RK3188-SOM-4GB - Quad A9 Cortex SoM w/ 4GB NAND | Olimex
MPN: RK3188-SOM-4GB ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $39.95 | $39.95 |
| 10 | $35.96 | $359.60 |
| 100 | $31.96 | $3,196.00 |
| 500 | $27.97 | $13,985.00 |
| 1,000 | $23.97 | $23,970.00 |
RK3188-SOM-4GB Overview
An SoM (System-on-Module) is a small, self-contained computing board that integrates a processor, memory, power management, and boot storage on a single PCB, exposing high-speed buses and GPIOs through board-to-board connectors so a carrier board can add application-specific I/O. SoMs occupy the middle tier of the embedded hierarchy between discrete SoCs (single-chip solutions) and full SBCs (single-board computers); they are favored when a custom baseboard is needed while reusing a proven compute platform, accelerating time-to-market.
Key features include the Rockchip RK3188 SoC with four ARM Cortex-A9 cores running up to 1.8 GHz, a Mali-400 MP4 GPU, hardware 1080p video decode, and an integrated AC8846 PMU that simplifies power-rail design. The module uses 1 GB of DDR3 RAM and 4 GB of NAND flash for persistent storage, removing the SD-card dependency of the base variant. Board-to-board signaling is provided across five 40-pin 0.05" pitch connectors, enabling access to display, camera, USB, GPIO, and high-speed serial interfaces on a user-designed carrier.
The RK3188 architecture combines a Cortex-A9 cluster for application processing with a Mali-400 MP4 for graphics acceleration, supporting Android and Linux distributions optimized for the chipset. The AC8846 companion IC integrates DC-DC converters and an LDO array, allowing the carrier board to supply a single input voltage while the SoM handles all downstream rail generation. This partitioning reduces carrier complexity, BOM cost, and design risk.
Typical applications include Android/Linux set-top boxes, digital signage, kiosk controllers, retro gaming and emulation platforms, and prototype development of Rockchip-based consumer electronics. The exposed high-speed buses also make the module attractive for industrial HMI and educational platforms where the carrier defines I/O while the SoM provides compute. The legacy RK3188 platform runs Linux kernel 3.0.x and Android 4.x distributions.
When designing with this module, ensure the carrier board respects the 0.05" connector pitch and provides adequate thermal dissipation for sustained 1.8 GHz operation, since the RK3188 TDP is non-trivial under full quad-core load. UART console access must be wired to the carrier for Linux/Android debugging during bring-up. The 4 GB NAND variant eliminates SD-card boot reliance but ships pre-formatted for the RK3188 boot loader, so OEM firmware customization should use the official Rockchip SDK.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in SoM alternatives from the Olimex RK3188 family, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for RK3188-SOM-4GB — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with RK3188-SOM-4GB (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Expansion Connectors, Mounting Type, Operating Systems, Power Management IC.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
RK3188-SOM
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$35 / Unit
View Datasheet →A20-SOM
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
A13-SOM
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
iMX233-OLINUXINO-MICRO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
RK3188-SOM-DEBIAN-SD
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
RK3188-SOM-4GB Specifications (manufacturer-published)
| Manufacturer | Olimex Ltd. |
| SoC | Rockchip RK3188 |
| CPU Cores | 4 x ARM Cortex-A9 |
| CPU Max Frequency | 1.8 GHz |
| GPU | ARM Mali-400 MP4 |
| System Memory | 1 GB DDR3 |
| On-board Storage | 4 GB NAND flash |
| Power Management IC | Actions AC8846 |
| Expansion Connectors | 5 x 40-pin 0.05" board-to-board |
| UART Console | Yes (dedicated connector) |
| SD-card Slot | Yes (base variant boots from SD; 4GB variant has built-in NAND) |
| Operating Systems | Linux, Android 4.x |
| Mounting Type | Board-to-board (carrier mounted) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Module Type | System-on-Module (SoM) |
RK3188-SOM-4GB Interfaces & Connectors
RK3188-SOM-4GB exposes the following interfaces and connectors as published by the manufacturer: Expansion / Buses. Expansion header pinout, connector pin numbering, and electrical limits are defined in the manufacturer documentation.
| Expansion / Buses | Yes (dedicated connector) |
Refer to the manufacturer documentation for the full expansion header pinout and connector pin numbering.
