Next-Gen PocketBeagle 2 Arrives with Dual Cortex-A53 Cores and Under $30
Linux-capable SBC is a performance upgrade over the previous PocketBeagle and still fits in an Altoids tin.
BeagleBoard's latest single-board computer (SBC), the PocketBeagle 2, is now available through select distributors. It offers a significant upgrade over its predecessor while maintaining an incredibly affordable price of under $30, making it an attractive option for SBC enthusiasts, Linux hobbyists, and hardware developers!
Performance and features
BeagleBone designed the Linux-capable PocketBeagle 2 around the Texas Instruments AM6232 system-on-chip (SoC), featuring dual Arm Cortex-A53 64-bit cores clocked at 1 GHz. The SoC also contains an Arm Cortex-M4F microcontroller core running at up to 400 MHz with 256 KB of SRAM for real-time applications and floating point heavy real-time embedded applications.
Another interesting addition is the Texas Instruments MSPM0L1105, an Arm Cortex-M0+ MCU. At first, it might seem like another general-purpose microcontroller, but BeagleBoard added this chip to give PocketBeagle 2 a 12-bit analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) and EEPROM storage. Like other BeagleBoards, this is a Linux SBC with microcontroller-like connectivity.
A TI TPS65219 Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC) provides voltage regulation from either the USB-C port or the VIN pin on the BeagleBoard Cape Header. The USB-C connector has data connections for USB 2.0's High-Speed data rate.
Compact and compatible
Keeping the board to just 55 x 35 millimeters, which like its predecessor, fits inside an Altoids tin, meant a minor form factor change of the Cape header sockets. Instead of through-hole header pins, PocketBeagle 2 has 72 expansion pins using pre-soldered surface mount headers.
Measuring just 55 x 35 millimeters, the PocketBeagle 2 remains true to its ultra-compact design — small enough to fit inside an Altoids mint tin. PocketBeagle 2 is electrically compatible with the PocketBeagle 1's cape header. For example, GPIO pin numbers should be the same when using the libgpiod library. However, the SoC upgrade means some software may need a rewrite or at least be touched before running on the new board.
Other bits of hardware include a 3-pin UART debug port (RPI-debug probe compatible), a JTAG 10-pin TAG-CONNECT footprint, a microSD connector, and a LiPo battery charging circuit. Two LEDs provide power and charging status, and four software-controlled LEDs offer programmers with a visual indicator for headless applications.
Community support and availability
Despite its low-key launch, developers have already started working on add-ons. For example, Michael Welling's Pocket-Bob breaks out the cape headers into pins. Welling also published a KiCad conversion of the BeagleBone 2 design. The original design files are available in this repository.
The official PocketBeagle 2 product page has additional details, documentation, and community support links.