Skip to main content

Getting Started Tutorial

1. Introduction​

The Core3566 development board is equipped with the Rockchip RK3566 quad-core processor, integrated with a dual-core architecture GPU and a high-performance NPU, supporting up to 0.8T computing power. It supports various video input and output interfaces and has powerful computing and graphics processing capabilities. The board supports 8GB of RAM, 2.4/5G WIFI, and 4G wireless network communication. It also has abundant interface extensions, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, including IoT devices, smart audio, smart displays, industrial control, and educational devices.Core3566 supports Debian 10 and Ubuntu 20.04 systems.

2. Equipment Preparation​

  • Core3566 development board

  • Waveshare's CM4-IO-BASE-B baseboard

  • USB Type-A to Type-C data cable

  • 5V/3A Type-C power adapter(Core3566 must be powered on using the power adapter to prevent insufficient power supply)

  • Display or TV with HDMI interface, and HDMI cable

  • 100M/1000M Ethernet cable and router

  • USB wireless/wired mouse and keyboard

  • USB to Serial Module

  • USB card reader and TF card (minimum capacity of 8GB)

    Note: The default baud rate for Core3566 is 1500000. Some USB to serial chips may not support this baud rate, and there may be differences among different series of the same chip. Therefore, it is important to confirm the compatibility before purchasing. We recommend using CH343, FT232, and CP2102 serial modules, and do not recommend using PL2303 and CH340 serial modules.

3. EMMC Image Burning​

Core3566 provides images compatible with HDMI displays and DSI displays. Users can download the image file according to their needs.

VersionDescriptionDownload
Debian10Includes core3566 DSI image and HDMI imageDownload
Ubuntu20.04Includes core3566 DSI image and HDMI imageDownload

3.1 Preparation​

  1. Download the RK Driver Assistant DriverAssitant-RKDriver Assistant and the flashing tool RKDevTool.
  2. Install the USB driver using the RK Driver Assistant. No need to connect the device during this process. After installation, restart your computer.

3.2 Entering Upgrade Mode​

Loader mode and MaskRom mode are two common device upgrade modes used for loading firmware or bootloaders.

  • Loader mode is loaded through a software-level bootloader and is typically used for firmware upgrades and similar operations.
  • MaskRom mode is a hardware-level boot mode that directly loads firmware for operations and is usually used for factory flashing or device repair.

3.2.1 Loader Mode​

After the initial factory flashing and successful Flash erase, the device will be in MaskRom mode. Once an image is flashed onto the device, it will enter Loader mode.

  1. Install the Core-3566 development board on the CM4-IO-BASE-B baseboard and switch the BOOT switch on the baseboard from OFF to ON.(Note: After successfully flashing the image, make sure to switch it back to OFF, or the device won't boot up)
  2. Connect one end of the Type-C cable to the USB port of the computer and the other end to the Type-C interface of the CM4-IO-BASE-B baseboard.
  3. Open the RKDevTool flashing tool provided by Rockchip. Once you see the prompt "Found One LOADER Device" at the bottom, you can proceed with image burning.

3.2.2 MaskRom Mode​

If the device cannot enter Loader mode, you can try to force it into MaskRom mode.

  1. Disconnect the power of Core3566 and hold down the MaskRom button on the development board.
  2. Connect the data cable and open the RKDevTool flashing tool. Release the button when you see the prompt "Found One MASKROM Device" at the bottom.

3.3 Image Burning​

3.3.1 Windows​

  1. Open the RKDevTool, the flashing tool provided by Rockchip. At this point, you will see that the device is in "MASKROM mode." Click on "Firmware" and choose the path to the system image. Open the Open DSI image (or HDMI image) file.

  2. Open it and wait for the image to load successfully. Click on "Upgrade".

  3. After the burning process is complete, you will see the device in "LOADER mode".

3.3.2 Linux​

upgrade_tool is a tool used in Linux to flash raw firmware, RK firmware, and partition images to eMMC. It is a closed-source command-line tool provided by Rockchip.