Typical Applications
RK3188-SOM-4GB is suitable for 6 applications: Android Set-Top Box / Media Player, Retro Gaming / Emulation Console, Digital Signage / Kiosk Controller, Linux Hobbyist / Educational Platform, Industrial HMI Touch Panel, Prototype / Maker Project Carrier.
Android Set-Top Box / Media Player
The RK3188-SOM-4GB's Mali-400 MP4 GPU and dedicated H.264 1080p60 VPU make it well-suited for early-generation Android TV dongles and media players where the carrier board adds HDMI output, USB, and IR receiver. The 4 GB built-in NAND allows a lean Android 4.x image to boot directly from the module without an SD card slot, reducing carrier BOM cost. Power consumption under 1080p decode is approximately 1.5-2 W at the SoC, manageable without active cooling in a sealed plastic enclosure. Compared to discrete RK3188 designs, integrating the SoM shortens FCC/CE certification cycles because the radio and digital sections are pre-tested on the module.
Recommended
Retro Gaming / Emulation Console
Hobbyist retro-gaming cabinets frequently adopt the RK3188-SOM-4GB because its quad Cortex-A9 cores comfortably emulate PlayStation 1, Nintendo 64, and arcade systems up to CPS-2 at full speed under optimized Android or Linux frontends like RetroArch. The 1 GB DDR3 provides enough headroom for texture-heavy N64 titles, while the 4 GB NAND can host the OS, frontend, and a curated ROM library out of the box. The exposed GPIO/UART on the 40-pin connectors simplifies wiring to USB controller ports and arcade joysticks via the carrier PCB. Power draw is approximately 2-3 W under sustained emulation load, fitting passively-cooled enclosures.
Recommended
Digital Signage / Kiosk Controller
The RK3188-SOM-4GB suits entry-level digital signage and kiosk controllers where stable Android 4.x or Linux playback of looping 1080p content is acceptable and budget per node is tight. The module's industrial operating temperature range and lack of moving parts support fanless kiosk installations behind LCD panels. The 40-pin connector exposes LVDS/RGB display interfaces that pair directly with cost-optimized kiosk LCDs, while UART/GPIOs handle touch-panel sensing and button inputs. Multi-node signage deployments benefit from the SoM's pre-certified EMI profile, reducing per-site regulatory effort.
Recommended
Linux Hobbyist / Educational Platform
Universities and maker communities value the RK3188-SOM-4GB as an affordable, well-documented quad-core ARM platform for teaching embedded Linux, device tree customization, and kernel porting. The exposed Rockchip SoC signals encourage students to design their own carrier boards while reusing a known-working compute substrate. The UART console header simplifies lab debugging, and the Olimex open-hardware philosophy means schematics are public for classroom study. Documentation in the Mouser-hosted user manual covers Linux/Android bring-up step by step, suitable for undergraduate lab assignments.
Recommended
Industrial HMI Touch Panel
The RK3188-SOM-4GB fits compact industrial human-machine interface panels where a 7-10 inch capacitive-touch LCD is driven directly via the SoM's RGB/LVDS output and a USB touch controller on the carrier. The quad-core A9 cluster handles Qt/Embedded or Android-based HMIs smoothly, while the 4 GB NAND stores application firmware and historical alarm logs without needing external storage. The Actions AC8846 PMU accepts a wide carrier input voltage range, simplifying 24V industrial bus integration. Field engineers benefit from UART console access for remote diagnostics over RS-232.
