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Rhino A1 Mini Carrier Board Introduction ​

Product Overview ​

The Rhino A1 Mini carrier board is equipped with the Rhino Core Q64 smart module. The carrier board provides a 1G RJ45 port, Wi-Fi 6 / Bluetooth 5.4, 4 × USB Type-A, Micro HDMI, MIPI DSI and dual MIPI CSI interfaces. The 40-pin expansion header provides I2C, I2S, SPI, UART and GPIO signals; the PCIe FPC connector supports external PCIe devices; and the Micro SD / TF card socket can be used for storage expansion. PoE power requires a compatible HAT.

The 85 mm × 56 mm board outline makes it easy to integrate into space-constrained devices, and is suitable for digital signage, touch-interactive terminals, robot perception, industrial vision and edge AI application development.

Product Appearance ​

Photo of the Rhino A1 Mini carrier board: Rhino A1 Mini carrier board

Interface Diagrams ​

Rhino A1 Mini carrier board front interface diagram

Rhino A1 Mini carrier board back interface diagram

Physical Dimensions ​

Physical dimensions

ItemParameter
Board outline reference size85mm × 56mm (±0.5mm)
PCB thickness1.2mm (±10%)
Mounting hole specificationΦ2.5mm × 4 (±10% on hole diameter, marked R1.25 × 4)

For detailed dimension information, contact the APLUX FAE to obtain the DXF document. Enclosure design should also account for connector protrusions and assembly clearance.

Specification List ​

CategorySpecification
Core BoardRhino Core Q64 Smart Module (A6490MA1)
Memory / Storage8GB LPDDR5 + 64GB eMMC 5.1 (actual configuration subject to order)
TF CardPlug-in TF card socket
USB4 × USB Type-A: 1 × USB 3.0 + 3 × USB 2.0
DisplayMicro HDMI (Type D) connector; MIPI DSI display interface
Camera2 × MIPI CSI, both 4-lane, 22-pin FPC connectors
Ethernet1 × Gigabit RJ45; PoE power requires a compatible HAT
WirelessWi-Fi 6 / Bluetooth 5.4, onboard FCU760K module
PCIe1 × PCIe, 16-pin FPC connector
Expansion40-pin, 2.54mm dual-row header (I2C, I2S, SPI, UART, GPIO)
ButtonsFlashing key (RECOVERY) and power key
Power Input12V/2A, Type-C interface or J12 pin header (do not use both at the same time)
DebugExternal 3.3V serial debug support
EnvironmentOperating temperature reference range -20°C ~ 50°C, humidity 0%~95% (non-condensing)
DimensionsBoard outline reference size 85mm × 56mm

Functions and Interface Definitions ​

J6 & J12 Power Input Interfaces ​

J6 & J12 power input interfaces

The board is powered through the J6 Type-C interface or the J12 pin header, with a reference power configuration of 12V/2A. The two inputs must not be used at the same time. When using a Type-C adapter, make sure it can supply 12V and at least 2A to the board, and use adapters and cables validated with the board. When powering external devices at the same time, verify the overall power budget.

[J6] Type-C power input interface.

[J12] 1×3-pin, 2.54mm pin header, where PIN3 is PWR_KEY and can be connected to an external power button.

PIN Definition:

Pin#DefinitionNote
1VCC_12V12V input
2GNDDigital ground
3PWR_KEYPower-on signal

J11 RTC Interface ​

J11 RTC interface

[J11] RTC backup battery interface. An external backup battery is required to use the RTC function. It is a 1×2×1.25mm locking connector, manufacturer: JST, model: SM02B-GHS-TB(LF)(SN).

PIN Definition:

Pin#DefinitionNote
1GNDDigital ground
2VBATRTC battery

J5 FAN Interface ​

J5 FAN interface

The J5 interface outputs 5V to the fan, with a maximum output current of 1A. The fan load should be included in the overall power budget.

[J5] Fan power socket (1×2-pin, 1.25mm), manufacturer: XUNPU, model: WAFER-GH1.25-2PLB.

PIN Definition:

Pin#DefinitionNote
15V5V DC power output
2GNDPower ground

J7 TF Card Socket ​

J7 TF card socket

[J7] Plug-in standard TF card socket, supporting SD v3.0 (backward compatible with 2.0).

J1 & J2 USB Interfaces ​

J1 & J2 USB interfaces

J1 is a dual-deck Type-A interface providing one USB 2.0 and one USB 3.0 port. The USB 2.0 port is expanded through an onboard USB 2.0 hub, while the USB 3.0 port uses the SoC's native path; each port has its own load switch with a 1.2A current limit.

J2 provides two USB 2.0 ports expanded through the hub; both ports share one load switch with a combined 1A current limit. The actual available power per port is also constrained by the overall system power budget.

