company blog about SuperBrain Core Board:Based Rockchip RK3588S Embedded AI Computing Engine System Development Board

SuperBrain Core Board:Based Rockchip RK3588S Embedded AI Computing Engine System Development Board

In today's era of deep integration between artificial intelligence and robotics, the intelligence level of terminal devices has become the core competitive factor. Whether enabling real-time interaction in humanoid robots or supporting edge computing in industrial terminals, a robust ‘brain’ is essential. Embedded system development boards serve as the pivotal bridge between theoretical research and practical application. The SuperBrain Core Board, developed on the Rockchip RK3588S chip, is precisely such an embedded motherboard designed for intelligent terminals. With its high computing power, multimedia capabilities, and extensive interfaces, it injects fresh vitality into the AIoT sector.

Shenzhen Mingjiada Electronics Co., Ltd. presents the Superbrain Core Board—an embedded system development board based on Rockchip's RK3588S chip platform. Below is a detailed introduction to the next-generation processor chip RK3588S:

I. Development Board Core Foundation: Core Advantages of the RK3588S Chip

The performance foundation of the Superbrain Core Board stems from the Rockchip RK3588S chip. As Rockchip's next-generation flagship AIoT processor, it employs an advanced 8nm LP process, achieving an exceptional balance between performance and power consumption. Tailored for mid-to-high-end embedded scenarios, its core parameters and features are as follows:

- CPU Architecture: Features an octa-core 64-bit heterogeneous design comprising four high-performance Cortex-A76 cores (up to 2.4GHz) and four energy-efficient Cortex-A55 cores. Supports dynamic big.LITTLE scheduling to efficiently handle complex computations while reducing power consumption under light loads. Delivers over fourfold performance improvement over the previous-generation RK3399, effortlessly managing concurrent multitasking demands.

- AI Computing Capability: Incorporates an NPU (Neural Processing Unit) delivering up to 6TOPS computational power, supporting mixed-precision operations including INT4/INT8/INT16/FP16. Compatible with mainstream AI frameworks such as TensorFlow, MXNet, PyTorch, and Caffe, it enables direct local deployment of AI algorithms including image recognition, speech processing, and object tracking. This eliminates the need for separate AI chips, significantly reducing development costs and hardware footprint.

- Multimedia Processing Capabilities: Integrates an ARM Mali-G610 MP4 GPU supporting graphics interfaces including OpenGL ES 3.2, OpenCL 2.2, and Vulkan 1.2, with embedded high-performance 2D and 3D graphics acceleration modules. It also possesses robust video encoding/decoding capabilities, supporting up to 8K@60fps video decoding (H.265/VP9/H.264) and 8K@30fps video encoding (H.265/H.264), alongside AV1 4K@60fps decoding. This meets the stringent demands of high-definition multimedia terminals, video surveillance, and similar applications.

- Low power consumption and miniaturisation: As an optimised iteration of the RK3588, the RK3588S adopts a compact 12×12mm package, more space-efficient than the RK3588's 17×17mm footprint, making it ideal for embedded devices with stringent space constraints. Concurrently, power consumption control has been enhanced, with typical power consumption of approximately 1.6W and maximum power consumption not exceeding 12W, rendering it suitable for industrial-grade low-power operation scenarios.

II. SuperBrain Core Board Hardware Architecture Design

The SuperBrain Core Board employs customised hardware design based on the RK3588S chip, utilising a 10-layer immersion gold PCB process to ensure signal stability and anti-interference capability. The core board dimensions can be tailored to compact configurations (e.g., 69.6mm × 49.4mm or 89mm × 57mm) based on application requirements. Pinouts utilise either SODIMM gold fingers or 260-pin header designs, encompassing nearly all CPU pins to facilitate developer expansion. The hardware architecture comprises three primary components: core modules, expansion interfaces, and power management:

1. Core Module Configuration

The core module focuses on fundamental computation and storage, offering flexible configuration options to suit diverse application requirements:

- Memory (RAM): Supports 4GB/8GB/16GB LPDDR4/LPDDR4X with 64-bit bus width, meeting high-bandwidth data transfer demands. Enables smooth operation of complex embedded systems and large applications, providing ample memory support for multitasking and AI algorithm execution.

- Storage (Flash): Standard 16GB eMMC flash memory, expandable to 32GB/64GB/128GB. Includes a reserved TF card slot (supporting SD3.0) and SPI NOR Flash (128Mbit) for scalable high-capacity storage, suitable for video buffering, data logging, and similar applications.

