New generation of SBCs
31 Jul 2025
Computer/Embedded Technology
HardKernel, a design company that specialises in single-board computers (SBCs) in the Raspberry-Pi form factor, has introduced a range of boards that forego the limitations of using Arm-based processors. Its new generation of ODROID H4-series SBCs are more powerful; offering higher performance and richer interfaces than previous generations.
The H4 series introduces a faster CPU architecture from Intel by using Alder Lake. The H4 and H4+ models use an Intel N97 CPU, while the H4 Ultra use an Intel Core i3 N305 CPU, doubling the number of CPU cores from 4 to 8. The units support a faster DRAM interface allowing DDR5 4800 MT/s to be utilised with up to 48 GB of RAM supported. CPU base frequencies have been boosted, and a more powerful GPU is present for display and signage applications with one HDMI interface and two DisplayPort interfaces allowing the simultaneous use of up to three monitors.
The increase from 2 to 4 SATA ports on the ODROID-H4+ and ODROID H4 Ultra allows connection to a greater number of storage devices. While the addition of SATA hard drives need a boosted power supply, SATA SSD’s can be powered directly by the standard SBC power further reducing complexity.
The H4 series have 2x USB 2.0 ports, 2x USB 3.0 ports, and 1x 2.5 GbE (H4) or 2x 2.5 GbE (on H4+ and H4 Ultra). For communication the SBCs provide a 24-pin I/O expansion port which includes:
• 2x I2C ports.
• An additional 3x USB 2.0 ports.
• 1x UART.
• Connection to an external power button.
One of the exciting features is the presence of a dual BIOS on the ODROID-H4+ and ODROID H4-Ultra. If the BIOS is corrupted due to a power outage during an update, for example, by moving a jumper next to the DC jack, the board can boot into the backup BIOS to perform a recovery.
The presence of a TPM 2.0 security chip allows Windows 11 to be run on these boards. However, they are also ideally suited to running various versions of Linux OS to implement stand-alone projects. With the 4x SATA ports, these SBCs can be purposed into a high-performance NAS unit. Alternatively, having two Ethernet ports allows a range of networking projects such as a high-performance personalised router or hardware-based firewall.
The SBCs are 120 x 120 mm in size and require a 60 W PSU to operate (133 W if booting from a 3,5-inch hard drive).
Further reading:
From idea to intelligent product
TRX Electronics
Computer/Embedded Technology
Mouser Electronics has announced a new eBook in collaboration with Arduino – From Blink to Think: How Arduino UNO Q Helps Designers Go from Idea to Intelligent Product.
Read more...
Think Diamond Long-life COM-based SBCs
Electronic Products Design
Computer/Embedded Technology
A COM-based SBC combines the flexibility of a standard computer-on-module (COM) with a baseboard offering additional I/O, expansion sockets, power supplies, and I/O connectors. The result is a highly flexible, highly expandable, feature-dense product that can be adapted to the widest range of applications, offering maximum product lifetime.
Read more...
Next-Gen Min-ITX motherboard
Vepac Electronics
Computer/Embedded Technology
Adding to AAEON’s extensive industrial motherboard portfolio, the Next-Gen MIX-Q870A1 is the company’s most advanced Mini-ITX board to date.
Read more...
Rev 2.0 PolarFire FPGA ethernet sensor bridge
Altron Arrow
Computer/Embedded Technology
Smaller, multi-camera platform enables scalable Ethernet architectures for NVIDIA Edge AI systems, while lowering power, cost and integration complexity.
Read more...
Rugged combo antennas cut multi-network installations down to one
iCorp Technologies
Computer/Embedded Technology
Quectel Wireless Solutions has expanded its antenna portfolio with four rugged multi-network combo antennas.
Read more...
Intelligent video processing
Rugged Interconnect Technologies
Computer/Embedded Technology
The CHARM150AGX is based on a NVIDIA AGX Orin embedded processor, which incorporates a multicore ARM processor and powerful AI/ML accelerator.
Read more...
Quectel’s single-board computers put industrial edge computing on one PCB
iCorp Technologies
Computer/Embedded Technology
Quectel Pi series of single-board computers (SBCs), designed for a broad range of industrial applications, include three compact development platforms – the Quectel Pi M1, L1, and H1 boards.
Read more...
Nordic expands nRF Cloud with firmware vulnerability scanning
RF Design
Computer/Embedded Technology
nRF Cloud identifies vulnerabilities in firmware and shows exactly which deployed devices are affected, empowering device manufacturers to address EU Cyber Resilience Act requirements.
Read more...
Arrival of the Epic-PTH9
Vepac Electronics
Computer/Embedded Technology
AAEON introduces the EPIC-PTH9, a compact 4-inch industrial single-board computer powered by Intel Core Ultra Series 3 (formerly Panther Lake) processors.
Read more...
EPS-9600 Managed Layer 3 Ethernet Switch with next-generation Time- Sensitive Networking
Electronic Products Design
Computer/Embedded Technology
Diamond Systems has introduced EPS-9610 (part of the EPS-9600 family), a rugged, ultra-compact embedded Ethernet switch which integrates military-grade ruggedness with next-generation Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) capabilities.
Read more...
printer friendly version