Meles RISC-V Credit Card-Sized SBC: Powered by T-Head TH1520 Quad-Core SoC

Shenzhen Milk-V Technology has introduced the Meles SBC, a credit card-sized single-board computer (SBC) equipped with a T-Head TH1520 quad-core RISC-V processor. Designed with a form factor similar to the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B, this board offers enhanced performance and a wide array of features that cater to developers and tech enthusiasts alike.

The Meles SBC is powered by a 2.0 GHz quad-core SoC featuring a modern GPU, a 4K-capable video encoder and decoder, and a 4 TOPS NPU, making it significantly more powerful than its counterparts. The board includes gigabit Ethernet, a WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.2 module, four USB 3.0 ports, HDMI 2.0 video output, MIPI CSI and DSI interfaces, and a 40-pin GPIO header, providing a versatile platform for various applications.

Specifications

• SoC: Alibaba T-Head TH1520
• CPU:
  • Quad-core RISC-V Xuantie C910 (RV64GCV – Vector Extension version 0.7) processor up to 2.0 GHz
  • Low-power Xuantie E902 core
• GPU: Imagination BXM-4-64 GPU supporting OpenGL ES3.0/3.1/3.2, OpenCL 1.1/1.2/2.0, Vulkan 1.1/1.2; 50.7GFLOPS
• DSP: Xuantie C906 audio DSP @ 800 MHz
• VPU:
  • Video Decoder:
    • H.265, H.264, VP9, AVS2.0 up to 4Kp75
    • VP8/7/6, AVS+, VC1, MPEG4 up to 1080p60
  • Video Encoder: H.264 and H.265 up to 4K @ 40 FPS
  • AI Accelerator: 4 TOPS NPU
• System Memory: 8GB or 16GB LPDDR4x @ 4266MT/s
• Storage:
  • MicroSD card slot
  • eMMC flash socket
  • SPI flash
• Video Output:
  • HDMI 2.0 up to 4K @ 60Hz
  • 4-lane MIPI DSI with touchscreen support
• Camera Interface:
  • 4-lane MIPI CSI connector
  • 2-lane MIPI CSI connector
• Audio:
  • 3.5mm audio output jack
  • Digital audio via HDMI
  • I2S audio input and output via 40-pin GPIO header
• Networking:
  • Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 port
  • On-board Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.2 module (Ampak AP6256) with ceramic antenna and external antenna connector
• USB:
  • 4x USB 3.0 host ports
  • USB 2.0 Type-C device port
• Expansion: 40-pin (mostly) Raspberry Pi-compatible GPIO header with up to 3x UART, 2x I2C, 1x SPI, 1x I2S,1x ADC, 8x GPIO, C910 debug port
• Debugging: JTAG connector
• Miscellaneous:
  • Reset and Recovery buttons
  • Bootmode button for eMMC / SPI flash boot selection
  • Power and user LEDs
  • 2-pin fan connector
• Power Supply:
  • 5V / 4A DC in via Type-C port
  • PoE with add-on board connected through 4-pin header
• Dimensions: 85×56 mm

The Meles SBC runs on the Debian-based Meles RevyOS with the LXDE desktop environment and supports various features, including audio, video, Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth, and AI functionalities. While the company provides a binary file, users can also build the image from source using instructions available on GitHub. It’s worth noting that RISC-V SBCs are still largely considered developer kits, similar to the Lichee Pi 4A console, which ran Debian earlier this year, and Canonical only offers Ubuntu 24.04 server for the Mars SBC.

The Meles SBC is the second RISC-V SBC from Shenzhen Milk-V Technology in a credit card form factor. The Mars SBC, which shares similar features, is based on the StarFive JH7110 quad-core SoC and is more affordable. The Meles SBC offers many features akin to the Sipeed LicheePi 4A but in a more compact form factor, as the latter relies on a carrier board + SoM design.

Overall, the Meles SBC is a powerful and versatile platform designed to meet the needs of developers looking for an efficient and compact solution for their projects. With its impressive specifications and form factor, it stands as a compelling alternative to traditional SBCs, particularly for those interested in exploring RISC-V architecture. The Meles credit card-sized RISC-V can be purchased on Arace for $80 and up. But that’s provided there’s stock as most boards sold on Arace… Two variants are listed (and out of stock at the time of writing:  one with 8GB of RAM and a 128GB eMMC module and the other with 16GB of RAM. More details may be found on the product page.