1. Introduction
The Radxa Dragon Q6A is a high-performance, low-power industrial-grade single board computer (SBC) built upon the Qualcomm® QCS6490 chipset platform. It is specifically designed for demanding applications in Industrial IoT (IIoT), Edge AI, and smart terminals, offering robust computing power and flexible connectivity options.
This manual provides essential information for setting up, operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting your Dragon Q6A SBC.
2. Key Features
- Powerful Computing: Equipped with Qualcomm® QCS6490 Octa-core processor and Adreno™ 643 GPU.
- Advanced AI Performance: Delivers up to 12 TOPS of AI compute performance with Hexagon DSP and Tensor Accelerator.
- High-Speed Connectivity: Integrated Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.4, and Gigabit Ethernet with optional PoE support.
- Rich Multimedia: Supports HDMI 2.0 (4K30) and MIPI DSI (FHD+) dual display output, H.264/H.265 video decoding and encoding.
- Flexible Storage: Features M.2 M Key 2230 NVMe SSD slot, onboard LPDDR5 RAM (up to 16GB), microSD card slot, and UFS/eMMC module support.
- Abundant Interfaces: Includes 40-Pin GPIO header, multiple USB ports (USB 2.0, USB 3.1 OTG), MIPI CSI camera interfaces, and RTC battery connector.
- Robust Software Ecosystem: Compatible with various operating systems including Linux (Yocto, Ubuntu, Debian), Android, and Windows 11 IoT Enterprise.
3. Technical Specifications
Detailed technical specifications for the Dragon Q6A Single Board Computer are provided below:
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| SoC | Qualcomm® QCS6490 |
| CPU | 1x Kryo Gold @ 2.7GHz, 3x Kryo Gold @ 2.4GHz, 4x Kryo Silver @ 1.9GHz |
| GPU | Qualcomm® Adreno™ 643, Vulkan 1.1, OpenGL ES 3.2, OpenCL 2.0, DirectX Feature Level 11_1 |
| AI | Total AI compute performance: 12 TOPS, Hexagon DSP with dual HVX, Hexagon Tensor Accelerator, Qualcomm Neural Processing SDK |
| RAM | 4GB, 6GB, 8GB, 12GB, 16GB LPDDR5 @ 3200MHz (available in various configurations) |
| Storage | SPI Flash (bootloader), eMMC Module (8, 32, 64 GB), UFS Module (128, 256, 512 GB), MicroSD card (max 1TB) |
| Display | HDMI 2.0 up to 4K@30Hz, MIPI DSI 1x 4-lane |
| Camera | MIPI CSI 1x 4-lane (up to 2x 2-lane), MIPI CSI 2x 2-lane |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax/ac/a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 5.4, External antenna connectors |
| Ethernet | 1x Gigabit Ethernet with PoE support (via optional HAT) |
4. Setup Guide
Follow these steps to set up your Dragon Q6A SBC:
- Prepare Storage: Insert a microSD card with your chosen operating system (e.g., Linux, Android) into the microSD Card Slot. Alternatively, connect an eMMC or UFS module to the dedicated connector. For high-speed storage, install an M.2 2230 NVMe SSD into the M.2 M Key Connector.
- Connect Display: Connect your monitor or display device to the HDMI port for video output. If using a MIPI DSI display, connect it to the MIPI DSI 4-Lane Connector.
- Connect Peripherals: Attach your keyboard, mouse, or other USB devices to the available USB 2.0 ports or the USB 3.1 OTG port.
- Network Connection: For wired network access, connect an Ethernet cable to the RJ45 GbE port. For wireless connectivity, ensure external antennas are connected if required for Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4.
- Power Supply: Connect a compatible USB-C PD power adapter to the USB-C PD Power port, or use a 12V power supply connected to the Power Input Header. Ensure the power supply meets the device's requirements.
- Optional Connections:
- GPIO: Utilize the 40-Pin GPIO Header for connecting sensors, actuators, and other custom hardware.
- Cameras: Connect MIPI CSI cameras to the MIPI CSI 4-Lane or 2-Lane Connectors.
- RTC Battery: Connect an RTC battery to the RTC Battery Connector to maintain time and date settings when the main power is off.
- PoE: If using Power over Ethernet, ensure your network infrastructure supports PoE and connect an optional PoE HAT to the PoE Header.
5. Operating Instructions
- Power On: Once all necessary connections are made, apply power to the Dragon Q6A. The device should begin its boot sequence.
- Operating System: The Dragon Q6A supports various operating systems. Follow the specific installation and configuration instructions for your chosen OS (e.g., Linux distribution, Android, Windows 11 IoT Enterprise).
- Software Development: For AI applications, leverage the Qualcomm AI Hub and Qualcomm Neural Processing SDK for developing and deploying pre-optimized AI models.
- Connectivity: Configure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings within your operating system for wireless communication. The Gigabit Ethernet port will typically be plug-and-play.
- Interface Usage: Refer to the documentation for your specific operating system and connected peripherals for detailed usage of GPIO, MIPI CSI, and other interfaces.
6. Maintenance
- Keep Clean: Regularly clean the board with a soft, dry brush or compressed air to remove dust and debris. Avoid using liquids.
- Environmental Conditions: Operate the device within its specified temperature and humidity ranges. Ensure adequate ventilation to prevent overheating.
- Software Updates: Keep your operating system and installed software up-to-date to ensure optimal performance, security, and compatibility.
- Power Down Safely: Always shut down the operating system gracefully before disconnecting power to prevent data corruption.
7. Troubleshooting
- No Power / Device Not Starting:
- Ensure the power supply is correctly connected to either the USB-C PD port or the 12V Power Input Header. Verify that the power adapter is functional and provides the correct voltage and current.
- No Display Output:
- Check the HDMI cable connection to both the Dragon Q6A and the monitor. Ensure the monitor is powered on and set to the correct input source. Verify that the operating system is properly installed and configured for display output.
- Network Connectivity Issues:
- For wired Ethernet, check the cable connection and your network router/switch. For Wi-Fi, ensure the Wi-Fi module is enabled in the OS, correct network credentials are entered, and external antennas (if used) are properly attached.
- Peripherals Not Detected:
- Try connecting USB devices to different USB ports. Ensure the operating system has the necessary drivers installed for the peripherals.
8. User Tips
- RAM Configuration: The Dragon Q6A is available in various RAM configurations (4GB, 6GB, 8GB, 12GB, 16GB). When purchasing or planning your project, ensure you select the appropriate RAM size for your application's needs. Check with your vendor for availability of specific configurations, such as the 16GB version.
- Cooling: For sustained high-performance tasks, especially those utilizing the AI capabilities, consider adding a heatsink or active cooling solution to ensure optimal thermal management and prevent throttling.
9. Warranty and Support
For detailed warranty information, please refer to the official Radxa website or the documentation provided with your purchase. Warranty terms may vary based on region and retailer.
For technical support, assistance with setup, or troubleshooting, please contact the seller or your point of purchase. They can provide guidance and facilitate any necessary service requests.
