Orange Pi CM5 in uConsole

uConsole
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After myriad of problems, hardware mods and 1.5 months of use I can confirm that it works.
Tested to work with Linux kernel 6.16+

What doesn’t work:

  • Audio: “Possible” to add support for “mono”(literally for one ear);
  • WiFi: Pins are not connected in any form;
  • RTC: There is simply no Real-Time Clock on-board.

Encountered problems that MAY be fixed with hardware mods:

  • 3.3V line is “very noisy” (SYS_3V3 never goes to 0V even if system is off) with this CM;
  • System won’t turn off (Probably related to a previous issue);
  • System won’t reset(and restart) properly 9/10 times (Probably software problem);
  • HDMI Hot Plug circuit is not functioning properly.
    • There is in-fact another kernel for Radxa CM5 whose author claims that it’s possible to “make a hard. mod” that will fix HDMI out. But he did not provide any description of performed modification

Encountered problems that CAN be fixed with hardware mods:

  • System starts by itself (required);
    • Need to change R106 resistor (0402) from 10K to 120-130K.
  • No Real-Time Clock (optional).
    • Can be fixed by adding cheap ds1307 I2C RTC clock;
    • After booting the system, synchronize time with the NTP servers.

Software problems:

  • Hardware video decoding: It exists. But not working. Currently. Or Indefinitely;
  • Kernel 6.16.0: In Krash Desktop Environment 6 “hardware” cursor has broken alpha-channel. Currently fixed in new versions of kernel (or mesa).

Not tested:

  • Modem;
  • Any “Will it work with my %thing%?”.

Notes:

  • Debug console (UART2) is available both on CM itself and expansion board(mini pci-e) slot (UART33/32 - RX/TX - pin 28/26)

PS:
I’ve installed Gentoo and it’s rk3588s able to able to compile clang and LLVM at decent speed.
With stock cooling it heats up to 60°C.

I have no intention to provide precompiled kernel or create some sort of debian or arch (b.t.w.) based distributions, but I can provide patchset that you can throw at portage and it will compile kernel for you :slight_smile:

Patchset: GitHub - si6Och4j/uconsole-opi-cm5: uConsole Orange Pi CM5 support patchset

If anyone is interested in performance tests, I can try to do them, but I can’t guarantee anything.

3 Likes
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Reserved for the build instructions

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attempting to build an image. The kernel 6.1 provided by OrangePi is faulty in the compression package, so I am switching to the normal ones, starting from 6.19.3. I am new to building linux images so I’m planning to follow the guide in the user manual of OrangePi.

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@vxi the hackergadgets board resolves the hdmi issues for the radxa cm5, 【Pre-Order】Adapter Board for uConsole ugrade kit – Hacker Gadgets.

From memory I think the issue was due to the pins for hdmi were routed differently on the radxa, no idea if the hackergadgets board will resolve this for the opi.

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I looked into the matching of pinouts between opi-cm5 and rpi-cm4, the usage of those pins through the cm4-cm3 adapter and on the mainboard for different applications. Though my ori-cm5 has not arrived yet, the audio seems fixable through software fixes, as all GPIOs needed for stereo audio and audio jack can be pulled out, which might be fixed by modding the official firmware and changing the outputting GPIOs. For the RTCs, I will try out the first gen hackergadget AIO board and see if it just work, else further digging. For a permanant fix to the WIFI/BT, if willing to sacrifise the 40 pin connector, you may fabricate a new adapter, rerouting GPIOs for 40 pin, combined with FW tweaks. Power section is something I have not looked into. Frankly, the SODIMM2 connector for compatability is really restraining the IO, let alone the extra J3 on opi-cm5. (I am happy to share the pinout comparisons if anyone need. Just tell me an appropriate way.)

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Or instead, just utilize those few dozens of extra GPIOs from the J3.