OpenEmbed’s affordable, RK3399-based “em3399” module ships with up to 4GB DDR3L and 128GB eMMC 5.1. There’s also a compact evaluation board with GbE, wireless, HDMI 2.0, and USB 3.0 and Type-C ports.

OpenEmbed has launched a computer-on-module variously referred to as the System-on-Module em3399, the em3399, and the SOM3399, that taps one of the hotter ARM SoCs around these days: the Rockchip RK3399. There’s no indication this is an open source board, but the boards are priced for smaller scale buyers: The module starts at $99, and you pay only $50 for the optional “emPAC-RK3399-EVB” evaluation board. OpenEmbed tells us that Android and Linux images are available now, and Ubuntu Core is under development.

em3399, front and back
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So far, the RK3399 has appeared more in SBCs than in COMs — mostly in open source hacker boards such as Hardkernel’s Odroid-N1. Other RK3399 based modules include Firefly’s RK3399 Coreboard and Theobroma’s RK3399-Q7 Qseven module.

The em3399 is larger than OpenEmbed’s i.MX6 UL-based, 55 x 42mm SOM6210 module. Its 84 x 55mm footprint matches the COM Express Type 10 Mini format, and is only slightly smaller than the Raspberry Pi.

emPAC-RK3399-EVB with em3399 and heatsink (left) and em3399 block diagram
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The emPAC-RK3399-EVB eval board appears to have the same footprint. It stacks on top of the module and mates with the em3399 via dual 120-pin connectors. We often use the term “sandwich-style SBCs” to indicate any COM and carrier bundled together as an SBC. In this case, however, it’s a true sandwich, with the SOM3399 layered between the carrier board on top and a heatsink on the bottom.

The RK3399 SoC features two Cortex-A72 and four Cortex-A53 cores. No clock rates are listed, but the core banks are often listed as having up to 2.0GHz and 1.5GHz rates, respectively. There’s also a high-end ARM Mali-T864 GPU.

The em3399 supports 2GB to 4GB DDR3L RAM and 16GB to 128GB eMMC 5.1 flash. A GbE controller and PMIC are onboard along with a host of I/O including three [email protected] interfaces: HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.2 (both with audio), and eDP 1.3.

You also get dual-channel MIPI-DSI for 2560 x 1600 @ 60fps displays, as well as 2x MIPI-CSI for dual 8-megapixel or single 13MP cameras. Audio support includes SPDIF and 8-channel I2S.

The em3399 is further equipped with 2x USB 3.0 (or Type-C), 2x USB 2.0, 5x SPI, and 8x I2C. The module also provides a PCIe x4 interface and 100 pins of GPIO, among other I/O (see block diagram above).

emPAC-RK3399-EVB (left) and detail view
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The emPAC-RK3399-EVB development board extends the em3399 with single Gigabit Ethernet port, USB 3.0, and USB Type-C ports, as well as dual USB 2.0 ports. Media interfaces include an HDMI 2.0 port, an audio jack, and MIPI-CSI and eDP connectors.

A WiFi/Bluetooth module is available along with a bank of 20 GPIO/debug pins. (Pinout charts are available for these and other connectors.) There’s also an audio jack, an RTC with battery, a 12V DC jack, a 5V power header, and reset, recovery, and power buttons.

 
Further information

The em3399 module is available for $99, or $149 with the $50 emPAC-RK3399-EVB baseboard. The price appears to apply to single unit pricing and would appear to include the heatsink, which is not listed as a separate accessory. No information was provided about shipping or volume discounts. More information may be found at OpenEmbed’s em3399 product page.