SMARC module uses i.MX 93 applications processor
SECO in Italy has developed a SMARC module using NXP’s latest i.MX93 applications processor.
The MAURY module is one of the first SMARC Rel. 2.1.1 compliant computer on module (COM) boards to use the processor family, which has the ARM Cortex-A55, Cortex-M33 and Ethos-U65 microNPU for AI alongside NXP’s Energy Flex architecture.
The 82 x 50 mm module uses the i.MX 933x/935x processors and offers a wide range of wired and wireless interfaces, including: two Gigabit Ethernet, an optional on-board soldered M.2 1216 Wi-Fi/BLE module, a USB 2.0 OTG, up to four USB 2.0 host, two CAN and four UARTs as well as a MIPI-CSI camera interface and I2S control interface. The module provides up to 2GB of soldered LPDDR4X/LPDDR4-3200 memory.
The i.MX 93 processor’s built-in neural processing unit (NPU) has a performance of 0.5 TOP/s, useful for keyword recognition, noise reduction, beamforming, Deep Speech 2, and image recognition (e.g., ResNet-50). Network models based on a range of frameworks such as TensorFlow, MXNet, PyTorch, or Caffe can be easily converted.
- SMARC module for industrial Ethernet
- SMARC module with the i.MX 8M+ for edge AI
- congatec, TI team for SMARC modules
Display options include a single channel LVDS video interface with resolutions up to 720p60, and MIPI-DSI or eDP with resolutions up to 1080p60. Computer vision applications are facilitated via a MIPI-CSI camera interface.
The module can be used in temperature ranges from -40°C to +85°C, making it suitable for both commercial and industrial applications. It uses Yocto Linux while Ubuntu/Debian and Windows 10 IoT-Enterprise will be added at a later date.
The MAURY SMARC module can be used for a variety of applications: medical devices, fleet management, EV charging stations, industrial machines, AI vision, AI-enhanced coffee machines and smart home appliances – including battery-powered. Due to low heat generation, cooling is often not required.
As an NXP Early Access Program participant and an NXP Gold Partner, SECO started development of MAURY before the general availability of the NXP i.MX 93 processor, expected in the third quarter of 2023.
“Devices more and more require mixed technology capabilities, including AI-based context awareness, real time control, as well as edge-to-cloud connectivity,” said Davide Catani, CTO of SECO, who adds, “The MAURY SMARC module makes it extremely fast to integrate such capabilities in cost effective, low power devices.”
“The i.MX 93 is a new breed of applications processor that delivers optimized performance and power efficiency, combined with efficient machine learning and advanced security with the EdgeLock® secure enclave,” said Robert Thompson, Director, Secure Connected Edge Ecosystem, NXP Semiconductors. “SECO’s MAURY enables the i.MX 93 SoC’s comprehensive capabilities in the SMARC module form factor that will enable faster time to market in a wide range of industries for our joint customers.”
If you enjoyed this article, you will like the following ones: don't miss them by subscribing to :
