems also offer other notable features. They come with two M.2 2280 slots for PCIe NVMe storage, allowing users to use SSDs for cache or primary storage. The networking features include two 2.5 Gbe Ethernet ports, an HDMI 2.1 port, and two USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports.

While these Terramaster NAS systems offer impressive performance, there are some factors to consider. The Asustor AS5402T, for example, has two SODIMM slots for memory, making it more cost-effective and easier to add memory compared to the Terramaster models. The AS5402T also has four M.2 slots for PCIe NVMe storage, providing more storage expansion options. Other options to consider include Synology and QNAP models.

Source: Liliputing.

Sipeed has introduced the Longan Pi3H, a single board computer (SBC) that is similar in size to the Raspberry Pi Zero. Powered by an Allwinner H618 quad-core Cortex-A53 processor, the board features full-size connectors including an HDMI 2.0 video output, two USB 2.0 Type-A ports, and a gigabit Ethernet RJ45 jack. It also offers WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity, a 40-pin GPIO header, and a USB OTG Type-C port for power. The board is composed of a carrier board and a replaceable LM3H CPU module with the Allwinner H618 SoC, RAM, and eMMC flash.

The Sipeed Longan Pi3H specifications include:

• SoC – Allwinner H618 with a quad-core Arm Cortex-A53 processor, up to 1.5GHz, and 1MB L2 cache
• GPU – Arm Mali-G31 MP2 GPU with support for OpenGL ES 1.0/2.0/3.2, OpenCL 2.0, Vulkan 1.1
• VPU with support for various video formats
• System Memory – 2GB or 4GB LPDDR4
• Storage options include a microSD card slot and optional 32GB eMMC flash
• Video & Audio Output – HDMI 2.0a up to 4Kp60
• Networking features a gigabit Ethernet RJ45 port and dual-band WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 with a ceramic antenna
• USB ports include 2x USB 2.0 Type-A ports and 1x USB 2.0 OTG Type-C port
• Expansion options include a 40-pin Raspberry Pi-compatible GPIO header with I2C, SPI, UART, and a variety of GPIOs
• Debugging features a 4-pin debug UART (3.3V)
• Additional features include FEL and Reset buttons, 2x user LEDs
• Power supply options include 5V via USB Type-C port or 4-pin Debug UART header
• Dimensions: SBC – 65 x 30.8 x 23.6 mm, LM3H module – 46.1 x 25 x 2.9mm

Mainline Linux support for the board is expected to be merged in Q1 2024. While the documentation page is not currently working, hardware documentation such as schematics and mechanical drawings are available.

Pre-orders for the Sipeed Longan Pi3H are available on Aliexpress, with prices ranging from $17.90 for the 2GB RAM variant (without eMMC flash) to $34.90 for the 4GB RAM variant with 32GB eMMC flash. Shipping is expected to start on February 11, and the product will be available for European customers in a few days.

Source: CNX Software – Embedded Systems News.

Waveshare has released a new device called the 5G M.2 TO Gigabit ETH, which allows for easy and cost-effective addition of 5G connectivity to a local area network (LAN) through a gigabit Ethernet port or to a specific host device such as a PC or Raspberry Pi SBC through a USB 3.1 Type-C port.

This converter is designed to be flexible, as it does not come with a built-in 5G module. Instead, it features an M.2 Key-B socket that is compatible with 3042 or 3052 5G modules from SIMCom, Quectel, and Fibocom. This allows users to select a module that meets their specific location requirements.

Key features and specifications of the 5G M.2 to Ethernet and USB converter include:

• Cellular:
  • M.2 Key B socket for 3042/3052 5G modules
  • Onboard standard SIM card slot
  • 4x 5G omnidirectional high-gain antennas
• Ethernet: Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 port using RealTek RTL8125 controller
• USB: USB 3.1 Type-C port for connection to a PC, Raspberry Pi, or Jetson SBC for 5G networking or debugging
• Misc: Power and Network LEDs, Reset button
• Power Supply:
  • 9-12V DC via 5.5mm power barrel jack
  • 5V/2A power supply via USB-C port
• Dimensions: 86.2 x 61.5 x 27.20 mm (excluding antenna connectors) with an aluminum alloy enclosure

If a variant without a built-in 5G module is purchased, users will need to select a suitable M.2 5G 3042 or 3052 module for their country. Waveshare provides recommendations for various models in a table on their website.

Users can choose to use USB for a direct connection to a host device or Ethernet for a direct connection or in router mode. Both Ethernet and USB modes can be used simultaneously.

The converter is available for purchase from Waveshare. The package includes a 12V power supply adapter, a USB-C cable, and antennas. Bundles with different 5G modules and heatsinks are also available. Additionally, Waveshare sells a standalone 5G M.2 to USB converter.

Source: CNX Software – Embedded Systems News.