K1 Pro M.2 Interface Description
1. M.2 Interface
M.2 is a specification for internally mounted computer expansion cards and associated connectors. It adopts a new physical layout and connector to replace the PCI Express (PCIE) and mSATA interface standards. M.2 has flexible physical specifications, allowing for a wider variety of module widths and lengths, and supports more advanced interfaces, making it more suitable than mSATA for everyday applications, especially for solid-state drives in ultrabooks or tablets.
M.2 was developed by the PCI-SIG and SATA-IO standards organizations and is defined in the PCI-SIG M.2 and SATA Rev. 3.2 specifications. Originally called NGFF (Next Generation Form Factor), it was officially renamed M.2 in 2013.
For detailed information, refer to Wikipedia.
The common M.2 interfaces are as follows:
Different types of interfaces correspond to different pin shapes and pin definitions.
The pin definitions are as follows:
- KEY-A pin definition
- KEY-B pin definition
- KEY-E pin definition
- KEY-M pin definition
K1 Pro Onboard M.2 Interface
The K1 Pro integrates three M.2 interfaces onboard, as shown below:
Among them, M.2 SLOT 1 and SLOT 2 are standard M.2 KEY-M interface definitions, which can directly support NVME interface solid-state drives. The solid-state drive length can be 2280.
Users can choose mainstream NVME interface SSDs. The installation method is shown below:
Another M.2 SLOT 0 is defined as a KEY-E interface with a length of 2230, mainly used to support various wireless modules. Since the processor has only three USB interfaces, SLOT 0 does not reserve a USB interface and also removes compatibility with NGFF's PCIE interface, so it cannot support modules defined by USB and PCIE interfaces. The detailed pin definition of the SLOT 0 interface is as follows:
K1 Pro Default Supported BIT-BRICK Hardware Modules
The supported categories and models are as follows:
| Model | Category | Specification Description |
|---|---|---|
| WIFI+Bluetooth | Wireless Module | |
| LORA | Wireless Module | |
| ZIGBEE | Wireless Module | |
| Bluetooth+StarFlash | Wireless Module | |
| GPS | Positioning Module |