I have the RK3588 from 08-2024, I want bluetooth I need this right?

[Vinh]

Hi there!

I haven’t followed the MNT news for a while (been using my pocket reform quite a bit though!)

I had bought back in summer 2024 what I think was the “original RK3588 upgrade for pocket reform”:

PREF-UPRK16-V10-R10 MNT Pocket Reform Upgrade Bundle MNT Reform CPU Module: RK3588 16GB/128GB (1) @ €430.00 = €430.00
PREF-WIFI-V10-R01 Wi-Fi Card + Antennas (1) @ €50.00 = €50.00

If I’m not wrong I can upgrade to a newer setup that allows me to have internal bluetooth right? (as opposed to a bluetooth USB dongle)

(See the screenshot below)

I’ve only briefly skimmed the manual, but installation should be straightforward for my specific case?:

• I’d have to to discard the wifi antenna from my previous order?
• move my processor from its previous carrier board to this new one? I don’t see any explicit description for this is this complicated?

I’ll order the new backplate as recommended on the manual too

Many thanks

[josch]

@Vinh

If I’m not wrong I can upgrade to a newer setup that allows me to have internal bluetooth right? (as opposed to a bluetooth USB dongle)

(See the screenshot below)

The screenshot is from this page, right?

MNT Pocket Reform Upgrade Bundle - MNT Research Shop

Yes, that should give you the RCORE carrier board plus the Wi-Fi/BT Carrier Board. You can then put your existing RK3588 into the new RCORE carrier board. The Wi-Fi/BT Carrier Board comes with the Intel AX210 Wi-Fi/Bluetooth module for Wi-Fi 6E and BT 5.3 connectivity which give you bluetooth.

@Vinh

I’d have to to discard the wifi antenna from my previous order?

I don’t know. Maybe they are compatible.

@Vinh

move my processor from its previous carrier board to this new one? I don’t see any explicit description for this is this complicated?

The firefly RK3588 board sits very tightly on the RCORE carrier board. I don’t think it’s compilicated but it needs careful prying of the RK3588 from ith carrier board by slowly lifting each corner by a fraction of a millimeter until it comes off.

@Vinh

I’ll order the new backplate as recommended on the manual too

If you still have the old backplate you definitely want the new one or otherwise the wifi signal reception will be very bad.

[Vinh]

thanks for the info @josch

[Khaaan]

To clarify, the Bluetooth comes in the networking module attached to the new daughterboard rather than the system carrier board? Thanks!

[josch]

@Khaaan

To clarify, the Bluetooth comes in the networking module attached to the new daughterboard rather than the system carrier board?

Yes. As I’ve said in my earlier post:

@josch

The Wi-Fi/BT Carrier Board comes with the Intel AX210 Wi-Fi/Bluetooth module for Wi-Fi 6E and BT 5.3 connectivity which give you bluetooth.

The RCORE board is to connect the Firefly iCore 3588 to your system and that one does not have wireless chips on it.

[Khaaan]

Thanks, Josch. I was pretty confused!