ArmSoM has introduced the Forge1, an industrial-grade single-board computer priced at $23, designed to cater to embedded applications such as smart audio, human-machine interfaces , and factory automation. The Forge1 is powered by the Rockchip RK3506J system-on-chip , featuring a triple-core Cortex-A7 processor capable of reaching speeds up to 1.5 GHz, complemented by an Arm Cortex-M0 real-time core. This configuration is tailored for tasks requiring efficient processing and real-time responsiveness.
The board comes equipped with 512MB of DDR3L memory and 512MB of SPI NAND flash storage, with additional expansion available via a MicroSD card slot. For display needs, the Forge1 offers a 2-lane MIPI DSI connector supporting resolutions up to 1280 x 1280 at 60 frames per second. Audio capabilities include a 3.5mm jack, as well as speaker and microphone interfaces accessible through expansion headers.
Networking is facilitated by two 100Mbps Ethernet ports, enhancing connectivity options for industrial environments. The SBC also features a USB Type-C port dedicated to power delivery and programming, alongside a USB 2.0 host port for peripheral connections. Expansion is further supported by a 40-pin GPIO header, offering interfaces such as UART, SPI, I2C, I2S, and PWM, which are largely compatible with Raspberry Pi HATs. Additionally, a 12-pin header provides access to speaker, microphone, RS-485, and CAN Bus functionalities.
ArmSoM provides a Linux Software Development Kit for the Forge1, based on Buildroot and Linux kernel version 6.1.99, operating on the Cortex-A7 cores. The Cortex-M0 core runs the RT-Thread real-time operating system, offering developers a robust platform for creating and deploying applications. Comprehensive documentation is available, detailing hardware specifications, pin configurations, and guidelines for utilizing features such as the serial console, real-time clock , audio interfaces, and CAN Bus.
