Olimex introduces Open-source hardware i.MX 8M Plus SoM with EVB for Edge AI, Multimedia, and Industrial IoT

Olimex has recently launched the iMX8MP-SOM-4GB-IND, an open-source hardware System on Module (SoM), certified under OSHW UID BG000136. It is powered by the i.MX 8M Plus (MIMX8ML8CVNKZAB) processor, featuring a quad-core Cortex-A53 (1.6GHz), Cortex-M7 (800MHz), HiFi4 DSP, and a 2.3 TOPS NPU, making it ideal for machine learning, vision applications, multimedia, and industrial IoT.

The module includes 4GB LPDDR4 RAM, an EEPROM for Linux configurations, a PMIC (PCA9450), and multiple connectivity options, such as 2x Gigabit Ethernet (1x TSN), 2x USB 3.0 OTG, PCIe 3.0, 2x MIPI-CSI camera interfaces, 1x ISP camera, and HDMI HD1080p60 for H.264 and H.265, as well as VP8 and VP9 support. It also supports various industrial interfaces, including 2x CAN FD, 3x SPI, 5x I2C, 3x SDIO eMMC 5.1, and 4x UART (5Mbit), and 4x PWM for additional peripheral connectivity alongside advanced audio features like HiFi4 DSP, ASRC, and eARC.

The module features Vivante GC520L and GC7000UL GPUs for graphics processing. The compact 70x43mm design, with 220-pin connectors and LVDS, MIPI DSI, and camera ribbon connectors, allows for flexible integration into embedded systems. Built for extended industrial environments (-20°C to +85°C), it is suitable for applications such as AI-powered edge computing, robotics, industrial automation, computer vision, and multimedia processing.

Olimex Open-source iMX8MP-SOM-4GB-IND Specifications:

• SoC: NXP i.MX 8M Plus (MIMX8ML8CVNKZAB)
  • CPU: Quad-core Arm Cortex-A53 @ 1.6GHz, Arm Cortex-M7 @ 800MHz for real-time processing
  • NPU: 2.3 TOPS for AI acceleration
  • GPU: Vivante GC520L and GC7000UL
  • 512KB L2 cache
• Memory: 4GB LPDDR4 RAM
• Storage: EEPROM (for Linux configuration/settings)
• Display and Multimedia:
  • HDMI (up to 1080p60)
  • MIPI-DSI
  • LVDS (4/8 lanes)
  • H.264/H.265, VP8, VP9 video codecs
• Camera Interfaces:
  • 2x MIPI-CSI
  • 1x ISP (Image Signal Processor) camera input
• Networking: 2x Gigabit Ethernet (1x TSN support)
• USB: 2x USB 3.0 with OTG support
• I/O Interfaces:
  • 1x PCIe 3.0
  • 2x CAN FD
  • 3x SPI
  • 5x I2C
  • 3x SDIO (eMMC 5.1)
  • 4x UART (up to 5Mbps)
  • 4x PWM
• Audio:
  • ASRC (Asynchronous Sample Rate Converter)
  • HiFi 4 DSP
  • SAI/I2S audio interface
  • eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
• Misc:
  • 5x 40-pin + 1x 20-pin (total 220 pins) with 1.27mm pitch
  • Status LED
  • 24MHz and 32.768kHz crystals
  • 4 mounting holes
• Power option: 5V DC
• Operating Temperature: -20°C to +85°C (industrial-grade)
• Dimensions: 70 x 43 mm
• Certification: OSHW-certified (UID: BG000136)

The company mentioned that the module was designed with KiCad under the CERN Open Hardware Licence Version 2 – Strongly Reciprocal, and the module’s GitHub-hosted design files enable user customization.

Olimex also provides the iMX8MP-SOM-EVB-IND, an open-source hardware expansion board designed for evaluating the i.MX 8M Plus System-On-Module (SoM), which is sold separately. It is equipped with 2x Gigabit Ethernet interfaces (one with TSN), 1x PCIe 3.0 M.2 slot, 1x  HDMI output, 2x CAN FD transceivers, 2x USB 3.0 hosts, a micro SD card slot, serial debug headers, a flash module expansion connector, and various audio interfaces like a headphone and microphone jack.

The board also includes GPIO connectors, a UEXT connector, an optional ARM JTAG connector, reset and power buttons, and a boot slide switch. Built for industrial applications, it operates within a -45°C to +85°C temperature range and features an open-hardware design using KiCAD. With dimensions of 155 x 102 mm, a development and evaluation platform for industrial and embedded applications requiring high-speed networking, PCIe expansion, and multimedia interfaces are served.

Olimex iMX8MP-SOM-EVB-IND Specifications:

• Processor Module (Required): Compatible with iMX8MP-SOM-4GB-IND (sold separately)
• Networking: 2x Gigabit Ethernet (1x with TSN support)
• Storage:
  • Micro SD card slot
  • Flash module connector
• Display: HDMI output connector
• Audio:
• • 3.5mm headphone jack
  • 3.5mm microphone jack
• Expansion:
  • 2x USB 3.0 host ports
  • PCIe 3.0 M.2 slot (2280) for NVMe
  • 2x CAN FD transceivers
  • 2x GPIO connectors (0.1″ pitch)
  • UEXT connector
  • Optional ARM JTAG connector
• Misc:
  • 2x Serial Debug UARTs (for Cortex-A53 and Cortex-M7)
  • Reset button & Power button
  • Boot slide switch
• Power Supply: 5V DC power jack
• Dimensions: 155 x 102 mm
• Operating temperature: -45°C to +85°C (Industrial-grade)
• Certification: OSHW certified (UID BG000137)

Additionally, the company has released a complete Armbian-based Debian 12 Linux and Buildroot image for the iMX8MP-SOM-4GB-IND, enabling full functionality. The only pending improvement is the ES8388 audio codec, which is still under development. The newest image is available for download on Olimex’s release page.

Previously, Olimex developed the STMP15X-SoM, along with the STMP1(A13)-EVB board, which is almost similar to the i.MX 8M Plus SoM but a little bit slower.

At the time of writing, the iMX8MP-SOM-4GB-IND starts at €70.00 ($75.67) per unit, with bulk pricing at €64.40 ($69.62) per unit for orders of 1000 or more. The iMX8MP-SOM-EVB-IND is available for €50.00 ($54.05).