Introduced in 2018, NXP i.MX 8M Mini is the first i.MX processor from the company manufactured with a 14nm process, and the low-power processor is found in several compact modules such as Variscite VAR-SOM-MX8M-MINI (38×28 mm), SolidRun i.MX 8M Mini SoM (47×30 mm), or Compulab UCM-iMX8M-Mini (38×28 mm).
The smallest i.MX 8M Mini module we’ve covered so far is TechNexion XORE-IMX8M-Mini LGA system-on-module that takes just 30×30 mm of space. The TechNexion module is now joined by Kontron SoM SL i.MX8M Mini module with the same 30x30mm form factor, but a few more pins (267 vs 225).
Kontron SoM SL i.MX8M Mini specifications:
- SoC – NXP i.MX 8M Mini quad-core Arm Cortex-A53 processor @ 1.6 GHz with one Arm Cortex-M4 real-time core @ 400 MHz, as well as 2D GPU and 3D GPU
- System Memory – 1GB LPDDR4 RAM (option up to 4GB)
- Storage – 8GB eMMC flash (option up to 128GB), 2MB NOR Flash
- 267-pin on bottom of the module (machine-solderable) with
- Networking – Gigabit Ethernet
- USB – 2x USB 2.0 OTG
- Audio – 1x SAI
- 4x UART, 4x I²C, 2x SPI, 27x GPIO, 3x PWM
- 1x PCIe
- 1x QSPI, 2x SDIO 3.0 (1x 4 bit, 1x 8 bit)
- Display – 1x MIPI DSI (4-lane) up to 1920 x 1080 @ 60fps
- Camera – 1x MIPI CSI2 (4-lane)
- SECURITY – HAB Secure Boot, TrustZone, TRNG, RSA up to 4096, AES-128/192/256, 3DES, ARC4, MD-5, SHA up to 256, ECC, Secure JTAG
- Power Supply – 5 V DC ±5 %
- Power Consumption – Linux running < 1 W, max. < 3.5 W
- Dimensions – 30 x 30 mm
- Temperature Range – -25°C to +85°C
The company provides support for “ready2use” Yocto based Embedded Linux BSP, and Microsoft Windows 10 IoT for the module. There’s also a 4.3″ evaluation board for the module, but no details were provided.
One advantage of such machine-solderable modules is the cost savings for the connectors on the SoM module and on the baseboard, and associated manual assembly costs. The obvious disadvantage is that is can’t be replaced/upgrade easily but this is not needed in most products.
The module is designed for IoT and Industry 4.0 applications, and Kontron explains it is especially suited to the development of secure devices in large IoT networks.
The company did not provide availability nor pricing information about SoM SL i.MX8M Mini, but you can request a quote, and find a few more extra details on the product page.
Via LinuxGizmos
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.
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