# Microcontrollers Microcontrollers are single-chip integrated circuits that combine a processor core, memory, and peripheral interfaces to execute dedicated control functions in embedded systems. This is one page of public article previews, not the complete archive. Follow Next page to continue. Summaries are not the original full articles. ## Alif Semi Balletto B1 and Ensemble E1C StartKits feature Cortex-M55 + Ethos-U55 MCU for IoT and Edge AI DevFeed: [Alif Semi Balletto B1 and Ensemble E1C StartKits feature Cortex-M55 + Ethos-U55 MCU for IoT and Edge AI]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Debashis Das Published: 2026-09-15T09:00:06Z Content type: news Language: en Sources: [CNX Software - Embedded Systems News]() Topics: [Microcontrollers](), [Embedded Systems](), [Microcontroller](), [cpu](), [Internet of things](), [Artificial Intelligence](), [SDK]() Tags: [802-15-4](), [ai](), [alif](), [ble](), [camera](), [core](), [debugger](), [development-board](), [devkit](), [edge](), [edge-ai](), [embedded-systems](), [hardware](), [i2c](), [iot](), [led](), [low-power](), [mcu](), [microcontrollers](), [mikrobus](), [open-source](), [sensor](), [specifications](), [testing](), [zephyr](), [zephyr-os]() ### AI overview Alif Semiconductor's Balletto B1 and Ensemble E1C StartKits are low-cost development boards built around Cortex-M55 microcontrollers with Ethos-U55 NPUs. The Balletto B1 adds BLE 5.3 and 802.15.4 connectivity, while both boards include camera, audio, sensor expansion, debugging, and power-measurement features. ### Source excerpt Alif Semiconductor's Ensemble E1C (SK-E1C) and Balletto B1 (SK-B1) StartKits are low-cost development boards built around the company's Cortex-M55 + Ethos-U55 microcontrollers. The Balletto B1 adds BLE 5.3 and 802.15.4 wireless connectivity, while the Ensemble E1C does not have built-in wireless connectivity. Both StartKits feature a microcontroller with a 160MHz Cortex-M55 CPU, an Ethos-U55 NPU, 2MB SRAM, and 1.8/1.9MB NVM. They also include an Arducam camera header, a mikroBUS Click Board expansion socket, and two PDM microphones for camera, audio, and sensor-based projects. The Balletto B1 additionally provides the complete RF path to a chip antenna for its wireless subsystem, while both boards feature an on-board Segger J-Link debugger for development and testing. Alif Semiconductor StartKit (SK-B1 and SK-E1C) specifications: MCU SK-E1C - Alif Semiconductor Ensemble E1C SK-B1 - Alif Semiconductor Balletto B1 CPU - Arm Cortex-M55 core with Helium-M Vector Extension @ up to 160 MHz NPU - Arm [...] The post Alif Semi Balletto B1 and Ensemble E1C StartKits feature Cortex-M55 + Ethos-U55 MCU for IoT and Edge AI appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News. ## ESPHome introduces a visual Device Builder in its latest release DevFeed: [ESPHome introduces a visual Device Builder in its latest release]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Jesse Hills Published: 2026-07-02T00:00:00Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [ESPHome - Smart Home Made Simple - Blog]() Topics: [esphome](), [dashboards](), [Microcontrollers]() Tags: [announcements](), [beginners](), [esphome](), [features](), [release](), [smart-home]() ### AI overview The latest ESPHome release introduces a visual Device Builder that replaces the old text-heavy dashboard with an interactive component catalog and layout workspace. The update is intended to make custom smart home device projects more approachable while retaining control for experienced users. ### Source excerpt Discover a more approachable way to bring your smart home ideas to life: the new visual Device Builder in the latest ESPHome release. ## ESPHome 2025.8.0: nRF52 support and ESP-NOW mesh communication DevFeed: [ESPHome 2025.8.0: nRF52 support and ESP-NOW mesh communication]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Jesse Hills Published: 2025-08-20T00:00:00Z Content type: release Language: en Sources: [ESPHome - Smart Home Made Simple - Blog]() Topics: [esphome](), [ESP-NOW](), [Microcontrollers](), [Zephyr RTOS](), [ESP32](), [ESP32-P4](), [Bluetooth]() Tags: [2025](), [bluetooth](), [esp-now](), [esp32](), [esp32-p4](), [esphome](), [introduction](), [latency](), [low-latency](), [memory-optimization](), [microcontrollers](), [mipi](), [optimization](), [release](), [releases](), [zephyr]() ### AI overview ESPHome 2025.8.0 adds basic Nordic nRF52 support built on Zephyr, ESP-NOW device-to-device communication for ESP32 platforms, and MIPI DSI display support for ESP32-P4. It also introduces memory optimizations and requires Python 3.11 or newer. ### Source excerpt ESPHome 2025.8.0 introduces the Nordic