▎Introduction

The embedded computing field has always been intensely competitive, with the RK3568 and Raspberry Pi 4 standing out as two highly anticipated platforms that have garnered widespread attention. This article will provide a comprehensive comparison of the RK3568 and Raspberry Pi 4, covering aspects such as processor performance, expandability, power consumption, and software support, to help readers better understand the advantages and suitable application scenarios of these two platforms.

▎RK3568

After years of development, Rockchip has built a rich product line in general-purpose processors, machine vision, and other fields, capable of meeting the industry demands of various scenarios. At its 2020 Developer Conference, Rockchip unveiled the RK3568 chip. This chip features a 22nm process technology, a quad-core A55 architecture CPU (up to 2.0GHz), a Mali G52 2EE graphics processor (800MHz), a built-in NPU providing 1 TOPS of computing power, and support for various high-speed peripheral interfaces. It supports Linux and Android systems and is primarily aimed at industry-specific markets such as IoT gateways, industrial control tablets, and in-vehicle infotainment systems.

▎Raspberry Pi 4

Released in 2019, the Raspberry Pi 4 features the Broadcom BCM2711 processor. This processor utilizes 28nm process technology, a quad-core A72 architecture (up to 1.5GHz), a VideoCore GPU (500MHz), and various peripheral interfaces. It supports multiple operating systems and is primarily aimed at industry application scenarios such as media centers, IoT devices, and robotics.

Now that we've briefly introduced the RK3568 and Raspberry Pi 4, what are their differences? Let's take a look!

▎RK3568 VS Raspberry Pi 4: Processor Performance

Processor performance is one of the most critical indicators for embedded computing platforms, determining the operating speed and responsiveness of embedded devices. As embedded systems are applied in an increasingly wide range of scenarios, the demands for processor performance are also growing.

The RK3568 features a quad-core ARM Cortex-A55 architecture CPU (up to 2.0GHz) and a Mali-G52 GPU (800MHz).

The Raspberry Pi 4 is equipped with the Broadcom BCM2711 chip, featuring a quad-core Cortex-A72 CPU (1.5GHz) and a VideoCore VI GPU (500MHz). In terms of processor performance, the RK3568 has a slight edge in multi-core performance, while the Raspberry Pi 4 shows a slight advantage in single-core performance. However, actual application performance depends on specific scenarios and requirements, so readers should choose based on their own application needs.

▎RK3568 VS Raspberry Pi 4: Expandability

The expandability of embedded platforms is crucial for addressing diverse tasks and applications. The RK3568 offers a rich set of interfaces, including USB 3.0, PCIe, MIPI DSI, and CSI, capable of meeting the connection requirements for various peripherals and sensors.

The Raspberry Pi 4 also features a wide range of expansion interfaces, including USB 3.0, GPIO, HDMI, and CSI. However, the Raspberry Pi 4 is slightly less expandable, especially concerning storage, offering only MicroSD card expansion. In contrast, the RK3568 supports NVMe and eMMC storage expansion, providing greater flexibility for data storage.

▎RK3568 VS Raspberry Pi 4: Power Consumption

Power consumption is another important consideration for embedded computing platforms. The RK3568 uses a 20nm process technology, offering relatively good power control and capable of delivering strong performance at low power consumption. The Raspberry Pi 4, on the other hand, uses the BCM2711 chip with a 28nm process, resulting in relatively higher power consumption. For application scenarios where power consumption is a critical factor, the RK3568 may offer a greater advantage.

▎RK3568 VS Raspberry Pi 4: Software Support

Software support for embedded platforms directly impacts the developer and user experience. The Raspberry Pi 4 is based on the Raspberry Pi OS operating system, boasting extensive community support and a rich software ecosystem, making it suitable for beginners and hobbyists. The RK3568, based on Linux and Android operating systems, offers broad software support and development resources, making it suitable for professional developers and commercial applications. Therefore, choosing the appropriate platform and software support based on individual needs and development experience is crucial.

▎Conclusion

In summary, both the RK3568 and Raspberry Pi 4 possess their own characteristics and advantages in terms of processing performance, expandability, power consumption, and software support. The RK3568 holds a slight advantage in processing performance and storage expandability, making it suitable for applications with higher performance and storage requirements. The Raspberry Pi 4, on the other hand, has an advantage in software support and community ecosystem, making it suitable for educational, entertainment, and beginner applications. Choosing the right platform based on personal needs and project requirements is key. Regardless of the platform chosen, the future of embedded computing will undoubtedly become more exciting due to continuous innovation and development.

CODESYS's close partners, Xinmai VS Weintek, have once again made a significant move, not only supporting IoT communication protocols like MQTT / OPC UA that aid in the digital transformation of factories, but also offering solutions that enable HMIs to replace PLCs for control at the field execution layer.

Distributed I/O Applications

In factory automation, whether for product manufacturing, processing equipment, or complete flexible production lines, designers typically rely on HMIs, PLCs, and I/O modules for development, testing, and debugging programs to control various digital and analog quantities such as sensors, motors, and signal lights.

One Machine, Multiple Functions: Your HMI is Your PLC

To meet market demands, we support CODESYS integration, providing programmable control solutions that embed PLC control logic into HMIs, enabling HMI-based CODESYS control of remote I/O.

Advantages of the CODESYS Solution

Decentralized Control

In factory production lines, Weintek I/O modules can be installed closer to the signal distribution. Under permissible network conditions, the distance between modules can reach approximately 100 meters. When a production line needs expansion, only one network cable is required to add a module.

▎RK3568 Core Board VS Raspberry Pi 4: Partial Parameter Comparison

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