LicheePi 3A: A RISC-V Linux SBC with SpacemIT K1 SoC and LM3A Module

Sipeed LicheePi 3A is a RISC-V Linux development board built on the Lichee Module 3A, featuring the SpacemIT K1 SoC with 8xX60 cores running at 1.6 GHz, RV64GCV architecture, 2TOPS int8 NPU, and a 20GFLOP GPU. It supports up to 16GB 32-bit LPDDR4X RAM, 128GB eMMC storage, and offers dual 1080P display output via HDMI and MIPI. The board includes support for a 16MP camera, dual gigabit Ethernet ports (one with PoE), 4 USB 3.0 ports, and 2 PCIe Gen2x2 channels, along with multiple audio input and output options.

Designed as a cost-effective mid-range RISC-V SBC, the LicheePi 3A delivers multicore performance at 80% of the previous generation LPi4A, with single-core performance at 50%. It can serve as a RISC-V verification platform, enabling fast local compilation without relying on QEMU. The LicheePi 3A is also compatible with the LicheePi4A, allowing users to upgrade by purchasing only the LM3A module for installation on the LPi4A motherboard, excluding M.2 interface support.

Sipeed LicheePi 3A specifications:

• Computer Module: LM3A
• SoC: SpacemIT K1
  • CPU: 8-core X60 RISC-V 64G processor @ 1.6 GHz
    • Cluster0 2TOPS AI-Power, 32K L1-Cache per core, 512K L2-Cache, 512KB TCM, Vector-256bit
    • Cluster0 32K L1-Cache per core, 512K L2-Cache, Vector-256bit
  • GPU: Imagination IMG BXE-2-32 with support for OpenGL ES3.2, Vulkan 1.2, OpenCL 3.0; 20 GFLOPS
  • NPU: Cluster 0 2TOPS@INT8 support TensorFlow, ONNX, Caffe
  • Video: H265 and H264 @ 1080p 60fps decode/encode
• Memory: Up to 16GB 32bit LPDDR4X
• Storage:
  • 32G or 128G eMMC flash
  • TF card socket
  • NVMe SSD
  • 2 x M.2 slots for PCIe 2.0 x2 storage
• GPIO: 2x 10-pin GPIO header for UART, I2C and SPI
• Networking:
  • 2x gigabit Ethernet RJ45 ports
  • Dual-Band WiFi6 and Bluetooth 5
• Display:
  • 1 x HDMI 1.4 up to 1080p/60fps
  • 1 x 4-lane MIPI-DSIA up to 1080p/60fps
• Video:
  • Video encode: 1080p/60fps (H.265/H.264)
  • Video decode: 1080p/60fps (H.265/H.264)
• Audio:
  • 1x 3.5mm headphone jack
  • 2-pin speaker connector
• Camera:
  • 1 x 4-lane MIPI-CSI up to 4K/60fps
  • 1 x 2-lane MIPI-CSI up to 4K/60fps
• USB:
  • 4 x USB 3.0 Type-A
  • 1 x USB 2.0 Type-C
• Power:
  • 12V DC via DC jack
  • 5V via USB type-C port
  • Power over Ethernet (external)

Sipeed offers Ubuntu-based Bianbu optimized for RISC-V targets, along with Fedora, Deepin, and openKylin images for the LM3A module and LicheePi 3A board, all available on their wiki page.

The LM4A features an Alibaba TH1520 processor, which outperforms the SpacemiT K1 in some areas but falls short in others. While the SpacemiT K1 is a newer chip with support for updated RISC-V standards, profiles, and double the CPU cores, it has a weaker GPU, lacks 4K video support, and scores lower in benchmarks.

The company provides accessories such as an aluminum alloy casing, a 10.1-inch touch screen, a 5MP USB camera, a PoE power module, a 12V power supply, and the RV Debugger Plus.

Sipeed has started to sell the LicheePi 3A board on AliExpress for $102.04 of 8GB/32GB configuration and $158.31 for 16GB/32GB configuration. For more information, you can visit the product page.

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