RK3188-SOM-EVB - RK3188 Quad-Core Cortex-A9 SOM Eval Board | Olimex
MPN: RK3188-SOM-EVB ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $29.95 | $29.95 |
| 10 | $27.5 | $275.00 |
| 50 | $24.95 | $1,247.50 |
| 100 | $22.5 | $2,250.00 |
| 500 | $19.95 | $9,975.00 |
RK3188-SOM-EVB Overview
A System-on-Module (SOM) is a compact, ready-to-integrate computing block that places the CPU, RAM, PMIC, and boot storage on a single PCB, allowing product engineers to focus their own PCB design on application-specific I/O rather than high-speed memory and power-rail layout. The RK3188-SOM-EVB completes the evaluation toolchain by adapting the SOM's 0.05-inch high-density headers to 0.1-inch standard-pitch headers, so shields, LCDs, and UEXT peripherals can be attached without adapter cables.
Key features include HDMI output, 10/100 Mb Ethernet, four USB 2.0 host ports, one USB OTG port, microSD boot, an LCD connector with resistive touch support, an RTC with coin-cell backup, and a UEXT peripheral socket. The board accepts +6V to +16V DC on a barrel jack and consumes 0.10-0.15 A at 10 V input when combined with the RK3188-SOM-4GB module. Hardware design files are released as Eagle CAD sources and KiCAD templates for the SOM socket are provided.
The architecture follows a modular SOM-plus-baseboard pattern: the RK3188 SoC handles Cortex-A9 cores with NEON and a Mali-400 MP4 GPU, while the AC8846 PMIC manages voltage rails and power sequencing. Compared with discrete layouts, this design eliminates the need to route DDR3 on the carrier board and lets engineers focus on application logic.
Typical applications include Android set-top boxes, HDMI media players, IoT gateways, digital signage, retro handheld gaming, industrial HMIs, and learning platforms for the Rockchip ecosystem. For stable operation, ensure the input supply stays within +6V to +16V DC and that the SOM is firmly seated in its five 40-pin 0.05-inch headers. This page consolidates distributor availability, drop-in accessory boards, and design tips not found in the standalone product brief.
Drop-in alternatives for RK3188-SOM-EVB — 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-EVB (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-4GB
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$23.97 / Unit
View Datasheet →RK3188-SOM
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$35 / Unit
View Datasheet →A20-SOM
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
A20-OLinuXino-MICRO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
A13-OLinuXino
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
RK3188-SOM-EVB Specifications (manufacturer-published)
| Manufacturer | Olimex Ltd. |
| Product Type | SOM Evaluation / Reference Design Board |
| Companion Module | RK3188-SOM / RK3188-SOM-4GB |
| Main Processor | Rockchip RK3188 Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A9, up to 1.6 GHz |
| GPU | ARM Mali-400 MP4 |
| Memory (on SOM) | 1 GB DDR3 |
| PMIC (on SOM) | Actions AC8846 |
| Ethernet | 10/100 Mb |
| USB Ports | 1x USB OTG + 4x USB HS/FS/LS Host |
| Video Output | HDMI + LCD connector with touch |
| Audio | Headphone + microphone jacks (per user manual) |
| Storage | microSD card slot |
| RTC | Yes, with coin-cell backup |
| Expansion | UEXT socket, 0.1-inch GPIO headers (adapted from SOM 0.05-inch) |
| Input Voltage | +6 V to +16 V DC via PWR jack |
| Current Draw (with SOM-4GB @10 V) | 0.10 A to 0.15 A |
| Board Layer Count | 2-layer PCB |
| Open Source Files | Eagle CAD schematic + KiCAD SOM socket template |
| RoHS | Compliant (per Olimex product page) |
RK3188-SOM-EVB Interfaces & Connectors
RK3188-SOM-EVB exposes the following interfaces and connectors as published by the manufacturer: Ethernet, USB, Power Input. Expansion header pinout, connector pin numbering, and electrical limits are defined in the manufacturer documentation.
| Ethernet | 10/100 Mb |
| USB | 1x USB OTG + 4x USB HS/FS/LS Host |
| Power Input | +6 V to +16 V DC via PWR jack |
Refer to the manufacturer documentation for the full expansion header pinout and connector pin numbering.
Power & Thermal Characteristics
| Power Input | +6 V to +16 V DC via PWR jack |
Power input and thermal parameters for RK3188-SOM-EVB as published by the manufacturer.
Typical Applications
RK3188-SOM-EVB is suitable for 6 applications: Android Set-Top Box Prototyping, Industrial HMI / Digital Signage, IoT Gateway with Ethernet, Retro Handheld / Emulation Platform, Educational Rockchip Development Platform, Custom Industrial Linux Appliance.
Android Set-Top Box Prototyping
The RK3188-SOM-EVB is well suited to Android TV-box prototyping thanks to its HDMI output and the Mali-400 MP4 GPU integrated in the RK3188 SoC. The quad-core Cortex-A9 at 1.6 GHz sustains 1080p hardware decode for H.264 streams, while the EVB's USB-OTG and 4 host ports accept Wi-Fi dongles, IR receivers, and Bluetooth sticks. Compared with bare-bones RK3188 reference designs, Olimex's board exposes every required connector on 0.1-inch headers, eliminating adapter PCB work and shrinking time-to-prototype to a single weekend.
Recommended
Industrial HMI / Digital Signage
For industrial HMIs, the RK3188-SOM-EVB combines an LCD connector with resistive touch support, a 10/100 Ethernet port, and RTC with backup battery, giving it the essentials for kiosk signage. The 1 GB DDR3 handles typical signage loops, while the +6V to +16V DC input accepts common industrial 12V or 24V adapters. The Mali-400 MP4 GPU drives LVDS-style LCD panels through the carrier board's GPIO mapping, and Olimex publishes the full Eagle CAD schematic so integrators can copy proven routing directly into their own carrier PCB.
