Boundary Devices Nitrogen6X was one of the first boards based on Freescale i.MX 6 processor when it launched in 2012, and even I never owned their board personally, I liked the fact the company published frequent updates about software development on their blog.
With NXP i.MX 8 processors now officially available, the company introduced an update to their SBC with Nitrogen8X powered by NXP i.MX 8MQ quad-core processor, with 2 to 4 GB LPDDR4 RAM, 8 to 128 GB flash, a certified wireless module for WiFi and Bluetooth, and more. The form factor has changed dramatically, however.
Nitrogen8M specifications:
- SoC – NXP i.MX 8MQuad ((Dual, QuadLite available on request) with four Cortex A53 core @ up to 1.5 GHz, one Cortex-M4F real-time core, and a Vivante GC7000Lite 2D/3D GPU
- System Memory – 2 or 4GB LPDDR4 (2GB standard)
- Storage – 16MB QSPI NOR Flash, 8GB eMMC flash (expandable to 128 GB), SD / MMC micro SD slot
- Display – HDMI 2.0a up to 4k@60 with HDR support, 4-lane MIPI-DSI up to 1080p60
- Video Encode / Decode – 4Kp60 H.265 and VP9
- Audio – Headphone jack, analog MIC, 2W amplifier (1W per channel)
- Camera Interfaces – 2x 4-lane MIPI-CSI interfaces
- Connectivity
- Gigabit Ethernet
- WiFi Pre-Certified: 802.11ac (BD-SDMAC)
- Bluetooth BT 4.1 (BD-SDMAC)
- Expansion –
- I/O headers with 3x I2C, 1x SPI, 2x UART (RS-232)
- 2x PCIe slots (x1 on-board, x1 via daughterboard)
- USB – 3x USB3.0 Host, 1x USB3.0 OTG
- Misc – RTC + battery slot, JTAG
- Power Supply – TBD via power barrel
- Dimensions – TBD
- Temperature Range – Commercial: 0 to 70°C; industrial: -40°C to +85°C
The board supports Android, Linux Yocto, Ubuntu, Buildroot, and QNX. It’s still early so documentation and software have not been released but eventually, we should expect more details on the company’s Wiki, and Github account.
Audio capabilities, 4K video support, and video interfaces in NXP i.MX 8M processor makes Nitrogen8M especially suitable for streaming video devices (OTT set-top box, digital signage..), streaming audio devices, voice control, and voice assistants, as well as general-purpose human-machine interface (HMI) solutions.
But the company is also working on other Nitrogen8 boards and SoMs such as Nitrogen8X based on i.MX 8X processor for
Availability and pricing are still unknown, but Nitrogen8M SBC should become available first, with Nitrogen8X and Nitrogen8MAX launched later on. [Update: NIT8MQ_2rWB_BRD with i.MX 8M Quad, 2GB LPDDR4, MicroSD, Wifi+BT can now be pre-ordered for $165]
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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