Tag: PocketBeagle 2

  • PocketBeagle 2: New Developer Board with Enhanced Performance

    PocketBeagle 2: New Developer Board with Enhanced Performance

    Key Takeaways

    1. The new PocketBeagle 2 features the AM6254 chip, offering improved performance over the AM6232 without a price increase.
    2. The board has a compact size of 55 x 35 millimeters and includes a USB-C port, buttons, LEDs, and debug ports.
    3. It lacks a standard HDMI output, making it unsuitable for media playback.
    4. The PocketBeagle 2 includes a microSD slot, UART connection, and pin headers for connecting to external sensors and actuators.
    5. The board is priced at $29.99 and can be purchased from DigiKey, with the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 as a potential alternative.

    A fresh version of the PocketBeagle 2 has just hit the market. We previously mentioned the original model back in February, and now this updated system is running a different SoC. The newly installed AM6254 chip from Texas Instruments is claimed to deliver better performance than the older AM6232. However, the transition to this new SoC doesn’t seem to have resulted in a price increase. It remains a developer board with limited capabilities, and it lacks a standard HDMI output that you would find on the Raspberry Pi 5, making it not ideal for media playback.

    Compact Design

    This board is really small, measuring only 55 x 35 millimeters, and has a low profile. On the front side, you’ll find a 512 MB LPDDR4 module along with a USB-C port, two buttons, and user-configurable LEDs and debug ports. On the back, there’s a microSD slot and a UART connection for debugging, plus two pin headers. These pin headers allow for connections to external sensors and actuators, which means you could potentially use the PocketBeagle to control robotic systems based on various sensor inputs.

    Pricing and Alternatives

    You can grab this developer board online at Digikey for $29.99. If you are considering other options, the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 is worth checking out.

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    PocketBeagle 2: New Developer Board with Enhanced Performance
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  • PocketBeagle 2: Affordable Compact Single-Board Computer for Devs

    PocketBeagle 2: Affordable Compact Single-Board Computer for Devs

    Key Takeaways

    1. The PocketBeagle 2 is a compact single-board computer (SBC) designed for developers, priced around $28 to $70.
    2. It has small dimensions (55 x 35 mm) and offers multiple power options, including USB-C and a 5-watt header.
    3. The board includes a microSD card slot and 72 expansion pins for connecting peripherals, but lacks HDMI and wireless features.
    4. Powered by a Texas Instruments AM6232 SoC with dual ARM Cortex-A53 cores and a Cortex-M4F MCU, it is suitable for real-time applications.
    5. Its lower performance and fewer inputs/outputs make it ideal for niche projects that don’t require a full desktop operating system.

    The PocketBeagle 2 is a single-board computer (SBC) designed mainly for developers, similar to the Raspberry Pi 5, which is priced around $70 on Amazon. The PocketBeagle 2 stands out due to its smaller size and lower performance, making it a great choice for those who don’t require a full desktop operating system. It’s important to note that it has fewer external inputs and outputs, with no HDMI ports included.

    Compact Dimensions and Power Options

    With dimensions of just 55 x 35 mm (2.17 x 1.38 in), the PocketBeagle 2 offers various power options, including battery, USB-C port, or a 5-watt header located on the board. In addition to a microSD card slot, it comes equipped with 72 expansion pins that allow for the connection of peripherals like sensors and actuators. This can open up possibilities for controlling smart home devices, even though it does not support wireless features such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Currently, you can find the PocketBeagle 2 at Mouser Electronics for approximately $28, and they also provide detailed documentation to assist new users in getting started.

    Key Features and Applications

    At the heart of the PocketBeagle 2 is a Texas Instruments AM6232 SoC, which includes two ARM Cortex-A53 cores that can run at speeds up to 1 GHz, alongside a Cortex-M4F MCU clocked at 400 MHz. This setup is particularly beneficial for real-time applications, offering a good balance of performance for specific tasks. While it may not compete with larger SBCs in terms of overall capability, its unique features cater well to niche projects and development needs.

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