single-board with a screen for $75. What is this device and what are its capabilities
Single board PCs rarely come with screens. Usually the display has to be bought in addition. But now an unusual device has appeared, which is something like a pocket computer already out of the box. Its most expensive component is the display, so the developers sought to reduce the cost of the system in order to keep the cost at around $79. Accordingly, one should not expect any performance records from it. But still it is a good device that can be useful to many of us. Let’s see what he is.
Device specifications
The most important distinguishing feature is the screen, which is of sufficient quality for this kind of device. It is color and touch sensitive, which makes it possible to create interesting projects based on Unihiker. There are practically no other similar devices, so Unihiker has the opportunity to occupy a narrow, but seemingly promising niche.
Characteristics:
• Processor: Quad-core ARM Cortex-A35, up to 1.2GHz.
• RAM: 512 MB.
• Flash: 16 GB.
• OS: Debian.
• Wi-Fi: 2.4G.
• BT: Bluetooth 4.0.
• Screen: 2.8-inch, 240×320, touchscreen.
• MCU: GD32VF103.
• Optional: button, microphone, light sensor, gyroscope, accelerometer.
• Job status: Led, Buzzer.
• Ports and connectors: USB Type-C, USB-A, Gravity 3pin&4pin port, Edge connector.
• Power: 5V 2A via USB Type-C.
• Size: 51.6mm x 83mm x 13mm.
The developers say that they had to work hard to mount a 2.8-inch touch screen on a small printed circuit board. The device is equipped with a full-fledged OS, this is Debian, with which you can interact via the touch screen. The Debian version is 10.0. Unfortunately, it is not yet known whether this device can run other Linux distributions.
As for the processor, this model, the RK3308 ARM processor, was first released back in 2018. Therefore, you should not expect much from him, but he is quite able to cope with the tasks standard for this kind of devices. The basis of the processor is four 64-bit ARM Cortex-A35 cores (ARM v8-A architecture), operating at a frequency of up to 1.2 GHz. Unfortunately, the chip does not support more than 512 MB of RAM.
There is also a slot for micro-SD memory cards.
What is the device capable of?
According to the developers – a lot. Thanks to its extensive capabilities, including four three-pin GPIOs and two four-pin I2C GPIOs, the device can be used in projects of various kinds.
One example is fruit recognition using neural networks. The single-board supports AI, so it can be useful for computer vision projects. To do this, you need the single-board device itself and a USB camera.
Here is a detailed instruction on converting a single-board device into a machine vision system.
In addition, the device can be used as a base for a smart car system. A variety of sensors can be connected to a single-board board, which helps to expand the functionality of such a system.
What she can do:
• Display of engine operating modes and problem messages.
• Recognition of traffic light signals.
• Turning on the headlights when the brightness of the lighting falls below a certain level.
• Parking assistant, by connecting an ultrasonic sensor.
System Assembly Instructions – here at this link.
The advantage of a single-board is that it can be connected to smartphone power supplies, a laptop or an external battery. The latter is very useful for those developers who create stand-alone solutions.
Naturally, the scope of the single-board is much wider than the two projects described above. The manufacturer’s website gives examples, from fairly simple to very complex. Among them:
• Development of games with touch screen support.
• Digital assistant.
• Weather forecast.
• Fitness tracker and personal trainer.
• Study of the starry sky.
The device can also be used in robotics. community.dfrobot.com/makelog-311803.html’>Here at this link – details on creating a fairly smart robot that is capable of much.
In general, the single-payer turned out to be quite good. As mentioned above, this is not the most productive computer, but its capabilities are wider than many other single-boards. In addition, it gradually forms a developed community, whose representatives show more and more new examples of using a single-payer.
Perhaps you have already tried this system at work? If yes, tell us about your experience in the comments.
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