Nitrogen8M Mini is the First SBC with i.MX8M Mini SoC

Boundary Devices has unveiled its “Nitrogen8M-Mini” SBC, the first SBC that is based on NXP’s new i.MX8M Mini SoC, and also the second embedded board with the first being Variscite’s DART-MX8M-Mini module. The SBC runs Linux on an up to 2GHz, quad -A53 i.MX8M Mini, and offers 2GB RAM, up to 128GB eMMC, PCIe, MIPI CSI/DSI, GbE, and optional WiFi/BT and PoE. Boundary Devices says:

the Nitrogen8M_Mini series of SBCs will include a robust set of attribute options, allowing them to be scaled up or down to fit any embedded project.

This points to the company’s extensive customization services. You can buy the board as a sandwich-style COM/carrier product on special request.

The Nitrogen8M-Mini may be priced at under $200. This is based on the premise that the Nitrogen8M which has more features sells for about $170. The NPX i.MX8M Mini was announced a year ago, aiming at 1Q 2019 production. The SOC is still listed as “preproduction” phase, and the Boundary Devices announcement is meant for a “pre-release” without pricing, which suggests it is currently available to a selected number of customers. You need to be a registered user to gain access to full documentation, 3D files, and schematics, and there are no community features such as a forum. NXP’s i.MX8M Mini exploits a more advanced 14LPC FinFET process than the i.MX8M, enabling the NXP to have lower power consumption and higher clock rate for both the Cortex-A53 and Cortex-M4 parts. The i.MX8M however, clocks out at 1.5GHz for the two to four -A53 cores and 266MHz for the -M4 MCU, the i.MX8M Mini can clock 1.5GHz to 2GHz and 400MHz, respectively.

The NXP Mini is equipped with a GCNanoUltra GPU for 3D graphics and GC320 for 2D. This seems to be a variation of the Vivante GC7000Lite GPU present in the i.MX8M. The Nitrogen8M-Mini media interfaces are restricted to MIPI-DSI and –CSI along with optional touchscreens and a 5MP camera. A pair of audio jack and a 2W amp are also available. Its 10/100 Ethernet port offers PoE option, and WiFi-ac module with BT 4.1 is available.

The Nitrogen8M-Mini is equipped with a USB 2.0, micro-USB OTG ports, and basic onboard interfaces. It also has a PCIe expansion slot and an optional second slot by means of a daughter card. It also features an RTC and a PMIC.

The Nitrogen8M-Mini is Yocto, Ubuntu, Buildroot, and Debian enabled, on the Cortex-A53 cores and FreeRTOS on the Cortex-M4 chip, with Android support also listed on the data sheet.

Specifications

• Processor — NXP i.MX8M Mini Quad (4x Cortex-A53 @ 1.5GHz to 2.0GHz); Cortex-M4F @ 400MHz; GCNanoUltra for 3D, GC320 for 2D GPUs; 1080p60 H.264, VP8/1080p60 H.265, H.264, VP8, VP9 video
• Memory/storage: 2GB LPDDR4 RAM (possible option for 4GB), 8GB eMMC (expandable to up to 128GB), MicroSD slot
• Media I/O: MIPI-DSI (4-lane) for up to 1080p60, Optional 7-, 8-, 10.1-inch PCAP touchscreens, MIPI-CSI (4-lane), Optional 5MP MIPI camera (OV5640 sensor), Headphone and analog mic jacks, 2W amp
• Wireless — Optional WiFi/BT module (QCA9377 BD-SDMAC) with 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.1
• Networking — 10/100 Ethernet port with optional PoE (802.3af) daughter card
• Other I/O: USB 2.0 host port, Micro-USB 2.0 OTG port, 3x I2C, SPI, GPIO
• Expansion — PCIe slot (second PCIe via optional daughter card)
• Other features — RTC with battery; optional conformal coating
• Power – Power jack (probably 5V DC) input; PF8100 PMIC
• Operating temperature — standard temp unstated; optional industrial temp
• Dimensions — 114.3 x 88.9mm
• Operating system — Yocto, Ubuntu, Buildroot, Debian, Android; FreeRTOS supported on Cortex-M4F

More information can be found on the Boundary Devices Nitrogen8M-Mini product page.

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