Olimex has recently released the STMP157-BASE-SOM-EXT system-on-module (SoM) powered by an STMicro STM32MP157 dual-core Cortex-A7 microprocessor. The SoM is accompanied by the STMP157-BASE-SOM-EVB evaluation board, which is open-source hardware designed in KiCAD. The CPU module features 1GB RAM, an EEPROM for configuration, and power management circuitry. The carrier board provides various interfaces and features including HDMI video output, LCD display interfaces, a 2MP camera, gigabit Ethernet, USB ports, CAN bus terminal block, audio jacks, and several GPIO headers.

The specifications of the STMP157-BASE-SOM-EXT System-on-Module are as follows:

• Microprocessor: STMicro STM32MP157DAA1 dual-core Cortex-A7 processor @ 800 MHz with Arm Cortex-M4 real-time core @ 209 MHz, and Vivante 3D GPU with OpenGL ES 2.0 support
• System Memory: 1GB DDR3
• Storage: Linux configuration EEPROM
• Host interface: 6x 40-pin board-to-board connectors with 1.27mm pitch for I/Os
• Misc: User LED, 24 MHz oscillator
• Power Management: AXP209 PMIC, LDO, DCDC power management
• Dimensions: 72 x 48 mm

The STMP157-BASE-SOM-EVB carrier board is compatible with the STMP157-BASE-SOM-EXT CPU module and offers the following specifications:

• Storage: MicroSD card slot
• Video Output: HDMI output, MIPI LCD connector, RGB LCD connector compatible with LCD-OLinuXino-5CTS, LCD-OLinuXino-7.0CTS, LCD-OLinuXino-10CTS
• Camera: 2MP MIPI CSI camera (OV2640-120 sensor)
• Audio: 3.5mm headphones jack, 3.5mm microphone jack
• Networking: Gigabit Ethernet port
• USB: 2x USB 2.0 Type-A host ports, 1x USB OTG port
• Serial: 2x CAN Bus terminal blocks
• Expansion: UEXT connector, EXT1 and EXT2 GPIO connectors
• Debugging: 3-pin UART connector, optional JTAG connector (not populated)
• Misc: Reset button, Power LED, flash module connector, boot configuration slide switch
• Power Supply: 5V/2A via power barrel jack, 2-pin connector for LiPo battery with built-in charging circuit
• Dimensions: 122 x 106 mm

Olimex provides a minimal Debian 11 image with Linux 6.x for both the module and EVB. User manuals, PDF schematics, and a Linux user guide can be found on the product page for the SoM, while the KiCAD hardware design files, PDF schematics, and user manual for the EVB can be found on GitHub. Pre-orders for the STM32MP157 SoM and EVB are now available for 30 Euros each, with shipping scheduled to begin on November 30. More documentation and the option to purchase can be found on the respective product pages.

Source: CNX Software – Embedded Systems News.

Banana Pi has released a new WiFi 7 router board called the BPI-R4. This router board is powered by the MediaTek MT7988A (Filogic 880) quad-core Arm Corex-A73 processor. It features 4GB DDR4 RAM, 8GB eMMC flash, and 128MB SPI-NAND flash.

The BPI-R4 also includes two 10GbE SFP cages, four Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 ports, a USB 3.2 port, an M.2 socket for a 4G/5G modem or an NVMe SSD, and two mini PCIe slots with PCIe 3.0 to support WiFi 7.

The specifications of the Banana Pi BPI-R4 are as follows:

• SoC: MediaTek MT7988A (Filogic 880) quad-core Arm Corex-A73 processor @ 1.8GHz with AI-powered packet accelerator
• System Memory: 4GB DDR4
• Storage: 8GB eMMC flash, 128MB SPI NAND Flash, microSD card slot, M.2 Key M for NVMe SSD
• Networking: 2x 10GbE SFP cages, 4x Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 ports
• USB: USB 3.2 port
• Expansion: M.2 Key-B slot with USB 3.2 interface for 5G or 4G LTE connectivity, M.2 Key-M slot with 1-lane PCIe 3.0 for NVMe SSD, 2x mini PCIe slots with 2-lane PCIe 3.0 for Wi-Fi 7 NIC, 26-pin GPIO header for expansion
• Debugging: 3-pin header for 3.3V serial console
• Misc: Reset button, WPS button, bootstrap switch, RTC battery connector
• Power Supply: 12V/5.2A or 19V/3.2A via DC jack, 20V DC input via header, optional PoE module (RT5400), 5V/12V output header
• Dimensions: 148 x 100.5 mm
• Weight: 250 grams

The Banana Pi BPI-R4 currently has three OpenWrt images available for eMMC, NAND flash, or microSD card boot. A Debian image is also in development. The board does not come with a WiFi 7 module by default but can support it through the two mini PCIe sockets.

