Rockchip RK3399 based Orange Pi 4 & 4B boards launched last year with a PCIe connector. But the PCIe interface is available via a 24-pin FPC connector, not quite a standard like a PCIe slot or mPCIe socket, and hard to use for most projects as you’d need to make your own PCIe adapter board.
But it’s now become much easier to use the PCIe interface as Shenzhen Xunlong Software has now launched a $3.90 expansion board connecting to the 24-pin FPC connector, and allowing users to connect mPCIe cards, especially the ones for 3G/4G connectivity as a SIM card slot is also included.
PCIe expansion board specifications:
- 24-pin FPC PCIe connector to Orange Pi 4/4B with PCIe, USB, power “key”, and GPIO1_A0 (See schematics below)
- mPCIe card socket
- SIM card socket
- Misc – Reset key
- Dimensions – 58 x 32 mm
The company confirmed the PCIe interface should work in both Android and Linux. It might be good if they made an M.2 expansion card for M.2 SSD’s, but it’s not available yet.
The mPCIe expansion card is sold on Aliexpress with a 24-pin flat cable, but shipping nearly doubles the price to $7.76 in total to my location. So if you haven’t purchased an Orange Pi 4 yet, you may want to wait a bit as the company will provide kits with both boards in the next few days. Just monitor the new arrivals section on Orange Pi Aliexpress store.
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.
Support CNX Software! Donate via cryptocurrencies, become a Patron on Patreon, or purchase goods on Amazon or Aliexpress
I am wondering about the signal integrity over that FPC cable…
I was thinking the same.
If it works i might continue my idea/project. That now its stopped due to the same problem/idea/solution.
Works perfectly well in Rockpi4 fpc / pci interface https://wiki.radxa.com/Rockpi4/hardware/M2_extend
PCIe uses differential pairs and is quite robust. Some people even send it over tens of centimeters using USB3 cables.
Yea, but USB is 90 Ohm impedance matched like PCI-E. So USB3 cables are quite good for PCI-E.
Then you should notice that the vendor himself does not trust into this cable that much. They reduced PCIe link speed from 5 GT/s to 2.5GT/s (PCIe Gen1 speeds): https://github.com/orangepi-xunlong/OrangePiRK3399_kernel/commit/a583bc70b1d8890442dd16174c3965b2a3d226b4
Haha. Well now I would definitely love to see an eye diagram at the output. It would be nice to know if the Rockchip PCIe implementation supports the BERT.
Hi there.!
I am not expert on Soc’s but I am wondering if following installation will be possible?
Desktop Android Phone (with Sim Card call feature)
Components:
1- Orange Pi 4 B soc
2- PCIe expansion board that is mentioned on the blog entry
3- Android 10 (Desktop Mode is a big plus)
4- GSM Sim Card for calls
5- Headsets (Bluetotth or cable + speakers etc.)
I can’t explain how it will be a great prodıctivity helper for office workers. Imagine that you can place and receive calls to/from somebody on your big computer screen. Actually there are much more benefits as acting like Android Desktop Pc at the same time.
Indeed there are some similar (or near) solutions like Scrcpy, Kde Connect etc. but they depend on external smartphones connected to the pc.
If possible, above mentioned installation will be STANDALONE DESKTOP PC / PHONE without reqirement for any smartphone attached, right?
Thanks,
AFAICR Rockchip RK3399 is stuck to Android 7.1.
hey i want to know that can i connect orange pi camera to the 24 pin PCIE port
The Orange Pi camera can not be connected to the 24-pin PCIe port.
thank you very much. So, if I connect it. it’s gonna be broken or nothing happen ??
I’m not sure because it depends on the voltage levels, short-circuits, etc… It may fry the camera, damage the board, or nothing may happen. I would not try it…
thank you so much. That’s was helpful ^^
Jean-Luc
Do you know if this board is suitable for CAT 6 – CAT 11 mPCIe 4g modules and raspberry Pi…
Quite concerned by the other poster who linked to the github saying the speed has been throttled by 50%, and also the “signal integrity over the FPC cable…”
The last thing is to spend a week waiting for a part from china, then hours working on it, to find its not fit for purpose…
If you can recommend a more reliable mPCIe board that would also be appreciated.
I can’t provide recommendations since I haven’t used any, but since you’re using a Raspberry Pi you may want to check the one from SixFab: https://www.cnx-software.com/2017/10/20/sixfab-launches-raspberry-pi-3g-4glte-base-shield-v2-for-31-20/