Asus AAEON PICO-APL4 User manual

Last Updated: May 7, 2021
PICO-APL4
PICO-ITX Board
User’s Manual 7th Ed

Preface II
Pico-ITX Board PICO- APL4
Copyright Notice
This document is copyrighted, 2021. All rights are reserved. The original manufacturer
reserves the right to make improvements to the products described in this manual at
any time without notice.
No part of this manual may be reproduced, copied, translated, or transmitted in any
form or by any means without the prior written permission of the original
manufacturer. Information provided in this manual is intended to be accurate and
reliable. However, the original manufacturer assumes no responsibility for its use, or for
any infringements upon the rights of third parties that may result from its use.
The material in this document is for product information only and is subject to change
without notice. While reasonable efforts have been made in the preparation of this
document to assure its accuracy, AAEON assumes no liabilities resulting from errors or
omissions in this document, or from the use of the information contained herein.
AAEON reserves the right to make changes in the product design without notice to its
users.

Preface III
Pico-ITX Board PICO- APL4
Acknowledgement
All other product name or trademarks are properties of their respective owners.
⚫Microsoft Windows® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp.
⚫Intel®, Pentium® and Celeron® are registered trademarks of Intel Corp.
⚫Intel Atom™ is a trademark of Intel Corp.
⚫ITE is a trademark of Integrated Technology Express, Inc.
⚫IBM, PC/AT, PS/2, and VGA are trademarks of International Business Machines
Corporation.
All other product names or trademarks are properties of their respective owners.

Preface IV
Pico-ITX Board PICO- APL4
Packing List
Before setting up your product, please make sure the following items have been
shipped:
Item
Quantity
PICO-APL4
1
If any of these items are missing or damaged, please contact your distributor or sales
representative immediately.

Preface V
Pico-ITX Board PICO- APL4
About this Document
This User’s Manual contains all the essential information, such as detailed descriptions
and explanations on the product’s hardware and software features (if any), its
specifications, dimensions, jumper/connector settings/definitions, and driver installation
instructions (if any), to facilitate users in setting up their product.
Users may refer to the product page at AAEON.com for the latest version of this
document.

Preface VI
Pico-ITX Board PICO- APL4
Safety Precautions
Please read the following safety instructions carefully. It is advised that you keep this
manual for future references
1. All cautions and warnings on the device should be noted.
2. Make sure the power source matches the power rating of the device.
3. Position the power cord so that people cannot step on it. Do not place anything
over the power cord.
4. Always completely disconnect the power before working on the system’s
hardware.
5. No connections should be made when the system is powered as a sudden rush
of power may damage sensitive electronic components.
6. If the device is not to be used for a long time, disconnect it from the power
supply to avoid damage by transient over-voltage.
7. Always disconnect this device from any AC supply before cleaning.
8. While cleaning, use a damp cloth instead of liquid or spray detergents.
9. Make sure the device is installed near a power outlet and is easily accessible.
10. Keep this device away from humidity.
11. Place the device on a solid surface during installation to prevent falls
12. Do not cover the openings on the device to ensure optimal heat dissipation.
13. Watch out for high temperatures when the system is running.
14. Do not touch the heat sink or heat spreader when the system is running
15. Never pour any liquid into the openings. This could cause fire or electric shock.
16. As most electronic components are sensitive to static electrical charge, be sure to
ground yourself to prevent static charge when installing the internal components.
Use a grounding wrist strap and contain all electronic components in any
static-shielded containers.

Preface VII
Pico-ITX Board PICO- APL4
17. If any of the following situations arises, please the contact our service personnel:
i. Damaged power cord or plug
ii. Liquid intrusion to the device
iii. Exposure to moisture
iv. Device is not working as expected or in a manner as described in
this manual
v. The device is dropped or damaged
vi. Any obvious signs of damage displayed on the device
18. DO NOT LEAVE THIS DEVICE IN AN UNCONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT WHERE
THE STORAGE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW -20° C (-4°F) OR ABOVE 60°C (140°F)
TO PREVENT DAMAGE.

Preface VIII
Pico-ITX Board PICO- APL4
FCC Statement
This device complies with Part 15 FCC Rules. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not
cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any
interference received including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
Caution:
There is a danger of explosion if the battery is incorrectly replaced. Replace only with the
same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Dispose of used batteries
according to the manufacturer’s instructions and your local government’s recycling or
disposal directives.
Attention:
Il y a un risque d’explosion si la batterie est remplacée de façon incorrecte.
Ne la remplacer qu’avec le même modèle ou équivalent recommandé par le constructeur.
Recycler les batteries usées en accord avec les instructions du fabricant et les directives
gouvernementales de recyclage.

