Rock motherboard

Introduction The modern world increasingly relies on embedded computing systems that deliver high performance within compact, power-efficient designs. From autonomous drones to industrial control units and AI-powered devices, embedded computers are the silent engines driving innovation. Among the many processors catering to this field, Rockchip’s RK3588 stands out as a powerhouse system-on-chip (SoC), offering exceptional computational capabilities, GPU performance, and connectivity options.
This project focuses on the design and development of a custom motherboard centered around the RK3588 processor. The primary goal is to create a compact, high-performance embedded platform capable of serving in diverse applications such as robotics, smart vision systems, and edge computing. Unlike off-the-shelf single board computers (SBCs), this custom design aims to provide tailored functionality, optimized power management, and expansion flexibility.

Throughout the project, I encountered challenges in schematic design, component selection, power sequencing, and layout optimization, but also gained deep insights into modern embedded system desigThis journal documents the entire process—starting from the conceptual stage to prototype validation—while reflecting on the technical, practical, and creative aspects that shaped the final outcome.

2 Project Objectives

The project had both technical and design objectives:

Design a functional schematic of a custom RK3588 motherboard with essential peripherals and expansion options.

Develop a compact PCB layout, ensuring signal integrity, power stability, and thermal management.

Integrate various interfaces, including USB, Ethernet, MIPI camera inputs, HDMI outputs, and PCIe expansion.

How I Made the Project (Simple Design Process)

Research
Before designing anything, I spent time learning about the RK3588:

I read the hardware guides, datasheets, and reference designs.

I noted the power requirements, memory layout rules, and boot process.

I made a simple block diagram showing everything the board needed: the processor, RAM, power chips, USB, HDMI, Ethernet, storage, and debug ports.

This step helped me understand what I was getting into and what could go wrong.

Schematic Design
Next, I opened my PCB design software and started building the schematic.

Power System

The RK3588 needs many different voltages. I used the recommended PMIC (power management chip) and added all the required capacitors and power rails.

Memory

I added two LPDDR4 chips. These need special wiring rules, so I followed the guidelines carefully.

Interfaces

I added connectors and chips for:

USB 3

Ethernet

HDMI

PCIe

SD card

eMMC storage

Debug UART

I double-checked everything with the Rockchip reference board.

PCB Layout
This was the longest part.

Placing the Main Chips

I placed the RK3588 in the center and the memory chips close to it. They must be close because the wires need to be short and matched in length.

Routing High-Speed Signals

USB, PCIe, HDMI, and memory all have strict rules for routing. I:

Matched trace lengths

Kept the correct impedance

Used an 8-layer PCB layout

Added solid ground planes

Power Routing

I made sure the power traces were wide and placed decoupling capacitors near the processor pins.

After finishing, I ran design rule checks to make sure nothing violated the PCB manufacturer limits.

Manufacturing & Assembly
I sent the Gerber files to a PCB company.
Because the RK3588 is a BGA chip with many tiny pins, the board needed professional assembly with X-ray inspection.

A few weeks later, the boards arrived.

First Power-On & Bring-Up
I tested the board step by step:

Checked every voltage with a multimeter

Connected UART to read boot logs

Flashed the bootloader using Rockchip tools

The board didn’t boot at first.
After debugging, I found a missing pull-up resistor on the eMMC line. I fixed it with hand soldering, and the board finally showed boot logs.

Software Setup
I used the Rockchip SDK to build:

U-Boot

Linux kernel

Device tree

A minimal root filesystem

I tested each feature one by one:

USB worked

Ethernet linked up

HDMI displayed output

PCIe detected devices

Testing
I tested:

Boot stability

Heat performance

Network and USB speed

Memory stress tests

Everything worked well after a few small fixes.

Conclusion

Designing a custom motherboard with the RK3588 was difficult but incredibly rewarding. I learned about power design, high-speed routing, debugging, and embedded Linux. The final board is compact, stable, and capable of running powerful AI and robotics tasks. This project gave me a much better understanding of real hardware engineering from start to finish

Design a robust power management system, capable of handling multiple voltage rails efficiently.Pcb

Project Journal: Design and Development of a Custom Motherb

1. Introduction The modern world increasingly relies on embedded computing systems that deliver high performance within compact, power-efficient designs. From autonomous drones to industrial control units and AI-powered devices, embedded computers are the silent engines driving innovation. Among the many processors catering to this field, Rockchip’s RK3588 stands out as a powerhouse system-on-chip (SoC), offering exceptional computational capabilities, GPU performance, and connectivity options.

This project focuses on the design and development of a custom motherboard centered around the RK3588 processor. The primary goal is to create a compact, high-performance embedded platform capable of serving in diverse applications such as robotics, smart vision systems, and edge computing. Unlike off-the-shelf single board computers (SBCs), this custom design aims to provide tailored functionality, optimized power management, and expansion flexibility.

Throughout the project, I encountered challenges in schematic design, component selection, power sequencing, and layout optimization, but also gained deep insights into modern embedded system desigThis journal documents the entire process—starting from the conceptual stage to prototype validation—while reflecting on the technical, practical, and creative aspects that shaped the final outcome.

2 Project Objectives

The project had both technical and design objectives:

Design a functional schematic of a custom RK3588 motherboard with essential peripherals and expansion options.

