In the world of embedded hardware, one thing is certain: display requirements vary a lot. Some products need a 4” screen, others use 7” or even 10.1”. The interfaces could also differ: RGB, LVDS, or MIPI-DSI.

So how can we design a custom single board computer (SBC) that can support multiple display types — without changing the main hardware?

This post shares some practical design strategies we use in real-world projects involving Rockchip-based Android/Linux SBCs.

👉 Learn more:
🔗 Embedded Single Board Computers

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The Challenge: Varying Display Requirements

In many custom product designs, we often face the following situations:
• The same device may need different screen sizes for different markets.
• Some product lines want a high-end model with a MIPI screen and a budget model with an RGB display.
• The final display is undecided when hardware design starts.

Without proper planning, any change in screen type can lead to PCB redesigns, cost increases, and delays.

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Solution: Designing SBCs for Multi-Screen Compatibility

To solve this, we follow three main strategies during custom SBC design.

  1. Reserve Multiple Display Interfaces on Hardware

We typically include all of the following:
• 24-bit RGB interface for standard TFT LCDs
• LVDS channels for industrial or higher resolution displays
• MIPI-DSI (2/4 lane) for modern, high-PPI screens

With some jumper settings, GPIO control, or optional resistors, we can switch between display types without changing the core board.

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  1. Dynamic Software Configuration

Even with the same interface (e.g., MIPI), different displays may require different:
• Resolution and timing
• Backlight control
• Power-on sequences
• VCOM or I²C initialization settings

We use:
• Device Tree overlays in Linux
• Android panel driver configs
• Parameter tables in XML/JSON formats

This allows us to load the right settings at runtime based on screen model.

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  1. Driver Abstraction for Multiple Panels

In our Android/Linux BSPs, we implement modular panel drivers like this:

&panel {
    compatible = "rocktech,7inch-lvds";
    backlight = <&backlight>;
    power-supply = <&vcc3v3>;
    ...
}

We can switch between compatible panels via boot arguments or compile-time flags — no need to rebuild the whole kernel.

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Benefits of Multi-Screen Compatible SBCs

By following this design approach, our customers enjoy:
• 🧩 One SBC fits multiple models — reduced production complexity
• ⚡ Faster sample delivery and testing
• 🔄 Flexible supply chain and display sourcing
• 💡 Seamless screen replacement without hardware changes

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Final Thoughts

In today’s competitive embedded market, flexibility is key. Designing SBCs that support multiple display types makes your product future-proof, cost-effective, and easier to scale.

We’ve successfully applied this approach to various Rockchip SoCs like PX30, RK3566, and RK3288 — building custom Android/Linux boards with flexible display support.

If you’re developing a smart terminal, control panel, or HMI device and want to support different screens with one board — feel free to connect and share your requirements. We’re happy to help!

👉 Learn more:
🔗 Custom SBC Solutions