Preface IX
Pico-ITX Board PICO- APL4
China RoHS Requirements (CN)
产品中有毒有害物质或元素名称及含量
AAEON Main Board/ Daughter Board/ Backplane
部件名称
有毒有害物质或元素
铅
(Pb)
汞
(Hg)
镉
(Cd)
六价铬
(Cr(VI))
多溴联苯
(PBB)
多溴二苯醚
(PBDE)
印刷电路板
及其电子组件
○
○
○
○
○
○
外部信号
连接器及线材
○
○
○
○
○
○
O：表示该有毒有害物质在该部件所有均质材料中的含量均在
SJ/T 11363-2006 标准规定的限量要求以下。
X：表示该有毒有害物质至少在该部件的某一均质材料中的含量超出
SJ/T 11363-2006 标准规定的限量要求。
备注：此产品所标示之环保使用期限，系指在一般正常使用状况下。

Preface X
Pico-ITX Board PICO- APL4
China RoHS Requirement (EN)
Poisonous or Hazardous Substances or Elements in Products
AAEON Main Board/ Daughter Board/ Backplane
Component
Poisonous or Hazardous Substances or Elements
Lead
(Pb)
Mercury
(Hg)
Cadmium
(Cd)
Hexavalent
Chromium
(Cr(VI))
Polybrominated
Biphenyls
(PBB)
Polybrominated
Diphenyl Ethers
(PBDE)
PCB & Other
Components
O
O
O
O
O
○
Wires &
Connectors
for External
Connections
O
O
O
O
O
O
O：The quantity of poisonous or hazardous substances or elements found in each of the
component's parts is below the SJ/T 11363-2006-stipulated requirement.
X: The quantity of poisonous or hazardous substances or elements found in at least one of the
component's parts is beyond the SJ/T 11363-2006-stipulated requirement.
Note: The Environment Friendly Use Period as labeled on this product is applicable under normal
usage only

Preface XI
Pico-ITX Board PICO- APL4
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 - Product Specifications.......................................................................................... 1
1.1 Specifications............................................................................................................ 2
Chapter 2 –Hardware Information ....................................................................................... 5
2.1 Dimensions ............................................................................................................... 6
2.2 Jumpers and Connectors....................................................................................... 9
2.3 List of Jumpers ........................................................................................................ 11
2.3.1 Auto Power Button Enable/Disable Selection (JP1) ......................... 11
2.3.2 Clear CMOS Jumper (JP2) .................................................................... 11
2.4 List of Connectors...................................................................................................12
2.4.1 COM Port 2 (CN1) ..................................................................................13
2.4.2 COM Port 1 (CN2) ..................................................................................15
2.4.3 Front Panel Connector (CN3) ..............................................................16
2.4.4 M.2 Key-E Slot (2230) (CN4)................................................................16
2.4.5 M.2 Key-B Slot (2280) (CN5)................................................................19
2.4.6 BIO Port (Optional) (CN6) ...................................................................22
2.4.7 Digital I/O (CN7)....................................................................................25
2.4.8 SATA Port (CN8).....................................................................................26
2.4.9 SPI Flash Programming Port (CN9) ...................................................27
2.4.10 +5V Output for SATA HDD (CN12)....................................................27
2.4.11 HDMI Port (CN11) ..................................................................................28
2.4.12 Battery (CN12)........................................................................................29
2.4.13 LAN (RJ-45) Port1 (CN13).....................................................................29
2.4.14 LAN (RJ-45) Port2 (CN14)....................................................................30
2.4.15 USB 3.0 Ports 0 and 1 (CN15)...............................................................31
2.4.16 External Power Input (CN17) ...............................................................32
2.4.17 +12V DC Power Jack (Optional) (CN18)............................................32

Preface XII
Pico-ITX Board PICO- APL4
2.4.18 Embedded DisplayPort (Optional) (CN19) .......................................32
2.4.19 USB 2.0 Port 2 (CN20)..........................................................................34
2.4.20 USB 2.0 Port 1 (CN21) ...........................................................................34
2.4.21 LPC Port (CN22) ....................................................................................35
2.5 Electrical Specifications for I/O Ports.................................................................36
2.6 Function Block........................................................................................................37
2.7 Assembly Options .................................................................................................38
2.7.1 PICO-APL4-HSK01.................................................................................38
2.7.2 PICO-APL4-HSP01.................................................................................39
2.7.3 PICO-APL4-FAN01.................................................................................40
Chapter 3 - AMI BIOS Setup .................................................................................................41
3.1 System Test and Initialization ..............................................................................42
3.2 AMI BIOS Setup .....................................................................................................43
3.3 Setup Submenu: Main..........................................................................................44
3.4 Setup Submenu: Advanced.................................................................................45
3.4.1 Trusted Computing ...............................................................................46
3.4.2 CPU Configuration................................................................................48
3.4.3 SATA Configuration...............................................................................50
3.4.4 Hardware Monitor..................................................................................51
3.4.5 SIO Configuration .................................................................................52
3.4.5.1 Serial Port 1 Configuration .....................................................53
3.4.5.2 Serial Port 2 Configuration.....................................................54
3.4.5 Digital IO Port Configuration..............................................................55
3.4.6 Power Management .............................................................................56
3.5 Setup Submenu: Chipset .....................................................................................57
3.5.1 North Bridge ..........................................................................................58
3.5.2 South Bridge...........................................................................................59
3.6 Setup Submenu: Security.....................................................................................60

