Forlinx FCU3101 Fanless Edge Compute Box Debuts With Quad-Core ARM SoC and 3 TOPS AI NPU
Forlinx has introduced the FCU3101, a compact fanless edge compute box designed for industrial automation, IoT deployments, machine vision, sensor gateways, and lightweight AI inference at the edge. Built around a quad-core ARM processor and a rugged enclosure, the FCU3101 targets environments where reliability, connectivity, and long-term operation matter more than raw desktop-class performance.
At the heart of the FCU3101 is Rockchip’s RV1126 platform, available in two variants: the RV1126B and RV1126BJ. Both chips feature four Arm Cortex-A53 CPU cores, with clock speeds reaching up to 1.6 GHz depending on the model. The BJ version is tuned for tougher operating conditions, making it more suitable for industrial installations that may face extreme temperatures.
A key highlight is the built-in NPU, which delivers up to 3 TOPS of AI computing performance. This gives the FCU3101 enough capability for edge-based inference tasks such as object detection, image recognition, video analytics, equipment monitoring, and basic machine vision workloads without relying entirely on cloud processing.
Forlinx is offering the FCU3101 in both industrial-grade and commercial-grade configurations. The industrial version is designed to operate from -40°C to 85°C and comes with the RV1126BJ processor, 2 GB of RAM, and 16 GB of storage. The commercial version supports a temperature range of -20°C to 85°C and offers upgraded memory and storage, with up to 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of onboard storage.
Both versions support microSD card expansion up to 128 GB, giving users additional flexibility for logs, local datasets, application files, or offline operation.
Because the FCU3101 is built for edge computing and industrial control, connectivity is one of its strongest features. The fanless mini PC includes dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, USB connectivity, serial communication interfaces, wireless options, display output, digital input/output, and optional cellular support.
The I/O selection includes USB 3.0 Type-A, USB 2.0 Type-A, dual RS-232 ports, RS-485, optional LTE, a TF card slot, Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 4.2, a 3.5 mm AUX port, HDMI, dual Ethernet, a Type-C debug port, two relay digital outputs, and two digital inputs.
This wide range of interfaces makes the FCU3101 suitable for factory automation, smart transportation, remote monitoring, energy systems, industrial gateways, agricultural IoT, and other embedded applications where multiple sensors, controllers, and network devices need to communicate reliably.
Power is supplied through a DC 24 V input, but the system supports a broad 9 V to 36 V voltage range. It also includes reverse polarity protection and overcurrent protection, both of which are important features for equipment installed in harsh or unstable electrical environments.
The enclosure measures approximately 202 x 123 x 42 mm and weighs around 800 grams. Its fanless design helps reduce maintenance needs, prevents dust buildup from active cooling, and improves reliability in industrial settings where moving parts can become a point of failure.
The FCU3101 is not positioned as a general-purpose consumer mini PC. Instead, it is aimed at professional edge computing deployments where compact size, stable performance, rugged operation, and versatile communication interfaces are essential. It can function as a data acquisition terminal, AI inference node, communications hub, or industrial IoT gateway.
For use cases such as sensor data collection, local video processing, device control, and cloud-connected monitoring, the combination of a quad-core ARM SoC, 3 TOPS NPU, dual Ethernet, serial ports, and optional LTE makes the FCU3101 a practical solution for companies building edge infrastructure.
Forlinx says the FCU3101 is already in production. Pricing has not been publicly announced, which is common for industrial hardware, as final cost often depends on configuration, order volume, customization, and deployment requirements. Interested buyers are expected to contact Forlinx directly for availability and purchasing details.
