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Hardware interface

This document describes the board's hardware interfaces.

Chip block diagram​

System block diagram​

Interface Overview​

rock 5a real
No.DescriptionNo.DescriptionNo.Description
1Micro HDMI2Reset Header (Unsoldered)3Maskrom Header (Unsoldered)
4Headphone Jack5USB 2.0 Type-A6Fan Header
7Up: USB 3.0 Type-A(OTG)
Down: USB 3.0 Type-A(HOST)		8Gigabit Ethernet port
- Supports PoE, requires PoE HAT		9PoE Header
10eMMC & SPI Flash Connector11Rockchip RK3588S SoC12Micro HDMI
13M.2 E Key 2230 Slot14USB Type-C Power15Status LED
16Power LED17Power Button18MIPI DSI
1940-Pin GPIO Header20LPDDR4X Memory21MIPI CSI
22microSD Card Slot

Interface Details​

40-Pin GPIO Header​

The ROCK 5A features an onboard 40-pin GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) header, providing flexible hardware expansion.

GPIO Functions​

GPIO numberFunction7Function6Function5Function4Function3Function2Function1Pin#Pin#Function1Function2Function3Function4Function5Function6Function7GPIO number
+3.3V
1
2
+5.0V
63PWM15_IR_M3I2C8_SDA_M2GPIO1_D7
3
4
+5.0V
62PWM14_M2I2C8_SCL_M2GPIO1_D6
5
6
GND
43UART4_TX_M2GPIO1_B3
7
8
GPIO0_B5
UART2_TX_M0
I2C1_SCL_M0I2S1_MCLK_M113
GND
9
10
GPIO0_B6
UART2_RX_M0
I2C1_SDA_M0I2S1_SCLK_M114
139I2S1_SDO2_M0PWM15_IR_M1I2C7_SDA_M3UART8_CTSN_M0GPIO4_B3
11
12
GPIO4_A1I2S1_SCLK_M0SPI0_MOSI_M1129
138SPI0_CS0_M1I2S1_SDO1_M0PWM14_M1I2C7_SCL_M3UART8_RTSN_M0GPIO4_B2
13
14
GND
140I2S1_SDO3_M0SPDIF0_TX_M1PWM11_IR_M1GPIO4_B4
15
16
GPIO1_A5SPI2_MOSI_M037
+3.3V
17
18
GPIO1_B0SPI2_CS1_M040
33SPI4_MOSI_M2I2C2_SCL_M4UART6_TX_M1GPIO1_A1
19
20
GND
32SPI4_MISO_M2I2C2_SDA_M4UART6_RX_M1GPIO1_A0
21
22
GPIO1_B5UART7_TX_M2SPI0_CS1_M245
34SPI4_CLK_M2PWM0_M2I2C4_SDA_M3UART6_RTSN_M1GPIO1_A2
23
24
GPIO1_A3UART6_CTSN_M1I2C4_SCL_M3PWM1_M2SPI4_CS0_M235
GND
25
26
GPIO1_A4SPI2_MISO_M036
23SPI0_MISO_M0I2S1_SDI2_M1PWM6_M0I2C6_SDA_M0GPIO0_C7
27
28
GPIO0_D0I2C6_SCL_M0PWM7_IR_M0I2S1_SDI3_M1SPI3_MISO_M224
42SPI0_MOSI_M2UART4_RX_M2GPIO1_B2
29
30
GND
41SPI0_MISO_M2GPIO1_B1
31
32
GPIO4_B0UART8_TX_M0I2C6_SDA_M3I2S1_SDI3_M0SPI2_CS1_M1136
44SPI0_CS0_M2UART7_RX_M2GPIO1_B4
33
34
GND
128SPI0_MISO_M1I2S1_MCLK_M0GPIO4_A0
35
36
GPIO4_A2I2S1_LRCK_M0SPI0_CLK_M1130
SARADC_VIN2
37
38
GPIO4_A5I2C3_SDA_M2I2S1_SDI0_M0133
GND
39
40
GPIO4_B1UART8_RX_M0I2C6_SCL_M3SPDIF1_TX_M1I2S1_SDO0_M0SPI0_CS1_M1137

USB function configuration on 40-pin header​

On the ROCK 5A 40-pin header, the following pins can be configured for USB 2.0:

  • USB4_DM: pin 28, resistor location R104.
  • USB4_DP: pin 27, resistor location R106.

By default, pin 27 can be configured in software for functions such as GPIO0_C7 (see the 40-pin pinout), while the USB4_DP signal is not enabled in hardware. Pin 28 can be configured in software for functions such as GPIO0_D0 (see the 40-pin pinout), and the USB4_DM signal is also not enabled in hardware. To switch these pins to USB mode, modify the reserved resistors as follows:

  • Remove the 0-ohm resistors at R169 and R170.
  • Solder 0-ohm resistors to R104 and R106.
tip

Schematics and reference designators are available in the hardware resources: Hardware download

[Operation note]

This operation requires soldering skills. It is recommended to be performed by experienced technicians.

Gigabit Ethernet​

The ROCK 5A features one onboard Gigabit Ethernet port. It supports Power over Ethernet (PoE) when used with a PoE HAT, and provides 10/100/1000 Mbps auto-negotiation.

LEDStatusDescription
OrangeOnLink established (connected to network)
GreenBlinkData transmission (network activity)
Off-No link detected (cable unplugged or network issue)

USB​

The ROCK 5A features two USB 2.0 Type-A ports, two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, and one USB Type-C port.

  • USB 2.0 Type-A: used for connecting USB devices such as a mouse, keyboard, or USB flash drive.
  • USB 3.0 Type-A: used for connecting USB devices. One USB 3.0 port supports OTG.
  • USB Type-C: power input port, compatible with PD and QC.

Fan header​

The board features an onboard 2-pin 1.25 mm fan header with PWM control. You can connect an active cooler to improve heat dissipation and maintain optimal performance.

Headphone jack​

The board features a 4-pole 3.5 mm headphone jack with microphone input.

Micro HDMI​

The board features two Micro HDMI ports for connecting displays, with output up to 8K@60Hz.

eMMC & SPI Flash connector​

Supports installing either an eMMC module or an SPI Flash module. The two are mutually exclusive, and only one can be installed at a time.

M.2 E Key connector​

Supports installing an M.2 E Key 2230 Wi-Fi/Bluetooth module.

Status LEDs​

The board includes one power LED and one status LED.

  • Power LED: solid green indicates normal power.
  • Status LED: blinking blue indicates normal system boot.

Power button​

Used to control the system power state (power on/off).

MIPI CSI​

The board features one 4-lane MIPI CSI connector for connecting MIPI CSI cameras.

MIPI CSI connector specifications:

  • Connector type: 31-pin, 0.3 mm pitch, SMD right-angle FPC connector
  • Connection: flip-lock, bottom contact

MIPI DSI​

The board features one MIPI DSI connector for connecting MIPI DSI displays.

MIPI DSI connector specifications:

  • Connector type: 39-pin, 0.3 mm pitch, SMD right-angle FPC connector
  • Connection: flip-lock, bottom contact

Maskrom Header​

Short the Maskrom header before powering on the board, then power it using a power adapter to enter Maskrom mode.

Recovery Header​

Short the Recovery header before powering on the board, then power it using a power adapter to enter Recovery mode.

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