Preface XIII
Pico-ITX Board PICO- APL4
3.6.1 Secure Boot .............................................................................................61
3.6.1.1 Key Management.....................................................................62
3.7 Setup Submenu: Boot ..........................................................................................64
3.7.1 BBS Priorities...........................................................................................65
3.8 Setup Submenu: Save & Exit...............................................................................66
Chapter 4 –Drivers Installation............................................................................................ 67
4.1 Driver Download/Installation ..............................................................................68
Appendix A - I/O Information.............................................................................................. 70
A.1 I/O Address Map ....................................................................................................71
A.2 Memory Address Map .........................................................................................72
A.3 IRQ Mapping Chart...............................................................................................73
Appendix B –Mating Connectors ....................................................................................... 76
B.1 List of Mating Connectors and Cables..............................................................77

Pico-ITX Board PICO-APL4
Chapter 1
Chapter 1 - Product Specifications

Chapter 1 –Product Specifications 2
Pico-ITX Board PICO-APL4
1.1 Specifications
System
Form Factor
PICO-ITX
CPU
Intel® Pentium® N4200 (4-core, 1.1 GHz, up to
2.5 GHz, TDP 6W)
Intel® Celeron® N3350 (2-core, 1.1 GHz, up to
2.4 GHz, TDP 6W)
Intel® Atom™x7-Series (4-core 1.6GHz, up to
2.00 GHz, TDP 12W)
CPU Frequency
Up to 2.4GHz
Chipset
Intel SoC
Memory Type
Onboard DDR3L 2GB (Optional up to 4GB)
Max. Memory Capacity
Up to 4GB
BIOS
AMI/SPI
Wake On LAN
Yes
Watchdog Timer
255 Levels
Power Requirement
+12V, AT/ATX
Power Supply Type
Lockable & Phoenix Terminal co-lay
Power Consumption (Typical)
Intel Pentium N4200 at 1.1GHz with DDR3L 4GB:
1.43A at +12V
System Cooling
Heat-spreader
Heatsink with cooler (Optional)
Dimension
3.94" x 2.84" (100 mm x 72 mm)
Gross Weight
0.55 lbs. (0.25 kg)

Chapter 1 –Product Specifications 3
Pico-ITX Board PICO-APL4
System
Operating Temperature
32°F ~ 140°F (0°C ~ 60°C)
Storage Temperature
-40°F ~ 176°F (-40°C ~ 80°C)
Operating Humidity
0% ~ 90% relative humidity, non-condensing
MTBF (Hours)
191,895
Certification
CE, FCC
Display
Chipset
Intel SoC
Resolution
HDMI 1.4b: 3840 x 2160, 30Hz
Internal eDP 1.4: 3840 x 2160, 60Hz (Optional)
DDI (Optional from BIO)
LCD Interface
eDP version 1.4
I/O
Storage/SSD
SATA 6.0 Gb/s x 1, 5V Power reserved
M.2 2280 (B Key) x 1
eMMC 32GB (Optional 16GB/64GB/128GB)
Ethernet
Realtek 8111G x 2
USB Port
USB 3.2 Gen 1 x 2 Rear IO
USB 2.0 x 2 (Internal, co-use with FAN connector)
Serial Port
COM1: RS-232 x 1
COM2: RS-232/422/485 x 1
Audio
—
DIO
4-bit

Chapter 1 –Product Specifications 4
Pico-ITX Board PICO-APL4
I/O
Expansion Slot
M.2 2230 x 1 (E-Key)
BIO x 1 (optional)
I2C
Smbus
SIM
—
TPM
—
Touch
—

Pico-ITX Board PICO-APL4
Chapter 2
Chapter 2 –Hardware Information

Chapter 2 –Hardware Information 6
Pico-ITX Board PICO-APL4
2.1 Dimensions
Component Side
Component Side Solder Side

Chapter 2 –Hardware Information 7
Pico-ITX Board PICO-APL4
Solder Side
Component Side Solder Side