In the fast-evolving world of edge AI computing, the VIA SOM-5000 stands out with its sophisticated hardware design, tailored for high-performance applications. Powered by the MediaTek Genio 700 Octa-Core processor, this fanless low-power platform offers impressive processing capabilities alongside exceptional I/O flexibility, making it ideal for a wide array of AI-powered edge applications.
Here are some key hardware innovations that drive the VIA SOM-5000’s design ingenuity:
Comprehensive Display, Connectivity, and I/O Support
The VIA SOM-5000 offers a well-rounded set of features designed to support multimedia, connectivity, and versatile I/O options, making it ideal for a wide range of applications.
For display-intensive applications, the VIA SOM-5000 leverages 4-channel LVDS transmitter technology to support resolutions of 2K@60Hz or 4K@30Hz, with 10-bit color depth for vivid, high-quality visuals. With 59V backlight power support, it ensures sharpness and brightness, even in demanding lighting conditions, making it well-suited for multimedia environments. This versatility makes the SOM-5000 an excellent choice for digital signage, where clear and striking displays are essential for capturing customer attention, for instance in dining settings to provide more engaging and immersive experiences.
Beyond display capabilities, the SOM-5000 also excels in connectivity, boasting dual Gigabit LAN support, ensuring high-speed data transfer and network redundancy, which is critical for mission-critical edge applications. The inclusion of both M.2 B-Key and E-Key slots adds flexibility by supporting USB and PCIe interfaces, along with optional LTE module support for mobile broadband, making it adaptable to both wired and wireless deployments.
Additionally, the SOM-5000’s versatile I/O support enhances its suitability for various industrial and AI inference applications. With 2 pins of 3.3V GPIO and 12-bit ADC input, the board allows seamless integration of analog sensors, while standard connectors like the COM DB9 for debugging and an onboard volume button provide developers with practical tools for easy setup and management.
Advanced AI and Video Processing
At the heart of the SOM-5000’s AI capabilities is the MediaTek Deep Learning Accelerator (MDLA) 3.0 and Cadence® Tensilica® Vision P6 NPU, which can handle up to 4 TOPS of processing power. This makes the board an ideal candidate for AI inference tasks in real-time applications like video analytics, smart cameras, and autonomous systems. For video-intensive applications, the ARM Mali-G57 MC3 GPU delivers hardware-accelerated 4K H.265/H.264 video processing, further improving the platform’s suitability for edge-based AI and media workloads.
Robust Protection Mechanisms
The SOM-5000 is designed with extensive protection features that ensure durability and reliability in challenging environments. One key highlight is the DCIN OCP 6A fuse, which provides board-level electrical damage protection, preventing overcurrent scenarios that could compromise performance or cause hardware failure. Additionally, 8KV ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) protection is built into all external I/Os, ensuring safe interaction with other hardware components even in environments with significant static electricity.
Small Form Factor with Big Potential
The SOM-5000’s compact SMARC 2.11 form factor (82mm x 50mm) packs all these features into a small, fanless design. Despite its low power consumption, the board delivers significant processing power, making it a highly efficient solution for a wide range of edge AI deployments in sectors such as retail, industrial automation, and transportation.
The VIA SOM-5000 demonstrates impressive hardware ingenuity with its robust protection, cutting-edge processing capabilities, and flexible I/O and connectivity options. It is a future-ready solution designed to meet the increasing demand for AI at the edge while maintaining reliability and efficiency in diverse applications.
For more information on the VIA SOM-5000, visit the product page, download the datasheet, or contact us.