Webtagr - Technology News Summarizer

FPGA Recreation of Rare Retro Chip MCS6530 Released!

2025-02-08

Paul Sajna has successfully recreated the rare vintage MCS6530 chip using an FPGA after over a year of work. This chip, produced by MOS Technology, was featured in the 1975 KIM-1 computer and various 70s and 80s arcade boards. The project, named yo6530, is open-source and available on GitHub. It utilizes the reDIP RIOT board designed by Dag Lem (creator of the reSID engine) and features a Lattice ICE40UP5k FPGA, compiling with open-source toolchains. Currently, yo6530 supports the 6530-002 and 6530-003 variants, successfully booting a replica KIM-1 designed by Eduardo Casino. Further development will continue, with contributions welcomed on GitHub.

(blog.paulsajna.com)

Hardware

The Evolving Saga of 80387 FPU State Saving: A Tale of Documented Errors

2025-02-07

While investigating the behavior of x87 Floating Point Units (FPUs) and their state saving mechanisms (FSTENV/FLDENV and FSAVE/FRSTOR instructions), the author discovered discrepancies between early Intel documentation and later revisions concerning the 32-bit protected mode FPU state. Early 80387 documentation omitted the floating-point opcode from the 32-bit protected mode FPU state, while updated documentation included it. This led to several third-party reference books perpetuating the outdated information for years. The story highlights the evolution of technical documentation and how errors can persist in technical literature for extended periods.

(www.os2museum.com)

Hardware documentation errors

Pebble Lives On: Open Source Code Reignites Hope

2025-02-07

Google's release of the PebbleOS source code has breathed new life into the Pebble community. The Rebble team is hard at work developing new Pebble watch hardware and software, targeting the nRF52840 chipset. They're open-sourcing all updates and collaborating with factories and suppliers to create a new watch that closely resembles the classic Pebble experience, but with modifiable and improvable open-source software. Developers are welcome to join and contribute to improving PebbleOS, the Cobble app, and the Pebble SDK.

(ericmigi.com)

Hardware

TKey: The Open-Source USB Security Key Redefining Flexibility

2025-02-07

TKey is a new type of flexible USB security token featuring open-source hardware and software. Employing a Unique Device Secret (UDS), combined with application measurement and an optional user-provided seed, it derives unique key material for each application. This ensures that even if the application is compromised, correct authentication keys won't be generated. Supporting SSH login, Ed25519 signing, Root of Trust, FIDO2, TOTP, Passkey, and more, TKey offers versatile functionality with ongoing support for additional applications and protocols. Its robust design, using injection-molded or 3D-printed casing and a RISC-V PicoRV32 core, guarantees both security and adaptability.

(tillitis.se)

Hardware security key

Keyboard Company Halts US Shipments Due to Trump Tariffs

2025-02-06

Mechanical keyboard company Qwertykeys has temporarily suspended all shipments to the US due to President Trump's tariffs on Chinese goods. The 45% tariff increase, coupled with DHL's new requirement for a 50% prepayment of declared value plus a $21 processing fee per package, makes shipping unsustainable. Qwertykeys is pausing shipments for 72 hours to negotiate with DHL and other logistics providers for fairer solutions. The company also faced temporary delays in sending replacement parts due to a now-reversed US Postal Service suspension of packages from China.

(www.theverge.com)

Hardware trade war

T1: A RISC-V Vector Processor Inspired by Cray X1

2025-02-06

T1 is a RISC-V vector processor implementation inspired by the Cray X1 vector machine. It features a lane-based microarchitecture with intensive chaining support and SRAM-based VRFs. Supporting standard Zve32f and Zve32x, T1 allows VLEN/DLEN scaling up to 64K, pushing the limits of the RISC-V Vector architecture. Key features include lanes, chaining, and a large LSU, while also serving as a general platform for MMIO DSAs. Designed with Chisel and accompanied by a T1Emulator, T1 integrates with any RISC-V scalar core. Users can configure T1 for various performance trade-offs, balancing throughput, area, and frequency, allowing for both high efficiency and high-performance designs.

