Build the Box

This page provides assembly instructions for the OpenCCA automation box. Before starting, make sure you have all the parts listed in Hardware.

Physical Layout#

The box is organized in three layers:

• Top: ROCK 5B (RK3588) board, along with MOSFET circuit
• Middle: Raspberry Pi 5 (management node)
• Bottom: Ethernet switch

More assembly pictures can be found in the opencca-box repository.

Connecting the Parts#

Dock (Anker PowerExpand) connects to:

• Pi (main USB-C host port)
• Power supply (USB-C PD input) and smart plug
• RK3588 (USB-C data port)

Raspberry Pi (Flash Server) connects to:

• Switch (Ethernet)
• Dock
• USB-TTL adapter
• Breadboard/MOSET via GPIO header

RK3588 connects to:

• Switch
• Dock
• USB-TTL via GPIO header
• Breadboard/MOSFET wiring via GPIO header and soldering

Raspberry Pi#

Install Raspberry Pi OS onto the SD card of the Pi.

The Pi serves as the flashing and power management node. For firmware compilation, use a dedicated x86 machine and mount the build directories into the Pi via sshfs. This setup allows you to compile on a faster x86 machine while the Pi handles flashing operations.

The docker container in opencca-flash provides the required environment for the Pi.

Network Setup#

Connect the Raspberry Pi to the Ethernet switch using a short patch cable. Connect the switch to your network using a longer uplink cable. The RK3588 also connects to the same switch for network access.

UART Console#

z Connect the USB-TTL adapter to a USB port on the Raspberry Pi. See Connect to UART for detailed pinout.

Power Control#

The Raspberry Pi can back-power the RK3588 over USB even when the smart plug is off. To achieve a true hard reset, both power sources must be removed:

1. Turn off the smart plug (cuts main power)
2. Disable USB power from Raspberry Pi using uhubctl

See scripts in opencca-flash/board/power.