Rk3399 Overview

The Rockchip RK3399 is a powerful, versatile, and cost-effective system-on-chip (SoC) designed for a wide range of applications, including single-board computers, tablets, TV boxes, and embedded systems. This high-performance SoC, launched in 2016, has gained popularity among developers and enthusiasts due to its impressive specifications and open-source community support.

Key Features of the Rk3399

The Rk3399 boasts an impressive array of features that make it stand out from other SoCs in its class:

1. Dual-core Cortex-A72 and quad-core Cortex-A53 processors
2. Mali-T860 MP4 GPU
3. Dual-channel LPDDR3/LPDDR4 memory support
4. USB 3.0, PCIe, HDMI 2.0, and DisplayPort 1.2 interfaces
5. 4K video decoding and encoding capabilities
6. Support for multiple operating systems, including Android, Linux, and Chrome OS

Rk3399 Block Diagram

To better understand the architecture of the Rk3399, let’s take a look at its block diagram:

The block diagram showcases the various components and interfaces of the Rk3399, including the CPU cores, GPU, memory controller, and peripheral interfaces.

Rk3399 CPU Architecture

The Rk3399 features a heterogeneous multi-core processor design, combining two powerful Cortex-A72 cores with four energy-efficient Cortex-A53 cores in a big.LITTLE configuration. This architecture allows the SoC to dynamically allocate tasks to the appropriate cores based on performance requirements and power efficiency.

Cortex-A72 Cores

The dual-core Cortex-A72 cluster in the Rk3399 is designed for high-performance tasks, such as running demanding applications, gaming, and multi-tasking. These cores can operate at frequencies up to 2.0 GHz, delivering exceptional performance for a wide range of use cases.

Cortex-A53 Cores

The quad-core Cortex-A53 cluster in the Rk3399 is optimized for power efficiency, making it ideal for handling less demanding tasks and background processes. These cores can operate at frequencies up to 1.5 GHz, ensuring a balance between performance and power consumption.

big.LITTLE Technology

The Rk3399 leverages ARM’s big.LITTLE technology to optimize performance and power efficiency. This technology enables the SoC to seamlessly switch between the high-performance Cortex-A72 cores and the energy-efficient Cortex-A53 cores based on the workload demands. As a result, the Rk3399 can deliver excellent performance when needed while conserving power during less demanding tasks.

Rk3399 GPU and Multimedia

The Rk3399 integrates a powerful Mali-T860 MP4 GPU and advanced multimedia capabilities, making it well-suited for graphics-intensive applications, gaming, and video processing.

Mali-T860 MP4 GPU

The Mali-T860 MP4 GPU in the Rk3399 is a high-performance graphics processor that supports OpenGL ES 3.2, Vulkan 1.0, OpenCL 1.2, and DirectX 11. With four shader cores, this GPU can deliver smooth and responsive graphics performance for a wide range of applications, including:

• 3D gaming
• User interface rendering
• Augmented reality and virtual reality
• Computer vision and machine learning

Video Decoding and Encoding

The Rk3399 boasts impressive video decoding and encoding capabilities, supporting various popular codecs and resolutions. The SoC can handle 4K video decoding at 60 frames per second (fps) and 4K video encoding at 30 fps, making it ideal for applications such as:

• 4K video playback and streaming
• Video conferencing and remote collaboration
• Video surveillance and security systems
• Digital signage and interactive kiosks

The following table summarizes the video decoding and encoding capabilities of the Rk3399:

Codec	Decoding	Encoding
H.264	4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps	4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps
H.265	4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps	4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps
VP9	4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps	N/A
MPEG-4	1080p@60fps	1080p@60fps
VC-1	1080p@60fps	N/A
MPEG-2	1080p@60fps	N/A

Rk3399 Memory and Storage

The Rk3399 supports various memory and storage options, ensuring flexibility and performance for a wide range of applications.

LPDDR3/LPDDR4 Memory Support

The Rk3399 features a dual-channel LPDDR3/LPDDR4 memory controller, supporting up to 4GB of RAM per channel, for a total of 8GB. This ample memory capacity enables the SoC to handle memory-intensive tasks, such as multi-tasking, gaming, and content creation.

The following table compares the memory specifications of LPDDR3 and LPDDR4:

Specification	LPDDR3	LPDDR4
Max. Frequency	933 MHz	1600 MHz
Max. Bandwidth	14.9 GB/s	25.6 GB/s
Voltage	1.2 V	1.1 V
Power Saving	Partial Array Self-Refresh	Data Bus Inversion

eMMC and SD Card Support

The Rk3399 supports both eMMC and SD card storage options, providing flexibility for various use cases. The SoC includes an eMMC 5.1 interface, which supports storage capacities up to 128GB, and an SD 3.0 interface, which supports SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards.

Rk3399 Peripheral Interfaces

The Rk3399 offers a wide range of peripheral interfaces, enabling designers to create versatile and feature-rich devices.

USB 3.0 and USB 2.0

The Rk3399 includes one USB 3.0 host port and one USB 3.0 OTG port, providing high-speed connectivity for external devices, such as storage drives, cameras, and input devices. Additionally, the SoC features four USB 2.0 host ports for connecting lower-speed peripherals.

PCIe and SATA

The Rk3399 supports one PCIe 2.1 x4 lane, which can be used for connecting high-speed peripherals, such as NVMe SSDs, Wi-Fi adapters, and Ethernet controllers. The SoC also includes one SATA 3.0 interface, enabling the connection of high-capacity storage devices.