nRF52 platform built on Zephyr, ESP-NOW device-to-device communication, and MIPI DSI display support, and now requires Python 3.11 or newer. ## Why Huawei's HarmonyOS Next could matter for small computing devices DevFeed: [Why Huawei's HarmonyOS Next could matter for small computing devices]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Jasper Morgan Published: 2025-04-03T08:46:50Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Snapp Mobile - Medium]() Topics: [Operating system](), [huawei](), [Open Source](), [Microcontrollers](), [Robotics]() Tags: [harmony-os](), [huawei](), [microcontrollers](), [mobile-app-development](), [open-source](), [operating-systems](), [os](), [robotics]() ### AI overview This opinion article examines Huawei's HarmonyOS Next, a version of HarmonyOS without Android support, and argues that an operating system designed for small computing devices could have a valuable role as those devices become more widespread. ### Source excerpt Last year Huawei ditched Android and in 2025 will be releasing more and more devices running its HarmonyOS Next software platform. HarmonyOS is based on an open source operating system (OpenHarmony) that started as an R&D project at Huawei in 2012. The operating system has been architected to support a wide array of small computing devices from microcontrollers to tablets. It is already used in several of Huawei's TVs, wearables and wireless router products. In 2024 a 'pure' version of the OS, without Android support, was released. This has been branded HarmonyOS Next. Several questions leap to mind: 1/ Does the world actually need a new OS? 2/ Why should we care about what Huawei is doing -- especially those of us outside China? 3/ Finally, what are the chances of success for a new OS? Let's look a little deeper into these topics and try to understand what's going on in this space. 1/ Does the world need a new OS? YES Let me explain why I have come to this conclusion. Computing needs have changed We have seen a steady growth of small form factor computing. We carry computing devices in our pockets, they are found in devices throughout our homes, they are part of our vehicles, they are in medical devices, and in countless industrial settings. Within this context, one could argue that phones are at the larger end of the spectrum when it comes to small computing devices. Single board computers and microcontrollers can be found in mechanical keyboards, security cameras, hand-held medical equipment, at the checkout in our shops etc. Going further, it's not a huge leap to see that the field of robotics is due to take off with the advent of AI for real time context-aware decision making. My first argument, therefore, is that an operating system specifically designed for small computing devices will have a valuable role to play. (Neither iOS nor Android were designed or have evolved to address this need.) Innovation and competition are good Several operating system innovati ## Programming the ESP8266 on an M1 Mac DevFeed: [Programming the ESP8266 on an M1 Mac]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Published: 2021-02-16T17:30:00Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Rambo Codes]() Topics: [ESP8266](), [Arduino](), [Microcontrollers](), [Homebrew](), [Programming]() Tags: [arduino](), [esp8266](), [homebrew](), [microcontrollers](), [programming]() ### AI overview This article explains how to program an ESP8266 microcontroller with the Arduino Pro IDE on an M1 Mac. It documents a workaround involving Homebrew-installed Python 3 and changing the ESP8266 upload tool to use that Python installation. ### Source excerpt Gui Rambo writes about his coding and reverse engineering adventures. ## Beyond trivago Tech Pt. 2: Four More Side Projects from Our Developers DevFeed: [Beyond trivago Tech Pt. 2: Four More Side Projects from Our Developers]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Ankia Wolf Published: 2020-09-22T00:00:00Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Trivago]() Topics: [Rust](), [Programming](), [Node.js](), [ESP8266](), [Microcontrollers](), [Kubernetes](), [Prometheus]() Tags: [developers](), [engineering-culture](), [kubernetes](), [microcontrollers](), [node-js](), [programming](), [projects](), [prometheus](), [rust](), [side-projects](), [tech]() ### AI overview A trivago series entry highlights four employees' side projects: a Rust-focused YouTube channel, teaching and Node.js education, a Kubernetes-powered smart farm using ESP8266 microcontrollers and Prometheus, and pandemic-era social entrepreneurship. ### Source excerpt This is part two of our series about trivago engineer's side projects. The first part is