1. Giant Board
An Open Source, Linux-capable SBC Compatible with the FeatherWing Ecosystem.
The Giant Board is a super tiny single-board computer (SBC) based on the Adafruit Feather form factor. Giant Board is more power in a smaller package! It provides a small, powerful platform that is compatible with a wide range of pre-existing accessories. FeatherWing support makes the Giant Board a flexible, drop-in component for most Feather based projects.
We all love our microcontrollers, but in some cases they just don’t have the resources we need to carry out the projects we have in mind. By squeezing the power of an SBC into a package the size of a microcontroller board, the Giant Board relaxes memory, storage, and processing constraints and allows you to take your projects to the next level.
The STM32MP157C-DK2 Discovery kits leverage the capabilities of STM32MP1 Series microprocessors to allow users easily develop applications using STM32 MPU OpenSTLinux Distribution software for the main processor and STM32CubeMP1 software for the co-processor. They include an ST-LINK embedded debug tool, LEDs, push-buttons, one Ethernet
1-Gbps connector, one USB Type-C™ OTG connector, four USB Type-A Host connectors, one HDMI transceiver, one stereo headset jack with analog microphone, and one microSD™ connector. To expand the functionality of STM32MP157C-DK2
Discovery kits, two GPIO expansion connectors are also available for Arduino and Raspberry Pi shields. Additionally, the STM32MP157C-DK2 Discovery kit features an LCD display with a touch panel, and Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth Low Energy capability.
3.Octavo Systems OSD32MP1-BRK Prototyping Platform
The OSD32MP1-BRK is a small flexible prototyping platform for the STM32MP1 based SiP, the OSD32MP15x. At only 3in X 1.8in (75mm X 46mm), it provides easy access to the I/O of the STM32MP1 through a set of breadboard compatible headers.
The OSD32MP1-BRK allows developers to quickly build a proof of concept that more closely resembles their actual system without the need to build their own custom hardware.
ESP32-S2-Saola-1 is a small-sized ESP32-S2 based development board produced by Espressif. Most of the I/O pins are broken out to the pin headers on both sides for easy interfacing. Developers can either connect peripherals with jumper wires or mount ESP32-S2-Saola-1 on a breadboard.
5.SimpleLink Wi-Fi CC3200 LaunchPad
The SimpleLink Wi-Fi CC3200 LaunchPad development kit (with QFN-packaged device) is an evaluation development platform for the CC3200 wireless microcontroller (MCU), the industry’s first single-chip programmable MCU with built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. The board features on-board emulation using FTDI and includes sensors for a full out-of-the-box experience. This board can be directly connected to a PC for use with development tools such as Code Composer Studio™ Cloud integrated development environment (IDE) and IAR Embedded Workbench. Visit dev.ti.com and get started with your SimpleLink Wi-Fi CC3200 LaunchPad kit today.
This LaunchPad has driver support and a software development kit (SDK) with 40+ applications for Wi-Fi protocols, Internet applications and MCU peripheral examples. Download the latest SDK and firmware here.
The BeagleBone Black is a low-cost credit-card-sized development platform with good support from a fast growing community. The BeagleBone Black differs slightly from the regular version by providing you with an onboard micro HDMI port, 512MB of DDR3L DRAM, 4GB onboard flash memory, an AM3358 processor at 1GHz, and making JTAG optional with a user supplied header. Ultimately, the BeagleBone Black is still perfect for physical computing and smaller embedded applications.
The Boron LTE is a powerful LTE CAT-M1 enabled development board that can act as a standalone cellular endpoint. It is based on the Nordic nRF52840 and has built-in battery charging circuitry so it’s easy to connect a Li-Po and deploy your local network in minutes.
The Boron LTE CAT-M1 (NorAm) or BRN402 features the same form factor as the rest of the Particle’s Boron series modules and comes with a full set of regulatory and industry certifications to dramatically accelerate time to market. The BRN402 is certified only for use with the Taoglas Cellular Flex Antenna 2G/3G/LTE 5dBi.
Your tiny, dual-display, desktop computer and robot brains, smart home hub, media centre, networked AI core, factory controller, and much more.
While the popular Raspberry Pi only provides limited schematics and design files, this SBC’s low price, common form factor, and general hackability earns it a place on our list. One great use case is putting an RPi out in a box in the field while developing the product on another dev kit. Just letting it run can gather a lot of valuable info.
There are also quite a few options to choose from, including the RPi 4 with 2GB, 4GB, or even 8GB of memory; the compute module 3+, which is easily designed as a system-on-module (SOM); and the RPi 0 W, which is even cheaper and suited for less intensive applications.