ASR-D501 – Compact Drone Companion Computer by Advantech

The Advantech ASR-D501 is an advanced compact companion and mission computer engineered specifically for unmanned aerial vehicle applications and drone systems. Powered by the Qualcomm QCS6490 system-on-chip, this single board computer delivers exceptional processing performance while maintaining low power consumption critical for battery-powered drone operations. The octa-core CPU configuration featuring Cortex-A78 and Cortex-A55 cores provides clock speeds from 1.9 GHz up to 2.7 GHz, complemented by the Adreno 643 GPU running at up to 812 MHz for graphics-intensive tasks. For AI and machine learning workloads essential to autonomous flight and computer vision, the integrated Hexagon 770 DSP delivers up to 12.3 TOPs of neural processing performance. The rugged design incorporates 8GB of high-speed LPDDR5 memory at 8533MT/s and 128GB UFS storage directly onboard, ensuring reliable operation in demanding flight conditions. Connectivity options are comprehensive, including 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet via Intel i226V controller, dual CAN-FD interfaces for flight controller communication, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports, three UARTs, two I2C buses, and five 4-lane MIPI-CSI camera interfaces supporting advanced multi-camera configurations for mapping, inspection, and surveillance applications. Display output is provided through Mini DisplayPort supporting up to 4K resolution. Expansion capabilities include M.2 E-Key for WiFi 6E connectivity and M.2 B-Key with nano-SIM support for 5G cellular modules. The board supports Advantech Robotic Suite with full ROS2 and MAVLink compatibility, making integration with existing drone ecosystems seamless. Operating from 5 to 12V DC input with support for both AT and ATX power management, the ASR-D501 measures just 100 x 60mm and weighs only 50 grams without heatsink. Extended operating temperature range of -20 to 70°C with passive cooling ensures reliable performance across diverse environmental conditions. Available from Recab, your Nordic partner for Advantech embedded computing solutions.