MangoPi-Nezha MQ Is a Tiny RISC-V Single-Board Computer Preparing for Product Launch
Contains Allwinnder D1s, Wi-Fi, and runs Linux.
RT-Thread is launching a Crowd Supply campaign targeting developers interested in learning about RISC-V and Microkernels. The Mango-Pi-Nezha MQ is a RISC-V-based single-board computer running Tina Linux. This tiny board is equipped with dual USB-C connectors, Wi-Fi, multiple flat ribbon interfaces, GPIO pins, and many other features ideal for embedded development.
RT-Thread chose an Allwinner D1s/F133-A system-on-a-chip (SoC) to power the MangoPi-Nezha MQ. This RISC-V chip contains a C906 core with a clock speed of 1 GHz and 64 megabytes of DDR memory. Several months ago, when RT-Thread teased the MangoPi, some reports mistakenly described the chip as the D1. The D1s is similar but is a cost-reduced chip with less RAM and no HDMI support.
MangoPi-Nezha MQ measures 40 by 40 millimeters. Each side of the square circuit board contains connector interfaces on both the top and bottom of the board. Additionally, there is an antenna connector for Wi-Fi, which comes from an RTL8189 module attached to the back of the board.
Other connectivity includes two 22-pin GPIO headers, microphone, class-D audio output, micro SD card slot, and multiple flat ribbon cable (FPC) connectors. The FPCs support interfaces like the Raspberry Pi's camera DSI, generic capacitive touch interfaces, and LVDS devices. Behind the micro SD card slot are solder-able pads to add an optional programmable-ROM chip.
For software, RT-Thread says the MangoPi runs Tina Linux. This distribution is Allwinner's OpenWrt-based embedded Linux. Alternatively, RT-Thread says the MangoPi also supports xboot and RT-Smart, which are microkernels that fill the gap between traditional real-time operating systems (RTOS) and full Linux kernels.
With a bevy of interfaces in such a compact size, the MangoPi-Nezha MQ looks like an excellent platform for learning embedded technologies like RISC-V and Microkernels. Both the RT-Smart Microkernel and hardware designs are open source. The KiCad files are already available in the MQ GitHub repository.
The MangoPi-Nezha MQ is now available on Crowd Supply with the funding campaign ending on April 14, 2022. Boards start at 39 USD. MangoPi believes shipping will occur shortly after the close of the campaign.
(Edit: Updated information about the campaign launch.)