Forge1 Product Introduction
Let’s get to know Forge1 in 5 minutes.
Overview
The RK3506J is a high-performance triple-core Cortex-A7 application processor designed for intelligent voice interaction, audio input/output processing, image output processing, and other digital multimedia applications.
It features an embedded 2D hardware engine and display output engine to minimize CPU overhead and meet image display requirements.
The processor integrates rich peripheral interfaces such as SAI, PDM, SPDIF, Audio DSM, Audio ADC, USB2 OTG, RMII, CAN, etc., enabling diverse application development while reducing hardware complexity and development costs.
Hardware Information
Hardware Interfaces
Hardware Specifications
Category | Specifications |
---|---|
SOC | |
CPU | |
GPU | |
Memory | |
Storage | |
Networking | |
Video Output | |
Audio | |
USB Interfaces | |
40-PIN | |
Power Supply | |
Buttons | |
OS | |
Dimensions | |
Operating Temperature |
RK3506J Block Diagram
RK3506J Block Diagram

Pin Definitions
40-PIN Header
GPIO Number | Function | Pin | Pin | Function | GPIO Number |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
+3.3V | 1 | 2 | +5.0V | ||
130 | I2C1_SDA_M0 / UART3_RTSN / I2S1_SDI3 / GPIO4_A2_d | 3 | 4 | +5.0V | |
131 | I2C1_SCL_M0 / UART3_CTSN / I2S1_SDI2 / GPIO4_A3_d | 5 | 6 | GND | |
1 | REF_CLK_OUT_M0 / GPIO0_A1 | 7 | 8 | UART0_TX_M0 / JTAG_MCU_TCK_M1 / JTAG_CPU_TCK_M1 / GPIO4_D0_d | 152 |
GND | 9 | 10 | UART0_RX_M0 / JTAG_MCU_TMS_M1 / JTAG_CPU_TMS_M1 / GPIO4_C7_u | 151 | |
0 | GPIO0_A0 | 11 | 12 | I2S1_SCLK / UART1_RTSN / GPIO4_A5_d | 133 |
13 | 14 | GND | |||
15 | 16 | ||||
+3.3V | 17 | 18 | |||
138 | SPI0_MOSI / PDM_SDI0 / I2S1_SDO3 / GPIO4_B2_d | 19 | 20 | GND | |
139 | SPI0_MISO / PDM_SDI2 / I2S1_SDI1 / GPIO4_B3_d | 21 | 22 | ||
140 | SPI0_CLK / I2S1_SDI0 / GPIO4_B4_d | 23 | 24 | SPI0_CSN0 / PWR_CTRL1 / GPIO4_B6_u | 142 |
GND | 25 | 26 | PWM6_M0 / SPI0_CSN1 / PDM_SDI3 / GPIO4_C1_d | 145 | |
147 | I2C0_SDA_M0 / PWM0_M0 / GPU_AVS / GPIO4_C3_d | 27 | 28 | ARM_AVS / PWM1_M0 / I2C0_SCL_M0 / GPIO4_C4_d | 148 |
29 | 30 | GND | |||
31 | 32 | GPIO4_C0 / PWM5_M0 / FEPHY_LED_LINK_M0 / UART3_TX_M1 | 144 | ||
143 | GPIO4_B7 / PWM4_M0 / FEPHY_LED_SPD_M0 / UART3_RX_M1 | 33 | 34 | GND | |
134 | UART1_TX_M0 / I2S1_LRCK / GPIO4_A6_d | 35 | 36 | ||
37 | 38 | GPIO3_B2 / SPI0_CLK / I2S1_SDI0 | 106 | ||
GND | 39 | 40 | GPIO4_A7_d / UART1_RX_M0 / I2S1_SDO0 | 135 |
Development Resources
SDK Source Code
Official Image
ArmSoM team uses Debian bullseye as the official operating system.
Download
The following systems have been tested and verified by ArmSoM official:
Network disk address:
Google Drive linkHardware Resources
User Manual
Setup Guide
Tools Required:
• 12V/2A power supply.
• USB Type-C cable (for eMMC flashing) or MicroSD card (≥8GB, Class 10).
• Optional: Debug serial port, Ethernet cable.Flashing Methods:
• eMMC Boot: Use USB Type-C for direct flashing.
• MicroSD Boot: Write OS image to SD card via reader.
Interface Usage
If this is your first time using the ArmSoM-Forge1 product, please familiarize yourself with its hardware interfaces to better understand subsequent content.
Hardware Interface | Forge1 |
---|
Debug Serial Port
Connect the USB-to-TTL serial cable as shown below:
Forge1 Pin | Connection | Serial Module |
---|---|---|
GND (Pin 6) | → | GND |
TX (Pin 8) | → | RX |
RX (Pin 10) | → | TX |
Ethernet Port
- Connect one end of an Ethernet cable to the Forge1's Ethernet port and the other end to a router. Ensure the network is available.
