Tag: Allwinner A733

  • Compact PCIe-enabled SBC as a powerful Raspberry Pi alternative

    Compact PCIe-enabled SBC as a powerful Raspberry Pi alternative

    Key Takeaway

    1. Compact size (65 × 32 mm) suitable for space-constrained projects.
    2. Powered by Allwinner A733 SoC with multi-core CPU and NPU for sensor data processing tasks.
    3. Supports up to 16GB LPDDR5 RAM, with options for eMMC storage, microSD, and various display outputs.
    4. Features WiFi 6, USB Type-C display, MIPI-DSI, MIPI-CSI, and PCIe 3.0 expansion for versatile connectivity.

    Compact Size and Powerful Processor

    The Orange Pi Zero 3W is a tiny but mighty developer board, totaly small size of just 65 by 32 millimeters. it’s a great choice for projects where space is very tight. The brain behind this board is the Allwinner A733 SoC, featuring a mix of cores: 2 Cortex-A76 for heavy lifting and 6 Cortex-A55 for efficiency. Plus, it includes a Neural Processing Unit that can do 3 TOPS (INT8), which means it can handle some AI tasks, but not enough for big language models at local level. Still, it’s good for sensor data processing and evaluation, making it a versatile little tool for many small projects.

    Memory, Storage, and Video Capabilities

    This tiny marvel packs LPDDR5 RAM and options up to 16GB, depending on what version you get. You can add storage internally via an eMMC module or use a microSD card for extra space. When it come to display output, it supports HDMI 2.0, allowing you to connect a 4K monitor at 60 FPS, and there’s also a USB Type-C port that can support a second display with the same resolution and refresh rate. For those who want to connect displays directly, MIPI-DIS is supported too. The board also has WiFi 6 for fast wireless network access, and you can connect external antennas for better signal. Cameras are manageable via MIPI-CSI, and for cooling, there’s a fan connector. For expansion, a PCIe 3.0 lane is available through an FPC connector.

    Alternative Options and Final Thoughts

    One option you might consider instead of the Orange Pi Zero 3W is the Raspberry Pi Zero 2W. It’s widely known, has similar small size, and supports a broad ecosystem, but it might have different specs and performance levels. Overall, the Orange Pi Zero 3W is a nice choice for compact projects needing decent processing power and extensive connectivity features, especially if you need a tiny footprint with expandable options.


    Sources

    Tags: , ,
  • Affordable Raspberry Pi Alternative with Multiple USB-C Ports

    Affordable Raspberry Pi Alternative with Multiple USB-C Ports

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Radxa Cubie A7S is a new single-board computer priced around $44 on AliExpress and $25 from Araca Tech, offering 4 GB of RAM with options for 8 or 16 GB.
    2. It features an Allwinner A733 processor with two Cortex-A76 cores and six Cortex-A55 cores, supporting NPU performance of 3 TOPS.
    3. Video output is via USB-C, supporting DisplayPort and 4K resolution at 60 frames per second, along with MIPI CSI for video input.
    4. Connectivity options include Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi 6, and Bluetooth 5.4 for easy device pairing.
    5. The board has 45 GPIO headers, measures 51 x 51 mm, and supports NVMe SSD connection through an FPC connector with a PCIe 3.0 interface.

    A new, smaller substitute for the Raspberry Pi has hit the market. The Radxa Cubie A7S can be found on AliExpress for about $44, not including shipping costs, while Araca Tech offers it for approximately $25. At that lower price, buyers get a single-board computer equipped with just 4 GB of RAM; however, the model can also be found with options of 8 or 16 GB of LPDDR5 RAM. Additionally, there is an option for 256 GB of eMMC storage. Like most single-board computers, it comes with a microSD card slot to make installing the operating system simple.

    Performance and Connectivity

    The processor is an Allwinner A733, which features two Cortex-A76 cores and six Cortex-A55 cores. The NPU performance is rated at 3 TOPS. For video output, the setup is simple, but instead of HDMI, it uses USB-C, which can support DisplayPort and 4K resolution at 60 frames per second. The Cubie A7S can also accept video input through MIPI CSI, mainly from specific cameras, making it useful for automated image processing tasks. For networking, it includes Gigabit Ethernet and WiFi 6 support. There’s also Bluetooth 5.4, which allows for easy pairing with devices such as keyboards and mice.

    Power and Expansion Options

    Power is delivered through USB-C, with support also for USB 2.0 and USB OPT. Additionally, there are 45 GPIO headers, and the board measures 51 x 51 mm, featuring an FPC connector with a PCIe 3.0 interface (one lane). This setup permits the connection of NVMe SSDs, expanding the storage capabilities even further.