  1. Download, extract, and install upgrade_tool:

    sudo unzip upgrade_tool_v2.17.zip
    cd upgrade_tool_v2.17_for_linux/
    sudo cp upgrade_tool /usr/local/bin
    sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/upgrade_tool

  2. Test if the installation was successful:

    ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo upgrade_tool -v
    Upgrade Tool v2.17

  3. Run the program to flash the firmware:

    ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo upgrade_tool uf 2023-06-17-debian-arm64-HDMI.img 
    Loading firmware...
    Support Type:3568   FW Ver:1.0.00   FW Time:2023-06-17 11:04:17
    Loader ver:1.01 Loader Time:2023-06-17 10:55:48
    Start to upgrade firmware...
    Download Boot Start
    Download Boot Success
    Wait For Maskrom Start
    Wait For Maskrom Success
    Test Device Start
    Test Device Success
    Check Chip Start
    Check Chip Success
    Get FlashInfo Start
    Get FlashInfo Success
    Prepare IDB Start
    Prepare IDB Success
    Download IDB Start
    Download IDB Success
    Download Firmware Start
    Download Image... (100%)
    Download Firmware Success
    Upgrade firmware ok.

  4. The result is as follows:

3.3.3 Mac OS​

  1. Download and extract upgrade_tool:

    sudo ditto -xk upgrade_tool_v2.3_mac.zip .

  2. Run the program to flash the firmware (please modify the path according to the actual location of the image):

    cd upgrade_tool_v2.3_mac
    sudo ./upgradetool uf ../2023-06-26-debian-arm64-HDMI.img

  3. The result is as follows:

3.4 Image Erasure​

  • To erase the data in the EMMC, select the update.img firmware and click "Erase Flash".

4. TF Card Image Burning​

  1. Download the TF card formatting tool SD Card Formatter and extract it. Install it with a single click.
  2. Select the TF card drive letter and click "Format" (Make sure to remove other TF cards to prevent data loss).
  3. Download the TF card burning tool SDDiskTool and extract it. It can be used without installation.

5.Login​

  • Default user account for Debian (non-root user)

     linaro-alip login:linaro
     Password:linaro

  • Default user account for Ubuntu (non-root user)

    luckfox login:luckfox
     Password:luckfox

5.1 Local Login​

  1. Hardware connection: Connect a USB keyboard and USB mouse to the USB ports of the CM4-IO-BASE-B board.
  2. Power on Core3566: Connect a monitor and power adapter to the CM4-IO-BASE-B board. (Please wait patiently until the desktop is loaded during the first boot. Do not unplug the power during this period).
  3. Open the terminal: Click on the bottom left corner of the desktop, select "System Tools" -> "LXTerminal".

5.2 Serial Login​

  1. Connect one end of the serial module to the computer and the other end to pins 6 (GND), 8 (TX), and 10 (RX) on the CM4-IO-BASE-B board, as shown in the following diagram:

  2. Open the computer settings, search for Device Manager, and check the COM port corresponding to the Device Manager.

  3. Download the remote login softwareMobaXterm and extract it. It can be used directly.

  4. Open the MobaXterm remote login software, select "Session," then select "Serial",Set the baud rate of the serial port to 1500000 (1.5Mbps).

  5. After clicking "OK," press Enter, and enter the login name and password to log in.

5.3 Remote Login​

5.3.1 Preparation​

  1. Connect one end of an Ethernet cable to the network port of the CM4-IO-BASE-B baseboard and the other end to the LAN port of the router.

5.3.2 Obtain the IP Address of Core3566​

  • Log in to the router to find the IP address of Core3566.

  • You can also use some local network IP scanning tools. Here, we take Advanced IP Scanner as an example.

    i. Run Advanced IP Scanner, click the Scan button to scan the IP addresses within the current local network.

    ii. Find all IP addresses with the name containing "Core3566" and record them.

    iii. Power on the device and ensure that it is connected to the network.

    iv. Click the Scan button again to scan the IP addresses within the current local network:

    v. Exclude IP addresses previously recorded with the name containing "linaro-alip". The remaining IP address is your Core3566's IP address.

5.3.3 Using MobaXterm for Login​

  1. Download MobaXterm remote login software, and unzip it for immediate use.
  2. Open MobaXterm remote login software and select Session -> SSH. In the "Remote host" field, enter the IP address we obtained earlier, which is 192.168.10.67 (Please fill in your actual IP address).
  3. After filling in the information, click OK, and then enter the Core3566 login name and password: "linaro"(Note: When entering the password, you won't see any characters on the screen, which is normal. After typing the password, press the Enter key to proceed).
  4. Congratulations! You have successfully logged into Core3566.

