Module, SBC, and mini-PC tap Rockchip RK3568
Mar 18, 2022 — by Eric Brown 1,244 viewsMixtile’s “Core 3568” module runs the hybrid Android/Linux Mixtile OS on a quad -A55 RK3568. The module powers a 3.5-inch “Edge 2” SBC with M.2, mini-PCIe, and PCie 2.0 plus an optional enclosure (Edge 2 Kit).
Earlier this month while covering the cluster-oriented, octa-core RK3588 based Mixtile Blade 3 Pico-ITX SBC, we saw that Mixtile had product and shopping pages for a recently introduced Mixtile Edge 2 SBC powered by a Core 3568 with a Rockchip RK3568. There is also a Mixtile Edge 2 Kit mini-PC based on the Edge 2 SBC.
Although like the Blade 3, the $229-and-up Edge 2 has a U.2 connector with PCIe support, it is not designed to connect SBCs for stacking in cluster applications, as is the Blade 3. Like the Blade 3, the Core 3568 and Edge 2 products ship with a Mixtile OS BSP, which runs Linux in a container within Android 11.


Mixtile Core 3568 module (left) and Mixtile Edge 2
(click images to enlarge)
The RK3568 has been announced on a variety of embedded boards including the Radxa E25 SBC and Forlinx OK3568-C SBC based on a FET3568-C module. The RK3568 has 4x up to 2.0GHz Cortex -A55 cores, an Arm Mali-G52, an 8MP ISP with HDR, and an 0.8-TOPS NPU for AI acceleration.


Mixtile Core 3568 detail view and block diagram
(click images to enlarge)
The Mixtile Core 3568 module sells for $95 with 2GB LPDDR4 and 16GB eMMC 5.1 and $119 with 4GB/32GB. All three of the products offer an interesting pricing option: you can pay 15 percent less to receive the product in 40 days and 20 percent less to receive it in 60 days.
— ADVERTISEMENT —
The 50 x 50 x 5mm Core 3568 is equipped with 2x GbE controllers, PCIe Gen3 x2 (or 2x x1) with 8Gbps throughput, as well as PCIe 2.1. The 536 castellated I/O pins also support 2x USB 3.0, 2x SATA 3.0, HDMI 2.0, MIPI-DSI/CSI and more, as seen in the block diagram above. The module has a 3.3/5VDC input, a PMIC, and a 0 to 80℃ operating range.
Mixtile Edge 2 and Edge 2 Kit
The Mixtile Edge 2 is available with the same memory configurations as the Core 3568 module at $229 and $259, respectively, and offers the up to 20 percent discounts for allowing late delivery. The SBC has a 140 x 100mm “3.5-inch” form factor.


Mixtile Edge 2 back view (left) and block diagram
(click images to enlarge)
The 68-pin U.2 edge interface on the Edge 2 differs from that of the Blade 3 beyond its inability to be used for stacking connections. Instead of combining PCIe Gen3 x4 with SATA 3.0 and I2C, it combines SATA 3.0/PCIe 2.0, a standard SATA signal with 5V/3A power, USB 2.0, RGMII for Ethernet, SPI, and I2S.
The Mixtile Edge 2 has an M.2 socket with PCIe 3.0 and USB 3.0, which is accompanied by a SIM card socket. There is also a mini-PCIe slot with USB 2.0 and a SIM socket. Together, the slots support 4G, 5G, LoRa, and Zigbee modules. You also get 802.11ax (WiFi 6) with dual-mode Bluetooth 5.0 and dual WiFi antennas.
The Mixtile Edge 2 is equipped with a microSD slot, as well as GbE, 3x USB 3.0, and USB 3.0 Type-C with 5-20VDC PD power input. Media features include an HDMI 2.0 port and an eDP interface at up to 4Kp60 with H.265/H.264/VP9 video decode. You also get 2x MIPI-DSI, MIPI-CSIm an audio I/O jack, 3x digital microphone, a speaker connector, and SPDIF connections.


Mixtile Edge 2 detail views
(click images to enlarge)
The Edge 2 has a terminal plug interface for RS485 along with connectors for I2C, CAN, 2x UART, and 4x ADC. In addition to the wide-range Type-C port, you can draw power via a 12VDC input and output power via a 5VDC connector. Other features include an IR receiver, MaskROM button, recovery key, beeper, 2x LEDs, debug interface, and an RTC with battery backup.


Mixtile Edge 2 Kit front exploded (left) and rear views
(click images to enlarge)
The Mixtile Edge 2 Kit, which adds a metal enclosure to the Edge 2 SBC, sells for $249 and $279 for the 2GB/16GB and 4GB/32GB versions, respectively, not counting any applied “future discounts.” The 204 x 152 x 75mm system provides access to all major ports, including the RS485 terminal plug. We did not see any cutouts for the U.2, MIPI, and other internal connectors, but it appears you can remove the sides of the system for access.
Further information
Pricing for the Mixtile Core 3568, Mixtile Edge 2, and Mixtile Edge 2 Kit is detailed above. More information may be found on Mixtile’s Mixtile Core 3568 shopping page and Mixtile Core 3568 product pages, as well as the Mixtile Edge 2 shopping and Mixtile Edge 2 product pages and the Mixtile Edge 2 Kit shopping and Mixtile Edge 2 Kit product pages.
Please comment here...