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Getting Started with Qualcomm RB3 Gen2

The Qualcomm RB3 Gen2 platform is a powerful AI and IoT development board designed for edge computing applications. This guide walks you through the recommended Particle-enhanced setup as well as the manual Qualcomm Linux setup.

There are two main ways to set up your RB3 Gen2:

  • Simplified installation using Particle CLI and hosted images.
  • Pre-configured for cloud connectivity with Particle’s platform.
  • Built-in container support for AI and IoT workloads.
  • NPU & hardware acceleration enabled out of the box.
  • Robust OTA update support via RAUC and Particle’s update service.
  • Preloaded AI and Edge demos for rapid prototyping.

👉 Follow the Particle Setup Guide

2. Qualcomm Linux (Manual Path)​

  • Qualcomm provides detailed documentation on building and deploying Qualcomm Linux.
  • Requires manual configuration for cloud connectivity, OTA updates, and AI acceleration.
  • Best suited for custom low-level modifications.

👉 Qualcomm Linux Documentation

Installing the Particle-Enhanced Ubuntu Image​

For the best experience, install Particle’s pre-configured Ubuntu image using the Particle CLI.

1. Install Particle CLI​

If you haven’t already, install the Particle CLI:

npm install -g particle-cli

2. Flash the Particle Image

Run the following command to install the latest RB3 Gen2 image:

particle flash --rb3-gen2 IMAGE.ZIP

This downloads and installs the official Particle-enhanced Ubuntu image.

3. Boot the Device
	•	Once the installation completes, power on the RB3 Gen2.
	•	The device will automatically connect to Particle’s cloud.

4. Verify Cloud Connectivity

To check if your RB3 Gen2 is online:

particle cloud status

For advanced users who prefer manual flashing, you can download the image directly and flash it using dd or Balena Etcher. See the manual install guide.

Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates with Particle

RB3 Gen2 supports OTA updates via Particle’s platform, offering three flexible methods:

1. Application-Level Updates
	•	Deploy new AI models, scripts, and services without modifying the OS.
	•	Ideal for incremental updates and feature releases.

2. System Updates via Containers
	•	Encapsulate system software in a container.
	•	Remote updates without affecting the core OS.
	•	Works with Docker, Podman, and OCI-compatible runtimes.

3. A/B Partitioning for Full OS Upgrades
	•	RAUC-based OTA support enables seamless OS updates.
	•	Dual-partition booting ensures recovery in case of failures.
	•	Supported via Particle’s OTA infrastructure.

More details on configuring RB3 Gen2 for OTA updates can be found in the Particle OTA Guide.

AI & Edge Computing Demos

RB3 Gen2 comes preloaded with optimized AI workloads to accelerate development. Included demos:
	•	Object detection using the NPU.
	•	Edge-based ML inference.
	•	Real-time event processing with cloud integration.

See the AI & Edge Demos for a full list.

Next Steps
	•	Follow the Particle Setup Guide
	•	Learn More About OTA Updates
	•	Explore AI & Edge Demos
	•	Check Supported Devices

With Particle’s pre-configured Ubuntu for RB3 Gen2, you get a fully integrated, cloud-connected development experience with out-of-the-box AI acceleration, container support, and robust OTA updates. 🚀