The Ox64 single-board computer from the company Pine64 is a RISC-V based SBC powered by Bouffalo Lab’s BL808 64-bit RISC-V CPU. With the embedded 64 MB PSRAM memory and integrated radios (Wi-Fi, BT, Zigbee), the device is a powerhouse for embedded applications. It provides a breadboard friendly form factor (same as the Raspberry Pi Pico), a MicroSD Card slot, USB 2.0, and many other peripheral interfaces for makers to integrate with sensors and other devices.
Figure 1. Pine64 Ox64 SBC.
The brain of the board, the BL808, tends to blur the lines between MCUs and SoCs. The device has an asymmetrical dual-core architecture (similar to the Arduino Portenta H7) with a 64-bit core clocked at 480 MHz and a 32-bit core clocked at 320 MHz.
The two RISC V processor cores used in the design are the C906 and E907 from the company T-Head. These cores are supported by 728 kB of SRAM and 64 MB of pSRAM. Thanks to the onboard memory management unit and the generous amount of RAM, this SoC is able to run a Linux kernel. Finally, a neural networks accelerator capable of 0,1 TOPS is embedded for AI and ML smarts.
Figure 2. Block diagram of the BL808 SoC.
The MCU is equipped with four I2C controllers, two SPI controllers, four UARTs, and a CAN interface. An ADC, DAC, touch controller, PWM units and the usual GPIO pins are also included, providing freedom to use the SoC as the maker sees fit, without limitations.
Even though it exists on the small Pine Ox64 SBC and includes RISC V processing cores, it sits somewhere between the Raspberry Pi Pico and the Raspberry Pi 4 in terms of processing capabilities, making it an interesting option for small projects requiring a reasonable amount of processing power.
Cost-effective microcontroller series Altron Arrow
DSP, Micros & Memory
The STM32C5 series from STMicroelectronics delivers an excellent balance of performance, efficiency, and affordability for embedded designs that require more capability without increasing bill of materials cost.
Read more...Battery-friendly Thread and BLE solution iCorp Technologies
DSP, Micros & Memory
Positioned as an incremental upgrade to the ESP32-H2, Espressif’s ESP32-H21 adds an integrated DC-DC converter that reduces active current draw and helps extend battery life in power-sensitive consumer and industrial devices.
Read more...Next generation HMI processing platform Future Electronics
DSP, Micros & Memory
Microchip’s latest hybrid MCU SiP integrates an Arm926EJ-S processor with 512 Mb of DDR2 SDRAM and is engineered to meet the rising demand for sophisticated HMI solutions in modern vehicles.
Read more...Real-time monitoring for smart power distribution CST Electronics
Test & Measurement
By leveraging high-precision measurement, high-speed wave-recording, and AI-enabled analytics, the InHand Wireless Overhead-lines System empowers power utilities to accurately identify line faults and perform comprehensive load analysis.
Read more...Low-power SoC for IoT designs iCorp Technologies
DSP, Micros & Memory
Espressif’s ESP32-H4 is a dual-core 32-bit RISC-V SoC designed for battery-powered wireless products that require low energy consumption, strong security, and modern connectivity.
Read more...Chip for high-density power Future Electronics
DSP, Micros & Memory
Microchip’s dsPIC33AK256MPS306 Digital Signal Controllers combine high-resolution control, high-speed analogue, and security with support for post-quantum cryptography.
Read more...The end of ‘entry-level’: STMicroelectronics’ STM32C5 sets a new baseline for embedded systems
DSP, Micros & Memory
[Sponsored] Instead of incrementally improving legacy Cortex-M0+ architectures, STM32C5 introduces a Cortex-M33-based platform into the entry-level category. This changes not only performance expectations, but also how engineers approach system architecture, consolidation, and long-term scalability.
Read more...Robust LoRaWAN for distributed IoT CST Electronics
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
InHand Networks has unveiled its latest LoRaWAN gateway, the EC312, marking an evolution in industrial-grade connectivity solutions for distributed IoT environments.
Read more...GigaDevice expands GD25UF Series density NuVision Electronics
DSP, Micros & Memory
GigaDevice has announced the expanded density range of its GD25UF series 1,2 V ultra-low power SPI NOR Flash, now spanning from 8 Mb to 256 Mb.
Read more...ARINC 429 line driver evaluation board ASIC Design Services
DSP, Micros & Memory
Holt Integrated Circuits have announced the release of the ADK-85104 Evaluation Board, a compact, ready-to-use platform designed to help engineers rapidly evaluate and characterise Holt’s HI-85104.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version