VoltJots | Electronics and IoT

NEWS & ARTICLES

Top 15 boards to watch in 2026

With 2026 on the horizon, a variety of microcontrollers and single board computers have stepped up their game, featuring more power and features from big names and lesser-known boards alike.

India’s first 64-bit dual-core processor arrives

India’s C-DAC has unveiled DHRUV64, a homegrown 1 GHz, 64-bit dual-core RISC-V chip built on a 28-nm node, aiming to boost local system design and cut reliance on imported processors.

AI designs a computer in just one week

Quilter’s physics-driven AI used the NXP i.MX 8M Mini to fully design and build a working embedded computer, cutting a months-long PCB design process down to a single week.

How ST inspires the next generation

ST is deeply involved in STEM and talent development across Italy, France, Singapore, and the US, connecting with students and researchers alike to promote science and digital inclusion through its foundation and partnerships.

How open source drives edge AI growth

With the edge AI market set to skyrocket, open source tools help solve the challenge of deploying AI on IoT devices securely and affordably, enabling real-time decisions without cloud delays.

Wireless IoT devices face complex challenges

IoT devices now juggle multiple wireless protocols like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Thread to handle different tasks, but this adds design complexity as engineers balance speed, power, and connectivity. With billions of devices expected by 2030, this report breaks down the technical hurdles and solutions shaping the wireless IoT landscape.

Overcoming challenges in system-in-package assembly

System-in-package devices are growing quickly due to their design benefits, but many production lines aren’t fully ready, prompting closer collaboration to address common assembly issues.

Tiny programmable robots that move on their own

Scientists have combined CMOS chip-making methods to create programmable micro-robots smaller than a millimeter, integrating processors, sensors, and actuators powered by tiny photovoltaic cells.

PROJECTS & TUTORIALS

Using MicroPython to fetch web data on ESP boards

Learn to perform HTTP GET requests on ESP32 and ESP8266 boards programmed with MicroPython. This tutorial covers the basics and includes two example scripts using the requests library to get your board talking to the internet.

Monitor PC health with ESP32 web interface

Using a FireBeetle ESP32-P4, create a single-page web dashboard that shows your PC’s CPU, RAM, and network stats live.

Extend your Wi-Fi with a Raspberry Pi

Turn your Raspberry Pi into a Wi-Fi extender by rebroadcasting your router’s signal to cover dead spots. This guide covers the hardware needed and two ways to set it up: 1) an easy mode with RaspAP and 2) a manual approach for tinkerers.

Build your own colour e-ink dashboard

Create a customisable colour e-ink dashboard using a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W and InkyPi software to display weather, calendar, news, photos, and more throughout your day.

Control a servo motor with Arduino Nano

Learn the steps to interface a servo motor with an Arduino Nano, including connection details and programming tips to achieve precise angular control.

Sleek transparent wireless power bank

LucidCharge is a slim, wireless power bank that snaps onto your phone without cables or bulk, delivering up to 20W charging. It recharges quickly at 3A, and weighs just 132 grams.

PRODUCTS

Learn and prototype with ESP32-P4 kit

This all-in-one ESP32-P4 kit packs a 7-inch touchscreen, 16 modules, and a 2MP camera, plus over 20 step-by-step lessons on AI, audio, and GUI development using Espressif’s ESP-IDF in C.

New automotive transistors boost power and efficiency

Diodes has launched the DXTN/P 78Q and 80Q series of ultra-low VCE(sat) NPN and PNP transistors, supporting 12 V, 24 V, and 48 V applications. Applications include gate driving, switching, voltage regulation, and motor control with high temperature and ESD resilience.

New Microchip monitors save battery power

Microchip introduces PAC1711 and PAC1811 power monitors that use half the energy of comparable solutions, sampling at 1024 SPS and providing instant alerts for power anomalies and changes in long-term averages.

Stable 7.6V voltage reference from TI

The REF81 voltage reference from TI features a temperature-controlled buried Zener design, delivering better than 1ppm stability and minimal drift across 0 to 70°C.

Vishay launches tiny glass-encased NTC thermistor

The NTCS0402E3104*XT is a glass-protected NTC thermistor in a slim 0402 size, offering accurate temperature sensing and compensation for compact electronic designs.

High-res microdisplay for smart glasses

This 0.26-inch LCOS microdisplay delivers 1632×1536 pixels at 90 Hz and fits into a compact 30-pin FPCA package, making it easy to add vivid, wide-field visuals to AR, XR, and MR headsets.

Connect IoT devices directly to satellites

With updated modem firmware, the nRF9151 SMA Development Kit lets you build IoT devices that connect straight to satellites via NB-IoT NTN, while still supporting terrestrial LTE-M and GNSS. Its Arduino-compatible board uses SMA connectors for external antennas or lab gear, plus includes LEDs, buttons, a UART port, and a Segger J-Link debugger for development.

Low-noise accelerometer with smart motion features

Designed for compact battery-powered systems, the ADXL366 accelerometer delivers low-noise, full-bandwidth sampling with a motion-triggered wake-up mode. It offers multiple g-range options, deep FIFO storage, temperature sensing, and works over SPI or I²C to help extend battery life and reduce processing load.