RS Components has boosted opportunities to create smarter IoT devices by introducing Sony Spresense, featuring Arm Cortex-M4F performance and extensive sensing, audio, and imaging capabilities.
The low-power platform combines the Sony CXD5602 system-on-chip (SoC) for wearable electronics, and the CXD5247 power-management and audio IC. Expansion headers allow users to further extend the rich native features by adding Arduino shields or any of a selection of specially developed add-on boards. These include the Bluetooth low energy board and the Spresense-Sensor-EVK-701 containing an accelerometer, barometer and magnetometer. Spresense is compatible with the Arduino development environment (IDE) and comes with a set of extended APIs that give developers the additional option to use the advanced NuttX based software development kit (SDK).
The CXD5602 SoC on the main board contains six 156 MHz ARM Cortex-M4F cores, ensuring generous compute performance and low latency. Peripherals include an 8-bit parallel camera interface, a multi-constellation GNSS receiver, and a sensor-fusion block to simplify movement or context sensing using a combination of external accelerometer, eCompass, gyroscope or pressure sensor. The CXD5247 adds a class-D bridge-tied load (BTL) audio amplifier, 8-channel digital microphone and 4-channel analog microphone inputs, as well as DC/DC converters and a low-dropout (LDO) regulator to provide the system power rails. Battery charging and fuel gauge peripherals further simplify the design of self-powered, connected smart objects.
The extension board handles interfacing and user access to signals, featuring level-shifting circuitry, headphone and microphone-input headers, and an SD Card slot. Together, the high-performing audio, video, sensing, and positioning capabilities of Spresense, made accessible by this two-board platform, enable users to create even more advanced IoT devices and smart objects.
With its multicore compute engine and built-in GPS, the platform is ideal for next-generation drones. Support for high-resolution audio recording and playback, and the full digital amplifier, create a perfect platform for new and more powerful smart speakers. On the other hand, the built-in camera interface can support numerous opportunities for smart cameras and networked vision applications such as security surveillance or remote time-lapse cameras.
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