NXP unveils i.MX 8ULP Cortex-A35/M33 secure processors with optional Azure Sphere certification

NXP may have just unveiled plans for i.MX 9 processor family with Arm Ethos U65 microNPU, and advanced security using the company’s EdgeLock enclave, but NXP also introduced new members to its popular i.MX 8 series with i.MX 8ULP and i.MX 8ULP-CS (Cloud Secured) processors.

Both processors come with a mix of Cortex-A35 application processor(s) and Cortex-M33 real-time core, as well as Energy Flex low-power architecture and EdgeLock secure enclave, but i.MX 8ULP-CS includes Microsoft Pluton for secure cloud connectivity and lacks 2D/3D graphics and the HiFi 4 audio DSP.

NXP i.MX 8ULP and 8ULP-CS key features and specifications:

• CPU
  • i.MX 8ULP – Up to two Arm Cortex-A35 @ 1.0 GHz and Arm Cortex-M33 @ 216 MHz,
  • i.MX 8ULP-CS – One Arm Cortex-A35 @ 1.0 GHz and Arm Cortex-M33 @ 216 MHz
• GPU (i.MX 8ULP only) – 2D GPU, and 3D GPU with support for OpenGL ES 3.1, OpenCLTM, Vulkan (both likely Vivante IP blocks, but not specified)
•  DSP
  • Fusion DSP @ 200 MHz for low-power voice and sensor hub processing
  • i.MX 8ULP only – Cadence® Tensillica® Hifi 4 DSP @ 600 MHz for advanced audio, voice and ML processing
• Memory – Up to 896 KB on-chip SRAM, LPDDR3/LPDDR4/LPDDR4X external memory support
• Storage – SPI-NOR, SPI-NAND flash
• Display I/F
  • 1x 4-lane MIPI DSI with PHY up to 24-bit RGB (DBI/DPI)
  • Color EPD Display
• Camera I/F – 1x 2-lane MIPI CSI with PHY
• Networking – 10/100M Ethernet
• Peripherals – FlexCAN, UART, I2C, FlexSPI, USB OTG, SPDIF/DiGMIC, etc…
• Security
  • i.MX 8ULP – EdgeLock secure enclave
  • i.MX 8ULP-CS – Microsoft Pluton enabled on EdgeLock secure enclave
• Power Management – RISC-V powered Power Management Subsystem (µpower)
• Packages – FCBGA 9.4 X 9.4 mm2; MAPBGA 15 x 15 mm2
• Temperature Range – -40°C – 105°C

NXP will offer support for Linux and Android on the Arm Cortex-A35 core(s), and real-time operating systems on the Cortex-M33 core with FreeRTOS the most commonly used option on other i.MX 8 heterogeneous processors.

Just like in i.MX 9, NXP’s Energy Flex architecture implementation combines heterogeneous domain computing, design techniques, and optimized process technology, 28nm FD-SOI in this case, in order to offer lower power consumption. There’s also a RISC-V power management subsystem that offers more than 20 power modes.

EdgeLock secure enclave aims to simplify complex security implementations, and in i.MX 8ULP-CS specifically contains a Microsoft Pluton to bring Azure Sphere certification and enable ultra-low-power, secure edge to cloud security.

NXP did not provide availability information for the new processor. You may find additional information in the announcement and preliminary product pages.

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