(github.com)

Hardware Vector Processor

FreeBSD as a High-Fidelity Audio Server: A Deep Dive

2025-02-06

This comprehensive guide details configuring FreeBSD as an audiophile-grade audio server. It covers system and audio subsystem parameter tuning, real-time operation, bit-perfect signal processing, and optimal methods for enabling and configuring the system's graphic equalizer and high-quality audio equalization using FFmpeg filters. A comparison with Linux is included, along with numerous commands and configuration examples to help build a superior audio system. Linux users will also find valuable insights, particularly regarding MPD player and filter configuration.

(m4c.pl)

Hardware Audio Server High-Fidelity Audio

Is Your 3D Printing Filament Ruining Your Prints? The Ultimate Guide to Drying and Storage

2025-02-05

This comprehensive guide tackles the often-overlooked issue of filament moisture in 3D printing. It details how hygroscopic filaments absorb moisture, leading to problems like stringing and poor adhesion. The guide covers different filament types and their hygroscopicity, symptoms of wet filament, and various drying methods, from dedicated dryers to oven drying (with strong cautions!). It also provides detailed storage solutions, emphasizing airtight containers with desiccants and vacuum-sealed bags. Proper desiccant care is also addressed, highlighting the need to periodically dry the desiccant itself.

(syntaxglow.com)

Hardware filament drying

Framework Launches RISC-V Mainboard for Laptop 13: Open-Source Hardware Takes a Leap

2025-02-04

Framework has released its highly anticipated RISC-V mainboard for $199. This drop-in replacement for the Framework Laptop 13's Intel or AMD motherboard features the StarFive JH7110 processor, 8GB of RAM, and supports Ubuntu and Fedora. While performance is comparable to a quad-core ARM Cortex-A55, its significance lies in its open-source nature, aiming to accelerate the RISC-V ecosystem. Kits with a case, storage, and accessories are also available, along with pre-built laptops featuring the RISC-V mainboard.

(liliputing.com)

Hardware

Radxa Orion O6: Ambitious Open-Source Arm V9 Motherboard, But Needs Refinement

2025-02-04

Radxa's Orion O6 motherboard boasts being the world's first open-source Arm V9 motherboard, promising high performance, low power consumption, and enhanced security. However, real-world testing reveals performance doesn't quite match the marketing hype of rivalling Apple's M1 chip. While outperforming some competitors in certain benchmarks, results are mixed elsewhere. Furthermore, the open-source hardware claim is questionable, with full schematics and OSHWA certification currently absent. Software-wise, the pre-installed OS presents issues like a default device tree configuration and unusual CPU core load distribution. In short, the hardware shows promise, but software and driver support require significant improvement. Proceed with caution and temper expectations.

(www.jeffgeerling.com)

Hardware

AMD's Versal RF Series: Revolutionizing RF Signal Processing with Integrated Direct RF-Sampling

2025-02-04

AMD is revolutionizing RF signal processing with its new Versal RF Series adaptive SoCs. These chips integrate high-resolution RF data converters, hard IP DSP compute blocks, and AI engines onto a single die, delivering up to 80 TOPS of DSP performance and 32 GSPS sample rates. Targeting aerospace & defense and test & measurement markets, the Versal RF Series boasts 19x more DSP compute and 80% lower power consumption compared to its predecessor. Its high-resolution, wideband spectrum observability and low-latency processing make it ideal for applications like phased array radar, electromagnetic spectrum operations, and military satellite communication terminals.

