Embedded Systems

📰 Researchers Claim First Functioning Graphene-Based Chip Researchers at Georgia Tech, led by Professor Walt de Heer, have developed the world's first functioning graphene-based semiconductor, potentially revolutionizing electronics with faster traditional computers and new possibilities for quantum computing. Published in Nature, their research utilizes epitaxial graphene, a carbon crystal bonded to silicon carbide, to create a novel semiconducting material, semiconducting epitaxial graphene (SEC), also known as epigraphene. This material exhibits enhanced electron mobility compared to silicon, enabling transistors to operate at terahertz frequencies, about 10 times faster than current silicon-based transistors. This new semiconductor exhibits a significant bandgap, a key requirement for efficient transistors, and could mark a paradigm shift in electronics, moving beyond silicon to more efficient and compatible materials like silicon carbide and boron nitride. While promising, the technology still requires further development to fully realize its potential in digital electronics and quantum computing. ⛓ More information... #news

📖 Penetration Testing for Industrial Control Systems: A Practical Guide to Ethical Hacking This book adopts a unique, hands-on approach, offering readers the opportunity to gain practical experience with real-world industrial equipment. It's designed to provide an in-depth understanding of how these systems operate and interact in actual industrial environments. Key features of the book: ➡️ An introduction to the basics of industrial operations and systems. ➡️ Insights into the creation of industrial processes and how to ethically exploit their vulnerabilities. ➡️ Techniques for developing a realistic threat environment for clients. ➡️ Learning advanced strategies used by professional hackers to test system integrity. ➡️ A detailed look at the types of equipment used in industrial control systems (ICS). ➡️ Methods for uncovering ports, services, and pivoting opportunities within industrial networks. ➡️ Practical experience with planning and executing attacks on ICS networks. ➡️ Developing skills to proactively protect industrial networks against contemporary cyber threats. By the end of this book, readers will not only understand how to assess and navigate the complexities of an ICS but will also have acquired essential skills in both offensive and defensive strategies to secure these systems. This comprehensive guide is a must-read for anyone looking to ethically penetrate and secure industrial control systems. ⬇️ Download the book (.pdf, 190 MB) #books #control

💻 Watch ESP32’s GPIO status in real-time in a web browser GPIOViewer is an innovative open-source Arduino library designed for real-time monitoring of GPIO pins on ESP32 boards via a web browser. It provides a dynamic and graphical representation of the board's GPIO pin status, enhancing troubleshooting and project development. Key features of the library: ➡️ Displays live status of digital, analog, and PWM signals on ESP32 GPIO pins. ➡️ Tracks actual hardware status, differentiating it from simulation-only tools like the Wokwi ESP32 simulator. ➡️ Utilizes ESPAsyncWebServer and AsyncTCP libraries, with the latter available through the Arduino IDE’s Library Manager. ➡️ Adds only about 50 KB to projects. ➡️ Recommended to use with strong Wi-Fi connections for lower latency and faster data sampling. ➡️ Supports a variety of ESP32 boards, including ESP32-VROOM-32, Olimex ESP32-EVB, and more. This real-time GPIO monitoring capability is not only a boon for debugging but also enhances the overall user experience in developing and testing ESP32-based projects. More information: ☠️ The Hackaday article 😹 The GitHub page #libraries #arduino #esp32

🔋 Nuclear battery produces power for 50 years without needing to charge Betavolt, a Chinese startup, has developed an innovative nuclear battery named Betavolt BV100, which is capable of delivering a constant power output of 3V/100 microwatts for over 50 years without needing a recharge. Measuring just 15x15x5 mm, this battery represents a significant advancement in the miniaturization of atomic energy. While 100 microwatts may not seem substantial, Betavolt has plans to scale up the technology to produce a 1-watt nuclear battery by 2025, potentially revolutionizing power supply in devices like smartphones and drones. The BV100 utilizes radioactive nickel-63, with a half-life of about 100 years, which decays into non-radioactive copper, generating electricity. This process involves a unique structure comprising a nickel-63 sheet placed between diamond semiconductor converters. Despite the use of radioactive material, safety is a key feature of the BV100. Nickel-63 poses minimal external hazard due to its limited range in air and water, and the battery's design ensures the radioactive material is securely encased. This advancement in nuclear battery technology, echoing the early betavoltaic batteries used in space programs and demonstrates significant progress in power density and safety. ⛓ More information... #news #energy #battery

