Sipeed Teases Linux-Capable 64-Bit RISC-V System-on-Module — for Under $20

Sipeed has released details on a new system-on-module board built around the RISC-V Allwinner D1 chip — and it's aiming to bring the Linux-capable device to market for under $20.

Allwinner's D1 chip, which uses the free and open-source RISC-V instruction set architecture, leaked out ahead of its official announcement earlier this year. Featuring a single-core XuanTie C906 RISC-V processor running at 1GHz, the part arrived at the heart of the Sipeed Nezha Linux-capable single-board computer — built, the company said at the time, with the Internet of Things in mind.

Now, Sipeed is looking to bring the same technology to a lower price point with an embeddable system-on-module: The Lichee RV module, which will launch for around $20 - though you'll need an add-on dock to make the most of its capabilities.

According to details released by Wu Ceaser on Telegram and posted to Reddit by Bruce Hoult, the new module is based on a SODIMM-like form factor featuring an edge connector, which breaks out most of the chip's functions. What remains connect to a USB Type-C connector and a small number of on-board ports, including one compatible with a display — meaning it's possible to use the module as a stand-alone device.

Getting the most out of the board, however, will require a carrier — and here users can either design their own or add Sipeed's own dock, which will transform the module into something closer connectivity-wise to the Nezha single-board computer.

Thus far, Sipeed has not created a product page for the new design — nor suggested when it will be available to purchase. Additional discussion, however, can be found on Hoult's Reddit post.