(www.electronicsweekly.com)

Hardware RF Data Converters

Alibaba's Xuantie C910: Ambitious RISC-V Core, Short on Fundamentals

2025-02-04

Alibaba's T-HEAD division has released the Xuantie C910, a high-performance RISC-V core aiming to reduce reliance on foreign chips and provide cost-effective solutions for IoT and edge computing. This deep dive analyzes C910's architecture, including its out-of-order execution engine, branch predictor, and cache system, revealing performance characteristics through testing. While excelling in vector extensions and unaligned access handling, C910 suffers from an imbalanced out-of-order engine with insufficient scheduler and register file capacity relative to its ROB size. Its weak cache subsystem further limits performance. Despite ambition, C910 needs improvement in balancing core architecture and memory subsystem.

(chipsandcheese.com)

Hardware Chip Architecture

Importing Chinese Electric Mini-Excavators: A First-Hand Account

2025-02-04

A blogger recounts his experience importing a shipment of Chinese-made electric mini-excavators. Initially seeking affordable electric options for his parents' Florida property, he found a lack of suitable machines in the US market. He turned to China, sourced machines, and made improvements to suit North American users. His small business now ships these excavators across the US. The article details the import process, from ordering and shipping to inspection, comparing the excavator's price and performance to competitors, highlighting its eco-friendly, economical, and convenient aspects.

(electrek.co)

Hardware electric excavator China manufacturing import

Breakthrough Non-Reciprocal Optical Memory: Nanosecond Write Speeds, Billions of Cycles Without Degradation

2025-02-04

Researchers have developed a novel non-reciprocal optical memory that achieves ultra-fast nanosecond write speeds using magneto-optic and thermo-optic effects. The memory is based on a microring resonator (MRR) with an integrated electromagnet, controlling current to alter the magnetic field and thus modulate light transmission. Experiments show clear eye diagrams at 500 Mbps and 1 Gbps, and stable operation after 2.4 billion write/erase cycles, demonstrating exceptional reliability and endurance. This breakthrough promises to revolutionize high-performance optical memory, offering new possibilities for future high-density, low-power information processing systems.

(www.nature.com)

Hardware optical memory non-reciprocity high-speed writing

Critical AMD Zen CPU Microcode Vulnerability Allows Malicious Code Injection

2025-02-03

Google's security team discovered a critical vulnerability in AMD Zen CPUs (Zen 1-4). An attacker with local administrator privileges can bypass insecure signature verification to load malicious microcode patches, compromising the confidentiality and integrity of confidential computing workloads protected by AMD SEV-SNP and potentially the Dynamic Root of Trust for Measurement (DRTM). AMD released a fix on December 17th, urging users to verify TCB values for SNP. Further details and tools will be released on March 5th by Google to allow time for remediation.

(github.com)

Hardware CPU vulnerability

Reverse Engineering a SanDisk High Endurance microSD Card: Uncovering the Flash Memory Secret

2025-02-02

Blogger Jason reverse-engineered a SanDisk High Endurance microSD card to uncover the mystery of its flash memory. SanDisk was tight-lipped about the type of flash used, even refusing to answer his support requests. Through meticulous analysis of test pads and bus signals, Jason determined that the card uses Toshiba/Kioxia BiCS3 3D TLC NAND flash. He detailed the NAND Flash ID and JEDEC Parameter Page, overcoming challenges like deciphering obscure test pad layouts, controller interference, and SanDisk's custom Parameter Page format. The findings reveal the use of 3D TLC flash, but SanDisk's secrecy surrounding this detail sparked Jason's criticism.

(ripitapart.com)

Hardware NAND flash

ESP32 Remote-Controlled Camera System: Live Streaming & Motor/Servo Control

2025-02-02

This project showcases an ESP32-based remote-controlled camera system that transmits live video streams over WebSockets and controls motors and servos. A Python server manages WebSocket communication and provides a web interface for viewing and controlling the ESP32 devices. It features automatic timeouts to reset motors and servos to defaults if no commands are received. The system supports multiple clients and is open-source.

