HiKey 960: Understanding This Development Board

Introduction to the HiKey 960

The HiKey 960 is a high-end, 96Boards Consumer Edition development board that features an octa-core Kirin 960 processor, Mali G71 MP8 GPU, and 3GB of LPDDR4 SDRAM. This board is designed to provide developers with a platform to create, test, and deploy advanced applications, particularly in the realm of Android development and artificial intelligence.

Key Features of the HiKey 960

1. Kirin 960 octa-core processor (4x Cortex-A73 @ 2.4GHz, 4x Cortex-A53 @ 1.8GHz)
2. Mali G71 MP8 GPU
3. 3GB LPDDR4 SDRAM
4. 32GB UFS 2.1 flash storage
5. PCIe Gen2 on M.2 Key connector
6. USB 3.0 type C OTG port
7. Dual USB 3.0 type A host ports
8. HDMI 1.4 with 4K support
9. WiFi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1
10. 40-pin low speed expansion connector and 60-pin high speed expansion connector

Setting Up the HiKey 960

Before you can start using the HiKey 960, you’ll need to set it up correctly. This involves installing an operating system, connecting peripherals, and ensuring that all necessary drivers are installed.

Installing an Operating System

The HiKey 960 supports various operating systems, including Android, Linux, and AOSP (Android Open Source Project). The most common choice for developers is Android, as the board is designed with Android development in mind.

To install Android on your HiKey 960, follow these steps:

1. Download the appropriate Android image from the 96Boards website.
2. Write the image to a microSD card using a tool like Etcher or Win32 Disk Imager.
3. Insert the microSD card into the HiKey 960’s microSD slot.
4. Connect a monitor, keyboard, and mouse to the board.
5. Power on the board and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.

Connecting Peripherals

The HiKey 960 offers a range of connectivity options, including:

• HDMI 1.4 with 4K support
• USB 3.0 type C OTG port
• Dual USB 3.0 type A host ports
• 40-pin low speed expansion connector
• 60-pin high speed expansion connector

To connect peripherals to your HiKey 960, simply use the appropriate ports and connectors. For example, you can connect a monitor using the HDMI port, a keyboard and mouse using the USB ports, and additional sensors or modules using the expansion connectors.

Developing Applications for the HiKey 960

The HiKey 960 is an ideal platform for developing a wide range of applications, particularly those related to Android and artificial intelligence. Here are some examples of the types of applications you can develop using this board:

Android Applications

With its powerful Kirin 960 processor and Mali G71 MP8 GPU, the HiKey 960 is well-suited for Android application development. You can use the board to create, test, and optimize Android apps for various devices, from smartphones to smart TVs.

To start developing Android applications on the HiKey 960, you’ll need to:

1. Install Android Studio on your development machine.
2. Set up the Android SDK and NDK.
3. Connect your HiKey 960 to your development machine using a USB cable.
4. Enable USB debugging on the HiKey 960.
5. Create a new Android project in Android Studio and start coding.

Artificial Intelligence Applications

The HiKey 960’s powerful hardware also makes it an excellent choice for developing artificial intelligence (AI) applications. The board’s Kirin 960 processor includes a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU), which accelerates AI tasks like image recognition and natural language processing.

To develop AI applications on the HiKey 960, you can use popular frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Caffe. Here’s a general workflow for AI development on the board:

1. Install the necessary AI framework on your HiKey 960.
2. Prepare your training data and labels.
3. Train your AI model using the HiKey 960’s hardware acceleration.
4. Test and optimize your model.
5. Deploy your AI application on the HiKey 960 or integrate it into a larger system.

Benchmarking and Performance

The HiKey 960’s powerful hardware makes it a strong performer in various benchmarks. Here are some examples of the board’s performance in popular benchmarks:

These benchmark results demonstrate the HiKey 960’s capabilities in terms of CPU and GPU performance, making it a suitable choice for demanding applications like gaming, virtual reality, and video processing.

