Onion Omega2 Dash using Omega2S Computer Module

Overview

Omega2 Dash is a new development board launched by the original creators of Omega2S Embedded Linux Computer Module, Onion.

You can see the campaign on Crowd Supply.

Unique thing about this development board is it has TFT Color display with touch in-built.

Before getting into details on what all is there on Omega2 dash development board, you must read about the Omega2S module in the next section, else you can move to the features section.

Omega2S Embedded Linux Computer

Omega2S dash board uses Omega2S computer module so it would be interesting to know a little bit about it. Read more here.

I have also written about this module in the past, you can read it here where I have covered what are the advantages and limitation of the Omega2S computer module.

Omega 2 Dash Features & Spec

• 3.2″ TFT touchscreen display
  • 320×240 resolution
  • 16-bit (RGB565) color support
  • 12-bit resistive touch input
• Based on the Omega2S+ IoT computer module
  • Processor: 580 MHz MIPS CPU
  • Memory: 128 MB RAM
  • Storage: 32 MB
  • Connectivity: 2.4 GHz b/g/n Wi-Fi (access point & client)
  • Operating System: OpenWrt 18.06 Linux
• I/O
  • Expansion Header
    • I²C, UART, PWM, Ethernet, GPIOs
    • Compatible with existing ecosystem of Omega2 Expansions
  • USB 2.0 host
  • MicroSD card slot
• Antenna
  • 2 dBi directional chip antenna
  • U.FL connector for external antenna
• USB-to-serial interface on Micro USB port
  • Provides reliable, always-on access to the Omega’s commandline
• Status LEDS
  • Amber: Indicates whether Linux OS has booted
    • Off – Device not powered on
    • Blinking – Booting/updating
    • On – Up and running
  • Blue: Indicates connection to a Wi-Fi network
    • Off – Not connected to a Wi-Fi network
    • Blinking – Connecting
    • On – Connected
• Weight: 60 g
• Dimensions: 82 mm x 70 mm

It can be accessed over USB-Serial command line interface for easy configuration and debugging. One can also setup a SSH over local network.

Omega2 Dash is compatible with the LittleV Graphics Library. LittlevGL (lvgl) is the ideal programming method for Dash – it’s a free and open-source graphics library that provides what you need to create an embedded GUI with easy-to-use graphical elements and visual effects. It also has a conveniently low memory footprint.

Applications

There could be so many use-cases where this display development board could be used like table-top information display, Home Automation Control Screen, HMI for any product like for 3D printer, dispenser, etc.

My Views on Omega2S Dash

Some of the cool things about the board:

I think it is quite interesting development board. Makes it really easy for a developer to have TFT Display with touch capability along with other interfaces. Onion OS is another advantage which can accelerate the whole development time. Good that they have provided USB host interface, Micro USB for powering the board as well as for serial debug. Extra SD card also helps if you want to store data, images, etc. 30-pin header connector provides access to other available IOs and it is compatible with the existing ecosystem of Omega2 expansion boards. Mounting holes on the PCB is another good thing they have done, other wise mounting display in an enclosure becomes a challenging task.

Some of the things which I feel they should have done differently are:

1. Better price, current price is a little high. I was expecting something like 39$ or 45$.
2. A round power jack could have been much better as a more standard way of powering the board, more so when you don’t want to connect another board which gives access to power input.
3. A small on-board buzzer could have been better which can give audio feedback for touch events.
4. I would have kept SD-card connector on the USB Host side so my enclosure could have all the interfaces on one side.
5. Boot time could have been better like <20-25 Sec.
6. Schematics of the board is not yet available, even I am not able to find any details about the display which is important.
7. A couple of on-board sensors like temperature, accelerometer would have given more flexibility to create some interesting projects.
8. Readily available enclosure option would have been better or some examples of 3D designs.

I hope like me you are also excited to try your hands on this little development kit. If you already got a chance to use this board, let me know in the comments how did you like it, what project you are building using Omega2 dash board.