U15 Micro HDMI Connector ​

U15 Micro HDMI connector

[U15] Micro HDMI connector (HDMI Type D interface).

J55 MIPI DSI Interface ​

J55 MIPI DSI interface

[J55] The DSI interface is 4lane, using a double-sided-contact, flip-type 31PIN FPC connector. Manufacturer: HRS, model: FH35C-31S-0.3SHW(50).

PIN Definition:

Pin#DefinitionNote
1LEDABacklight anode
2LEDABacklight anode
3LEDABacklight anode
4--
5--
6LEDKBacklight cathode
7LEDKBacklight cathode
8LEDKBacklight cathode
9GNDDigital ground
10GNDDigital ground
11LN2_PMIPI DSI data signal
12LN2_MMIPI DSI data signal
13GNDDigital ground
14LN1_PMIPI DSI data signal
15LN1_MMIPI DSI data signal
16GNDDigital ground
17CLK_PMIPI DSI clock signal
18CLK_MMIPI DSI clock signal
19GNDDigital ground
20LN0_PMIPI DSI data signal
21LN0_MMIPI DSI data signal
22GNDDigital ground
23LN3_PMIPI DSI data signal
24LN3_MMIPI DSI data signal
25GNDDigital ground
26--
27ResetDisplay reset signal
28--
29VDD1V8LCD 1.8V IO power
303V3_LCDLCD 3.3V power
313V3_LCDLCD 3.3V power

[J13] is the TP connector supporting I2C, using a flip-type FPC connector. Manufacturer: HRS, model: FH34SRJ-6S-0.5SH(50).

PIN Definition:

Pin#DefinitionNote
1I2C_SCLI2C clock signal, 3.3V
2I2C_SDAI2C data signal, 3.3V
3GNDDigital ground
4TP_RSTTP reset signal
5TP_INTTP interrupt signal
6VCC_3V33.3V power output

J22 & J23 Camera Connectors ​

J22 & J23 camera connectors

J22 & J23 are camera connectors with identical signal definitions, both supporting MIPI 4Lane CSI with up to 2.5Gbps per lane. They are 1×22×0.5mm vertical drawer-type FPC connectors. Manufacturer: HDGC, model: 0.5K-A-22PB.

PIN Definition:

Pin#DefinitionNote
1GNDDigital ground
2LN0_MDifferential data signal
3LN0_PDifferential data signal
4GNDDigital ground
5LN1_MDifferential data signal
6LN1_PDifferential data signal
7GNDDigital ground
8CLK_MDifferential clock signal
9CLK_PDifferential clock signal
10GNDDigital ground
11LN2_MDifferential data signal
12LN2_PDifferential data signal
13GNDDigital ground
14LN3_MDifferential data signal
15LN3_PDifferential data signal
16GNDDigital ground
17RSTReset signal
18LEDLED signal
19GNDDigital ground
20SCLI2C bus clock signal
21SDAI2C bus data signal
22CAM_3V33.3V power output

J3 Ethernet Port ​

J3 Ethernet port

[J3] 1G Ethernet port with POE; the POE function requires a HAT.

J10 PCIe Interface ​

J10 PCIe interface

[J10] is a PCIe interface using a vertical drawer-type FPC connector. Manufacturer: XUNPU, model: FPC-0.5AL-16PB.

PIN Definition:

Pin#DefinitionNote
1PCIE_5V5V output, can power PCIe peripherals, 1.2A
2PCIE_5V-
3GNDDigital ground
4PCIE_CLK_PPCIe clock signal
5PCIE_CLK_N-
6GNDDigital ground
7PCIE_RX_PPCIe data receive signal
8PCIE_RX_N-
9GNDDigital ground
10PCIE_TX_PPCIe data transmit signal
11PCIE_TX_N-
12GNDDigital ground
13PCIE_PWR_ENPCIe peripheral power enable signal
14PCIE_DET_WAKEPCIe wake signal
15PCIE_CLKREQ_NPCIe clock request signal
16PCIE_RST_BPCIe reset signal

CON1 Expansion Interface ​

CON1 expansion interface

[CON1] External expansion interface, using a 40PIN 2.54mm pitch dual-row header. It can expand I2C, I2S, SPI and UART functions, and can also be used as GPIO. The interface level is 3.3V.

