SMARC 2.2 specification adds support for Soundwire, PCIe Gen4, and more

SGET (Standardization Groups for Embedded Technologies) has announced the release of the SMARC 2.2 specification with various improvements including support for Soundwire, PCIe Gen4, and severa; other changes related to pinout definitions and signal descriptions, as well as various bug fixes and corrections.

SMARC (“Smart Mobility ARChitecture”) is one of the many standards for systems-on-module designed to enable interoperability between vendors that offer modules compliant with the standard. SMARC features a 314-pin MXM 3.0 connector and is available in two form factors, either 82×50 mm or 82×80 mm, with the former being more common.

SMARC 2.2 changes since SMARC 2.1 (April 2020):

• Removed wrong AC coupling comment in section 3.5.1 HDMI (SMARC 2.1.1 update)
• Added Soundwire as an alternative function for I2S2
• Added SERDES reset signal as an alternative function of PCIe reset signal
• Added SERDES interrupt signals as dual-function on GPIO[7:8]
• Updated supported Ethernet speed and renamed the LINK signals accordingly
• Added details for mechanical tolerances
• Updated filling-order for USB and further specified allowed configurations
• Updated GPIOs with filling-order for interrupt latency
• Updated overview of Carrier connectors
• Added filling-order for SPI Chip-Select signals
• Updated support of PCIe up to Gen 4
• Corrected power-domain for PWR_BTN#, CARRIER_PWR_ON, CARRIER_STBY# signals

The latest SMARC 2.2 specification can be downloaded for free from the SGET website after entering an email address.  The Standard Development Team (SDT.01) in charge of the release of SMARC 2.2 will soon provide an update to the design guide with changes from the new specification to provide guidance and best practices for implementing the SMARC modules and carrier boards. A few more details may also be found in the announcement.

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