BeagleBoard.org Foundation’s BeagleConnect Zepto “$1 computer” is an upcoming open-source hardware board powered by Texas Instruments MSPM0L117 Cortex-M0+ MCU, part of the MSPM0 family introduced in 2023.
It’s a tiny board with mikroBus-compatible headers, a TAG-CONNECT JTAG connector, two Qwiic connectors for expansion (or one Qwiic connector + USB-C depending on the variant), Boot and Reset buttons, and an RGB LED.
BeagleConnect Zepto specifications:
- MCU – Texas Instruments MSPM0L117
- CPU – 32MHz Arm Cortex-M0+ core
- Memory – 16KB SRAM
- Storage – 128KB dual-bank flash
- Package – QFN32 (5×5 mm)
- USB – Optional USB-C port for power (multiplexed with one of the Qwicc JST connectors)
- Expansion
- mikroBUS headers supporting a choice of about 2,000 ClickE add-on boards; one of the sides is compatible with some Raspberry Pi HATs (note limited to 12 pins)
- Up to 2x Qwicc connectors with full Grove function: I2C, UART, ADC, GPIO
- Debugging – 8-pin TAG-CONNECT JTAG connector
- Misc
- Reset and User buttons
- RGB LED
- Power Supply – 5V via USB-C port or Qwicc/ JST connector
- Dimensions – 33.7 x 25.4 mm (2-layer PCB)
The Qwiic connectors also allow the user to connect the Zepto to BeaglePlay, BeagleBadge, or other Qwiic-enabled hosts or targets, meaning the BeagleConnect Zepto board could also be connected to Linux hosts for internet connectivity or prototyping. The foundation notably highlights support for BeagleConnect Greybus for Zephyr to control mikroBUS modules over Linux without having to develop additional microcontroller firmware.
Several solutions will be offered on the firmware side:
- A Zephyr-based SDK – A hard-to-brick MCUBOOT-based USB bootloader
- BeagleConnect firmware exposing mikroBUS to Linux/Zephyr hosts (Greybus)
- Gateway function on USB
- Node function on both USB and JST
- Micropython firmware on top of Zephyr
- Microblocks-based on Zephyr and Arduino Core
Jason Kridner is also working on a gaming environment that runs on BeagleBadge and uses BeagleConnect Zepto as the controllers. Right now, the GitHub repo comes with the KiCad hardware design files, some hardware documentation, and renders. There’s also a table that shows the board may be offered with different MSPM0 MCU variants and prices. The MSPM0L117 offers a good price/features ratio to target a $1 computer board with minimal margins.
| Chip | Speed | Flash | RAM | Part Cost | Board Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSPM0C1106 | 32 Mhz | 32 KB | 8 KB | $ 0.47 | TBD |
| MSPM0L1116 | 32 Mhz | 64 KB | 16 KB | $ 0.47 | TBD |
| MSPM0L1117 | 32 Mhz | 128 KB | 16 KB | $ 0.51 | TBD |
| MSPM0L1227 | 32 Mhz | 128 KB | 32 KB | $ 0.61 | TBD |
| MSPM0L1228 | 32 Mhz | 256 KB | 32 KB | $ 0.73 | TBD |
| MSPM0G1518 | 80 Mhz | 256 KB | 128 KB | $ 0.986 | TBD |
| MSPM0G1519 | 80 Mhz | 512 KB | 128 KB | $ 1.166 | TBD |
The firmware and software resources will be released later, although I can see a Zephyr implementation repo for the Zepto. The announcement calls for people wanting to get involved, as prototypes are available now. If you are interested, you can check out the forum.
The target is to sell the board for one dollar with virtually no margin for the BeagleBoard.org Foundation, but in a way “where TI, PCB assemblers and distributors are happy with the margin they make” and a price sustainable for over 10 years. If you like this kind of cheap board, Olimex has its own one Euro board: the RVPC computer kit. It’s sold for one Euro plus shipping, as a WCH CH32V003 kit to be soldered, and looks more like a real computer than the BeagleConnect Zepto since it features a VGA connector for a display and a PS/2 connector for a keyboard.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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