📺 Running Advanced AI on Raspberry Pi: A Journey with GPT-4 and Beyond In an innovative exploration of AI's reach beyond high-end hardware, this video delves into the feasibility of deploying advanced language models on accessible technology like the Raspberry Pi 5. The presenter, a seasoned enthusiast in small-tech advancements, embarks on a journey to test a variety of language models including Orca, Fi, and the groundbreaking GPT-4. With a focus on practicality, the video demonstrates how these models, typically associated with powerful computing resources, can operate on a device as compact and affordable as the Raspberry Pi 5. This approach not only democratizes access to cutting-edge AI but also opens up a realm of possibilities for tech enthusiasts and hobbyists. The video highlights the Raspberry Pi's capacity to handle models with up to 1.7 trillion parameters, a feat that traditionally requires substantial computing power. The presenter's experiments with local, private AI deployments raise intriguing questions about the potential of small-scale, private AI systems. ⛓ https://youtu.be/Y2ldwg8xsgE #video #raspberry #artificial_intelligence

🔃 pcb2blender - KiCad to Blender 3D model workflow The pcb2blender tool revolutionizes the way KiCad projects are rendered in Blender. It streamlines the process of creating professional-looking product renders by allowing users to export their KiCad boards as .pcb3d files and then directly import them into Blender. This innovation eliminates the tedious cleanup work usually involved, enabling users to focus on scene composition and lighting. Notably faster than previous methods, pcb2blender supports rendering work-in-progress boards or those undergoing last-minute revisions. More information: ☠️ The Hackaday article 😹 The GitHub page #libraries #tools #3d_modeling #design #electronics

💻 Sipeed Longan Pi3H – A Raspberry Pi Zero-sized board with gigabit Ethernet, WiFi 6, HDMI, and USB ports This small but mighty single board computer is powered by a high-performance quad-core processor and offers various connectivity options, including full-size HDMI 2.0 and gigabit Ethernet. In addition to that, the board includes a unique design featuring a carrier board and a replaceable LM3H CPU module containing the SoC, RAM, and eMMC flash. Key Specifications: 💻 Processor: Allwinner H618 Quad-core Cortex-A53 up to 1.5GHz 💻 GPU: Arm Mali-G31 MP2 💻 System Memory: 2GB or 4GB LPDDR4 💻 Storage: MicroSD slot, optional 32GB eMMC flash 💻 Video & Audio Output: HDMI 2.0a up to 4Kp60 💻 Networking: Gigabit Ethernet, Dual-band Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4 💻 USB Ports: 2x USB 2.0 Type-A, 1x USB 2.0 OTG Type-C Sipeed provides Debian and Android 12 images for the board, with SDKs available on GitHub. Mainline Linux support is expected in Q1 2024. Sipeed has begun pre-orders on Aliexpress, with prices ranging from $23.90 (2GB RAM, no eMMC flash) to $34.90 (4GB RAM and 32GB eMMC flash), and the LM3H module alone starting at $17.90. Shipping is expected to start on February 11. ⛓ More information... #boards

⛓ 3 trends for 2024: edge intelligence, RISC-V, & chiplets This article discusses three major technology trends expected to shape 2024: ➡️ Edge Intelligence Enhancement: The article highlights advancements in deploying large language models (LLMs) on devices with limited memory, particularly focusing on a research paper by Apple. This paper introduces techniques for efficient LLMs operation on such devices, indicating a broader trend of increased machine learning and inference capabilities at the edge of networks. ➡️ RISC-V Architecture Adoption: The formation of Quintauris, a company backed by major tech players, is set to accelerate the commercialization of RISC-V hardware globally. This development suggests a growing interest in RISC-V architecture, especially in automotive, mobile, and IoT applications. The industry is moving towards heterogeneous computing architectures, where RISC-V plays a crucial role in various functions. ➡️ Rise of Chiplets: Chiplets are emerging as a solution to the high demands of machine learning-intensive products. The trend is compared to the evolution of the intellectual property business two decades ago. Startups like Zero ASIC are democratizing chip-making with platforms for chiplet-based design and emulation. The increasing use of chiplets will rely on standardization efforts like the UCIe specification. ⛓ More information... #news #artificial_intelligence

📷 Custom Handheld Pi Zero HQ Camera This project stands out in the realm of DIY camera technology. At its core, the camera integrates a Raspberry Pi Zero (with a preference for the Pi Zero 2) and the High-Quality (HQ) Camera module, coupled with a compact 1.5" Waveshare OLED display. Its unique features include live preview, zoom-crop panning for manual focus assistance, file viewing capabilities, and an integrated 10-axis IMU for potential horizon level overlay applications. This creation is less about competing with high-end cameras like the Sony Alpha series and more about providing a platform for custom software development and experimentation in camera design. The estimated cost of the camera, considering major components and a 35mm lens, stands around $185.00. More information: ☠️ The Hackaday page 😹 The GitHub page #projects #camera #raspberry #python

