RK3588 Gold-Finger Development Board: Features and Applications

RK3588 Gold-Finger Development Board: Features and Applications

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O Rockchip RK3588 Gold-Finger Development Board is a high-performance platform built on Rockchip’s flagship AIoT processor, RK3588. It typically adopts a core board + carrier board design, where the core board connects to the carrier via a gold-finger interface (such as MXM3.0-314P or stamp hole), enabling easy expansion and secondary development.

Key Features of the RK3588 SoC

The RK3588, Rockchip’s next-generation flagship SoC, is manufactured using advanced 8nm LP process technology, delivering outstanding computing power and rich functionalities:

  • CPU: 8-core 64-bit architecture with four Cortex-A76 (up to 2.4GHz) and four Cortex-A55 cores in a big.LITTLE configuration, balancing performance and power efficiency.

  • GPU: Integrated ARM Mali-G610 MP4 GPU, supporting OpenGL ES 1.1/2.0/3.2, OpenCL 2.2, and Vulkan 1.2, offering strong graphics performance for complex 3D rendering and high-resolution displays.

  • NPU: Built-in Rockchip 3rd-generation AI accelerator with up to 6 TOPS computing power, supporting INT4/INT8/INT16/FP16 mixed precision. Fully compatible with major deep learning frameworks such as TensorFlow, MXNet, PyTorch, and Caffe.

  • VPU (Video Processing Unit):

    • Decoding: 8K@60fps H.265/VP9/AVS2, 8K@30fps H.264, 4K@60fps AV1.

    • Encoding: 8K@30fps H.265/H.264.

    • Supports multi-channel processing, Por exemplo, simultaneous decoding of up to 32 channels of 1080P@30fps video.

  • ISP (Image Signal Processor): New-generation 48MP ISP supporting HDR, 3A, LSC, 3DNR, 2DNR, sharpening, dehazing, fisheye correction, and gamma correction. Provides high-quality imaging with multi-camera support.

  • Memory & Storage: Supports LPDDR4/4X/5 up to 32GB RAM. Onboard eMMC options (32GB/64GB/128GB/256GB) with TF card expansion. Some boards also support M.2 PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSDs.

Advantages of the Gold-Finger Design

The gold-finger architecture provides unique benefits for RK3588 development boards:

  • Modular Design: Separating the core and carrier boards makes hardware development more flexible. Users can customize carrier boards for specific applications without redesigning the CPU core module.

  • Easy Integration: The gold-finger interface simplifies insertion and removal, streamlining product integration and maintenance.

  • Rich I/O Access: Almost all available RK3588 interfaces are exposed via the gold-finger connector, offering developers extensive flexibility to connect peripherals and functional modules.

  • Faster Development: Pre-integrated with RK3588’s core functionalities, the board enables immediate software development and feature validation, significantly reducing time-to-market.

RK3588 Gold-Finger Development Board

RK3588 Gold-Finger Development Board: Interfaces, Expansion, and Applications

The Rockchip RK3588 Gold-Finger Development Board is equipped with an extensive range of interfaces and powerful expansion capabilities, making it suitable for highly complex applications.

Interfaces & Expansion

  • Display Interfaces:

    • HDMI 2.1 (up to 8K@60fps)

    • HDMI 2.0 (up to 4K@60fps)

    • DisplayPort 1.4 (DP1.4)

    • MIPI DSI (up to 4K@60fps)

    • eDP 1.3

    • Supports multi-display output (Por exemplo, HDMI 2.1 + DP1.4 dual display).

  • Video Input:

    • HDMI input

    • Multiple MIPI CSI camera inputs (2–4 channels), supporting cameras up to 48MP resolution.

  • Networking:

    • Dual Gigabit Ethernet ports (some models support 2.5G)

    • Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.0

    • Mini PCIe expansion for 5G/4G modules.

  • USB Interfaces:

    • USB 3.0 Type-A Host

    • USB 2.0 Host

    • USB Type-C (with DP1.4 video output support).

  • High-Speed Expansion:

    • PCIe 3.0/2.0: For NVMe SSDs, AI accelerator cards, etc..

    • SATA 3.0: Available on some boards for HDD/SSD connectivity.

    • M.2 slot: For NVMe SSDs or wireless modules.

  • Other I/O Interfaces:
    UART, Spi, I2C, PWM, ADC, CAN FD, GPIO — enabling easy integration with sensors, actuators, and peripheral modules.

  • Audio Interfaces:
    3.5mm headphone/speaker jack, MIC input, and HDMI audio output.

Software Support

The RK3588 development board provides comprehensive software support, making both system-level and application-level development seamless:

  • Operating Systems:

    • Android 12/14

    • Linux (Ubuntu, Debian, Buildroot)

    • RTLinux kernel for enhanced real-time performance

    • Support for domestic OS such as Kylin and UnionTech.

  • Development Tools & SDK:
    A complete SDK with drivers, APIs, documentation, and sample code is provided to accelerate development.

Application Scenarios

With its exceptional performance and rich features, the RK3588 Gold-Finger Development Board is widely used across industries:

  • Edge Computing & AIoT: Powerful NPU makes it ideal for smart security, industrial automation, robotics, image/voice recognition, and AI analytics.

  • ARM PC / Mini PC: High-performance CPU and GPU allow it to function as a compact desktop or mini PC with smooth computing and multimedia capabilities.

  • Smart NVR/DVR: Multi-channel 8K video decoding and AI video analysis for advanced video surveillance systems.

  • AR/VR Devices: Robust graphics and video processing for immersive VR/AR applications.

  • Smart Display & Digital Signage: 8K multi-display support for advertising machines, interactive panels, and smart signage.

  • Industrial Control: Stable performance and rich interfaces for automation and control systems.

  • Medical Imaging: High-resolution image processing capabilities for healthcare devices.

  • Smart Cockpit: Applied in automotive infotainment and intelligent in-vehicle systems.

Why Choose Leadsintec as Your RK3588 Development Partner?

In the era of AI, edge computing, and high-performance applications, the RK3588 stands as a flagship chip driving innovation. To fully unleash its potential, partnering with an experienced and comprehensive solution provider is essential.

Leadsintec offers end-to-end services, from hardware design, Manufatura de PCB & assembly, to software adaptation and system integration. With expertise in high-speed interface design, thermal optimization, and quality-controlled mass production, we ensure your RK3588 project transitions seamlessly from prototyping to large-scale deployment.

Choosing Leadsintec means gaining a reliable partner who will help you accelerate product development, ensure stable mass production, and achieve faster time-to-market with a competitive edge.

Conclusion

The Rockchip RK3588 Gold-Finger Development Board is a high-performance, highly integrated, and highly expandable platform. With powerful CPU, GPU, NPU, and VPU capabilities, it supports 8K video processing, multi-display output, and advanced AI computing. Its modular gold-finger design offers developers flexibility for customization and secondary development.

Widely applied in AIoT, edge computing, intelligent displays, industrial automation, multimedia systems, and beyond, it is the ideal choice for developing complex intelligent hardware products.