Expansion and Customization

One of the key advantages of the HiKey 960 is its extensibility. The board features a 40-pin low speed expansion connector and a 60-pin high speed expansion connector, which allow you to connect various sensors, modules, and peripherals to enhance the board’s functionality.

Some examples of expansion options for the HiKey 960 include:

• Camera modules
• Display panels
• Audio codecs
• Wireless communication modules (e.g., 4G LTE, LoRa)
• Environmental sensors (e.g., temperature, humidity, pressure)
• Motion sensors (e.g., accelerometer, gyroscope)

By leveraging these expansion options, you can customize the HiKey 960 to suit your specific application needs, whether you’re building a smart home device, a wearable sensor, or an industrial control system.

Community and Support

The HiKey 960 benefits from a strong community of developers and enthusiasts who contribute to its ecosystem by creating software, hardware add-ons, and providing support to fellow users.

Some key resources for the HiKey 960 community include:

• 96Boards website: The official website for the 96Boards initiative, which provides documentation, tutorials, and forums for the HiKey 960 and other 96Boards products.
• GitHub repositories: Various GitHub repositories hosted by 96Boards, Linaro, and individual contributors, containing software, firmware, and hardware designs for the HiKey 960.
• Social media channels: Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn accounts maintained by 96Boards and Linaro, where you can find updates, announcements, and engage with the community.

By engaging with the HiKey 960 community, you can learn from experienced developers, collaborate on projects, and get support when you encounter issues or have questions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the difference between the HiKey 960 and other 96Boards development boards?
   The HiKey 960 is a high-end 96Boards Consumer Edition board, featuring a more powerful processor, GPU, and memory compared to other boards in the same category. It is designed for demanding applications like Android development and artificial intelligence.

2. Can I run Linux on the HiKey 960?
   Yes, the HiKey 960 supports various Linux distributions, including Debian, Ubuntu, and openSUSE. You can download pre-built Linux images from the 96Boards website or create your own custom Linux build for the board.

3. What kind of AI applications can I develop on the HiKey 960?
   The HiKey 960’s Kirin 960 processor includes a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU), which accelerates AI tasks like image recognition, natural language processing, and machine learning. You can use popular AI frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Caffe to develop and deploy AI applications on the board.

4. How do I connect sensors and peripherals to the HiKey 960?
   The HiKey 960 features a 40-pin low speed expansion connector and a 60-pin high speed expansion connector, which allow you to connect various sensors, modules, and peripherals. You can use these connectors to interface with camera modules, display panels, audio codecs, wireless communication modules, and environmental sensors, among others.

5. Where can I find support and resources for developing on the HiKey 960?
   The 96Boards website is the primary resource for HiKey 960 support and development resources. You can find documentation, tutorials, and forums dedicated to the board. Additionally, there are various GitHub repositories hosted by 96Boards, Linaro, and individual contributors that contain software, firmware, and hardware designs for the HiKey 960. You can also engage with the community through social media channels maintained by 96Boards and Linaro.

Conclusion

The HiKey 960 is a powerful and versatile development board that offers a range of features and capabilities for developers and enthusiasts working on cutting-edge applications. With its octa-core Kirin 960 processor, Mali G71 MP8 GPU, and 3GB of LPDDR4 SDRAM, the board is well-suited for demanding tasks like Android development and artificial intelligence.

By leveraging the HiKey 960’s expansion options, you can customize the board to suit your specific application needs, whether you’re building a smart home device, a wearable sensor, or an industrial control system. The board’s strong community and extensive resources make it easy to get started with development and find support when needed.

As technology continues to evolve, the HiKey 960 remains a valuable tool for developers and enthusiasts looking to stay at the forefront of innovation. Whether you’re an experienced developer or just starting out, the HiKey 960 provides a robust platform for creating, testing, and deploying advanced applications that shape the future of technology.