The Olimex iMX8MP-SOM-4GB-IND and iMX8MP-SOM-EVB-IND platforms represent a robust approach to embedded Linux systems development. Both printed circuit boards are open-source hardware, with schematics, PCB layouts, and design files available on GitHub. Designed using KiCad, a widely adopted open-source EDA suite, these devices offer transparency and allow developers to customize and adapt the hardware to their specific needs. This technical overview outlines their architecture, features, and integration into development workflows.
The iMX8MP-SOM-4GB-IND is a compact and modular System-on-Module (SoM) leveraging the capabilities of the powerful NXP i.MX8M Plus processor. It integrates high-performance processing with industrial-grade durability, making it suitable for a range of applications, including AI inference, multimedia processing, and industrial automation.
Hardware Specifications
CPU: MIMX8ML8CVNKZAB Quad core Cortex-A53 at 1.6Ghz and Arm Cortex-M7 at 800Mhz
Memory: 4 GB LPDDR4 RAM, providing sufficient capacity for high-throughput data processing and multitasking.
I/O and Interfaces:
HDMI and dual MIPI-CSI interfaces for multimedia output and camera integration.
LVDS interface for flat-panel displays.
Integrated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) delivering 2.3 TOPS for on-device AI inference.
220-pin pin connectors supporting:
USB 3.0
CAN FD
PCIe 3.0
Gigabit Ethernet
Environmental Specifications: Operational temperature range: -20?C to +85?C, ensuring reliable functionality in industrial environments.
Use Cases
The iMX8MP-SOM-4GB-IND is suited for applications requiring robust processing capabilities, such as industrial control systems, computer vision, and edge AI applications, particularly where power efficiency and thermal reliability are critical.
Olimex iMX8MP-SOM-EVB-IND: Development Board for System Evaluation
The iMX8MP-SOM-EVB-IND extends the functionality of the SoM by providing an array of connectors, transceivers, and debug interfaces. This evaluation board simplifies system prototyping and provides a bridge between the SoM and real-world deployment scenarios.
Automotive and Industrial Interfaces: Dual CAN transceivers facilitate robust communication protocols, critical for industrial and automotive systems.
Peripheral Support:
USB 3.0 host ports provide connectivity for external storage, peripherals, and sensors.
Audio interfaces allow for multimedia integration.
Debugging and Development: Independent UART debugging ports for the Cortex-A53 and Cortex-M7 cores streamline system diagnostics.
Power and Configuration: Integrated power jack and boot configuration switches enhance flexibility during the prototyping phase.
Environmental Specifications: Extended temperature range: -45?C to +85?C, designed for rugged applications.
Applications
The EVB provides a practical platform for evaluating system performance, testing peripheral compatibility, and iterating system designs before final deployment.
Software Stack: Embedded Linux with Yocto Project
Both the SoM and EVB platforms are demonstrated with core-image-weston, an embedded Linux distribution developed using the Yocto Project and OpenEmbedded. This software stack is modular and highly configurable, making it suitable for systems where custom Linux distributions are required.
Key Components
Wayland Protocol and Weston Compositor: Wayland provides a modern alternative to X11, while Weston acts as the compositor, offering lightweight and efficient graphical rendering.
Systemd Integration: Centralized system and service management enable reliable process supervision and device initialization.
Yocto Project Features: Enables fine-grained control over the build process, allowing developers to minimize resource usage and tailor the OS to their hardware's capabilities.
Benefits of Yocto-Based Development
The Yocto Project, a Linux Foundation initiative, is an open-source framework for building custom Linux-based operating systems tailored to specific embedded devices. It provides tools, metadata, and processes to create lightweight, efficient, and fully customizable distributions optimized for various hardware architectures. By offering a modular and reproducible build system, the Yocto Project enables developers to fine-tune every aspect of the OS, from the Linux kernel to user-space applications, ensuring flexibility and precision for embedded solutions.
Open-Source Development Ecosystem
By making all design files and schematics publicly accessible, Olimex ensures transparency and adaptability. Developers can:
Modify hardware designs to suit specific application needs.
Analyze schematics and PCB layouts for better understanding of design choices.
Contribute to the ecosystem by sharing improvements or customizations.
This open model accelerates innovation and lowers barriers for entry in embedded systems development.
Conclusion
The Olimex iMX8MP-SOM-4GB-IND and iMX8MP-SOM-EVB-IND platforms combine high-performance hardware with a robust open-source software ecosystem. Their modular design, extensive connectivity, and industrial-grade reliability make them suitable for a wide range of applications. With full access to design files and an adaptable software stack, these platforms provide an ideal foundation for developers aiming to design scalable, efficient, and open embedded systems.
