Key benefits of the ROCK 3A single board computer

Reliable Rockchip SoC

ROCK 3A provides reliable and capable performance based on the Rockchip RK3568 SoC, Quad core Armv8.2‑A Cortex®‑A55 up to 2.0GHz, Arm Mali™ G52 GPU, and 32-bit LPDDR4 GB RAM. You can be certain that despite its size the ROCK 3A will deliver outstanding performance.

0.8 TOPs NPU for AI applications

ROCK 3A benefits from an NPU with up to 0.8 TOPS for developing AI applications.

Handy Power On/Off button for safe shutdowns

How does the idea of shutting down your ROCK 3A at the touch of a button without the risk of corrupting storage sound? The ROCK 3A features a built-in On/Off power button meaning you can perform safe shutdowns by simply pressing a button. ROCK 3A offers this huge convenience as standard, allowing you to be flexible with your applications.

More OS, more options

ROCK 3A is extremely practical, as it is compatible with multiple operating systems, including Android 11, Debian/Ubuntu Linux, the full implementation of the Arm architecture v8‑A instructions set, and others.

No more storage limitations

ROCK 3A benefits from extensive storage capacity, including 32-bit LPDDR4 4GB RAM and a high-speed eMMC socket for eMMC modules which can be used for OS and data storage. The eMMC socket is compatible with readily available industrial pinout and form factor hardware.

Highly compatible with SBC accessories

The 40-pin header supports a wide range of interface options, providing the ROCK 3A with a plethora of connectivity capabilities ensuring compatibility with almost every accessory you could think of. Due to the dual functionality of many of the pins, the ROCK 3A opens the possibilities for advanced accessories, the world is your oyster!

Supports 4K60fps display

With an Arm Mali™ G52 graphics processing unit (GPU) at its heart, the ROCK 3A is ideal for multimedia applications, such as videos, and signage. The board benefits from camera and display interfaces, HDMI 2.0 port supporting display up to 4K@60fps resolution, near-CD-quality audio output through a 4-ring 3.5mm audio jack with mic input, and more.

Availability

Struggling with SBC stock shortages? Don’t waste time stock hunting as OKdo and Radxa ensure long-term stock availability of the ROCK 3A allowing you to focus on developing incredible design applications.

Who is Radxa?

OKdo has an exclusive partnership with Radxa to manufacture and distribute ROCK Single Board Computers (SBCs) and ROCK System on Modules (SoMs). Radxa is a technical startup founded in 2013 that focuses on the design, manufacture, and production of open-source hardware products that include the range formerly known as Rock Pi.

Interfaces

• 1x M.2 E-key connector for WiFi/BT supports WiFi6
• 1 x M.2 M-key connector for SSD
• 1x Micro SD card slot
• HDMI 2.0 port supporting displays up to 4K@60fps resolution
• 2x USB 2.0 HOST ports
• 1x USB 3.0 HOST port, 1x USB 3.0 OTG/HOST port
• 1x Gigabit Ethernet port (supports PoE (Power Over Ethernet) with add‑on PoE HAT)
• 1x camera port (2‑lane MIPI CSI)
• 1x display port (2‑lane MIPI DSI)
• 3.5mm audio jack with mic
• 40x user GPIO supporting various interface options: 5 x UART, 1 x SPI bus, 2 x I2C bus, 1 x CAN, 6 x PWM, 1 x ADC, 6 x GPIO, 2 x 5V DC power in, 1 x 3.3V power pin

Technical Specifications

Key product features of the ROCK 3A

Pinout Diagram:

Resources

Need some inspiration to help you create amazing applications with your brand-new ROCK 3A? Check out our resources below:

• Getting Started Guide – Getting Started with the ROCK 3A & Debian
• Blog: ROCK 3 vs. Raspberry Pi 3: A Comparative Engineer’s Review
• Blog – The Ultimate Guide to ROCK
• Blog – Ready to ROCK? Meet the Single Board Computer you always wanted
• Downloads – OKdo Software & Downloads Hub

FAQs

What operating systems is ROCK 3A compatible with?
The ROCK 3A is equipped with the ARMv8 Instruction Set, making it compatible with Debian/Ubuntu Linux, and Android 11, as well as a Hardware access/control library for Linux/Android.

What applications is the ROCK 3A ideal for?
ROCK is extremely versatile and will satisfy the requirements of a huge variety of applications. Considering the ROCK 3A’s tech specs, price, and sustainability it is ideal for a range of applications including, but not limited to:

• Agriculture Drones
• Automotive Systems
• Human Machine Interfaced (HMI)
• Remote Patient Monitoring Systems
• Slot Machine Preventative Maintenance
• Vehicle Tracking Systems

For more details of exactly what ROCK is capable of, check out our Ultimate Guide to ROCK or get in touch with our expert team to discuss your requirements.

Is the ROCK 3A suitable for developing AI applications?
Yes, ROCK 3A benefits from an NPU with up to 0.8 TOPS for developing AI applications. If you require something with a more TOPS, why not check out our ROCK 5 Series?

Are there any getting-started guides available for ROCK?
Yes, please check the Resources section on this page or our Getting Started Guides hub.

Can ROCK boot from USB?
No, but the ROCK 3A can boot from an SD card and eMMC.

Can ROCK run multiple programs?
Yes, ROCK can run multiple programs/scripts simultaneously.

Does it support accessories?
Yes, thanks to its 40-pin GPIO header it’s compatible with a range of SBC accessories on the market. We also stock a range of ROCK accessories in our ROCK Shop.