- Thermal Design: Pre-reserved integrated cooling fan mounting points, combined with PCB thermal layout, effectively reduce chip operating temperatures. This ensures stable operation within the -10°C to 60°C working temperature range, making it suitable for harsh industrial environments.

2. Dual Excellence in Audio and Video: Exceptional Multimedia Processing Capabilities

As a terminal motherboard designed for intelligent interaction, the SuperBrain Core Board demonstrates exceptional prowess in audio-visual processing. It supports 8K@60fps video decoding and 8K@30fps video encoding, effortlessly handling formats including H.265, VP9, and AV1. This enables direct driving of 8K ultra-high-definition displays or real-time encoding of footage captured by high-definition cameras.

This capability proves particularly vital in multimodal interaction scenarios. For instance, when deployed in service robots, the Superbrain Core Board simultaneously powers interactive screens displaying virtual avatars while optimising inputs from multiple MIPI cameras via its integrated 48M-pixel ISP (Image Signal Processor). It supports algorithms including HDR, 3D noise reduction, and fisheye correction, ensuring precise facial recognition and lip-reading detection. Paired with multi-microphone arrays, it achieves echo cancellation (-25dB) and multi-modal noise reduction (-10dB), even supporting ‘face wake-up’ functionality. This enables robots to precisely target interaction subjects even in noisy environments.

3. Extensive Interfaces: Engineered for Terminal Expansion

To meet diverse embedded development requirements, the Superbrain Core Board features comprehensive expansion interfaces covering display, communication, and peripheral connectivity. This eliminates the need for external adapter boards, streamlining development workflows:

- Display Interfaces: Features HDMI 2.1 output (supporting 8K@60fps or 4K@120fps), DP 1.4 output (supporting 8K@30fps), and MIPI DSI interface (supporting 4K@60fps). Enables multi-screen independent display, allowing simultaneous connection to multiple display devices for high-definition display and multi-screen interaction scenarios.

- Communication interfaces: Onboard dual-band 2.4GHz/5GHz WiFi (supporting 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, WiFi 6 optional) and Bluetooth 5.0 (supporting BLE). Equipped with one Gigabit Ethernet port (Realtek RTL8111H chip), it supports expandable 4G/5G modules (M.2 or mPCIe interface) for comprehensive wired, wireless, and cellular network coverage, meeting communication demands in edge computing and remote control scenarios.

- Peripheral interfaces: Provides one USB 3.0 Host port, one USB 2.0 Host port, and one Type-C port (supporting 4-lane DisplayPort output and USB 3.0 OTG), enabling connection to external peripherals such as mice, keyboards, USB drives, and hard disks; - Reserved 40-pin GPIO expansion interface supporting UART, SPI, I2C, PWM and other protocols, enabling connection to sensors, relays, displays and other peripherals for IoT device prototyping.

- Dedicated Interfaces: Features one MIPI-CSI camera interface (supporting up to 4K resolution) for connecting high-definition cameras to enable image capture; provides audio interfaces (earphone, MIC input, dual-channel speaker output), a debug serial port (accessible via 40-pin GPIO), and a Recovery button to facilitate developer debugging and functional expansion.

4. Power Management Design

Utilises a Type-C interface for power delivery, supporting PD 2.0/3.0 protocols. Input voltage adapts to a wide range of 9-15V, ensuring safe and reliable operation even under fluctuating or unstable power conditions. Integrates comprehensive power management ICs to achieve precise power control for CPU, memory, peripherals, and other modules, further reducing power consumption and extending device runtime (suited for mobile embedded scenarios).

III. Software Ecosystem Support

Leveraging Rockchip's mature software ecosystem, the SuperBrain Core Board delivers comprehensive system support and development tools to lower developer barriers and accelerate project implementation. Core software support includes:

- Operating System Support: Fully compatible with multiple mainstream embedded operating systems, including Orange Pi OS, Android 12, Debian 11, Ubuntu, OpenWRT, and OpenHarmony. Developers may flexibly select systems according to application scenarios without complex porting efforts.

- Development Tools and SDK: Provides a complete RK3588S chip SDK development package, encompassing drivers, API interfaces, development documentation, and sample code. Supports mainstream development tools such as Visual Studio Code and Keil. Additionally, supports Rockchip's official development tools, enabling system flashing, debugging, firmware upgrades, and other functions to streamline the development process.

- AI and Multimedia Development Support: An AI algorithm development toolchain facilitates conversion and deployment of mainstream AI models, enabling rapid implementation of functions such as human figure recognition, number plate recognition, and OCR text recognition. An integrated multimedia processing library supports 8K video encoding/decoding alongside image pre-processing and post-processing, streamlining development of high-definition multimedia applications.

