We’ve already seen several computers-on-module/systems-on-module based on NXP i.MX8/8M processors, most of which use proprietary standards, but so far we’ve covered at least on Qseven 2.1 CoM with Advantech ROM-7720 powered by i.MX 8QuadMax SoC.
SECO has now announced their SM-C12 module compliant with another SoM standard: SMARC 2.0. The system-on-module is powered by i.MX 8M dual or quad core processor, supports up to 4GB RAM, offers optional WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, and plenty of I/Os thanks to the 314-pin MXM3 connector mandated by SMARC 2.0 specification. The module targets home automation, transportation, digital signage and vending machines, multimedia devices, and others applications requiring real-time processing and/or multimedia capabilities.
SC-12 module specifications:
- SoC – NXP i.MX 8M dual or quad Arm Cortex-A53 processor with Cortex-M4 real-time core, Vivante GC7000Lite GPU with support for OpenGL ES 3.1, Open CL 1.2. OpenGL 3.0, Vulkan, DirectX
- System Memory – LPDDR4-3200 memory, 32-bit interface, up to 4GB
- Storage – eMMC 5.0 flash, QSPI flash, optional SD 4-bit interface
- Other on-board chips / modules
- Gigabit Ethernet transceiver
- Optional WiFi + BT LE module
- Optional DSI to LVDS Bridge
- CAN transceiver
- USB 3.0 hub
- Embedded controller for power management, boot selection, and watchdog
- Video Decoding – HEVC,H.264, H.263, MPEG-4, MPEG-2, AVC, VC-1, RV, DivX, VP6, VP8, VP9, JPEG
- 314-pin MXM edge connector with
- Video Output / Display I/F
- HDMI 2.0a interface up to 4096 x 2160 @ 60 Hz (4K), supporting HDR, HDCP 2.2 and HDCP 1.4
- 18- / 24-bit Dual Channel LVDS interface up to 1080p60 or MIPI-DSI interface up to 1080p60 (factory alternatives)
- Audio – I2S Audio Interface
- Connectivity – Gigabit Ethernet
- USB – 2x USB 3.0 host ports, 2x USB 2.0 host ports, 1x USB 2.0 OTG port
- 2x PCI-e x1 ports
- Serial Ports – Up to 2x UART Tx/Rx/RTS/CTS, 2x UART Tx/Rx, 1x CAN Bus (TTL level)
- Camera – 1x 4-lanes + 1x 2-lanes CSI camera interfaces
- I2C Bus, SM Bus, QuadSPI interface
- 12x GPI/Os
- Boot select signals
- Power Management Signals
- Video Output / Display I/F
- Power Supply – 3 to 5.25V DC, 3.3V for RTC
- Dimensions – 50 x 82 mm
- Temperature Range – 0°C to 60°C (Commercial version); -40°C to 85°C (Industrial version)
The company provides Android and Linux BSPs for the module.
The module should work with any SMARC 2.0 compliant carrier board, but the company also provides their own for development.
CSM-B79 SMARC 2.0 carrier board specifications:
- Storage
- SATA M 7p connector with dedicated power connector, interface shared with M.2 Socket 2 2242 / 2260 Key B SSD slot
- micro SD Card Slot
- eSPI pin header + flash socket
- SPI pin header + flash socket
- I2C EEPROM socket
- Video Interfaces
- LVDS connector, interface shared with 2 x eDP/DSI connectors
- Backlight control + LCD selectable voltages dedicated connector
- DP++ dedicated connector
- HDMI connector (interface shared with USB 3.1 Type-C alternate mode port)
- 2x CSI Camera input interfaces
- Audio
- Mic In and Line Out jacks
- Onboard I2S Audio Codec (TI TLV320AIC3204) + HD Audio Codec (Cirrus Logic CS4207)
- Network Connectivity
- 2x RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet connectors
- 1x M.2 Socket 2230 Key E Slot for WiFi Modules (interface shared with PCI-e x 4 slot)
- 1x M.2 Socket 2260 Key E Slot for WWAN Modem Modules (interface shared with PCI-e x 4 slot), connected to on-board microSIM slot
- USB – 1x USB 3.0 type A port, 1x USB 2.0 type A port, 1x USB OTG micro-AB port,1x USB 3.1 Type-C port with Alternate Mode and Power Delivery functionality
- Serial Ports – 2x CAN ports, 2x RS-232/RS-422/RS-485 configurable serial ports on internal pin header, 2x Serial ports (Tx/Rx signals only, TTL level) on feature pin header
- Expansion
- PCI-e x4 slot, interface shared with 2x PCI-e x1 slot and M.2 slots
- Feature pin header with 8x GPIOs, I2C, SM Bus, Watchdog and power management signals
- 4x GPIOs dedicated connector
- Debugging – Optional Debug USB port on mini-B port, JTAG connector
- Misc – 4 x 7-segment LCD displays for POST codes, fan connector, RTC Coin cell battery holder, boot selection switches
- Power Supply
- 9 to 21V through dedicated mini-Fit Jr 2×2 power connector or USB Type-C connector
- 6 to 17V through 2/3/4 cell smart battery connector
- Dimensions – 345 x 170mm
- Temperature Range – -40°C to +85°C (industrial range)
Both the SMARC 2.0 module and carrier board are shown to be “under development”, but you can find more details and inquire the company on their respective product pages here and there.
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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I have a question with this kind of SOM. They have a standard for spread the pinout in the port, I mean, If I buy another SOM with the same chip and replace this one with the other one from other brand they will be compatible with SOM port without collision of peripherals or short circuits?
@jeanz
In theory, it’s pin-to-pin compatible so it should work. But in practice, I’ve read that you may have to tweak your carrier board a bit in case of electrical incompatibility (e.g. due to noise, etc…)
You can also use other processors. At least, we know the SMARC EVB mentioned in that post will be compatible with SECO’s Atom x5 (Apollo Lake) and Xilinx Zynq FPGA+Arm SMARC 2.0 module.