Overview
pcDuino3 is a high performance, cost effective single board computer. It runs operation systems such as Ubuntu Linux and Android. pcDuino3 has HDMI interface to output its graphic desktop screen. It could support multi-format 1080p 60fps video decoder and 1080p 30fps H.264 and MPEG4 video encoder with its built-in hardware video processing engine. It targets specially the fast growing demands from the open source community. pcDuino3 provides easy-to-use tool chains and is compatible with the popular Arduino ecosystem such as Arduino Shields.
Features & Highlights:
- 100% compatible with original Arduino Shields
- 100% compatible with Linux and Android
- Further support for:
- C, C ++ with GNU tool
- Java with standard Android SDK Python
- Arduino pin header, Aduino UNO Slots: 14x GPIO, 2x PW M, 6x ADC, 1x UART, 1xSPI, 1x I2C
- Ethernet 10M/100Mbps, WiFi, SATA
The pcDuino3 is the universal genius among the SBCs. The aim of the developers was to create a powerful open-source hardware device that can be widely used in various applications. All these targets are achieved with the pcDuino3.
The AllWinner-A20 CPU in conjunction with the Mali-400 GPU delivers enough power to handle multimedia (FULL HD) or office applications smoothly and quickly. Thus the pcDuino3 can handle the same tasks like a classic PC under Linux or Android, or ne used as a Media Center with infrared remote control. It needs to be noted that LINUX Ubuntu 12.04, XBMC Media Center, Scratch and Arduino IDE are already installed on the integrated 4GB flash memory. You can immediately begin working with the pcDuino3 without any installations perform.
This device has a microSD card reader available, and can also be booted from a microSD card (e.g. Android 4.2.2). In general, the device will boot first from the Flash memory. If a microSD card is inserted with an operating system, then the device will boot from it. You can also use the SD card slot as well as a memory expansion (up to 32GB) over the possible SSD or hard drive connected by the existing SATA interface.
Another highlight is the compatibility with all Arduino Shields. Those can be immediately installed on the pcDuino3. There exists a translational Board for 5V Shields if needed. Arduino IDE is also preinstalled. You can directly “go for it” to run Ardunio scripts. The device also preinstall the “SCRATCH” programming language that is widely used in schools and universities. It provides programming newbie and kids a simple introduction to the World of programming and electronics. Similar as “Lego,” it uses a graphical user interface with all kinds of “program blocks” to do a whole program. So if first successes are achieved in an instant, the desire is to make MORE.
Unlike other single board computers with only digital inputs/outputs, the pcDuino3 is also equipped with 6 analog inputs/outputs. They can be used to control analog devices like the Arduino temperature sensors, light sensors, and much more. Another interesting feature of the pcDuino3 is the built-in USB OTG interface. It provides an option to be accessed from a connected Windows PC with a USB network interface via VNC-Remote Desktop software installed on the pcDuino3. Thus, the pcDuino3 can be operated without screen, which is a very useful feature for some applications, e.g., specific measurement or control tasks.
Since the pcDuino3 is designed for 24/7 suitable, and can be deployed with an outside temperature range of up to 80 degrees, it is very suitable for professional and industrial applications. Lithium polymer battery can be connected and loaded by the existing standard battery interface. This makes far-reaching, mobile applications possible. With the existing LVDS interface, LCD monitors can be operated directly. Furthermore, the pcDuino3 has a CSI port to connect to a CSI camera, as an extra option beside USB cameras.
The device is completely open source, so users can program their own projects without any restrictions. For this purpose, there are a lot of detailed Information, circuit diagrams and programming examples on the homepage of pcDuino3.
Hardware Specifications
| Items | pcDuino3 | pcDuino3B |
| Picture |  |
pcDuino3B has a large integrated RJ45 port |
| CPU | AllWinner A20 SoC, 1GHz ARM Cortex A7 Dual Core | AllWinner A20 SoC, 1GHz ARM Cortex A7 Dual Core |
| GPU | OpenGL ES2.0, OpenVG 1.1, Mali 400 Dual Core | OpenGL ES2.0, OpenVG 1.1, Mali 400 Dual Core |
| DRAM | 1GB | 1GB |
| Onboard Storage | 4GB Flash, microSD card (TF) slot for up to 32GB | 4GB Flash, microSD card (TF) slot for up to 32GB |
| Video Output | HDMI 1.4 with HDCP support | HDMI 1.4 with HDCP support |
| OS |
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| Arduino extension interface | Arduino sockets, same as Arduino UNO 14xGPIO, 2xPWM, 6xADC, 1xUART, 1xSPI, 1xI2C |
Arduino sockets, same as Arduino UNO 14xGPIO, 2xPWM, 6xADC, 1xUART, 1xSPI, 1xI2C |
| Network interface |
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| Audio out |
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| LCD | LVDS | LVDS |
| IR | IR receiver | IR receiver |
| SATA | SATA Host socket | SATA Host socket |
| Camera | CSI | CSI |
| Battery | Li-Poly Battery Interface | Li-Poly Battery Interface |
| USB | 1 x USB host, 1xUSB OTG | 1 x USB host, 1xUSB OTG |
| Power | 5V, 2000mA | 5V, 2000mA |
| Overall Size | 121mm x 65mm | 121mm x 65mm |
| Image download | Image for pcDuino3 | Image for pcDuino3B |
Software Specifications
| Items | Description |
| OS |
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| Language |
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| API |
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| Programming language support |
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Download:
- Review of pcDuino3 (I)
- Review of pcDuino3 (II)
- Review of pcDuino3 (III)
- Review of pcDuino3 (IV)
- Review of pcDuino3 (V)
- Review of pcDuino3 (VI)
Software
Hardware
- Schematic of pcDuino3
- DXF files of pcDuino3, DXF files for pcDuino3B
- Definition of Camera Interface on pcDuino3
- Chargeable Battery Connector for pcDuino3
- LCD LVDS Connector of pcDuino3
- Explanation of pcDuino3 headers
- EPS file for Acrylic pcDuino3 enclosure.
LVDS LCD screen:
Book:
Remote Access to pcDuino: