Prices for Raspberry single-board computers, such as the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 (CM4), are incredibly high, reaching up to 200 euros. This has created challenges for companies and users who rely on accessories for the small circuit board, as their projects are rendered worthless without the module and are difficult to sell. As a result, alternative options to the original CM4 have emerged.
One such alternative is the CM4-compatible Core3566 module, developed by Chinese manufacturer Lucfox. This module is based on Rockchip’s RK3566 processor and features four Arm Cortex-A55 cores running at 1.8 GHz. It is available with either 2 or 4 GB LPDDR4 RAM, and can also be equipped with a 32GB eMMC module. This allows the operating system to be booted from the SD card or the semiconductor hard disk.
When the module is placed on a CM4-compatible base board, it provides a gigabit Ethernet connection and can also be equipped with a dual-band WLAN/Bluetooth chip (IEEE 802.11b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0 BLE) as additional equipment. Other features include a USB interface, a PCIe port, and 28 IO ports on the GPIO bar. The module supports image playback up to 4K resolution at 60fps via an HDMI interface or LCD displays using foil cable sockets. It also supports the connection of two camera modules.
The Core3566 module is available individually or as part of a set that includes different baseboards, power supplies, and cameras. These sets are sold via the Waveshare shop and range in price from 66 to 145 euros. The complete set even includes a camera and a 4.3-inch LCD display.
Notably, Lucfox provides comprehensive documentation for running the Core3566 with Linux, covering everything from installation and use of the graphical user interface to remote operation. However, it remains to be seen whether the Core3566 module is truly CM4-compatible, as previous experiences with processors different from the original Raspberry Pi have often led to compatibility issues.
