Qualcomm IPQ9574 “AL02” router board support WiFi 7 modules, 10GbE networking

The recent Linux 6.4 release included initial support for the AL02 WiFi 7 router board powered by a Qualcomm IPQ9574 quad-core Cortex-A73 processor part of the Qualcomm Networking Pro 1620 platform with the board featuring 2GB DDR4 RAM and 256MB NAND flash.

A couple of weeks ago, I was contacted by Wallystech about their DR9574 WiFi 7 board based on the IPQ9574 processor, but I ended up not writing about it due to the lack of information and low-quality photos. But it turns out it’s actually the Qualcomm AL02 reference board that’s also provided by Compex. Both companies are world-leading in the sense they offer low-quality and blurry pictures in a way that’s unmatched in the industry, but we do have some specifications, so let’s have a closer look.

AL02 / DR9574 board specifications:

• SoC – Qualcomm IPQ9574 quad-core Arm Cortex-A73 processor @ 2.2GHz processor
• System Memory – 2GB DDR4
• Storage – 32MB NOR flash and 256MB NAND flash, optional 8GB eMMC flash
• Networking
  • Wired
    • 4x Gigabit Ethernet WAN/LAN RJ45 ports
    • 2x 10GbE LAN/WAN RJ45 ports
    • 1x SFP+ cage
  •  Wireless
    • On-board 4×4 2.4GHz MU-MIMO WiFi 6 (802.11b/g/n/ax) up to 24dBm per chain  with 4x U.FL connectors
    • Additional WiFi 7 modules via M.2 sockets
• USB – 1x USB 3.0 port
• Expansion
  • 4x M.2 Key-E sockets with PCIe 3.0
  • 12-pin UART connector
  • 1x 20-pin FPC/FCC connector
  • 2x 60-pin rectangular connector
• Misc – LED
• Debugging – 20-pin JTAG connector
• Power Supply – 12V DC via power barrel jack, PoE available upon request
• Power consumption – 13W (board only); 23W with onboard WiFi
• Dimensions – 204x139mm (main board) – WiFi module: 62 x 57 mm
• Temperature Range – Operating: -20ºC to 70ºC; storage: -40ºC to 90ºC
• Humidity – Operating: 5% to 95%; storage: max. 90% (that’s odd…)
• Certifications – REACH & RoHS Compliance

When I asked Wallystech about software support they just replied “qsdk” aka Qualcomm SDK, but Compex says it’s running OpenWrt Barrier Breaker (OpenWrt 14.07 from 2014!) and they provide SDKs with QCA binary drivers for software developers. The board also optionally comes with a JTAG programmer, a serial converter, and a power supply.

Wallystech also sent me an additional photo of the DR9274 module based on the QCN9274 WiFi 7 chip along with a table showing the different WiFi 7 modules that are available for the DR9574 board. They mostly differ by the supported WiFi frequencies (2.4 GHz, 5.0 GHz, 5.8 GHz, 6.0 GHz).

If I understand correctly there’s already 2.4 GHz WiFi 6 support on the board, but users can add extra WiFi 7 modules to increase the system’s capacity. Compex also mentioned a board based on the IPQ9570 without onboard WiFi.

Those reference boards are usually only used for software development, and companies using those boards will typically design their own routers optimized for mass production. Pricing was not made public. You’ll find a few more details about the Wallystech DR9574 on the product page. Compex’s website includes additional information for both “AP.AL02.3” board and the “WLW7000E6” WiFi 7 modules.

Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)

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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