- The system will automatically assign an IP address to the Ethernet interface via DHCP on startup.
- To view the IP address in Forge1’s Linux system:
root@armsom:/# ip a
1: lo: <LOOPBACK,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 65536 qdisc noqueue state UNKNOWN group default qlen 1000
link/loopback 00:00:00:00:00:00 brd 00:00:00:00:00:00
inet 127.0.0.1/8 scope host lo
valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
2: can0: <NOARP,ECHO> mtu 16 qdisc noop state DOWN group default qlen 10
link/can
3: eth0: <NO-CARRIER,BROADCAST,MULTICAST,UP> mtu 1500 qdisc mq state DOWN group default qlen 1000
link/ether 9e:06:ad:d5:e3:91 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
4: eth1: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 1500 qdisc mq state UP group default qlen 1000
link/ether 7e:09:de:1d:0c:46 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
inet 192.168.1.150/24 brd 192.168.1.255 scope global dynamic noprefixroute eth1
valid_lft 43173sec preferred_lft 37773sec
- Use the
ping
command to verify network connectivity (pressCtrl+C
to exit):
root@armsom:/# ping www.baidu.com
PING www.baidu.com (183.2.172.17): 56 data bytes
64 bytes from 183.2.172.17: seq=0 ttl=52 time=10.838 ms
...
^C
--- www.baidu.com ping statistics ---
6 packets transmitted, 6 received, 0% packet loss
USB Interface
Model | Forge1 |
---|---|
USB | 1× Type-C (PD & Programming), 1× USB 2.0 HOST |
Testing USB Storage Devices
- Insert a USB flash drive or external HDD into the Forge1’s USB port.
- Verify detection with:
root@armsom:/# cat /proc/partitions | grep "sd*"
major minor #blocks name
8 0 122880000 sda
- Mount the USB drive:
root@armsom:/# sudo mount /dev/sda1 /test/
- Check usage and mount point:
root@armsom:/test# df -h | grep "sd"
/dev/sda 4.7G 4.7G 0 100% /test
Audio
List Audio Devices
root@armsom:/# aplay -l
**** List of PLAYBACK Hardware Devices ****
card 0: rockchiprk730 [rockchip-rk730], device 0: dailink-multicodecs HiFi-0
Recording
arecord -D hw:0,0 -f S16_LE -t wav -c2 -r 16000 -d 3 t.wav
Playback
aplay t.wav
RTC
• Forge1 includes an LK8563S RTC IC.
• Insert a 2-pin RTC battery to power the RTC.
Verify RTC Device
root@armsom:/# dmesg | grep rtc
[ 6.407133] rtc-hym8563 6-0051: registered as rtc0
Sync System Time to RTC
root@armsom:/# hwclock -r # Read RTC time
root@armsom:/# hwclock -w # Write system time to RTC
root@armsom:/# poweroff
Post-Reconnection Check
After reconnecting the RTC battery:
root@armsom:/# hwclock -r
2023-11-03 10:35:40.461910+00:00
root@armsom:/# date
Fri Nov 3 10:36:01 UTC 2023
MIPI DSI
• Maximum Resolution: 1280x1280@60fps.
CAN FD
List Network Interfaces
root@armsom:/# ifconfig -a
can0: <NOARP,MTU=16> ...
CAN Configuration
ip link set can0 down
ip link set can0 type can bitrate 1000000 dbitrate 3000000 fd on
ip -details link show can0
ip link set can0 up
CAN FD Testing
• Send Standard Frame:
cansend can0 123##1DEADBEEF
• Send Extended Frame:
cansend can0 00000123##1DEADBEEF
• Monitor CAN Messages:
candump can0 &
Availability
The Forge1 will remain in production until at least May 2035.
Purchase Samples
ArmSoM Official Website: https://www.armsom.org/product-page/forge1
ArmSoM Official AliExpress Store: https://aliexpress.com/item/3256807356692995.html
ArmSoM Official Taobao Store: https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=895906881225
For OEM & ODM, please contact: sales@armsom.org
Notes
- Before handling the device, please ensure you wear an anti-static wrist strap or take electrostatic discharge measures to prevent damage to the development board.
- Assembly should be performed in an electrostatic-safe environment, avoiding operations in dry and low-humidity conditions.
- When not in use, store the device in an anti-static bag and keep it in a suitably temperature-controlled, low-humidity environment to prevent static electricity buildup.
- When handling the device, avoid friction or collisions to prevent the generation of static electricity that could cause damage.
- When holding the device, try to avoid direct contact with the chips on the mainboard to prevent static damage.
- Do not plug or unplug wires or other devices while the device is operating to avoid damage from electrical surges.
- When connecting or disconnecting the GPIO/MIPI expansion interfaces, make sure to turn off the power and disconnect the power cable to prevent damage from electrical current.