VIA Technologies, Inc.
via vab-5000 technical blog banner

Pushing the Boundaries of Hardware Innovation: The VIA VAB-5000 for Edge AI Applications

The VIA VAB-5000 is a testament to the power of advanced hardware design, offering a perfect blend of compact size and cutting-edge technology. Powered by the MediaTek Genio 700 Octa-Core processor, this fanless platform combines exceptional AI processing capabilities with innovative connectivity and I/O options, all within a durable and energy-efficient design. The VAB-5000 exemplifies hardware ingenuity by integrating essential features such as electrical protection, advanced AI acceleration, and flexible expansion options—making it a highly adaptable solution for demanding edge AI environments.

vab-5000 key features

Robust Protection and Easy Setup

The VIA VAB-5000 is designed with reliability in mind, featuring DCIN OCP 6A fuse board-level electrical damage protection, which safeguards the board against overcurrent scenarios. Additionally, all external I/Os are protected with 8KV Contact ESD protection, ensuring stability in environments where static discharge can pose a risk.

For developers, the VAB-5000 offers an easy debug console setup using a simple USB cable plug-in, allowing efficient troubleshooting and development. The auto power selection feature adds further ease-of-use by automating the power-on process.

Extensive Connectivity and I/O Options

The VIA VAB-5000 supports a wide range of connectivity and I/O options, offering dual USB 3.1 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and an M.2 B-Key slot for 4G or 5G LTE module support, making it suitable for both wired and wireless deployment. Additionally, with a 40-pin Raspberry Pi 5-compatible header, the VAB-5000 supports further expansion options, making it an excellent choice for integrating into various industrial and IoT ecosystems.

The board also features 3 B2B (board-to-board) connectors, enabling the use of expansion cards for LVDS/eDP displays, AHD cameras, and Wi-Fi functionality. This versatility increases the platform’s adaptability to different industry-specific needs.

AI and Multimedia Capabilities

At the heart of the VAB-5000’s AI performance is the MediaTek Deep Learning Accelerator (MDLA) 3.0 and Cadence® Tensilica® Vision P6 NPU, capable of handling up to 4 TOPS of AI processing power. This makes the VAB-5000 an ideal platform for real-time AI inference tasks such as video analytics, smart surveillance, and other demanding edge AI applications.

Its ARM Mali-G57 MC3 GPU supports 4K hardware-accelerated H.265/H.264 video encoding and decoding, making the VAB-5000 well-suited for applications involving high-quality video streaming or AI-powered media processing.

Compact Form Factor for Flexible Deployments

Measuring just 10cm x 7.2cm in a Pico-ITX form factor, the VAB-5000 packs all these features into a small, fanless design, perfect for edge AI applications in constrained spaces. Despite its compact size, the board delivers powerful performance with low power consumption, ensuring energy efficiency in a range of environments—from smart city pharmacy settings to industrial automation.

The VIA VAB-5000 demonstrates impressive hardware ingenuity with its balance of processing power, connectivity options, and protection mechanisms, all within a compact and energy-efficient design. It is an ideal solution for AI-powered edge computing across a variety of industries, offering both flexibility and reliability for mission-critical applications.

For more information on the VIA VAB-5000, visit the product page, download the datasheet, or contact us.

Get in Touch

VIA Technologies, Inc.