Recommended
IoT Gateway with Ethernet
The RK3188-SOM-EVB's 10/100 Ethernet port and four USB host ports make it a credible Linux-based IoT gateway for factory or lab deployments. Running mainline Linux or OpenWrt forks on the RK3188 SoC, the board can host MQTT brokers, Node-RED flows, or Docker services for edge aggregation. The UEXT socket accepts RS-485, CAN, or 1-Wire modules, extending the gateway into industrial sensor networks without redesigning the baseboard.
Recommended
Retro Handheld / Emulation Platform
Hobbyists frequently repurpose the RK3188-SOM-EVB as a retro gaming handheld or tabletop emulator. The quad-core Cortex-A9 at 1.6 GHz comfortably emulates systems up to the PlayStation 1 and Nintendo 64 era, while the Mali-400 MP4 GPU handles LCD display output up to 1080p. Pairing the EVB with a 5-inch LCD and USB game controllers through its host ports yields a self-contained emulation platform. The open Eagle CAD files let modders integrate battery chargers and additional buttons in their own derivative carrier boards.
Recommended
Educational Rockchip Development Platform
Universities and bootcamps use the RK3188-SOM-EVB to teach ARM SoC architecture and Android porting. The exposed GPIO, UART console, and JTAG-style debug headers give students direct access to every peripheral of the RK3188. Olimex's published schematics in Eagle format allow learners to follow power-rail design and DDR3 routing used in real products, then transfer those skills to commercial Rockchip projects.
Recommended
Custom Industrial Linux Appliance
Engineers building custom Linux appliances benefit from the RK3188-SOM-EVB's modular SOM-plus-carrier pattern: once firmware is validated on the EVB, the same RK3188-SOM can be transplanted into a smaller, application-specific carrier PCB. The AC8846 PMIC handles all rail sequencing, the 1 GB DDR3 supports container workloads, and the open KiCAD template accelerates form-factor redesign. Industrial deployments in lighting controllers, access gates, and CNC front-ends commonly start from this Olimex reference design.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for RK3188-SOM-EVB — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | RK3188-SOM-4GB | RK3188-SOM | A20-SOM | A20-OLinuXino-MICRO | A13-OLinuXino |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Olimex | Olimex | Olimex | Olimex | Olimex | Olimex |
| Package / Form Factor | SOM EVB carrier board (2-layer) | SOM module (mates with EVB) | SOM module (mates with EVB) | SOM module (Olimex family) | Standalone SBC | Standalone SBC |
| SoC | Rockchip RK3188 Cortex-A9 quad-core @1.6 GHz | Same RK3188 | Same RK3188 | Allwinner A20 Cortex-A7 dual-core | Allwinner A20 Cortex-A7 dual-core | Allwinner A13 Cortex-A8 single-core |
| GPU | Mali-400 MP4 | Mali-400 MP4 | Mali-400 MP4 | Mali-400 MP2 | Mali-400 MP2 | Mali-400 |
| On-module RAM | 1 GB DDR3 (on companion SOM) | 1 GB DDR3 + 4 GB eMMC | 1 GB DDR3 | 1 GB DDR3 | 1 GB DDR3 | 512 MB DDR3 |
| Ethernet | 10/100 Mb | Provided by EVB | Provided by EVB | Provided by A20-SOM-EVB | 10/100 Mb | None (USB Ethernet only) |
| HDMI Output | Yes | Via EVB | Via EVB | Via A20-SOM-EVB | Yes | None (LCD only) |
| Open Source Design Files | Eagle CAD + KiCAD SOM template | Eagle CAD + KiCAD | Eagle CAD + KiCAD | Eagle CAD + KiCAD | Eagle CAD | Eagle CAD |
Key Differentiators
- Modular SOM-plus-carrier architecture (vs A20-OLinuXino-MICRO)
- Quad-core Cortex-A9 at 1.6 GHz with Mali-400 MP4 (vs A13-OLinuXino)
- Onboard HDMI + 100 Mb Ethernet + 4x USB host (vs RK3188-SOM (bare module))
Design Notes
The RK3188-SOM-EVB accepts +6 V to +16 V DC through the female barrel jack (PWR). When paired with the RK3188-SOM-4GB, the combined board draws 0.10 A to 0.15 A at 10 V input per the Olimex user manual. Use a regulated adapter rated at least 1.5 A continuous to handle inrush during Mali GPU ramp-up. Reverse-polarity or under-voltage conditions will prevent boot without a clear error code - measure VIN before debugging the SoC.
The companion RK3188-SOM plugs into the EVB through five 40-pin 0.05-inch high-density headers. Verify all five connectors are fully seated before powering the board; even one partially-mated connector will cause boot failure. The EVB adapts the SOM's 0.05-inch headers to standard 0.1-inch GPIO, but do not attempt to plug a 0.1-inch cable directly into the SOM itself - the pitch mismatch will damage the high-density connector.
Do not confuse the RK3188-SOM-EVB (the carrier board) with the RK3188-SOM (the SoM itself). Powering the EVB without the SOM seated will not produce any HDMI output and may appear bricked. Also note that the RK3188 SoC supports only Cortex-A9 instruction set; mainline kernel patches exist but require kernel 4.x or newer with Rockchip MAINLINE support enabled. Older Android 4.x images will boot but lack modern security patches.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance per Olimex product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - this is a development/evaluation board, not an automotive-grade module. REACH and conflict-minerals status not explicitly published by Olimex.