(github.com)

Hardware Live Video Streaming

FDA Warning: Critical Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities in Contec CMS8000 and Epsimed MN-120 Patient Monitors

2025-02-01

The FDA issued a warning about three critical cybersecurity vulnerabilities in Contec CMS8000 and Epsimed MN-120 patient monitors. These vulnerabilities could allow unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and remote control of the devices. The FDA recommends immediately disconnecting internet-connected devices and contacting healthcare providers for alternative monitors. No related incidents have been reported.

(www.fda.gov)

Hardware medical device security cybersecurity vulnerabilities FDA warning

Augmenting MIDI Hardware with Perl: Building Custom MIDI Filters

2025-02-01

This article details building a custom MIDI filter using Perl and the RtMidi library to enhance the capabilities of an M-Audio Oxygen Pro 61 MIDI keyboard. Two key features are implemented: a software-generated pedal tone and fifth interval, transforming single-note plays into chords; and a bank-switcher using the controller's pads to select MIDI channels, acting like 'tracks'. Asynchronous event handling ensures minimal latency, and the filter is extensible to add features such as 'pickup' functionality and rhythmic strumming effects.

(fuzzix.org)

Hardware Hardware Enhancement

Google's Mysterious Pixel 4a Battery Update: A Recall in Disguise?

2025-01-31

Google released a battery update for some Pixel 4a phones, significantly impacting battery life for affected devices. The reason for the update remains unclear; Google only mentions improved "battery stability" without explaining why some phones were targeted or the nature of the problem. This lack of transparency has led to user frustration and speculation that this is a de facto recall without the usual safety warnings and clear communication.

(arstechnica.com)

Hardware

Modernizing the Classic Casio F-91W with a New Motherboard

2025-01-31

The author purchased a replacement motherboard for their classic Casio F-91W watch from Crowd Supply. This project retains the original Casio LCD but replaces the motherboard with a modern microcontroller and open firmware, resulting in a watch with extended battery life and added functionality. The article details the process of replacing the motherboard, including disassembling the watch, soldering components, installing the new board, and compiling and installing custom firmware. An emulator was used to test the firmware before successfully upgrading the watch with features like a stopwatch and thermometer.

(blog.jgc.org)

Hardware

Microsoft's New Surfaces: Intel-Powered Models Cost $400 More

2025-01-31

Microsoft launched new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop models for business customers, powered by Intel's Core Ultra processors. These are $400 more expensive than their Qualcomm Snapdragon-based counterparts. The Intel-based models start at $1499 with a second-gen Core Ultra 5 processor, 16GB RAM, and 256GB storage. Qualcomm-based Surfaces start at $1099. Consumer models currently only offer Qualcomm options. Available February 18th, the new Surfaces support Microsoft's new AI-enhanced mobile device management portal.

(www.theregister.com)

Hardware

Google Pixel 4a Update Halves Battery Life for Some Users

2025-01-31

A recent Google software update for the Pixel 4a, intended to improve battery stability, has unexpectedly halved battery life for some users. Investigations revealed that the Pixel 4a uses two different battery types. The Lishen battery, after the update, experiences a reduced maximum charge voltage and a 50% capacity decrease. Google offers free battery replacements, $100 Google Store credit, or $50 cash compensation, but a rollback isn't possible. This highlights the potential unforeseen consequences of software updates and the importance of manufacturer response.

(liliputing.com)

Hardware Battery Issues Software Update

Copper Pours on PCBs: Fashion or Necessity?

2025-01-30

The widespread use of copper pours in modern PCB design has sparked discussion. This article explores the reasons behind this trend, going beyond mere aesthetics. From early 8-bit computer motherboards to today's smartphones, PCB design has evolved dramatically. Copper pours not only improve signal integrity in high-speed electronics but also reduce RF emissions, aiding compliance with regulations like FCC Part 15. However, the mechanism involves inductance and common-mode chokes; copper pours manage return current paths to lower impedance, reducing interference and radiation. But copper pours aren't always necessary; for most hobby projects, it's not a critical concern. The article concludes by cautioning about the careful consideration required when working with high-speed interfaces, and the potential increase in shunt capacitance.