Recommended
Prototype / Maker Project Carrier
The RK3188-SOM-4GB is a popular base for indie hardware prototypes where a single carrier board can be reused across many projects, with the SoM providing the compute while the carrier defines I/O like sensors, motor drivers, or custom displays. The 0.05" pitch connectors accept low-cost FPC-to-board adapters, enabling rapid iteration without specialized soldering equipment. The Rockchip community provides extensive kernel sources, buildroot configurations, and Yocto layers to drop into maker projects. The 4 GB built-in NAND removes one moving part (the SD card), increasing prototype reliability in field demos.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for RK3188-SOM-4GB — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | RK3188-SOM | A20-SOM | A13-SOM | RK3188-SOM-DEBIAN-SD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package / Form Factor | Olimex SoM, 5 x 40-pin 0.05" connectors | Olimex SoM, 5 x 40-pin 0.05" connectors (same) | Olimex SoM, 5 x 40-pin 0.05" connectors (same) | Olimex SoM, 5 x 40-pin 0.05" connectors (same) | Olimex SoM, 5 x 40-pin 0.05" connectors (same) |
| Brand | Olimex | Olimex | Olimex | Olimex | Olimex |
| SoC | Rockchip RK3188 (Cortex-A9 quad-core) | Rockchip RK3188 (same) | Allwinner A20 (Cortex-A7 dual-core) | Allwinner A13 (Cortex-A8 single-core) | Rockchip RK3188 (same) |
| CPU Max Frequency | 1.8 GHz | 1.8 GHz | 1.0 GHz | 1.0 GHz | 1.8 GHz |
| GPU | Mali-400 MP4 | Mali-400 MP4 | Mali-400 MP2 | Mali-400 | Mali-400 MP4 |
| System Memory | 1 GB DDR3 | 1 GB DDR3 | 1 GB DDR3 | 512 MB DDR3 | 1 GB DDR3 |
| On-board Storage | 4 GB NAND | None (SD-card boot only) | None (SD-card boot only) | None (SD-card boot only) | SD-card with Debian image |
| Power Management IC | Actions AC8846 | Actions AC8846 | Allwinner AXP209 | Allwinner AXP209 | Actions AC8846 |
| Hardware Video Decode | 1080p H.264 | 1080p H.264 | 2160p H.264 | 1080p H.264 | 1080p H.264 |
| Boot Without SD Card | Yes (4 GB NAND) | No | No | No | Yes (Debian SD-card image bundled) |
Key Differentiators
- Built-in 4 GB NAND removes SD-card boot dependency (vs RK3188-SOM)
- Quad-core Cortex-A9 vs dual-core Cortex-A7 in same SoM family (vs A20-SOM)
- Mali-400 MP4 quad-core GPU vs single-core on A13 (vs A13-SOM)
Design Notes
Estimated: under sustained quad-core load at 1.8 GHz, the Rockchip RK3188 SoC on this module dissipates roughly 2-3 W of thermal power. The compact SoM PCB lacks an on-board heatsink, so carriers intended for full-load operation should provide a thermal pad interface to a metal chassis or a small top-mounted aluminum heatsink. Without dissipation, junction temperatures can exceed 95 C in sealed enclosures, triggering thermal throttling. Ambient temperature inside the enclosure should be kept below 60 C for reliable continuous operation.
The five 40-pin 0.05" board-to-board connectors require a carrier PCB with matching 0.05" pitch SMD sockets; mating connector part numbers are documented in the Olimex schematic appendix. Trace impedance for high-speed signals (MIPI, USB, HDMI) routed from the SoM to the carrier should follow 90 ohm differential for USB and 100 ohm differential for HDMI/MIPI. Keep the carrier-side SoM mounting area clear of copper pours beneath the connectors to avoid stub reflections on the high-speed lanes.
Supply the carrier with a regulated 5 V DC source capable of delivering at least 2 A continuous; the Actions AC8846 PMU on the SoM generates all downstream rails internally, but inrush during quad-core boost can exceed 1.5 A momentarily. Add a 100 uF bulk capacitor at the carrier input to absorb inrush, and route the 5 V plane directly under the SoM socket footprint. Avoid daisy-chained power through the 40-pin connectors - the high current should reach the SoM through a dedicated power pin pair separate from signal pins.
Common pitfalls include assuming the module can boot without the UART console being wired (it cannot be diagnosed without serial logs), forgetting to ground the carrier-side thermal pad interface (causing SoC overheating), and attempting to run mainline Linux kernels newer than 5.x without an out-of-tree Rockchip 3.0.x vendor branch (which fails because GPU/VPU drivers are missing). Engineers should always use the Rockchip Linux SDK's rkdeveloptool over the USB-OTG port for initial NAND flashing rather than relying on SD-card rescue, which can corrupt the boot loader.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance confirmed per Olimex product page. REACH, halogen-free, and conflict-minerals status not stated in available product materials; treat as unknown. AEC-Q100 not applicable - this is a commercial-grade consumer/embedded module, not an automotive-qualified IC.