Last month we write about Nitrogen8M_Mini, the First NXP i.MX8 8M Mini SBC, but at the time, it was not available for purchase just yet. Boundary Devices has now announced the official release of the board and is taking orders / pre-orders for $135 and up.
Nitrogen8M_Mini SBC
Two versions are being offered either with the board only, or as part of a devkit with a 5V power supply, an 8GB microSD card with Linux OS, a battery, and serial console cable:
- Nit8MQ_Mini_2r8eWB with WiFi and Bluetooth, currently in stock, and sold for $155 (board only), or $175 (devkit)
- Nit8MQ_Mini_2r8e without wireless module, to ship in a few weeks, and sold for $135 (board only), or $155 (devkit)
Nitrogen8M_Mini specifications:
- SoC – NXP i.MX 8M Mini with 4x Cortex A53 cores @ 1.5 to 2.0 GHz max, 1x Cortex-M4F real-time core, Vivante GCNanoUltra 3D GPU, Vivante GC320 2D GPU
- System Memory – 2GB LPDDR4 (Optional 4GB version)
- Storage – 8GB eMMC flash, expandable up to 128GB, UHS microSD card slot
- Display I/F – 4-lane MIPI DSI interface up to 1080p
- Video Encode / Decode – 1080p H.264, VP8/1080p60 H.265, H.264, VP8, VP9
- Audio – 3.5mm headphone jack, analog MIC jack, 2W audio amplifier (1W per channel), L&R speaker headers
- Camera Interface – 1x 4-lane MIPI-CSI interface
- Connectivity
- Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45)
- Optional QCA9377 BD-SDMAC 802.11 ac version + Bluetooth 4.1
- USB – Up to 4x USB 2.0 ports including one USB 2.0 type A host port, 1x USB 2.0 OTG port
- Expansion
- I/O connectors with 3x I2C, 1x SPI, up to 4x UART, GPIOs
- 1x PCIe slot + SIM card slot; extra PCIe slot via daughterboard
- Misc – RTC + battery slot
- Power Supply – 5V via power barrel or optional PoE; PF8121 PMIC
- Dimensions – 114.3 x 88.9 mm
- Temperature Range – Commercial: 0 to 70°C; industrial: -40°C to +85°C
The design of the board has slightly changed since the first announcement, as the company switched the Ethernet port and the microSD socket, and added some extra connectors on the latest REV01 board pictured above. The bottom and side photos below are still from the older REV00 board since Boundary Devices has yet to update those..
The company has now set up a Wiki page for Nitrogen8M_Mini that explains how to get started with Linux 4.9.x, Android 8.1 Oreo, Debian 9.5, Ubuntu 18.04, the Yocto Project (Pyro), buildroot 2017.08, and FreeRTOS 1.0.1. All links point to instructions and images for their earlier Nitrogen8M board powered by i.MX 8MQuad processor. I’m not whether that means both boards are 100% software compatible, or if instead it just means the wiki will need to be updated.
The company also unveiled accessories for the board including 7″, 8″, or 10″ touchscreen displays, a 5MP MIPI Camera module, and a 7W PoE module available via a daughterboard.
Nitrogen8M_Mini SoM
Boundary devices also announced the availability of their Nitrogen8M_Mini SoM (System-on-Module) with the same default configuration as the SBC, i.e. i.MX 8M Mini quad-core processor, 2GB RAM, 8GB eMMC flash, and same I/O exposed. I can understand you can starting developing directly on Nitrogen8M SBC, and your software should just work on the SoM.
Two SKUs are offered at this time: Nit8MQ_Mini_SOM_2r8e with 2GB RAM for $120 and Nit8MQ_Mini_SOM_4r8e with 4GB RAM for $138. Those are single-unit prices, and volume pricing is said to start as low as $75start as low as $75.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
Support CNX Software! Donate via cryptocurrencies, become a Patron on Patreon, or purchase goods on Amazon or Aliexpress