📼 Andrej Karpathy’s Baby Llama Runs on Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Andrej Karpathy, from OpenAI, developed Baby Llama as a weekend project to demonstrate the possibility of running the Llama 2 model on edge devices. The project, inspired by Georgi Gerganov's llama.cpp, involves training the Llama 2 model using PyTorch and then saving the weights in a binary file. Karpathy created a compact C file ('run.c') for loading and running the model with single-precision calculations, ensuring a low-memory footprint and independence from external libraries. The model runs efficiently even on a single M1 laptop without GPUs, with performance enhancements achieved through various compilation flags for code optimization. A Twitter user successfully demonstrated Baby Llama running on a Samsung Galaxy Watch 4. Karpathy's repository provides the pre-trained model and code, allowing anyone to experiment with Baby Llama on their devices. It's important to note that this project is experimental and not meant for production use, aiming to showcase the viability of running advanced models on low-powered devices with C, a language typically not associated with machine learning due to its GPU incompatibility. More information... #news #artificial_intelligence

📚 Introduction to Embedded System Design on Arm Cortex-M Microcontrollers Explore the world of embedded devices and IoT with this beginner-friendly textbook. Across twelve chapters, readers will acquire practical skills to create a fully functional smart home device featuring a fire alarm, motion detector, and security sensor. The 'learn-by-doing' approach accommodates beginners without prior programming or electronics knowledge. Fundamental concepts are explained and demonstrated through examples using the ST Nucleo-F429ZI board, an Arm-based microcontroller for hands-on experience. Ideal for educators, the book is structured for a twelve-week semester, allowing one chapter to be covered each week. ⬇️ Download the book (.pdf, 50 MB) #books

👋 Stanford Doggo - an Open-Source quadruped robot Stanford Doggo is a cost-effective, four-legged robot developed by Stanford students from the Extreme Mobility team. It is designed for traversing challenging terrain, performing acrobatic tricks, and encouraging an open-source community by providing comprehensive plans and code online. Features of the robot: ➡️ Holds the record for the highest vertical jumping agility among all robots. ➡️ Estimated cost of less than $3,000, making it a cost-effective alternative. ➡️ Capable of walking, trotting, dancing, and performing impressive jumps and backflips. ➡️ Comprehensive plans, code, and supply list freely available online, fostering a collaborative community. ➡️ Motors recalculate at a remarkable 8,000 times per second, contributing to the robot's agility. With open-access plans and code, Stanford Doggo beckons tech enthusiasts and researchers to explore its intricacies, offering a hands-on opportunity to contribute to the ever-evolving landscape of robotic locomotion. More information: 🔗 The main article 😹 The GitHub page #projects #robots

🤖 Tesla demonstrates Optimus Gen 2 Tesla has unveiled the Optimus Gen 2 humanoid robot, showcasing improved humanlike dexterity and mobility. The robot features 11 degrees of freedom in its hands with tactile sensors in each finger, a 2-DoF neck, in-house-designed actuators and sensors, and integrated electronics. The enhancements include a 30% increase in walking speed, force/torque sensing, articulated toe sections in its feet, and a 10 kg weight reduction for improved energy efficiency, cost, and safety. The company plans to initially deploy the robot in its automotive and battery factories. However, amidst the positive news, Tesla is also recalling over 2 million vehicles due to concerns surrounding its Autopilot system. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating safety issues related to Autopilot, and critics argue that Tesla didn't adequately communicate the risks. Despite the recall, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has released an impressive video of the Gen 2 Optimus robot, emphasizing its capabilities and addressing skepticism. Musk believes the Optimus business could eventually surpass the value of Tesla's car business and full self-driving technology. ⛓ More information... #news #robots

✍️ Firmware Static Analysis with CodeChecker Explore the nuances of firmware static analysis with CodeChecker! Delve into the familiar challenges of C programming, from undefined behavior to memory leaks. This article introduces CodeChecker, an open-source tool built on clang's static analyzer. Uncover the simplicity of integrating CodeChecker into firmware projects to catch bugs before they reach end-users. Navigate false positives with practical strategies like adding assertions and CodeChecker-specific comments. Join the conversation on static analysis tools in the comments and anticipate insights on running analysis in CI. Elevate your coding practices with CodeChecker, bolstering your code's resilience against potential vulnerabilities. ⛓ More information... #articles #programming #software #tools

💪 ANYmal Upgrade: Curiosity Unleashes Advanced Manipulation Skills Zürich-based Swiss-Mile has enhanced the ANYmal quadruped robot with powered wheels for speed and efficiency, enabling it to handle curbs and stairs. The robot has been taught to stand up, facilitating more versatile movement and manipulation using its wheel-hand-leg-arms. Researchers at ETH Zurich's Robotic Systems Lab employed curiosity-driven learning, a form of reinforcement learning, to train the robot in tasks like opening doors and placing packages into boxes. The robot's curiosity about specific elements, such as the door handle or package motion, helps it explore and innovate solutions independently. The use of sparse rewards in training results in diverse and reliable behaviors, allowing the robot to recover from real-world mistakes. While relying on visual code-based systems like AprilTags, Swiss-Mile aims to further develop the robot's capabilities, indicating potential practical applications for the ANYmal. ⛓ More information... #news #robots #machine_learning

