PicoRio Linux RISC-V SBC is an Open Source Alternative to Raspberry Pi Board

There’s a lot of interest/hype around RISC-V, and low-cost boards such as Longan Nano or Maixduino are already available, but those are based on microcontroller-class chips, even though it’s possible to run Linux on Kendryte K210 RISC-V board, it comes without MMU, so it’s not for everyone.

Linux capable RISC-V boards do exist but cost several hundred dollars or more with the likes of HiFive Unleashed and PolarFire SoC Icicle development kit. If only there was a RISC-V board similar to the Raspberry Pi board and with a similar price point… The good news is that the RISC-V International Open Source (RIOS) Laboratory is collaborating with Imagination technologies to bring PicoRio RISC-V SBC to market at a price point similar to Raspberry Pi.

PicoRio Linux RISC-V SBC

The PicoRio board was presented at the RISC-V Global Forum on September 3rd. I could not find the full presentation slides yet, but there are some screenshots here and there on Twitter giving us a few more details.

PicoRIo preliminary specifications:

  • PicoRio SoC
    • Quad-core 64-bit RISC-V (RV64GC) processor at 500+ MHz
    • 1x 32-bit RISC-V (RV32IMC) always-on core
    • Imagination Technologies PicoRio GPU (only in second revision of chip)
    • 512KB L2 cache
    • Package – 4.3 x 3.4 mm die size , fcCSP package
    • 28 nm Process
  • System memory – 16-bit LPDDR4
  • Storage – TBD, likely MicroSD card
  • Video Output – TBD
  • USB – USB 3.0 interfaces
  • I/Os – UART, I2C, SPI, etc…

PicoRio RISC-V SBC Raspberry Pi AlternativeThe first board without GPU is planned for Q4 2020, following with one with PowerVR GPU in 2021.

PicoRio aims to be open-source hardware as much as possible, with the CPU part being fully open, but the memory PHY, USB 3.0 PHY, GPU, and other I/Os will still be closed source, even though the goal is to eventually have as much IP released under a BSD-like open source license.

The board will target the Raspberry Pi price, but be more efficient with battery-powered devices in mind. PicoRio will run Linux, and support higher-level languages like WebAssembly and JavaScript.

More details should eventually surface on RIOSLab website that is currently very much work-in-progress…

Thanks to Arnaud for the tip.

Share this:

Support CNX Software! Donate via cryptocurrencies, become a Patron on Patreon, or purchase goods on Amazon or Aliexpress

Radxa Orion O6 Armv9 mini-ITX motherboard
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
The comment form collects your name, email and content to allow us keep track of the comments placed on the website. Please read and accept our website Terms and Privacy Policy to post a comment.
17 Comments
oldest
newest
Boardcon CM3588 Rockchip RK3588 System-on-Module designed for AI and IoT applications