UP WCL Credit Card-Sized AI Developer Boards

Introduction

The UP WCL series is a compact edge AI developer-board platform built around Intel Core Series 3 processor options. Measuring 85 mm × 56 mm, the boards combine processor choices up to the Intel Core 7 processor 350 with up to 40 TOPS of AI performance, making substantial local inference capability available in a credit card-sized format.

The platform integrates onboard LPDDR5 memory and UFS storage, together with 2.5GbE networking, HDMI 2.1 display output, USB connectivity, expansion, and low-level I/O. This combination makes it suitable for embedded development where compute, connectivity, and hardware control need to coexist on a small board.

What it does

UP WCL boards provide an edge-computing base for applications that need to run AI workloads locally rather than relying entirely on an external system. Available processor options include the Intel Core 7 processor 350, Intel Core 5 processor 320, and Intel Core 3 processor 304.

The series supports up to 24 GB of onboard LPDDR5 memory and up to 256 GB of onboard UFS storage. Wired connectivity is provided through one 2.5GbE Ethernet interface, while a single HDMI 2.1 TMDS output supports direct display attachment.

For peripheral connectivity, the board includes three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports. A 10-pin header additionally provides two USB 2.0 connections and one UART connection. Expansion is available through an M.2 2230 E-key slot supporting CNVI2/CNVI3, PCIe Gen 4 ×1, and USB 2.0.

The wafer-based I/O interface is BIOS-selectable and provides two I²C, two PWM, two SPI, and eight GPIO connections at 3.3 V, giving the platform a direct path to sensors, controllers, and other embedded hardware.

Applications

• Compact edge AI development and prototyping
• Locally processed vision or analytics systems with HDMI display output
• Network-connected embedded AI nodes using 2.5GbE Ethernet
• Sensor, actuator, and controller integration through I²C, SPI, PWM, GPIO, and UART
• Small-footprint human-machine interfaces and embedded displays
• Development systems requiring M.2 2230 wireless or PCIe-based expansion

Design considerations

The board requires a 12 V DC input rated at 5 A. Typical power consumption is specified as 30 W to 36 W, so the power supply and thermal design should be selected accordingly.

The stated operating-temperature range of -20°C to +60°C applies with 0.7 airflow and an active cooler. Designs intended for sustained operation should therefore account for active cooling and airflow rather than treating the board as a passively cooled module.

Memory and storage are onboard, with capacities specified up to 24 GB LPDDR5 and 256 GB UFS. Additional functionality can be added through the M.2 2230 E-key interface, while the 10-pin wafer I/O connector provides a compact route to application-specific hardware. The board operates in 0% to 90% relative humidity, non-condensing.

Availability and further information

The source/distributor and datasheet links on this page provide further information on the UP WCL developer-board series, including supported configurations, connector details, and integration documentation.