(lcamtuf.substack.com)

Hardware PCB design copper pours signal integrity

Why You Should Leave 100nF Decoupling Capacitors Behind

2025-01-30

This article debunks the long-standing practice of using 100nF decoupling capacitors as a default. The author argues that this practice is outdated due to advancements in IC technology (faster switching speeds) and the availability of low-cost, high-capacitance MLCCs. The article dives deep into the physics of decoupling, explaining impedance, parasitic inductance and capacitance, and their impact on power delivery network (PDN) integrity. It advocates for using larger capacitors (1uF or 2.2uF) for better decoupling, reduced EMI, and improved PDN stability. The importance of capacitor package size and its influence on parasitic inductance are highlighted. The author suggests that the persistence of outdated practices stems from cognitive load reduction and historical cost considerations.

(codeinsecurity.wordpress.com)

Hardware Decoupling Capacitors PCB Design

Zyxel Firewall Bricked by Buggy Update: On-Site Fix Required

2025-01-29

A faulty application signature update released by Zyxel last Friday is causing reboot loops, ZySH daemon failures, and login issues for some users. Affected devices include USG Flex and ATP Series devices running ZLD firmware with active security licenses and dedicated signature updates enabled in on-premises/standalone mode. The only workaround requires physical access to the firewall via a console/RS232 cable for recovery. Zyxel has disabled the application signature on its servers to prevent further impact.

(www.theregister.com)

Hardware Software Bug

DIY Type 1 Diabetes Smartwatch: A Father's Journey

2025-01-29

A software engineer father embarked on a six-month journey to build a simple smartwatch for his son with Type 1 diabetes. The watch reliably displays CGM data and provides haptic feedback for critical blood glucose levels. He overcame challenges including BLE connectivity, custom PCB design, haptic motor selection, display choice, waterproofing, and battery life. While not mass-produced, the project yielded valuable hardware R&D experience and is planned to be open-sourced for community benefit. The project highlights the possibilities and difficulties of hardware development.

(andrewchilds.com)

Hardware Hardware Development Medical Technology

Resurrecting a Perfect Commodore Amiga 1000: A Retrocomputing Odyssey

2025-01-29

This blog post details the author's journey restoring a Commodore Amiga 1000, the first model of the Amiga series. Purchased from eBay, the machine's resurrection involved identifying its previous owner (Franz Barta), replacing capacitors, troubleshooting (a loose CPU socket was the culprit!), installing a PiStorm and Parceiro expansion board, and finally, restoring it to working order with a Retrobrighting treatment. The author shares experiences running incompatible software using WHDLoad and outlines future upgrades, including RGB2HDMI for high-definition output and RAM expansion.

(celso.io)

Hardware hardware restoration

Seagate's New Hard Drives: A Case of Massive Reselling?

2025-01-29

German publication Heise.de reports a widespread issue where numerous Seagate hard drive buyers received used drives instead of new ones. The drives, showing usage times of tens of thousands of hours, were purchased from various retailers, including authorized Seagate sellers and major online marketplaces. Affected models span different series and capacities. While Seagate is investigating, the scale and nature of the problem remain unclear, raising concerns about potential fraud.

(www.tomshardware.com)

Hardware Hard Drives Fraud

Fixing a Broken Monitor Power Button: A Hardware Repair Odyssey

2025-01-28

The author's LG 27UL500-W monitor's power button stopped working. Disassembly revealed the problem wasn't a simple button failure, but a multi-layered button membrane inside, with one layer showing signs of overheating and corrosion – likely a factory defect. The repair involved replacing a soldering iron tip, wrestling with tiny parts, and general frustration. Ultimately, the power button was successfully fixed, with the author detailing the process and lessons learned.

(www.lkhrs.com)

Hardware Hardware Repair Monitor Electronics

Category: Hardware