RISC-V Based Lichee Pi 3A with 16GB RAM and PCIe Support

Sipeed has introduced the Lichee Pi 3A, an advanced development board designed for a wide range of computing tasks, including embedded systems and AI development. Powered by the K1 processor, a 22nm RISC-V 1.6GHz CPU with eight cores, the Lichee Pi 3A offers efficient performance for demanding applications, making it a versatile choice for developers. The board supports multiple memory options, including 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB of 32-bit LPDDR4X-3733 RAM, providing ample capacity for complex computations and multitasking. For AI and machine learning applications, the board is equipped with an NPU capable of 2 TOPS@INT8, enhancing its capability to handle machine learning workloads efficiently.b

The Lichee Pi 3A supports flexible storage solutions with options for a MicroSD Card, 32GB eMMC, or NVMe SSD. It features two M.2 M-Key slots with PCIe 2.0 x2 each, allowing for the addition of high-speed peripherals and storage devices, offering fast data access. Camera support includes a 4-lane MIPI CSI and a 2-lane MIPI CSI, capable of up to 4K resolution at 60fps. Video capabilities feature H.265 and H.264 encoding and decoding at 1080p and 60fps, making it suitable for multimedia applications. The integrated GPU, an IMG BXE-2-32@819M, supports OpenGL ES 3.2, OpenCL 3.0, and Vulkan 1.3, delivering 20 GFLOPS of performance for graphics-intensive tasks.

Networking capabilities are robust, with dual Gigabit Ethernet ports ensuring reliable and high-speed connectivity. Wireless connectivity is provided by support for Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5, ensuring versatile communication options. The board is equipped with four USB 3.0 Type-A ports and one USB 2.0 Type-C port, offering versatile options for connecting peripherals and transferring data. Display outputs include an HDMI 1.4 port capable of 1080p at 60fps and a 4-lane MIPI DSI interface for high-resolution displays. Audio features on the Lichee Pi 3A include a headphone jack, stereo speaker outputs, and a PDM MIC input, making it suitable for audio applications and multimedia projects. The board supports operating systems such as Debian and Bianbu (Ubuntu-based), providing developers with flexible software options for various applications.

Specifications

• Memory/Storage:
  • Up to 16GB LPDDR4X
  • Up to 32GB eMMC
  • 1x MicroSD card slot
• Display:
  • 1x HDMI 1.4 (1080P@60fps)
  • 4-lane MIPI DSI (1080P@60fps)
• Audio:
  • Headphone
  • Stereo Speaker
  • PDM MIC
• Camera:
  • 1×4-lane MIPI CSI
  • 1×2-lane MIPI CSI (up to 4K@60fps)
• Connectivity:
  • 2x Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 (optional PoE)
  • WiFi 6 + Bluetooth 5
• I/O Interface:
  • 2x 10-pin expansion header
• USB:
  • 4x USB 3.0 Type-A
  • 1x USB 2.0 Type-C
• Power:
  • 5V/2A DC (USB Type-C or PoE)
• Operating System:
  • Debian
  • Bianbu

The Lichee Pi 3A starts at $69 for the 4GB model, $89 for the 8GB DDR with 32GB eMMC, and $139 for the 16GB DDR with 32GB eMMC. Shipping fees are $2 for China, $5 for other Asian countries, $10 for Europe, America, and Australia, and $20 for other regions. Pre-orders receive a 10% discount and are expected to ship by the end of July.

The Lichee Pi 3A stands out as a powerful and flexible development board that caters to a wide array of applications, from embedded systems to AI development. Its combination of high-performance processing, robust connectivity options, and flexible storage solutions makes it an ideal choice for developers looking to explore the capabilities of RISC-V architecture.

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