Develop a compact PCB layout, ensuring signal integrity, power stability, and thermal management.

Integrate various interfaces, including USB, Ethernet, MIPI camera inputs, HDMI outputs, and PCIe expansion.

How I Made the Project (Simple Design Process)

1. Research

Before designing anything, I spent time learning about the RK3588:

I read the hardware guides, datasheets, and reference designs.

I noted the power requirements, memory layout rules, and boot process.

I made a simple block diagram showing everything the board needed: the processor, RAM, power chips, USB, HDMI, Ethernet, storage, and debug ports.

This step helped me understand what I was getting into and what could go wrong.

1. Schematic Design

Next, I opened my PCB design software and started building the schematic.

Power System

The RK3588 needs many different voltages. I used the recommended PMIC (power management chip) and added all the required capacitors and power rails.

Memory

I added two LPDDR4 chips. These need special wiring rules, so I followed the guidelines carefully.

Interfaces

I added connectors and chips for:

USB 3

Ethernet

HDMI

PCIe

SD card

eMMC storage

Debug UART

I double-checked everything with the Rockchip reference board.

1. PCB Layout

This was the longest part.

Placing the Main Chips

I placed the RK3588 in the center and the memory chips close to it. They must be close because the wires need to be short and matched in length.

Routing High-Speed Signals

USB, PCIe, HDMI, and memory all have strict rules for routing. I:

Matched trace lengths

Kept the correct impedance

Used an 8-layer PCB layout

Added solid ground planes

Power Routing

I made sure the power traces were wide and placed decoupling capacitors near the processor pins.

After finishing, I ran design rule checks to make sure nothing violated the PCB manufacturer limits.

1. Manufacturing & Assembly

I sent the Gerber files to a PCB company.
Because the RK3588 is a BGA chip with many tiny pins, the board needed professional assembly with X-ray inspection.

A few weeks later, the boards arrived.

1. First Power-On & Bring-Up

I tested the board step by step:

Checked every voltage with a multimeter

Connected UART to read boot logs

Flashed the bootloader using Rockchip tools

The board didn’t boot at first.
After debugging, I found a missing pull-up resistor on the eMMC line. I fixed it with hand soldering, and the board finally showed boot logs.

1. Software Setup

I used the Rockchip SDK to build:

U-Boot

Linux kernel

Device tree

A minimal root filesystem

I tested each feature one by one:

USB worked

Ethernet linked up

HDMI displayed output

PCIe detected devices

1. Testing

I tested:

Boot stability

Heat performance

Network and USB speed

Memory stress tests

Everything worked well after a few small fixes.

Conclusion

Designing a custom motherboard with the RK3588 was difficult but incredibly rewarding. I learned about power design, high-speed routing, debugging, and embedded Linux. The final board is compact, stable, and capable of running powerful AI and robotics tasks. This project gave me a much better understanding of real hardware engineering from start to finish

Design a robust power management system, capable of handling multiple voltage rails efficiently.motherboard-B_Maskmotherboard-B_Silkscreenmotherboard-Edge_Cutsmotherboard-F_Pastemotherboard-User_Commentsmotherboard-In1_Cumotherboard-F_Maskmotherboard-In3_Cumotherboard-In2_Cumotherboard-F_Fabmotherboard-In4_Cumotherboard-User_Drawings
motherboard-B_Cumotherboard-F_Silkscreenmotherboard-F_Cumotherboard-F_Courtyard

Project Journal: Design and Development of a Custom Motherb

1. Introduction The modern world increasingly relies on embedded computing systems that deliver high performance within compact, power-efficient designs. From autonomous drones to industrial control units and AI-powered devices, embedded computers are the silent engines driving innovation. Among the many processors catering to this field, Rockchip’s RK3588 stands out as a powerhouse system-on-chip (SoC), offering exceptional computational capabilities, GPU performance, and connectivity options.

This project focuses on the design and development of a custom motherboard centered around the RK3588 processor. The primary goal is to create a compact, high-performance embedded platform capable of serving in diverse applications such as robotics, smart vision systems, and edge computing. Unlike off-the-shelf single board computers (SBCs), this custom design aims to provide tailored functionality, optimized power management, and expansion flexibility.

Throughout the project, I encountered challenges in schematic design, component selection, power sequencing, and layout optimization, but also gained deep insights into modern embedded system desigThis journal documents the entire process—starting from the conceptual stage to prototype validation—while reflecting on the technical, practical, and creative aspects that shaped the final outcome.

2 Project Objectives

The project had both technical and design objectives:

Design a functional schematic of a custom RK3588 motherboard with essential peripherals and expansion options.

Develop a compact PCB layout, ensuring signal integrity, power stability, and thermal management.

Integrate various interfaces, including USB, Ethernet, MIPI camera inputs, HDMI outputs, and PCIe expansion.

Design a robust power management system, capable of handling multiple voltage rails efficiently.

A Custom Motherboard

🔸A Motherboard for PC or laptop 🔸
Inspired by anyon_e laptop
This project focuses on the design and development of a custom motherboard using a rk3588. The goal is to create a compact, high-performance solution tailored for embedded systems and other specialized applications. The motherboard will feature a variety of interfaces for connectivity, expansion, and power management, all while leveraging Rockchip’s powerful processor architecture.