Display Interfaces

The Rk3399 offers a variety of display interfaces, supporting high-resolution displays and multiple screen configurations:

• One HDMI 2.0 interface, supporting up to 4K@60Hz
• One DisplayPort 1.2 interface, supporting up to 4K@60Hz
• One embedded DisplayPort (eDP) 1.3 interface, supporting up to 2K@60Hz
• One MIPI DSI interface, supporting up to 2K@60Hz
• One parallel RGB interface, supporting up to 2K@60Hz

Audio Interfaces

The Rk3399 includes a range of audio interfaces for high-quality sound input and output:

• One I2S/PCM interface for connecting external audio codecs
• One S/PDIF interface for digital audio output
• One HDMI audio output
• One DisplayPort audio output

Other Interfaces

The Rk3399 also supports various other peripheral interfaces, including:

• Two SPI interfaces
• Six I2C interfaces
• Three UART interfaces
• One GPIO interface
• One ADC interface
• One PWM interface
• One SDIO interface

Rk3399 Power Management

The Rk3399 incorporates advanced power management features to optimize power consumption and extend battery life in portable devices.

Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling (DVFS)

The Rk3399 supports Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling (DVFS), which allows the SoC to dynamically adjust the voltage and frequency of its CPU cores based on the workload demands. This feature helps to reduce power consumption during periods of low activity and enables the SoC to ramp up performance when needed.

Suspend and Resume

The Rk3399 includes support for various suspend and resume modes, enabling devices to conserve power when not in use. These modes include:

• Standby: The CPU cores and most peripherals are powered down, but the RAM remains in self-refresh mode, allowing for quick resume times.
• Deep sleep: All components, including the RAM, are powered down, resulting in minimal power consumption. Resume times are longer than standby mode, as the system state must be restored from storage.

Power Domains

The Rk3399 is divided into multiple power domains, allowing for fine-grained control over the power state of individual components. This feature enables developers to optimize power consumption by selectively powering down unused components, such as GPU cores, video codecs, and peripheral interfaces.

Rk3399 Software Support

The Rk3399 benefits from a thriving open-source community and supports a wide range of operating systems and software platforms.

Operating Systems

The Rk3399 supports various popular operating systems, including:

• Android: The Rk3399 is well-suited for Android-based devices, such as tablets, TV boxes, and digital signage solutions.
• Linux: The SoC supports a range of Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, Debian, and Fedora, making it ideal for embedded systems and single-board computers.
• Chrome OS: The Rk3399 can run Chrome OS, enabling the creation of Chromebook-like devices and thin clients.

Software Development Kits (SDKs)

Rockchip provides comprehensive Software Development Kits (SDKs) for the Rk3399, which include:

• Board Support Packages (BSPs) for various operating systems
• Device drivers and middleware
• Sample applications and demo code
• Documentation and tutorials

These SDKs help developers quickly get started with creating applications and customizing the software for their specific use cases.

Community Support

The Rk3399 has a vibrant and active open-source community, with numerous resources available for developers and enthusiasts, including:

• Community forums and discussion boards
• Open-source projects and code repositories
• Third-party hardware and software solutions
• Tutorials, guides, and blog posts

This strong community support ensures that developers can find the resources and assistance they need to successfully work with the Rk3399.

Rk3399 Applications

The Rk3399’s versatility and performance make it suitable for a wide range of applications, including:

1. Single-board computers: The Rk3399 is used in popular SBCs like the ASUS Tinker Board and the Firefly-RK3399, providing a powerful platform for hobbyists, developers, and educators.

2. Tablets and smartphones: The SoC’s multimedia capabilities and power efficiency make it well-suited for Android-based tablets and smartphones.

3. TV boxes and media players: The Rk3399’s 4K video decoding and HDR support enable the creation of high-performance TV boxes and media players.

4. Digital signage and interactive kiosks: The SoC’s support for multiple display interfaces and high-resolution video playback makes it ideal for digital signage and interactive kiosk applications.

5. Automotive infotainment systems: The Rk3399’s performance and peripheral interfaces make it suitable for use in automotive infotainment systems, providing features like navigation, media playback, and rear-seat entertainment.

6. Industrial automation and IoT: The SoC’s support for various operating systems and its wide range of interfaces make it a good choice for industrial automation and Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

FAQ

1. Q: What is the maximum supported RAM capacity for the Rk3399?
   A: The Rk3399 supports up to 8GB of LPDDR3/LPDDR4 RAM, with a maximum of 4GB per channel.

2. Q: Can the Rk3399 run Windows?
   A: While the Rk3399 does not officially support Windows, some developers have managed to run Windows 10 ARM on devices like the Chromebook Plus V2, which features an Rk3399 SoC.

3. Q: What is the typical power consumption of the Rk3399?
   A: The power consumption of the Rk3399 varies depending on the workload and clock frequencies. Typical power consumption ranges from 2W to 10W, with an average of around 5W.

4. Q: Does the Rk3399 support hardware video decoding for popular streaming services like Netflix and YouTube?
   A: Yes, the Rk3399 supports hardware video decoding for a wide range of codecs, including H.264, H.265, and VP9, which are commonly used by streaming services like Netflix and YouTube.

5. Q: Are there any development boards available for the Rk3399?
   A: Yes, there are several development boards based on the Rk3399, such as the ASUS Tinker Board, Firefly-RK3399, NanoPi M4, and Rock960, which provide a platform for developers to create and test applications for the SoC.

In conclusion, the Rockchip RK3399 is a powerful and versatile SoC that offers a comprehensive set of features, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. With its high-performance CPU and GPU, extensive multimedia capabilities, and diverse peripheral interfaces, the Rk3399 enables developers to create innovative and efficient devices across various sectors, including consumer electronics, industrial automation, and automotive systems. As the open-source community continues to grow and provide support for the platform, the Rk3399 is poised to remain a popular choice for developers and manufacturers alike.