1. Introduction
The Waveshare Luckfox Pico Pro RV1106 is a compact and powerful Linux micro development board designed for various embedded applications. It integrates an ARM Cortex-A7 core, a RISC-V MCU, a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), and an Image Signal Processor (ISP), making it suitable for AI vision and IoT projects. This manual provides essential information for setting up, operating, and maintaining your Luckfox Pico Pro board.
Image 1.1: Waveshare Luckfox Pico Pro RV1106 Development Board. This image displays the compact form factor of the development board, highlighting its various components and connectors.
2. Package Contents
Verify that all items listed below are included in your package:
- Luckfox Pico Pro with pre-soldered header (x1)
Image 2.1: Package Content. This image shows the Waveshare Luckfox Pico Pro board as the primary item included in the package, indicating it comes with a pre-soldered header.
3. Features and Technical Specifications
3.1 Key Features
- Single-core ARM Cortex-A7 32-bit core with integrated NEON and FPU.
- Built-in Rockchip self-developed 4th generation NPU, supporting int4, int8, and int16 hybrid quantization. Computing power of int8 is 0.5 TOPS, and up to 1.0 TOPS with int4.
- Built-in self-developed third-generation ISP3.2, supporting 5-Megapixel, with image enhancement and correction algorithms (HDR, WDR, multi-level noise reduction).
- Powerful encoding performance with intelligent encoding mode, saving over 50% bit rate compared to conventional CBR mode.
- Built-in 16-bit DRAM DDR2, capable of sustaining demanding memory bandwidths.
- Integrated with built-in POR, audio codec, and MAC PHY.
Image 3.1: Highly Integrated and Powerful Performance. This image illustrates the core components and capabilities of the RV1106 chip, emphasizing its integration of CPU, NPU, and ISP for high performance.
3.2 Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Processor | ARM Cortex-A7@1.2GHz |
| NPU | 0.5 TOPS (int8), 1.0 TOPS (int4) |
| ISP | Input 5M @30fps (Max) |
| Memory | 128MB DDR2 |
| USB | USB 2.0 Host/Device (Type-C) |
| Camera Interface | MIPI CSI 2-lane |
| GPIO | 26 × GPIO pins |
| Ethernet Port | 10/100M Ethernet controller and embedded PHY |
| Default Storage | SPI NAND FLASH (256MB) |
| Operating System | Linux |
| Dimensions | Approx. 72mm x 21mm |
Image 3.2: Detailed Specifications and Version Options. This image provides a comprehensive table of specifications for the Luckfox Pico Pro, including processor, NPU, ISP, memory, and various interfaces. It also shows different versions of the board.
4. Board Layout and Pinout
Understanding the board's layout and pin definitions is crucial for proper integration and development. The following diagram illustrates the key components and pin assignments.
Image 4.1: Pin Definition and On-Board Components. This image provides a detailed diagram of the Luckfox Pico Pro's pinout, labeling each pin's function. It also highlights and numbers key on-board components such as the USB Type-C connector, boot button, TF card slot, and various test pads.
- USB Type-C connector: For power supply and program burning.
- ACT-LED: Activity indicator.
- BOOT button: Press when powering on to enter download mode.
- RESET button: Resets the board.
- TF card slot: For external storage or OS booting.
- RV1106: Vision processor SoC.
- RTC battery header: For connecting an RTC battery.
- CSI camera interface: MIPI CSI 2-lane.
- RJ45 Ethernet port: 10/100M network connectivity.
- USB test pads: USB 2.0.
- W25N02KV: 256MB SLC NAND Flash.
- GPIO header: General Purpose Input/Output pins.
5. Setup Guide
5.1 Initial Power-Up
- Connect the Luckfox Pico Pro to a power source using the USB Type-C port. A 5V power supply is recommended.
- Observe the ACT-LED for activity.
- Connect any necessary peripherals such as a display via the MIPI CSI interface (if using a camera module) or an Ethernet cable to the RJ45 port.
5.2 Operating System Installation
The Luckfox Pico Pro typically runs a Linux-based operating system. You will need to flash an appropriate OS image onto an SD card or the onboard NAND flash.
- Obtain OS Image: Download the official OS image for the Luckfox Pico Pro from the Waveshare product page or official Luckfox documentation.
- Prepare SD Card: Insert a high-quality microSD card (recommended Class 10 or higher) into your computer.
