AAEON PICO-ARU4 might be the world’s first Pico-ITX SBC powered by Intel Core Ultra 5/7 “Arrow Lake” (Series 2) processor family. More specifically, it’s available with the Core Ultra 5 225U or Core Ultra 7 255U, both with a 15W TDP.

It ships with up to 32GB LPDDR5 RAM, offers 2.5GbE and GbE networking, HDMI and eDP interfaces for up to two independent displays, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, two USB 2.0 headers, two M.2 sockets for storage (NVMe SSD) and wireless expansion, two RS-232/422/485 headers, a 4-bit GPIO header, SMBus/I2C, and more.

AAEON PICO-ARU4 specifications:

• Arrow Lake SoC (one of the other)

• Intel Core Ultra 5 225U 12-core (2P+8E+2LPE) processor @ up to 4.8 GHz turbo frequency, 12MB cache, 4x Xe-core Intel Graphics (8 TOPS), and Intel AI Boost (12 TOPS); PBP: TDP 15W

• Intel Core Ultra 7 255U 12-core (2P+8E+2LPE) processor @ up to 5.2 GHz, 12MB cache, 4x Xe-core Intel Graphics (8 TOPS), and Intel AI Boost (12 TOPS); PBP: 15W

• System Memory – 16GB or 32GB LPDDR5-6400 memory

• Storage

• M.2 2280 M-Key socket for NVMe SSD

• SATA III 6.0 Gb/s port and + 5V SATA power connector

• Video Output

• HDMI 1.4 up to 3840 x 2160 @30Hz

• eDP 1.4 connector

• Up to 2x simultaneous displays

• Networking

• 2.5GbE RJ45 port via Intel I226 controller

• Optional WiFi and Bluetooth via M.2 E-Key socket

• USB

• 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports

• 2x USB 2.0 (internal header)

• Serial – 2x RS-232/422/485 (COM1 and COM2), supports 5V/12V/RI)

• Expansion

• M.2 2230 E-Key socket (PCIe 4.0 x1 + USB 2.0)

• M.2 2280 M-Key socket (PCIe Gen 4 [x4] / SATA); default: PCIe [x4], select by BOM

• 4-bit DIO

• SMBus/I2C (Default: SMBus)

• Security – TPM 2.0

• Misc

• 4-wire smart fan connector

• Front Panel connector with HDD LED, PWR LED, Power Button, Buzzer, Reset

• 3V/240mAh RTC Lithium battery

• UEFI BIOS with watchdog timer (255 levels), Wake-on-LAN (WoL) support

• Power Supply

• 12V via 2-pin Phoenix connector or optional lockable DC jack; AT/ATX support;

• 9V to 36V via optional DC-to-DC converter

• Power Consumption – Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 255U, 32GB LPDDR5

• 2.85A @ +12V (Typical)

• 6.96A @ +12V (Max)

• Dimensions – 100 x 72mm (Pico-ITX form factor)

• Weight – 80 grams

• Temperature Range – Operating – 0°C ~ 60°C, Storage – -40°C ~ 85°C

• Humidity – 0% ~ 90% relative humidity, non-condensing

• MTBF – 1,063,716 hours (About 121 years)

• Certifications – CE/FCC Class A

The company provides support for Windows 10/11 64-bit and Ubuntu 22.04.2 with Linux 5.19 (TBC). The board is basically an update of the Meteor Lake-powered PICO-MTU4 SBC, or a smaller version of the AAEON GENE-ARH6 3.5-inch subcompact industrial SBC with Intel Core Ultra 200H/U Arrow Lake SoC, although only the 15W SKUs are supported, as cooling would be an issue for the 28W parts using the smaller 100x72mm Pico-ITX form factor.

AAEON says the PICO-ARU4 targets AI platforms in handheld or mobile solutions, such as portable diagnostic imaging and outdoor roadside units. The PICO-ARU4 is now in mass production, and samples are available for order on the AAEON eshop with the following options

• Core Ultra 5 Processor 225U, 16GB – $887.00
• Core Ultra 5 Processor 225U, 32GB – $988.00
• Core Ultra 7 Processor 255U, 32GB – $1,155.00

Additional information, including a datasheet, a user manual, the BIOS, and Windows & Linux drivers, may be found on the product page.

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Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.

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