    Source:
    Link

     

    Tags: , ,
  • Radxa Launches 8-Core SBC Inspired by Raspberry Pi Zero with 16GB RAM

    Radxa Launches 8-Core SBC Inspired by Raspberry Pi Zero with 16GB RAM

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Radxa Cubie A7Z SBC is compact, measuring just 65 x 30 mm, making it suitable for space-limited projects.
    2. It features powerful hardware with an Allwinner A733 SoC, including two Cortex A76 cores and six Cortex A55 cores, comparable to older flagship smartphone processors.
    3. The SBC supports up to 16 GB of LPDDR4/X memory and offers storage options up to 512 GB (UFS 3.0), with various I/O options including micro HDMI and USB 3.1 Type-C.
    4. It includes advanced connectivity options such as WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3.
    5. The basic version of the Radxa A7Z SBC starts at an affordable price of $15, making it accessible for hobbyists and developers.

    The Raspberry Pi Zero is a small and very compact device, making it an ideal option for projects that have limited space. Radxa is clearly targeting this market by introducing the Cubie A7Z SBC (single-board computer) that features quite powerful hardware.

    Powerful Hardware

    At the heart of the Radxa Cubie A7Z SBC, you will find the Allwinner A733 SoC, which includes two Cortex A76 cores and six Cortex A55 cores. This processor is nearly as strong as some of the older flagship smartphone processors, making it a great choice for hobbyist projects. The A7Z SBC is quite small, following the design inspiration of the Raspberry Pi Zero (Zero 2 currently priced at $21.41 on Amazon), measuring just 65 x 30 mm, which makes it significantly more compact than its larger counterpart, the Cubie A7A.

    Memory and Connectivity Options

    The SBC can support up to 16 GB of LPDDR4/X memory and offers storage options of up to 512 GB (UFS 3.0). It has a good range of I/O options, which includes micro HDMI 2.0b, a microSD slot, USB 3.1 Type-C (with DisplayPort), USB 2.0 Type-C, and a 40-pin GPIO header. Interestingly, it also features a PCIe Gen3 FPC. For wireless connectivity, it includes WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3. Additional important details regarding the SBC are listed below:

    Affordable Pricing

    The basic version of the Radxa A7Z SBC, which comes with 1 GB of memory and lacks a GPIO header, will retail for a mere $15, making it quite budget-friendly. The product is already available for purchase worldwide, with options from Arace and AliExpress.

    Source:
    Link

    Radxa Launches 8-Core SBC Inspired by Raspberry Pi Zero with 16GB RAM

     

    Tags: ,
  • Radxa Cubie A7A: Raspberry Pi 5 Alternative with 16GB RAM

    Radxa Cubie A7A: Raspberry Pi 5 Alternative with 16GB RAM

    Key Takeaways

    1. Radxa has introduced a new single-board computer (SBC) called the Cubie A7A, similar in design to the Raspberry Pi 5, priced at $96 on Amazon.
    2. The Cubie A7A features the Allwinner A733 chipset with two ARM Cortex-A76 cores, six Cortex-A55 cores, and one RISC-V E902 core.
    3. It includes a BXM-4-64 MC1 GPU, an optional NPU supporting 3 TOPS, and a VPU for 4K video encoding at 30 FPS.
    4. The board supports up to 16 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and offers various storage options, including eMMC, microSD, and UFS.
    5. The Cubie A7A measures 85 x 56 mm and includes a 40-pin GPIO header, PCIe 3.0 connector, HDMI 2.0b, USB Type-C, and four USB Type-A ports.

    A fresh single-board computer (SBC) from Radxa has been introduced, echoing the design of the Raspberry Pi 5, which is currently priced at $96 on Amazon. Radxa has not yet officially announced this product. However, the Linux Sunxi website has listed the Cubie A7A, providing schematics, images of the device, and a link to Radxa’s not-yet-active website.

    Specifications Overview

    Linux Sunxi has disclosed almost all the important details about the Cubie A7A. It is based on the Allwinner A733 chipset, which includes two ARM Cortex-A76 cores, six Cortex-A55 cores, and one RISC-V E902 core. The Allwinner A733 also comes with a BXM-4-64 MC1 GPU, an optional NPU supporting 3 TOPS, and a VPU that can encode video at 4K/30 FPS.

    Features and Connectivity

    The Cubie A7A provides up to 16 GB of LPDDR5-4800 MT/s RAM along with various storage options like eMMC, microSD, and UFS. As depicted in the images below, the board measures 85 x 56 mm and features a 40-pin GPIO header, a PCIe 3.0 FPC connector, HDMI 2.0b, USB Type-C, and four different USB Type-A ports. At this moment, the pricing and availability details are still unclear. More information on Radxa’s upcoming SBC can be accessed via the Linux Sunxi website.

    Source:
    Link

    Radxa Cubie A7A: Raspberry Pi 5 Alternative with 16GB RAMRadxa Cubie A7A: Raspberry Pi 5 Alternative with 16GB RAM

     

    Tags: ,