LicheeRV Nano WE (WiFi + Ethernet) - SG2002 RISC-V SBC

Specifications

• Core Processor: SG2002 (1GHz C906 RISC-V Core + 1GHz ARM Cortex-A53 Core - Selectable).
• NPU (AI Accelerator): 1 TOPS INT8 (Supports YOLO, MobileNet, ResNet).
• Memory (RAM): 256MB DDR3 (Integrated SIP).
• Storage: microSD Card Slot (Bootable).

      Connectivity (The "WE" Advantage):

• WiFi: WiFi 6 (802.11ax).
• Bluetooth: BT 5.4.
• Ethernet: 100Mbps Ethernet MAC + PHY (via included connector).

• Camera Interface: MIPI-CSI (2-lane).
• Display Interface: MIPI-DSI (2-lane).
• USB: 1x USB 2.0 Type-C (Power + Data OTG).
• GPIO: 26+ pins accessible via header.
• Power Input: 5V via USB-C.

Applications

• TinyML & Vision AI: Run object detection (like YOLOv5) directly on the board to identify people, defects, or gestures without cloud latency.
• IoT Gateway: Use the "WE" configuration (WiFi + Ethernet) to act as a bridge between wired industrial sensors and wireless cloud dashboards.
• Private Home Server: Run a lightweight Linux distro (Debian/Ubuntu) to host MQTT brokers, Pi-Hole, or custom automation scripts.
• RISC-V Education: The perfect low-cost platform to learn the architecture that is reshaping the semiconductor industry.

Project Evolution

From Microcontroller to Micro-Computer

• The Bottleneck: You may be used to the ESP32, which is fantastic for basic sensor logging. But what if you need to process video streams, run Python scripts natively, or manage a local database? The ESP32 runs out of RAM and processing power fast.
• The Upgrade: The LicheeRV Nano WE unlocks a full Linux environment. This means you aren't just flashing firmware; you are logging into a terminal. You gain access to file systems, multitasking, and powerful libraries like OpenCV and TensorFlow Lite.
• The Effort: Intermediate. Requires comfort with command-line interfaces (Linux CLI) and flashing OS images to SD cards.
• Hardware Check: You strictly need a high-quality microSD card (Class 10 or higher) and a reliable USB-C cable.

Virtual Technician: Wiring & Safety

• Warning: The board requires a stable 5V supply. Use a high-quality USB-C cable. Inadequate power can cause the NPU to brownout during heavy AI loads.
• IO Voltage: The GPIOs are 3.3V Logic. Do not connect 5V sensors directly to the pins; you will damage the SG2002 chip. Use a logic level converter if needed.
• Heat Management: The chip can get warm during NPU operations. For continuous high-load usage, we recommend adding a small heatsink.

Package includes:

• 1x LicheeRV Nano WE - RISC-V SG2002 (WiFi+Ethernet)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Does this board run Raspberry Pi OS?
  No, it runs Linux distributions optimized for RISC-V, such as Debian or Buildroot.
• Can I run Python on this board?
  Yes, it supports full Python 3 installation just like a desktop Linux computer.
• What is the default login username and password?
  Usually, for the provided images, it is root / sipeed or debian / debian. Check the specific image documentation.
• Does it have built-in storage?
  No, it relies on a microSD card for the operating system and storage.
• Can I power this from a laptop USB port?
  Yes, a standard USB 3.0 port on a laptop provides enough current for most tasks.
• Does the "WE" version support simultaneous WiFi and Ethernet?
  Yes, the WE version hardware supports both, allowing for excellent gateway applications.
• Is the Ethernet port a standard RJ45 jack?
  No, the board is too small. It has a connector for an Ethernet breakout (sometimes included or sold separately depending on the specific kit batch).
• Can I use the NPU with TensorFlow?
  Yes, Sophgo provides tools to convert TensorFlow Lite (TFLite) and ONNX models to run on the TPU.
• Does it support HDMI output?
  No, it does not have HDMI. It supports displays via the MIPI-DSI interface.
• How do I access the board if I don't have a screen?
  You can access it via Serial (UART) over USB or via SSH once connected to the network.
• Is the pinout compatible with Raspberry Pi?
  No, the pinout is specific to the LicheeRV Nano. Refer to the pinout diagram.
• Can I use Arduino IDE to program this?
  This is primarily a Linux SBC. While bare-metal programming is possible, it is not the standard Arduino workflow.
• What is the maximum microSD card size supported?
  It has been tested with cards up to 128GB.
• Does it support 5GHz WiFi?
  The WiFi 6 support usually includes 5GHz, but check the specific antenna and driver configuration in your OS.
• Can I connect a USB Camera?
  Yes, the USB-C port supports OTG, so you can connect a USB hub and a webcam (driver dependent).
• How do I cool the board?
  For basic use, passive air is fine. For heavy NPU use, a small stick-on heatsink is recommended.
• What is the boot time?
   Buildroot images boot very fast (under 10 seconds). Debian images take longer (30-60 seconds).
• Can I use this for Home Assistant?
  Technically yes, via Docker or Python, but the 256MB RAM is a tight constraint for a full HA installation.
• Does it support docker?
  Yes, you can run Docker on the Debian image, but stick to lightweight containers due to RAM limits.
• Is the unsoldered header pitch standard?
  Yes, it uses the standard 2.54mm pitch for GPIO headers.