The WiFi 7 iPA NIC Module, which can be added to the BPI-R4, is based on a four-chip design with MediaTek MT7996 (WiFi 7 tri-band BE19000 SoC), MT7995N (2.4 GHz WiFi), MT7977AN (6 GHz), and MT7977B (6 GHz).

The Banana Pi BPI-R4 is available for purchase on Aliexpress for $103.15, but the WiFi 7 card must be purchased separately. Coupon codes are available for discounts during the Black Friday promotion.

Overall, the Banana Pi BPI-R4 is a powerful WiFi 7 router board with a range of features and expandability options.

Source: CNX Software – Embedded Systems News.

The Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero is a small computer board that closely resembles the Raspberry Pi Zero in size and shape. However, it offers some notable differences, such as dual USB-C ports instead of micro USB ports and a more powerful processor.

The BPI-M4 Zero features an ARM Cortex-A53 quad-core processor, 2GB of LPDDR4 memory, and 8GB of eMMC flash storage. It also includes a Raspberry Pi-compatible 40-pin connector, making it compatible with a wide range of accessories.

Compared to the Raspberry Pi Zero, the BPI-M4 Zero boasts a 1.5 GHz Allwinner H618 processor, which is the same chip used in another Raspberry Pi Zero clone, the Orange Pi Zero 2W.

In terms of ports and connectors, the Banana Pi model includes a mini HDMI 2.0a port, two USB Type-C ports (one with support for 5V/3A power input), a microSD card reader, a 24-pin FPC connector (supporting USB 2.0, 100 Mbps Ethernet, and IR), a 40-pin header, and a WiFi 5 & BT 4.2 module. The board also features two status LED lights, a wireless antenna, and two hardware keys functioning as a reset button and a FEL button.

Measuring 65 x 30mm, the BPI-M4 Zero should fit in most cases designed for the Raspberry Pi Zero or similar boards.

Pricing and availability for the Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero have not been announced yet. However, it is expected that the board will be priced under $20, which is typical for this kind of device.

Source: Liliputing.

The Banana Pi BPI-M7 is an upcoming single-board computer that offers impressive specifications and expansion options. Powered by a Rockchip RK3588 processor, the BPI-M7 boasts up to 32GB of RAM and up to 128GB of eMMC storage. It also supports WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.

What sets the BPI-M7 apart is its compact size and extensive expansion capabilities. With dimensions of just 92 x 62mm, it is comparable to a Raspberry Pi Model B. Despite its small size, the BPI-M7 can support up to three displays, has two 2.5 GbE Ethernet ports, and features an M.2 M-Key slot with PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe SSD support.

The Rockchip processor at the heart of the BPI-M7 offers powerful performance, with four Cortex-A76 CPU cores running at 2.4 GHz, four Cortex-A55 cores running at 1.8 GHz, Mali-G610 MC4 graphics, and a neural processing unit with up to 6 TOPS of AI performance. The system also supports different memory and storage configurations, including 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB of LPDDR4x onboard memory and a 64GB or 128GB eMMC flash storage module.

In terms of connectivity, the BPI-M7 offers a range of ports and connectors, including USB Type-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode for up to 8K/30Hz output, HDMI 2.1 for 8K@60Hz display, and MIPI-DSI for 4K/60Hz display. It also features two 2.5 GbE Ethernet ports, an M.2 M-Key slot for PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe SSD, a microSD card reader, USB 3.0 Type-A ports, MIPI-CSI camera connectors, a 40-pin GPIO header, a fan connector, and an audio header.

The Banana Pi BPI-M7 supports both Android 12 and Debian 10 “Buster” with Linux kernel 5.10. While mass production and pricing details are yet to be announced, the makers of the BPI-M7 have produced a small number of samples. With its powerful specifications and expansion options, the BPI-M7 looks promising for server enthusiasts, Linux users, DevOps professionals, and home lab enthusiasts.

Source: Liliputing.

