Embedded SBC

Why Custom Embedded Systems Are the Backbone of Smarter Devices As smart devices take over industries like home automation, medical equipment, and industrial control, it’s clear that off-the-shelf hardware often falls short. That’s where custom embedded systems come into play. These purpose-built platforms are tailored for specific tasks, delivering optimized performance, longer lifecycle support, and tighter integration into the final product. What Is a Custom Embedded System? A custom embedded system is a computing platform specifically designed for a single application. Unlike generic SBCs, it offers complete flexibility over hardware specifications, interface design, and software stack. Typical features include: Custom PCB layout and form factor Specific processors and memory tuned for your workload Targeted I/O (CAN, UART, MIPI, SPI, etc.) Optimized power efficiency for mobile or low-power systems Long-term supply support with industrial-grade components...

  TFT displays are ubiquitous—from smartphones and tablets to industrial HMIs and outdoor terminals. But under the surface, not all TFT panels are created equal. A display designed for a handheld device is fundamentally different from one engineered for 24/7 operation in a high-temperature, high-vibration environment. In this article, we’ll explore the   core differences between industrial and consumer-grade TFT displays , and why choosing the wrong type can lead to premature failure, performance issues, or even safety risks in demanding applications. What Is an Industrial TFT Display ? An industrial TFT (Thin-Film Transistor) display is built to operate in harsh, mission-critical environments—think factory automation, medical equipment, agricultural systems, and outdoor kiosks. These displays prioritize long-term reliability, thermal stability, and interface flexibility. Key characteristics include: Wide temperature range   (–30°C to +85°C) High sustained brightness ...

When building an embedded system or industrial product, selecting the right display is no small task. A well-designed TFT LCD interface contributes significantly to usability, aesthetics, and long-term reliability. If you’re working on a medical device, HMI, POS terminal, or other embedded application, you may need a custom TFT LCD — one that fits your mechanical, electrical, and visual requirements exactly. This guide outlines the key aspects you need to consider before choosing a display module. 1. FPC Layout and Pin Mapping The Flexible Printed Circuit (FPC) is the critical interface between your mainboard and the LCD. In many cases, the FPC shape, length, and pin sequence must be customized to fit your housing design or avoid conflict with other components. Do you need a custom-shaped FPC to match a bent or curved enclosure? Are any ICs, resistors, or capacitors located on the backlight or CTP that require clearance? Is the pin order or voltage level compatibl...

The RK050HR18 is a 5.0-inch TFT LCD display from Rocktech, designed for industrial and embedded applications. It features an 800x480 resolution, RGB 24-bit interface, and capacitive touch based on the GT911 controller. This article demonstrates how to configure the device tree on Rockchip PX30 platform to enable full support for this display, including backlight and touch. Product Overview Model: RK050HR18 Size: 5.0" Resolution: 800 × 480 pixels Interface: RGB 24-bit Brightness: 350 nits (typ.) Touch Panel: Capacitive, GT911 I2C 📂 View DTS on GitHub Device Tree Configuration 1. LCD Panel Node &lcd { status = "okay"; compatible = "rocktech,rk050hr18"; backlight = &backlight; power-supply = &vcc3v3_lcd; enable-gpios = &gpio1 RK_PA5 GPIO_ACTIVE_HIGH; pinctrl-names = "default"; pinctrl-0 = &lcd_panel_en; port { lcd_in: endpoint { remote-en...

  As an engineer working with embedded Linux and server-side development, remote access to my company's servers is a daily task. For years, I used the built-in VPN on my Mac to connect to our TP-Link router's VPN server, then mounted company file servers via NFS and connected via traditional SSH. It worked—but just barely. In this post, I want to share how I replaced that aging setup with a much more modern solution:   WireGuard + NFS + Mosh . The difference is night and day. The Old Setup: Mac VPN + NFS + SSH VPN:   The built-in Mac VPN client connected to the office TP-Link router. NFS:   I mounted the server filesystem using NFS over VPN. SSH:   I worked on the server using normal SSH sessions. Problems: Slow file transfer speeds.   VPN overhead and TCP congestion made working with large files (>2GB) frustrating. Unstable SSH sessions.   If my home network briefly disconnected, my SSH session would die. High latency.   Typing over SSH had no...

“A single‑board computer is more than a CPU on a PCB—it’s the heartbeat of your product.” Why Choose the RK3566 Quad‑core Cortex‑A55 up to 1.8 GHz Mali‑G52 GPU with OpenGL ES 3.2 & Vulkan 1.1 Optional 0.8 TOPS NPU for lightweight edge‑AI inference Rich I/O: MIPI‑DSI/CSI, HDMI 2.0, USB 3.0, PCIe 2.1, Gigabit Ethernet Long‑term availability on Rockchip’s industrial roadmap (≈ 10 years) These specs deliver snappy Android 11/13 and mainline Linux performance without blowing the BOM budget. Off‑the‑Shelf vs. Custom PCB layout – Off‑the‑shelf boards fix connectors and outline; custom boards match your mechanical envelope. Power & thermals – Generic boards use broad‑range regulators; custom boards optimize rails and cooling. Software – Generic images serve everyone; custom BSPs are tuned to your displays, cameras, sensors, and security model. Lifecycle & branding – Custom designs align component sourcing, offer silk‑screen logos and guaranteed E...