Introducing Particle’s Tachyon - The First 5G-Enabled SBC with AI/ML Acceleration for Edge and IoT Applications

Experience impressive performance from a credit card-sized board that packs an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU, GPU, and NPU, all supported by Particle’s innovative IoT platform.

Particle has launched a Kickstarter campaign for Tachyon, a groundbreaking single-board computer (SBC) that merges the capabilities and connectivity of a mid-range Smartphone with an advanced AI accelerator—all in a compact, credit card-sized form factor. Tachyon is the first Linux-based SBC powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon QCM6490, featuring an octa-core CPU, GPU, 12 TOPS NPU, Wi-Fi 6E, and 5G connectivity. Early bird prices begin at just $149! 

Key Features of Tachyon

• A single-board computer offering Smartphone-level performance in a compact Raspberry Pi-like design.
• Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon QCM6490, equipped with an octa-core CPU, GPU, NPU, Wi-Fi 6E, and 5G cellular supports.
• Multiple peripheral interfaces, including USB-C, PCIe Gen 3, MIPI CSI, DSI, and compatibility with Raspberry Pi's GPIO header for HATs.
• Launching today on Kickstarter, with early bird rewards starting at $149 and shipments scheduled for January 2025.

Feature & Specifications

• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon QCM6490 octa-core CPU
• 1 x Cortex-A78 core at 2.7 GHz
• 3 x Cortex-A78 cores at 2.4 GHz
• 4 x Cortex-A55 cores at 1.9 GHz
• Graphics: Qualcomm Adreno 643L GPU (812 MHz) supporting up to 4K displays
• Neural Processing Unit (NPU): 12 TOPS for AI/ML acceleration
• Memory: 4 GB RAM
• Storage: 64 GB Universal Flash Storage (UFS)
• Wireless Connectivity:
• Wi-Fi 6E
• 5G cellular support (with LTE fallback)
• Peripheral Interfaces:
• 4-lane MIPI CSI for cameras (up to 25 MP)
• 4-lane MIPI DSI for displays (up to 1200 x 2520 resolution)
• USB-C 3.1 PD port with Display Port
• 2 x PCIe Gen 3 interfaces
• Additional USB-C ports for peripheral connectivity
• Size: Compact, credit card-sized form factor
• Operating System: Linux (Ubuntu)

Tachyon Overview

Tachyon is a powerful single-board computer that combines the processing power of a modern mid-range Smartphone with an AI accelerator, all in a compact package. It features various peripheral interfaces, including GPIO compatibility for Raspberry Pi HATs, as well as the latest in wireless connectivity with Wi-Fi 6E and 5G (mm-Wave/Sub-6GHz).

Unlike other AI development solutions that often rely on modular systems and carrier boards, Tachyon operates as a standalone computer running Linux (Ubuntu). This unique blend of hardware, connectivity, and Particle services allows developers to start sending IoT data to the cloud just minutes after unboxing this AI-enabled SBC.

Particle offers a full-stack Platform-as-a-Service that seamlessly connects IoT hardware, software, and cloud connectivity. Their microcontroller development boards, such as Boron with an Arm Cortex-M33, provide LTE-M access to Particle’s cloud infrastructure in a Feather form factor, streamlining the process of sending data to the cloud in minutes. With Tachyon, IoT developers gain exceptional processing power compared to existing products.

At the heart of Tachyon is the Qualcomm Snapdragon QCM6490 chipset. This octa-core CPU features a GPU, an NPU, and supports both Wi-Fi 6E and 5G cellular connectivity (with LTE fallback). It comes with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of built-in Universal Flash Storage (UFS). Particle selected this chipset because Qualcomm certifies it for Industrial IoT applications and ensures a decade of availability.

The Kryo 670 CPU includes eight Arm cores with varying performance specifications: a single Cortex-A78 core operates at 2.7 GHz, while three additional A78 cores run at 2.4 GHz for high-performance tasks. Four Cortex-A55 cores, running at 1.9 GHz, handleless demanding operations. Complementing the CPU is the Qualcomm Adreno 643L GPU, which runs at 812 MHz and can drive 4K displays, enhancing Tachyon's general-purpose processing capabilities.

Nearly all microcontrollers and microprocessors designed for edge applications include a neural processing unit (NPU). This specialized hardware accelerates the training and inference of machine learning (ML) models. The QCM6490 features an NPU capable of performing 12 tera-operations per second (TOPS), making it suitable for applications like computer vision and audio identification, among many others.

Tachyon offers extensive breakout options for the QCM6490’s wired interfaces. It includes ribbon headers for connecting 4-lane CSI cameras (such as the IMX519 and OV13850) and supports computer vision sensors up to 25 megapixels. A 4-lane DSI interface can drive displays with resolutions up to 1200 x 2520. High-speed connectivity options include a USB-C 3.1 PD port with a Display Port and two PCIe Gen 3 interfaces, along with additional USB-C ports for connecting various devices.

Integrating cellular connectivity into an IoT device may seem straightforward from a hardware perspective, but it comes with challenges like carrier certification and adherence to regional communication regulations. Moreover, devices require software capable of managing the complexities of cellular and Wi-Fi communications.

While there was initial curiosity about Tachyon using Linux (Ubuntu) instead of Android, it soon became clear that Linux is better suited for headless operations. Additionally, Android’s abstractions are less beneficial in a platform with minimal hardware variation, where low-level device access is crucial. Although Android might offer advantages in managing cellular communication, Particle’s reliable connectivity solution simplifies this process and takes care of many other IoT-related tasks for users.

The campaign officially launches today (Tuesday, July 30th), with early bird rewards starting at $149 USD and a projected retail price of $249. Particle aims to ship early units in January 2025. For more details and to support the campaign, visit the Tachyon Kickstarter page.

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