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Tiny quad-core system-on-module for makers and hardware startups

neutis.io

21–30 of 123 posts

Re: Tiny quad-core system-on-module for makers and hardware startups

#21
I'd imagine it'd be competing directly with the likes of Raspberry Pi 3 Compute Modules. And the RPi3 CMs don't seem to be as popular as the RPi 0 so far. And that's given the RPi was super popular, and was known for their amazing community and commitment to connection standard, support and production.

This is even more hardcore than the RPi 3 CMs, and more expensive. Seems like you have a brave team to tackle on this pie.

Re: Tiny quad-core system-on-module for makers and hardware startups

#22

I could see this costing $30, but $49 is quite a stretch. What are your main advantages over Orange Pi Zero [1] which costs $8.49? I can only see the DDR3 rated to -25 and the secure enclave. 1. http://www.orangepi.org/orangepizero/

Apart from temperature range and secure chip which you already mentioned there is also a 8GB eMMC, different processor (H2->H5), more RAM, more peripherals available. Neutis is not competing with Orange Pi as the applications are different, it is meant to be a part of a product, so it has all peripherals available on board-to-board connectors.

Re: Tiny quad-core system-on-module for makers and hardware startups

#23

I could see this costing $30, but $49 is quite a stretch. What are your main advantages over Orange Pi Zero [1] which costs $8.49? I can only see the DDR3 rated to -25 and the secure enclave. 1. http://www.orangepi.org/orangepizero/

Orange Pi is also one and a half times larger

Re: Tiny quad-core system-on-module for makers and hardware startups

#24
post #21

I'd imagine it'd be competing directly with the likes of Raspberry Pi 3 Compute Modules. And the RPi3 CMs don't seem to be as popular as the RPi 0 so far. And that's given the RPi was super popular, and was known for their amazing community and commitment to connection standard, support and production. This is even more hardcore than the RPi 3 CMs, and more expensive. Seems like you have a brave team to tackle on thi…

True! I think that the reason why we do not perceive CM3 as popular is that it is not something that you can use right away. Unlike Pi Zero it requires a custom carrier board, which narrows customers to those who are trying to build a product with it. They normally do not share much online :)

Neutis has advantages over CM3, it is much smaller, comes with Wi-Fi and BT and the connectors take much less space on the PCB!

Re: Tiny quad-core system-on-module for makers and hardware startups

#25

I think this looks good! I also think the price is reasonable, and the linked page also mentions volume discounts. Extended temp range, long-term supply, CE & FCC certification, BSP with OTA upgrade support, manufacturing tool, and best of all: "we rely on Neutis ourselves in our line of Reach M+ and Reach RS+ RTK GNSS receivers". What WiFi+BT chip is used? Webpage mentions Debian briefly. How good is that support to…

Thanks! Wireless module is AP6212A, which is based on BCM43430. It has very mature software support.

I will ask team about Debian tomorrow, can you get in touch with us directly so that we can keep this conversation going? You can find the contact email on Neutis website.

Re: Tiny quad-core system-on-module for makers and hardware startups

#27

what would the current draw on this be for average use ?. Would it be suitable for a handheld mobile device ?

Sure, we use it in a battery powered device ourselves. Consumption really depends on how you use it, but roughly it will be around 1W for average use. You can limit frequency if you need to.

Re: Tiny quad-core system-on-module for makers and hardware startups

#28

Would you kindly shed more light on what kind of Crypto chip are you using? What are its capabilities?

Sure! It is ATECC508A from Microchip and it does a whole lot of things. Please check out the chip description from Microchip for full list of capabilities.

Re: Tiny quad-core system-on-module for makers and hardware startups

#30
post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's a 64-bit 4-core ARM. So I expect it to cost a little more than a Raspberry Pi.

This is the identical CPU of a Raspberry Pi 3. 512 MB of RAM with 64 bit is a pain, and that Mali GPU is a proprietary piece of shit. What's the market for a SoM for "makers and hardware startups" that has negligible upstream support. That's before you consider that they chose a SoC with considerable GPU/VPU capabilities that can only do HDMI or composite, the first you would never use in an embedded application wher…

> 512 MB of RAM with 64 bit is a pain

Hence why all extant Raspberry Pi 3s have a full GiB of RAM.

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