Hardkernel has released the ODROID-M1S, a smaller and more cost-effective single-board computer (SBC) compared to the previously launched ODROID-M1. Designed to commemorate Hardkernel’s 15th anniversary, the ODROID-M1S is priced at $49 and up and features the Rockchip RK3566 system-on-a-chip (SoC).

The ODROID-M1S SBC comes with the Rockchip RK3566 SoC, which is similar to the RK3568 but with fewer peripheral interfaces. The board offers 4GB or 8GB LPDDR4 memory, a 64GB eMMC flash soldered onto the board, HDMI 2.0 and MIPI DSI video interfaces, gigabit Ethernet, a few USB ports, and two GPIO headers. However, compared to the ODROID-M1, the ODROID-M1S does have some feature losses, such as a lower-speed memory, PCIe 2.1 support, the removal of the SPI flash and SATA port, and the MIPI CSI camera connector. The power supply has also been changed from a 12V DC jack to a 5V USB-C port.

Here are the specifications of the ODROID-M1S with the differences from the ODROID-M1 highlighted:

• SoC – Rockchip RK3566 quad-core Cortex-A55 processor @ up to 1.8 GHz with Arm Mali-G52 MP2 GPU @ 800 MHz and 0.8 TOPS AI accelerator
• System Memory – 4GB or 8GB LPDDR4 RAM at 2112 MT/s or up to 1,055 MHz
• Storage
  • 64GB eMMC flash (soldered on PCB) benchmarked at up to 180MB/s with fio
  • MicroSD card slot (UHS-I SDR104, boot priority higher than eMMC flash)
  • M.2 NVMe M-Key 2280 socket (2-lane PCIe 2.1) benchmarked at up to 400MB/s with fio
• Video Output
  • 1x HDMI 2.0 port up to 4Kp60 with HDR and EDID
  • 4-lane MIPI DSI connector (30-pin, while ODROID M1 has a 31-pin connector)
• Audio – 3.5mm headphone jack, mono speaker output (1.3W at 8Ω load)
• Networking – Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 port via Realtek RTL8211F Ethernet transceiver
• USB
  • 1x USB 3.0 port
  • 1x USB 2.0 port
  • 1x Micro USB 2.0 OTG port
• Expansion – 40-pin GPIO header + 14-pin GPIO header (both headers optional)

Source: CNX Software – Embedded Systems News.

Firefly has released the ROC-RK3588-RT, a single-board computer (SBC) powered by the Rockchip RK3588(J) processor. The SBC is designed for networking applications such as routers and firewalls, and it comes with one 2.5GbE port and two gigabit Ethernet ports. It is available in both commercial and industrial temperature grades.

The Firefly ROC-RK3588-RT is not limited to networking applications, as it also features three video output interfaces (2x HDMI and USB-C DisplayPort), M.2 sockets for a SATA or NVMe SSD, a WiFi 6/Bluetooth 5.2 module, a 6 TOPS NPU embedded in the Rockchip processor, and a non-standard expansion connector with PCIe Gen 3 and other interfaces.

The specifications of the Firefly ROC-RK3588-RT include:

• SoC: Rockchip RK3588 or Rockchip RK3588J
• System Memory: 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB LPDDR4/LPDDR4x/LPDDR5
• Storage: 32GB, 64GB, or 128GB eMMC flash, M.2 SATA/PCIe 2242 NVMe SSD, MicroSD card slot
• Video Output: HDMI 2.1 up to 8Kp60, HDMI 2.0 up to 4Kp60, USB-C port for DisplayPort 1.4 up to 8Kp30
• Networking: 2.5GbE RJ45 ports, 2x gigabit Ethernet RJ45 ports, optional WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 via M.2 E-Key 2230 socket
• USB: 1x USB 3.0 port, 1x USB 2.0 port, 1x USB-C 3.0 OTG port with DisplayPort Alt mode
• Expansion: M.2 SATA/PCIe 2242 socket for SSD, M.2 E-Key 2230 socket for WiFi and Bluetooth module, 60-pin “BTB” connector with PCIe Gen 3, UART, USB, CAN bus, SARADC, GPIOs
• Power Supply: 12V DC via 5.5/2.1mm power barrel jack
• Dimensions: 108.48 x 74.98mm
• Temperature Range: Commercial (-20°C to +60°C), Industrial (-40°C to 85°C)
• Humidity: 10% to 90% RH non-condensing

Source: CNX Software – Embedded Systems News.