A new source-based Linux distribution built on CRUX brings the KISS philosophy to the SpacemiT K1 platform, with dual kernel options and 1.8GHz overclocking support.
The RISC-V ecosystem continues to expand with new operating system options for the SpacemiT K1 platform. A community developer recently released Irradium, a source-based Linux distribution derived from CRUX Linux, bringing the "Keep It Simple" philosophy to RISC-V hardware.
Irradium is a source-based Linux distribution built on top of CRUX Linux. Unlike binary distributions that ship pre-compiled packages, Irradium follows the BSD ports model — software is compiled from source code through a port system. This gives developers fine-grained control over build options, dependencies, and optimizations specific to their hardware.
The distribution maintains its own package management system while remaining compatible with CRUX's port tree, making it familiar to existing CRUX users.Irradium now provides native riscv64 builds specifically targeting the Lichee Pi 3A, which is powered by the SpacemiT K1 SoC (8-core X60 @ 1.6GHz). This is notable because it adds another OS option alongside Bianbu, Ubuntu, and OpenWrt for K1-based boards.
The K1 chip delivers 50K DMIPS of integer performance with an integrated PowerVR GPU and 2 TOPS AI inference capability. Having multiple OS choices strengthens the K1 ecosystem and gives developers flexibility depending on their use case — whether it's desktop computing, edge AI, or embedded networking.Irradium offers four image variants for the Lichee Pi 3A, built on August 9, 2026:
Kernel 6.18.43 (Latest Mainline):Providing both a cutting-edge mainline kernel and a stable LTS kernel is a thoughtful choice. Developers who need the latest RISC-V driver support can opt for 6.18.43, while production deployments can standardize on 6.6.150 LTS for long-term stability.
Images are compressed using Zstandard (.img.zst), offering fast decompression compared to traditional gzip.One interesting detail in the release is documented overclocking support. The K1's X60 cores are rated for 1.6GHz, but Irradium includes instructions to boost the CPU to 1.8GHz:
echo 1 > /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpufreq/boost echo userspace > /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpufreq/policy0/scaling_governor echo 1800000 > /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpufreq/policy0/scaling_setspeedThis enables the CPU boost mode, switches the frequency governor to userspace control, and sets the target frequency to 1.8GHz. Developers should note that overclocking may affect thermal performance and system stability — adequate cooling is recommended.
Images are available from the primary download server and five mirror sites:
Installation instructions are available at: https://dl.irradium.org/irradium/images/lichee_pi_3a/README.TXT
The source code and development repository is hosted on GitLab: https://gitlab.com/sndwvs/irradiumThe SpacemiT K1 is one of the most capable RISC-V SoCs available today, with its 8-core X60 design and RVA23 compliance. Each new OS port validates the maturity of the platform and attracts different developer communities:
For those interested in exploring K1-based hardware, our platform offers K1 development boards and SDK resources. The K1's combination of 8-core performance, GPU acceleration, and AI inference makes it suitable for applications ranging from edge computing to OpenWrt-based networking solutions.
If you are new to the K1 platform, we recommend starting with the official Bianbu image to familiarize yourself with the hardware capabilities. Once comfortable, Irradium provides an excellent next step for developers who want deeper control over their system — the source-based approach means you can optimize every package for your specific workload.
The K1 SoC is available in multiple form factors including the Lichee Pi 3A, Banana Pi BPI-F3, and Bit-Brick Cluster. Check our store for K1 boards and accessories.