📺 how NASA writes space-proof code Explore the intricacies of NASA's embedded coding practices in this revealing video. Delve into the "Power of 10," NASA's rule set for crafting dependable software for space missions. Uncover the reasons behind NASA's avoidance of intricate control flow, insistence on fixed loop bounds, and exclusive use of stack memory. The video underscores the significance of concise functions, meticulous variable declaration, and thorough return value checks. Essential viewing for programmers keen on understanding how NASA upholds code safety for space exploration. ⛓ https://youtu.be/GWYhtksrmhE #video #programming

🗜️ PCB Solder Fren This is a project of a versatile DIY PCB holder designed for soldering small PCBs. This adjustable tool features 3D-printed parts, including pairs of legs, clamp posts, a knob, and a clamp head in STL format, along with necessary hardware like a 2020 aluminum extrusion profile, an 8mm OD, 24mm length spring, and M5 screws. Designed to accommodate various PCB sizes and shapes, the holder offers flexibility with the option to secure end caps through threading or glue, providing a practical solution for soldering tasks. The project emphasizes simplicity and adaptability, offering a valuable resource for DIY electronics enthusiasts working on intricate PCB projects. Additionally, a comprehensive blog post breaks down the workflow and steps involved in creating this DIY PCB holder. ⛓ More information... #projects #tools

📺 The comparison of Raspberry CM4's analogues The video discusses the emergence of various Compute Module 4 clones, which are compact, single-board computers used for applications like portable gaming emulators, smart lighting, and industrial control systems. The narrator highlights the challenges in obtaining the original Compute Module 4 due to supply constraints. They provide a brief overview of several clones, each featuring different chips and functionalities. The video covers the performance, quirks, and user-friendliness of these clones, emphasizing the importance of being able to buy and use a board easily. Additionally, the video introduces new Compute Module 4 projects for 2024, including an industrial Pi computer, a TV stick, flash sticks for updating compute modules, an industrial DIN rail-mounted computer, and a Pi KVM box with a unique Ethernet-over-USB-C feature. The video concludes by acknowledging the growing interest in Compute Module 4 projects and speculating about the potential release of Compute Module 5 in the future. ⛓ https://youtu.be/KghZIgkKZcs #video #raspberry

📱 3D-Printable Smart Digital Scale with ESP8266 This project is a user-friendly guide for constructing a precise digital scale capable of measuring weights in the gram spectrum using an ESP-12S microcontroller, a load cell, and an HX711 Wheatstone bridge to I2C converter. The inclusion of an ESP8266 with Wi-Fi capabilities allows for potential future data transmission to the cloud. Features of the scales: ➡️ ESP8266 microcontroller with Wi-Fi capabilities. ➡️ OLED 1.3" I2C display for clear weight readings. ➡️ Load cell (e.g., 5kg) with HX711 ADC for precise measurements. ➡️ 3D printing option for customizable case. ➡️ Calibration functionality for accurate weight readings. ➡️ Possibility to modify code for additional functionalities like counting objects or calculating liquid volume. This project is intriguing due to its combination of hardware and software elements, providing users with a hands-on experience in building a functional IoT device. ⛓ More information... #projects #esp32 #arduino

📼 OpenAI fires co-founder and CEO Sam Altman for allegedly lying to company board Sam Altman, CEO and co-founder of OpenAI, has been ousted from the company amid allegations of inconsistent communication with the board:

Mr. Altman’s departure follows a deliberative review process by the board, which concluded that he was not consistently candid in his communications with the board, hindering its ability to exercise its responsibilities. The board no longer has confidence in his ability to continue leading OpenAI.

reads a statement published by the company. Altman's leadership played a crucial role in OpenAI's transition from a non-profit to a capped-profit model, notably marked by the success of ChatGPT. Despite becoming a prominent figure in the AI community and advocating for responsible AI development, concerns about Altman's transparency led to the board's loss of confidence, prompting his dismissal. The sudden change in leadership introduces uncertainties about OpenAI's future trajectory and the broader landscape of artificial intelligence. Altman's departure not only impacts OpenAI but resonates in Silicon Valley, where he had risen to prominence as a leading voice in the AI field. The move comes at a time when ethical considerations and societal implications of advanced AI are under intense scrutiny. As the co-chair of OpenAI alongside Elon Musk, Altman's exit marks a significant shakeup, leaving questions about how the company will navigate the evolving AI landscape and the potential implications for its partnerships, such as the one with Microsoft, whose stocks were affected by the news. ⛓ More information... #news #artificial_intelligence