- Flash Image: Use a disk imaging tool (e.g., Etcher, Win32DiskImager) to write the downloaded OS image to the microSD card. For Linux users, the
ddcommand can be used to combine multiple image files into a singlefull.imgand then write it to the SD card. An example command structure for combining images might look like:IMAGE_OUT=full.img cp env.img $(IMAGE_OUT) dd bs=1k seek=32 if=idblock.img of=$(IMAGE_OUT) dd bs=1k seek=`dc -e '32 512 + f'` if=uboot.img of=$(IMAGE_OUT) dd bs=1k seek=`dc -e '32 512 256 + + f'` if=boot.img of=$(IMAGE_OUT) dd bs=1k seek=`dc -e '32 512 256 32 1024 * + + + f'` if=oem.img of=$(IMAGE_OUT) dd bs=1k seek=`dc -e '32 512 256 32 1024 * 512 1024 * + + + + f'` if=userdata.img of=$(IMAGE_OUT) dd bs=1k seek=`dc -e '32 512 256 32 1024 * 512 1024 * 256 1024 * + + + + + f'` if=rootfs.img of=$(IMAGE_OUT)
(Note: This is an example command structure. Refer to official documentation for exact commands and image names.) - Insert SD Card: Safely eject the microSD card from your computer and insert it into the TF card slot on the Luckfox Pico Pro.
- Boot: Power on the board. The system should boot from the SD card.
6. Operating Instructions
Once the operating system is successfully installed and booted, you can interact with the Luckfox Pico Pro via various methods:
- Serial Console: Connect a USB-to-serial adapter to the board's UART pins for console access.
- SSH: If the board is connected to a network via Ethernet, you can access it remotely using SSH.
- GPIO Control: Utilize the available GPIO pins for controlling external hardware and sensors through programming (e.g., Python, C/C++).
- Camera Interface: Connect a compatible MIPI CSI camera module to leverage the ISP and NPU for image processing and AI applications.
7. Application Examples
The versatile design of the Luckfox Pico Pro makes it suitable for a wide range of applications, particularly those requiring embedded Linux, AI, and vision processing:
- Smart Home Devices
- Industrial Automation Devices
- Robots & Drones
- Smart Transportation Devices
- Smart Monitoring Devices
- New Retailing Solutions
Image 7.1: Application Examples. This image displays various potential uses for the Luckfox Pico Pro, including smart home, industrial automation, robotics, smart transportation, and monitoring devices. An example setup with a camera and Ethernet connection is also shown.
8. Maintenance
To ensure the longevity and optimal performance of your Luckfox Pico Pro, follow these maintenance guidelines:
- Handle with Care: Avoid dropping the board or subjecting it to physical shock.
- Static Electricity: Always handle the board in a static-safe environment to prevent damage to sensitive electronic components.
- Power Supply: Use a stable and appropriate 5V power supply. Incorrect voltage can damage the board.
- Environment: Operate and store the board in a dry, dust-free environment, away from extreme temperatures and humidity.
- Cleaning: If necessary, gently clean the board with a soft, dry brush or compressed air. Avoid using liquids.
9. Troubleshooting
If you encounter issues with your Luckfox Pico Pro, consider the following troubleshooting steps:
- No Power/LED Activity:
- Check the USB Type-C power connection and ensure the power supply is functional.
- Verify the power supply voltage is 5V.
- OS Not Booting from SD Card:
- Ensure the OS image was flashed correctly to the SD card. Re-flash if necessary.
- Try a different, high-quality microSD card.
- Confirm the SD card is fully inserted into the TF card slot.
- Verify the integrity of the downloaded OS image file.
- Network Connectivity Issues:
- Check the Ethernet cable connection.
- Verify network settings within the operating system.
- Ensure your router/switch is functioning correctly.
- Peripheral Not Detected:
- Ensure the peripheral is correctly connected to the appropriate interface (e.g., MIPI CSI for camera).
- Check for necessary drivers or software configurations within the OS.
For more detailed troubleshooting or specific technical support, please refer to the official Waveshare documentation and community forums.
10. Warranty and Support
The Waveshare Luckfox Pico Pro RV1106 is covered by the manufacturer's standard warranty. For specific warranty terms, conditions, and duration, please refer to the official Waveshare website or contact their customer support directly.
For technical assistance, documentation, software downloads, and community support, visit the official Waveshare product page or their dedicated wiki for the Luckfox Pico series. Keeping your software and firmware updated is recommended for optimal performance and security.