5.3.4 Use VNC for Login(Only applicable to Debian 10)​

  1. Install and enable the VNC Server on Core3566.

    • Download and install:

      sudo apt-get update
      sudo apt-get install tightvncserver
      sudo apt-get install xfonts-base

    • Set up the VNC password:

      vncpasswd

    • For example, if the password is set to "luckfox", after entering the password twice, choose "y", and enter the password again twice:

      root@linaro-alip:/home/linaro# vncpasswd
      Using password file /root/.vnc/passwd
      Password: 
      Verify:   
      Would you like to enter a view-only password (y/n)? y
      Password: 
      Verify:   
      root@linaro-alip:/home/linaro#

    • Start the VNC server with the following command:

      tightvncserver
      root@linaro-alip:/home/linaro# tightvncserver

      New 'X' desktop is linaro-alip:1

      Starting applications specified in /root/.vnc/xstartup
      Log file is /root/.vnc/linaro-alip:1.log

      root@linaro-alip:/home/linaro#

  2. Download and install VNC Viewer on your Windows computer.

    • Open the VNC Viewer tool, select File->New Connection->General.
    • Enter the IP address of Core3566 and the port number, which is 5901, for example:
    • Click "Continue" and enter the VNC password set earlier.

    • Successfully logged into VNC:

  3. Create a startup script:

    • Before setting up the startup service, make sure tightvncserver is not running in the terminal. If it is running, restart the device.

    • Run the following command to create a startup script:

      sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/tightvncserver.service

    • In the file, enter the following content:

      [Unit]
      Description=TightVNC Server
      After=network.target

      [Service]
      ExecStart=/usr/bin/tightvncserver :1
      User=linaro
      Type=forking

      [Install]
      WantedBy=multi-user.target

    • Use the shortcut Ctrl + X to save the file and exit the editor. Run the following commands to enable the tightvncserver service:

      sudo systemctl enable tightvncserver
      sudo systemctl status tightvncserver
      sudo systemctl start tightvncserver

5.3.5 Using Nomachine to Log In​

Nomachine is a free remote desktop software widely supported on major operating systems such as Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android. In comparison to VNC, Nomachine has a simpler configuration and supports real-time operation of remote desktops. It is recommended to use Nomachine when a display is connected for the best experience.

  1. Download and unzip the NoMachine installation package, or you can download it from the Nomachine official website.

  2. Copy the nomachine-xxx.deb file to the Core3566 system and install it using the following command:

    sudo dpkg -i nomachine_7.10.1_1_arm64.deb

  3. Install NoMachine on your Windows computer.

  4. Open NoMachine on Windows and enter the IP address of Core3566 in the search box (for example: 192.168.10.146).

  5. Click "Connect to new host 192.168.10.146", enter the login name and password for Core3566, then click "login".

  6. After loading, some software introduction screens will appear, just click "OK".

  7. Now, we have successfully logged into Core3566.

  8. Enter the login password "luckfox" to successfully enter the desktop.

6. Connect to Wi-Fi​

  1. Switch to superuser mode:

    sudo su

  2. Scan for available Wi-Fi networks:

    nmcli dev wifi

  3. Connect to a Wi-Fi network (replace "wifi_name" and "wifi_password" with your actual Wi-Fi SSID and password):

    nmcli dev wifi connect "wifi_name" password "wifi_password"

  4. If you see "successfully," it means the wireless network is connected successfully. The board will automatically connect to your specified Wi-Fi network on the next boot.

    root@linaro-alip:/home/linaro# nmcli dev wifi connect test password 123456789
    Device 'wlan0' successfully activated with 'bd88cdf5-2c04-406a-b4b6-1caaa0b1bf6c'.
    root@linaro-alip:/home/linaro#

7. Connecting to Bluetooth​

  1. Switch to superuser mode and follow these steps to connect and use Bluetooth:

    root@linaro-alip:/home/linaro# bluetoothctl
    [bluetooth]# default-agent 
    [bluetooth]# power on                   # Turn on Bluetooth
    [bluetooth]# scan on                    # Scan for Bluetooth devices
    [bluetooth]# trust 12:11:32:DE:A3:03    # Trust the Bluetooth device with the specified device number
    [bluetooth]# pair 12:11:32:DE:A3:03     
    [bluetooth]# connect 12:11:32:DE:A3:03  # Connect to the Bluetooth device
    [M1]# exit                              # Exit Bluetooth