- Open-Source Ecosystem Compatibility: Compatible with open-source projects for mainstream development boards like Raspberry Pi, enabling direct reuse of extensive open-source code and application examples to reduce development costs. Simultaneously supports developers in customising system kernels and drivers to meet personalised development requirements.

IV. Core Features and Advantages of the Development Board

Compared to traditional embedded development boards, the SuperBrain Core Board (RK3588S platform) delivers the following core advantages through deep optimisation of its chip, hardware, and software, making it suitable for mid-to-high-end embedded development scenarios:

1. Balancing High Performance and Cost-Effectiveness: The RK3588S chip's octa-core architecture and 6TOPS AI computing power rival mid-to-high-end embedded processors. It offers superior cost-effectiveness compared to similar products, eliminating the need for separate AI or video processing chips and significantly reducing hardware costs.

2. Compact Form Factor with High Expandability: Its compact PCB design enables flexible integration into small embedded devices. With 260-pin connectivity and extensive expansion interfaces, it supports virtually all mainstream peripherals and communication protocols, meeting diverse secondary development requirements across scenarios.

3. Stable and Reliable for Industrial Applications: Constructed with 10-layer immersion gold PCB technology, comprehensive thermal management, and a wide operating temperature range (-10°C to 60°C). Endured rigorous reliability testing including extreme temperature cycles and DDR stress tests, ensuring suitability for harsh industrial control and outdoor equipment environments.

4. Full-cycle development support: From hardware design references, SDK development packages, and sample code to post-production mass-production technical support, comprehensive services enable developers to rapidly complete prototype validation, functional development, and product mass production, shortening development cycles.

5. Multi-scenario adaptability: Leveraging robust CPU, GPU, and NPU performance alongside extensive interfaces, it accommodates diverse mid-to-high-end embedded scenarios. This eliminates the need to redesign development boards for different applications, reducing project iteration costs.

V. Typical Application Scenarios

The SuperBrain Core Board (RK3588S platform), with its high performance, scalability, and stable reliability, finds extensive application in mid-to-high-end embedded scenarios. It spans multiple domains including AIoT, industrial control, and multimedia terminals. Typical applications include:

- Edge Computing: Serving as edge computing nodes, these boards leverage NPU processing power and multi-network port designs for deployment in intelligent security and industrial inspection scenarios. They enable local AI inference and data processing, reducing cloud transmission burdens and enhancing response speeds.

- AI-enabled devices: Adapted for AI vision recognition (human figure detection, object recognition, number plate recognition) and voice interaction (speech recognition, intelligent dialogue), it facilitates development for smart access control systems, facial recognition payment terminals, and interactive shopping displays.

- Multimedia terminals: Supporting 8K video encoding/decoding and multi-screen display capabilities, it powers high-end digital signage, HD set-top boxes, and self-service kiosks, delivering crisp and fluid multimedia experiences.

- Industrial Control and IoT: Featuring extensive GPIO and communication interfaces, it functions as an industrial controller or AIoT gateway, connecting diverse sensors and actuators to enable intelligent control and data acquisition for industrial equipment. It also supports rapid prototyping and iteration for smart home controllers.

- Education and Research: Multi-system compatibility and open-source nature make it suitable for university embedded systems courses and AI algorithm validation, helping students rapidly master embedded development and AI application skills. It also provides researchers with a high-performance development platform for innovative algorithm and technology R&D.

- AR/VR and Cloud Gaming Terminals: Leveraging robust GPU capabilities and low-latency display output, it facilitates AR/VR device development to enhance immersive experiences. Its 8K decoding capability ensures smooth processing of cloud-based game streaming, making it well-suited for cloud gaming terminal applications.

VI. Conclusion

The SuperBrain Core Board, based on the Rockchip RK3588S platform, centres on ‘high performance, high expandability, high reliability, and high cost-effectiveness’. It integrates the chip's hardware advantages with a customised development board design, complemented by a comprehensive software ecosystem and end-to-end development support. This approach overcomes the traditional pain points of embedded development boards, namely ‘insufficient performance’ or ‘excessive cost’. Whether for developers conducting prototype validation, students undertaking educational projects, or enterprises achieving mass production, this development board delivers flexible and efficient solutions.

Leveraging the ongoing optimisation of the RK3588S chip and Rockchip's technical support, the SuperBrain Core Board flexibly adapts to mid-to-high-end embedded requirements across multiple domains including AIoT, industrial control, and multimedia. It provides a robust hardware and software foundation for innovative embedded technology applications, empowering developers to rapidly realise project implementation and driving the intelligent upgrade of the embedded industry.