AAEON's PICO-MTU4: The World's First Intel® Core™ Ultra Pico-ITX Board

• Intel® Core™ Ultra 7/Ultra 5 Processor.
• Onboard LPDDR5, up to 32GB.
• 2.5GbE + 1GbE, HDMI 1.4 + eDP 1.4, USB 3.2 Gen 2 x 2 ports + USB 2.0 x 2, GPIO 4-bit, SATA 6.0 Gb/s x 1.
• Trusted Platform Module (TPM).
• SMBus/I2C (Default SMBus).
• -20°C to 70°C operating temperature.
• CE, FCC Class A, ROHS certifications.

As time passes, new innovations in industrial computing allow embedded systems to implement smaller and smaller technology. Small form factor Single-Board Computers (SBCs) can range from Mini-, Nano- and Pico-ITX down to Femto-ITX—all while operating with some of the most powerful processing power to date.

AAEON, a manufacturer of advanced industrial and embedded computing platforms, has recently released their PICO-MTU4 SBC. It is among the first to feature Intel’s latest Core Ultra processors, with an integrated Vision Processing Unit (VPU) for computer vision and machine learning, all of which allows the board to combine performance, power efficiency, and versatility in a compact Pico-ITX form factor (100mm x 72mm). At the time of writing this, it is the world's smallest Intel Core Ultra-powered board.

What makes the PICO-MTU4 stand out?

Efficient Performance with Intel Core Ultra

Intel is simplifying the branding for its processors. The latest label, Intel’s “Ultra”, was first introduced in 2023 with the launch of their Meteor Lake processors. This changes Intel’s naming system for their new or upcoming processors, removing the “i” from their long-standing Core i3, i5, i7, and i9 labels which have been in use since 2008, and replacing them with “Core 3,” “Core 5,” “Core 7,” and “Core 9.” The “Ultra” label is reserved for Intel’s higher-end chips.

This update is intended to make Intel’s product lineup easier to understand, while still providing generational details in the model numbers and the option to pair these processors with Intel Arc graphics.

The PICO-MTU4 is powered by Intel’s Meteor Lake Core Ultra 5 and Ultra 7 processors. It features a hybrid architecture of both performance and efficient cores while also being Intel’s first generation of mobile processors with a chiplet design. Chiplet technology utilises modular chips, which make it more flexible and versatile than monolithic chips.

The hybrid architecture of the processor delivers an optimal balance between high performance and energy efficiency, as it’s designed to handle demanding multi-threaded tasks while consuming less power. This makes it an ideal choice for applications that require consistent performance over long periods, especially in environments like embedded systems or mobile platforms where power efficiency is a priority.

In addition to the CPU cores, the Intel VPU is integrated into the chip, offering hardware acceleration for AI and machine vision tasks. This makes the PICO-MTU4 perfectly suitable for scenarios where edge processing of visual data is needed, such as in robotics or automated inspection systems.

Robust Connectivity in a Small Form Factor

Pico-ITX is one of the smallest form factors available, being only slightly bigger than a credit card. This makes it perfectly suited for embedded systems with limited space in applications such as automation, healthcare, transportation and retail.

Despite its small size, the PICO-MTU4 offers a broad range of connectivity options:

This combination of connectivity features makes the PICO-MTU4 versatile and capable of integrating into both modern and legacy systems without missing a beat.

Designed for Harsh Environments

The PICO-MTU4 is engineered for industrial use, where environmental conditions can be challenging. It operates within a wide temperature range of -20°C to 70°C, making it suitable for deployment in factories, outdoor installations, or other settings that experience significant temperature variation.

Its power efficiency is another strong point. The board has a thermal design power (TDP) of just 15W, meaning it delivers high performance while keeping energy consumption low. This efficiency is especially important for edge computing and IoT applications, where devices often need to run continuously in remote locations.

Ideal Applications

The PICO-MTU4’s balance of processing power, connectivity, and durability makes it well-suited to a variety of applications, including: