Forlinx launches Rockchip RK3572 system-on-module (SoM) and development board with Linux 6.12 BSP

We noticed the Rockchip RK3572 mid-range HMI SoC a couple of months ago, and Forlinx has launched the first system-on-module (FET3572-C SoM) based on the processor, along with a development board (OK3572-C) and BSP (Board Support Package) with a fairly recent Linux 6.12 kernel.

The octa-core Cortex-A73/A53 processor features a 4 TOPS NPU (the same as in the RK3588) and targets HMI applications leveraging Edge AI for consumer electronics, industrial control, edge computing, smart security, and in-vehicle terminals.

Forlinx FET3572-C Rockchip RK3572 system-on-module

Specifications:

SoC – Rockchip RK3572 or RK3572J
- Octa-core CPU – 2x Arm Cortex-A73 @ up to 2.2 GHz+ 2x Arm Cortex-A53 @ up to 2.1 GHz + 4x Arm Cortex-A53 @ up to 2.1 GHz
- GPU – Arm Mali-G310V2 MC1 with support for OpenGL ES 1.1/2.0/3.2, OpenCL 3.0, and Vulkan 1.4
- VPU
  - Hardware Encoding -H.264, H265, 4K @ 60fps
  - Hardware Decoding – H.264, H.265, VP9, AV1, AVS2, 8K @ 30fps or 4K @ 120fps
- AI accelerator – 4 TOPS (INT8) NPU with support for INT4/INT8/INT16/FP4/FP8/FP16/BF16
- Process – 8nm
System Memory – 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB LPDDR5
Storage – Up to 64GB eMMC flash
4x 100-pin board-to-board connectors (0.4mm pitch, 1.5mm height)
- Display
  - HDMI 2.1 or eDP 1.3 Tx up to 4Kp60
  - 4-lane MIPI DSI 1.2 up to 2560 × 1600 @ 60 Hz
  - 8-bit RGB parallel LCD up to 1080p60
  - E0Ink EPD support up to 1872 x 1404
- Camera – 2x MIPI CSI-2, 8/10/12/16-bit DVP
- Audio
  - Up to 5x SAI, up to 192 kHz sample rate, 16-bit to 32-bit audio resolution
  - Up to 2x S/PDIF Tx
  - 1x S/PDIF Rx
  - 1x PDM up to 8 channels, up to 192 kHz sample rate, 16-bit to 24-bit audio resolution
- Networking – 2x Gigabit Ethernet interfaces (RGMII/RMII)
- PCIe/SATA/USB multiplexed interfaces
  - 2x single-lane combo interfaces (PCIe 2.1 / SATA 3.1 / USB 3.0)
  - 1x single-lane combo interface (PCIe 2.1 / SATA 3.1)
  - 2x USB 2.0 OTG
- DSMC – Double Data Rate Serial Memory Controller for connection to PSRAM, FPGA…
- Other I/Os
  - 2x SDIO 3.0
  - Up to 5x SPI, 9x I2C, 1x I3C
  - Up to 12x UART with RS-485 mode support
  - Up to 4x CAN and CAN FD
  - Up to 16x PWM
  - Up to 8x 12-bit ADC (1 Mbps max)
  - DSMC
Supply Voltage – 5V
Dimensions – 68 x 50 mm
Temperature Range
- FET3572-C SoM: 0°C~+80°C
- FET3572J-C SoM: -40°C~+85°C

Forlinx provides support for Linux 6.12-based operating systems, including Forlinx Desktop 24.04 (based on Ubuntu 24.04?), Android 16, and Debian 13. So it looks like the Rockchip SDK for the RK3572 SoC is based on a fairly recent kernel that will be supported at least until December 2028.

Hardware resources such as the datasheet, user guide, carrier board schematic and PCB (see specs below), and SoM Pinmux, as well as a software BSP (board support package) with OS images, demos, source code, and user manual, will be provided to customers. Forlinx doesn’t typically host the documentation publicly.

OK3572-C development board

Specifications

SoM – Forlinx FET3572-C as described above
Storage
- MicroSD card slot
- Optional NVMe SSD via M.2 Key-M socket
Video Output
- HDMI 2.1 up to 4096 × 2160 @ 60 Hz
- MIPI DSI connector up to 2560 × 1600 @ 60 Hz; compatible with Forlinx 7-inch MIPI display (1024 × 600 @ 30 Hz).
Camera – 4x MIPI CSI connectors: 2x 4-lane (OV13855 camera) or 4x 2-lane (OV5645 camera)
Audio
- On-board audio codec
- 3.5mm headphone+mic jack
- Speaker connector
Networking
- 2x Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 ports
- Dual-band WiFi 4 and Bluetooth 5.0 via AzureWave AW-CM358SM module
- Optional 5G/4G LTE cellular via M.2 Key-B socket + Nano SIM card slot
USB
- 3x USB 3.0 Type-A host ports
- USB 2.0 Type-C OTG port for firmware flashing
Serial – Terminal block with 2x RS485, 2x CAN FD
Expansion
- M.2 Key-M (PCIe 2.1 x1) socket
- PCIe Gen 2.1 x1 slot
- 20-pin GPIO header with 1x UART, 8x GPIO, 3.3V, 1.8V, GND
- 6-pin analog input header (3x ADC)
Misc
- Power switch
- Reset and Power buttons
- ESC, Menu, Volume-, Volume+/Recovery buttons
- RTC coin cell battery
Power Supply – 12V via DC jack
DImensions – 190 x 130 mm

Forlinx shared some details about the Rockchip RK3572, including potential applications like a multi-camera system with dual-display setup that should be useful for security and automotive applications…

… and some numbers for the NPU’s computer vision and generative AI performance. The table below doesn’t compare the results to other platforms. However, it still shows it’s suitable for CNN models such as Yolov5s and Yolov8, and large language models with a limited number of parameters, which can be useful for specialized interactions.

Forlinx didn’t provide pricing and availability information, but I suspect it might not be available right now, as Forlinx is the very first company to announce a Rockchip RK3572 module, and the supported operating systems are still marked as “R&D”. More details can be found on the product page and the announcement.

Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)

Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.