PIN Definition:

Pin#DefinitionNote
1VCC_3V33.3V output
2VCC_5V_EXT5V output
3GPIO44_I2C_SDA_3V3GPIO44, default I2C0
4VCC_5V_EXT5V output
5GPIO45_I2C_SCL_3V3GPIO45, default I2C0
6GNDDigital ground
7GPIO96_MI2S0_MCLK_3V3GPIO96, default I2S
8DEBUG_UART_TX_3V3Debug serial
9GNDDigital ground
10DEBUG_UART_RX_3V3Debug serial
11GPIO25_SPI_MOSI_3V3GPIO25, default SPI0
12GPIO97_MI2S0_SCLK_3V3GPIO97, default I2S
13GPIO16_I2C_SDA_3V3GPIO16, default I2C1
14GNDDigital ground
15GPIO17_I2C_SCL_3V3GPIO17, default I2C1
16GPIO6_UART1_TX_3V3GPIO6, default serial ttyHS0
17VCC_3V33.3V output
18GPIO7_UART1_RX_3V3GPIO7, default serial ttyHS0
19GPIO49_SPI1_MOSI_3V3GPIO49, default SPI1
20GNDDigital ground
21GPIO48_SPI1_MISO_3V3GPIO48, default SPI1
22GPIO57_FP_SPI_MOSI_3V3GPIO57, default SPI2
23GPIO50_SPI1_CLK_3V3GPIO50, default SPI1
24GPIO51_SPI1_CS0_N_3V3GPIO51, default SPI1
25GNDDigital ground
26GPIO55_SPI1_CS1_N_3V3GPIO55, default SPI1
27GPIO0_I2C_SDA_3V3GPIO0, default I2C2
28GPIO1_I2C_SCL_3V3GPIO1, default I2C2
29GPIO27_SPI_CS_3V3GPIO27, default SPI0
30GNDDigital ground
31GPIO24_SPI_MISO_3V3GPIO24, default SPI0
32GPIO26_SPI_SCLK_3V3GPIO26, default SPI0
33GPIO56_FP_SPI_MISO_3V3GPIO56, default SPI2
34GNDDigital ground
35GPIO100_MI2S0_WS_3V3GPIO100, default I2S
36GPIO59_FP_SPI_CS_3V3GPIO59, default SPI2
37GPIO58_FP_SPI_CLK_3V3GPIO58, default SPI2
38GPIO98_MI2S0_DATA0_3V3GPIO98, default I2S
39GNDDigital ground
40GPIO99_MI2S0_DATA1_3V3GPIO99, default I2S

Note:

  1. All the above function pins can be configured as GPIO with a 3.3V level; ensure level matching when connecting external devices. The exact function depends on the system version and pin multiplexing settings; power and ground pins are not used as GPIO.
  2. The 3.3V and 5V outputs can supply up to 1A in total on each power rail, which must be shared across the corresponding rail; it must not be counted as 1A per power pin.
  3. The I2C, SPI and UART numbers above are the port numbers in the system.

J14 4-Pole Headset Jack ​

J14 4-pole headset jack

CTIA standard definition

[J14] 4-pole 3.5mm headphone/microphone jack (CTIA standard).

J4 Speaker Interface ​

J4 speaker interface

[J4] Speaker interface, 1×2×1.25mm, connector model: WAFER-GH1.25-2PLB, manufacturer: XUNPU. It has an onboard power amplifier with a maximum output of 3.24W×1@4Ω.

PIN Definition:

Pin#DefinitionNote
1VO-Negative BTL audio output
2VO+Positive BTL audio output

WiFi/BT Antenna Interfaces ​

WiFi/BT antenna interfaces

[ANT1, ANT2] Antenna interfaces for the onboard FCU760K wireless module (iPEX Gen 1). The module supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4. Antennas and coaxial pigtails must match the onboard RF connectors and be connected according to the corresponding RF port definitions.

SW1 Flashing Mode Button ​

SW1 flashing mode button

[SW1] SMD flashing button. Press and hold it, then power on for about 3 seconds and release to enter flashing mode.

SW2 Power Button ​

SW2 power button

[SW2] Power-on button.

LED ​

LED

The board has one red LED and one green LED. During normal boot the green LED stays on, and the red LED lights up when the system is abnormal.

Precautions ​

Please note the following key points when assembling and using the carrier board:

  • Relative humidity: 0~95% non-condensing.
  • Operating temperature reference range: -20°C ~ 50°C; the whole device should complete thermal design and functional validation under the target environment and full business load.
  • Storage temperature: -45°C ~ 80°C.
  • ESD protection is required during assembly and transportation.
  • Cables connected to the board's interfaces must not be too long, otherwise signal quality may be affected.
  • Do not twist or apply heavy pressure to the board during assembly to avoid deformation.
  • Never allow a short circuit between the bare board and other peripherals.
  • When connecting external GPIO, UART, I2C or SPI devices, match the signal I/O levels and drive capability. When powering peripherals from interface power pins, observe the current limits specified in each interface section, and verify the combined load on the same power rail and the overall power budget. The speaker must be connected across VO+ and VO-; neither end of the BTL output may be connected to system ground.

Document Information

  • Document name: Rhino A1 Mini Development Board Product Specification
  • Product name: Rhino A1 Mini
  • Product code: A6490PZ2-YSQM01
  • Version: V1.2
  • Revision date: 2026-10-16
  • Scope: The development board and whole-device integration projects based on this hardware platform