MNT Quasar 6490 SoM for MNT Reform Series Computers

MNT Quasar is an open hardware processor module that enables the use of Qualcomm Dragonwing QCS6490 (as well as QCS8550 and SM8750) in the MNT Reform series of open hardware laptops/computers. It was designed using KiCAD by Lucie L. Hartmann of MNT Research GmbH.

Collaboration with Linaro

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We thank Linaro for supporting this project with software engineering for Linux and U-Boot.

Funding

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This project receives funding by NLNet (NGI Zero Core), for which we are grateful.

Status (Release Version, 2026-07-22)

The QCS6490 version of Quasar (Quasar 6490) has now entered the first batch production. Initial user manuals, sources and documentation for the Factory Image (partitioning) as well as U-Boot CI build are available:

• https://mntre.com/documentation/mnt-quasar6490-manual-web.pdf
• https://source.mnt.re/reform/mnt-quasar-uboot-build
• https://source.mnt.re/reform/quasar-qcs-6490-factory-image

MNT Quasar 6490 is available in the MNT shop:

• https://shop.mntre.com/products/mnt-quasar-6490-processor-module

Status (Beta Version, 2026-04-23)

The second revision, D-2 (Beta), is completed. We were lucky with D-1 because both assembled prototype worked almost immediately, with only minor fixes to be made on the PCB. The main bringup issue on day 1 was a short caused by mechanical interference with metal spacers on the MNT Pocket Reform mainboard. This has been fixed in D-2. Over the last months, we (Casey from Linaro and Lucie from MNT) got the QCS6490 version almost completely functional in the Pocket Reform, including DSI display, USB, PCIe switch with downstream SSD, Wi-Fi, Sound, Ethernet, and SPI communication with System Controller (power and battery status). Even suspend and resume works, just needs some polishing of fixes to the display panel driver. Greta also assembled a second prototype with QCS8550 processor, and Lucie got the onboard DSI to HDMI converter to work, allowing up to three displays on 8550.

Lucie also made a new mainboard version for Pocket Reform to accomodate some needs for Quasar:

• A new internal FPC connector to inject DisplayPort for USB-C DP Alt-Mode, with accompanying firmware prototype for the System Controller (to negotiate DP Alt-Mode over PD vendor messages)
• A cascade of internal USB switch chips to be (among other things) able to use Qualcomm EDL loader directly from a USB-C port

Most important changes for the beta version of Quasar:

• Moved DSI port and some other components out of the way to avoid mechanical collisions/shorts on Pocket Reform
• After carefully checking all datasheets, replaced non-functioning SD card level shifters with 0 Ohm resistors as the 6490 SDC2 and 8550 SDC4 should already be able to work with 1.8V level shifters already on the MNT Reform series mainboards
• Added a USB2 hub and mux to work around missing second USB2 port on 8550/8750 (switchable via GPIO)
• Fixed missing DP HPD pin
• Fixed SD card CD pin signal inversion
• Moved SPI pins away from reserved pin group for 8550
• Grouped both I2C channels together (with resistors) to allow use of default XBL (which has different I2C/GPIO assignments)
• Wired up alternative PWM channel for backlight on 8550

Status (Initial Version, 2025-09)

The first PCB design, version D-1, is completed. The schematics were reviewed by Thundercomm, who designed the C6490P solder-on module that contains the processor and RAM used in our processor module. Additional thanks to Atlantik Elektronik for being a very helpful distributor/partner for Thundercomm in Germany.

Specs

• With Qualcomm QCS6490 (Thundercomm C6490P):
  • Kryo 670 CPU (8 cores)
    • 1x Kryo GoldPlus (ARM Cortex-A78 based) @ 2.7 GHz
    • 3x Kryo Gold (ARM Cortex-A78 based) @ 2.4 GHz
    • 4x Kryo Silver (ARM Cortex-A55 based) @ 1.9 GHz
  • Adreno 643 GPU
  • 8 GB LPDDR4x + 128 GB UFS2.2 (uMCP)
  • VPU, DPU, DSP etc.
• With Qualcomm QCS8550 (Thundercomm C8550) (planned):
  • Kryo CPU (8 cores)
    • 1x Kryo GoldPlus @ 3.3 GHz
    • 4x Kryo Gold @ 2.8 GHz
    • 3x Kryo Silver @ 2.0 GHz
  • Adreno 740 GPU
  • 12 GB LPDDR5 (PoP) + 128 GB UFS
• With Qualcomm CQ8750S (Thundercomm C8750) (planned):
  • Oryon CPU (8 cores):
    • 1x Prime core @ 4.3 GHz
    • 7x Performance cores @ 3.5 GHz
  • Adreno 830 GPU
  • 16 GB LPDDR5x + 128 GB UFS 3.1
• Adreno GPUs Supported by Mesa (Freedreno for OpenGL 4.6, Turnip for Vulkan 1.4)
• 1x PCIe 3.0 (4.0 with QCS8550) with 2 lanes (meant for NVMe)
• 1x PCIe 3.0 with 1 lane (split up for Ethernet plus 2x Wi-Fi or other use by Diodes PI7C9X2G404 packet switch) (not on CQ8750S, design TBD)
• 1x USB 3.0 + 2x USB 2.0
• 1x HDMI (only with Qualcomm QCS8550/CQ8750S) through DSI to HDMI converter Lontium LT9611UXC
• 1x DisplayPort on FPC connector
• 1x MIPI-DSI port on FPC connector
• 2x MIPI-CSI ports compatible with Raspberry Pi camera FPC connector
• Wi-Fi / BT FPC connector compatible with MNT RCORE (1x PCIe + USB 2.0)
• 2.5 GBit Ethernet through Microchip LAN7430T PCIe MAC/PHY
• SD, UART, SPI, I2C, I2S, PWM, GPIO
• ARM JTAG connector
• 4 Buttons (incl. forced USB boot)
• Powered by single 5V input
• 200-pin SO-DIMM connector backwards and forwards compatible with all MNT Reform series devices

License

All KiCAD hardware sources are copyright 2025 MNT Research GmbH and licensed under the CERN Open Hardware Licence Version 2 - Strongly Reciprocal.

The MNT logo is a registered trademark of MNT Research GmbH, all rights reserved. The Linaro logo is a registered trademark of Linaro Ltd., all rights reserved. Kryo, Adreno are registered trademarks of Qualcomm Inc., all rights reserved. ThunderX brand and module artwork / 3D models are copyright Thundercomm Corp., all rights reserved.