- Maybe you missed it? Banana Pi BPI-M7.
- Banana Pi BPI-M5 Pro Review, Specifications, and Features.
Banana Pi BPI-M5 Pro
Introducing the Banana Pi BPI-M5 Pro: the perfect all-in-one solution for all AIOT DIY hobbyist needs! This new SBC (single-board computer) features the advanced Rockchip RK3576 platform, offering powerful computing power and support for up to 32GB of memory. The board offers 8K video encoding and decoding capabilities, dual 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports, integrated onboard Wi-Fi 6 and BT5, and multiple video outputs, ensuring a seamless and versatile experience. Moreover, it is compatible with a multitude of operating systems, making it perfect for ARM-based PCs, edge computing devices, personal mobile internet devices, and much more.
Introducing the Banana Pi BPI-M5 Pro – A Brief Product Overview
BananaPi BPI-M5 Pro Specifications
| SoC | RK3576 |
| CPU | Integrated with four Cortex-A72 cores @ 2.2GHz and four Cortex-A53 cores @ 1.8GHz, along with a separate NEON coprocessor. |
| GPU | ARM Mali G52 MC3 GPU |
| NPU | Up to 6 TOPs computing power (INT8), supports INT4/INT8/INT16 mixed operations. |
| VPU/Encoding & Decoding | ✅ Hardware Decoding: Supports H.264, H.265, VP9, AV1, and AVS2 up to 8K@30fps or 4K@120fps. ✅ Hardware Encoding: Supports H.264 and H.265 up to 4K@60fps, high-quality JPEG encoder/decoder supports up to 4K@60fps. |
| RAM | 8/16GB 32-bit LPDDR4x, default is 16GB. (RK3576 supports a maximum of 16GB). |
| Flash | 32/128GB eMMC, default is 128GB eMMC. |
| Operating Voltage | Wide input voltage range, from 4.5V to 23V (voltage error ±5%). |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to 80°C |
| Operating Systems | Android 14, Debian 11, Buildroot. Third-party Support: Armbian. |
| PCB | 8-layer PCB board design |
| Weight | 43g |
| Dimensions | 92mm × 62mm |
So what’s new?
The newly introduced board boasts an affordable and incredibly efficient SoC, the Rockchip RK3576. It brings forth several notable advantages, including a separate NEON coprocessor and the default eMMC storage is 128GB. Moreover, with integrated Wifi/BT support, you have the freedom to install an M.2 NVMe and make use of both simultaneously, without having to sacrifice one of them.
Featuring a NEON coprocessor
What exactly is a NEON coprocessor and what role does it play in arm computing?
A NEON coprocessor is a SIMD (Single Instruction, Multiple Data) architecture extension for ARM processors. NEON stands for “Advanced SIMD” (Single Instruction, Multiple Data) and is an optional instruction set extension for ARM architectures. Here’s how it helps in ARM computing:
- Enhanced Performance: NEON technology allows ARM processors to perform operations on multiple data elements in parallel, which can significantly boost performance for tasks that can be parallelized, such as multimedia processing, image and video editing, audio processing, and gaming.
- Power Efficiency: By enabling efficient parallel processing of data, NEON can help reduce the time it takes to complete certain tasks, thereby saving power consumption and improving energy efficiency in ARM-based devices.
- Multimedia Capabilities: NEON coprocessors are particularly beneficial for multimedia applications due to their ability to accelerate tasks like image processing, video encoding and decoding, audio processing, and 3D graphics rendering.
- Optimized for Mobile Devices: NEON technology is well-suited for mobile devices powered by ARM processors, as it can enhance the performance of applications commonly used on smartphones, tablets, and other portable devices.
- Developer Support: NEON instructions are supported by popular compilers and development tools, making it easier for developers to optimize their software for ARM processors with NEON support, thus maximizing performance on these devices.
In summary, the NEON coprocessor plays a vital role in boosting the performance, power efficiency, and multimedia capabilities of ARM-based computing devices, particularly in the field of mobile computing where these attributes are greatly prized.
This table provides a comparison of key features between Rockchip RK3588S, RK3588, and RK3576 processors.
| Feature | Rockchip RK3588S | Rockchip RK3588 | Rockchip RK3576 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x Cortex-A76, 4x Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x Cortex-A76, 4x Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x Cortex-A72, 4x Cortex-A53) |
| GPU | ARM Mali-G610 | ARM Mali-G610 | ARM Mali G52 |
| Memory (Maximum) | DDR4/DDR4X/LPDDR4X up to 32GB | DDR4/DDR4X/LPDDR4X up to 32GB | DDR4/DDR4X/LPDDR4X up to 16GB |
| Process | 8nm | 8nm | 12nm |
| Display | HDMI 2.1, eDP, MIPI DSI, V-by-One, LVDS, up to 3x 4K displays | HDMI 2.1, eDP, MIPI DSI, V-by-One, LVDS, up to 3x 4K displays | HDMI 2.0, eDP, MIPI DSI, LVDS, up to 2x 4K displays |
Improve connectivity with a triple-antenna setup.
In the field of connectivity, the SinoVoip team has successfully integrated three onboard antenna MHF sockets – two for WiFi connectivity and a third one exclusively for Bluetooth. Having a separate Bluetooth (BT) antenna as opposed to combining it with a 2.4GHz antenna in a single module offers several advantages:
Advantages of a Separate BT Antenna:
- Reduced Interference: Separate antennas for Wi-Fi (2.4GHz) and Bluetooth can reduce interference between the two signals. When both signals share the same antenna, there is a potential for interference that can degrade the performance of both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections.
- Improved Signal Quality: By having dedicated antennas, each technology can optimize its signal transmission and reception without being affected by the other. This can result in better signal quality and overall performance for both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices.
- Enhanced Range: Separating the antennas can lead to improved range for both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections. Each antenna can be designed and positioned to maximize coverage and minimize signal loss, resulting in better range for wireless communication.
- Better Coexistence: Separating the antennas can help in managing coexistence issues between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals. Since they operate in the same frequency band (2.4GHz), having dedicated antennas can reduce interference and improve the coexistence of these wireless technologies.
- Flexibility in Design: Using separate antennas provides more flexibility in the design of wireless devices. Designers can optimize the placement, orientation, and characteristics of each antenna independently to achieve the best performance for both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functionalities.
In summary, having a separate Bluetooth antenna offers advantages in terms of reduced interference, improved signal quality, enhanced range, better coexistence with Wi-Fi signals, and greater flexibility in design, ultimately leading to a better wireless experience for users.
Design and interfaces of the Banana Pi BPI-M5 Pro board.
About Sinovoip
Sinovoip is a Chinese technology company that focuses on pushing the boundaries and producing state-of-the-art single-board computers (SBCs) and a variety of related products. Among their impressive lineup, the Banana Pi series stands out, boasting a remarkable selection of single-board computers reminiscent of the highly acclaimed Raspberry Pi.
Moreover, the team at Banana Pi company specializes in developing innovative smart routers, IoT devices, and cutting-edge STEAM education tools. Our products cater to a wide range of needs, from educational initiatives to captivating DIY projects and versatile embedded applications.
Stay informed and up-to-date on the latest news and developments regarding Banana Pi BPI-M5 Pro by visiting the Banana Forum. Explore their wiki website and forum here to delve deeper into the world of Banana Pi.
