The Orange Pi Zero 3, manufactured by Xunlong Software Co., is a compact and versatile single-board computer (SBC) powered by the Allwinner H618 quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 processor. It is designed to deliver efficient performance for a wide range of applications, including IoT (Internet of Things), lightweight computing, media streaming, and embedded systems. With its small form factor, onboard Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and GPIO pins, the Orange Pi Zero 3 is an excellent choice for developers and hobbyists alike.

• IoT devices and smart home automation
• Lightweight web servers and network applications
• Media streaming and playback
• Educational projects and prototyping
• Robotics and embedded systems
• Edge computing and AI/ML applications (with external accelerators)

The Orange Pi Zero 3 features a 26-pin GPIO header. Below is the pinout and description:

1. Powering the Board:

   • Use a 5V/2A power adapter with a USB Type-C connector to power the board. Ensure the power supply is stable to avoid performance issues.

2. Connecting Peripherals:

   • Attach a monitor via the HDMI port for video output.
   • Connect a keyboard and mouse using the USB ports.
   • Insert a microSD card with a compatible operating system image (e.g., Debian or Ubuntu).

3. GPIO Usage:

   • Use the 26-pin GPIO header for interfacing with sensors, actuators, or other peripherals. Refer to the pinout table for correct connections.

4. Networking:

   • Connect to a wired network using the Ethernet port or configure Wi-Fi via the operating system.

5. Booting the Board:

   • Insert the microSD card, connect peripherals, and power on the board. The system will boot into the pre-installed operating system.

• Heat Management: The Orange Pi Zero 3 can get warm under heavy loads. Consider using a heatsink or fan for better thermal performance.
• Power Supply: Always use a high-quality power adapter to prevent voltage drops or instability.
• Operating System: Use official or community-supported OS images to ensure compatibility and stability.
• GPIO Precautions: Avoid exceeding the voltage and current limits of the GPIO pins to prevent damage to the board.

The Orange Pi Zero 3 can be programmed using Python or other languages. Below is an example of controlling an LED using Python's RPi.GPIO library:

import RPi.GPIO as GPIO import time

GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM)

LED_PIN = 17

GPIO.setup(LED_PIN, GPIO.OUT)

try: while True: GPIO.output(LED_PIN, GPIO.HIGH) # Turn on the LED time.sleep(1) # Wait for 1 second GPIO.output(LED_PIN, GPIO.LOW) # Turn off the LED time.sleep(1) # Wait for 1 second except KeyboardInterrupt: # Clean up GPIO settings on exit GPIO.cleanup()

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1. The board does not power on:

   • Ensure the power adapter provides 5V/2A and is properly connected.
   • Check the USB Type-C cable for damage or poor quality.

2. No video output on HDMI:

   • Verify that the HDMI cable is securely connected to the board and the monitor.
   • Ensure the operating system image is correctly written to the microSD card.

3. Wi-Fi is not working:

   • Check if the Wi-Fi antenna is properly connected (if applicable).
   • Verify the Wi-Fi settings in the operating system.

4. GPIO pins are not responding:

   • Ensure the correct pin numbering mode (BCM or BOARD) is used in your code.
   • Double-check the wiring and connections to external components.

• Can I use a USB hub with the Orange Pi Zero 3?
  Yes, you can connect a USB hub to expand the number of USB devices.

• What is the maximum supported microSD card size?
  The board supports microSD cards up to 128GB.

• Does the Orange Pi Zero 3 support 4K video playback?
  Yes, it supports 4K@60fps video output via the HDMI 2.0 port.

• Can I power the board via GPIO pins?
  Yes, you can power the board using the 5V and GND pins on the GPIO header, but ensure a stable power source.

This concludes the documentation for the Orange Pi Zero 3. For further assistance, refer to the official resources provided by Xunlong Software Co.