i.MX

The i.MX range is a family of Freescale Semiconductor (now part of NXP) proprietary microcontrollers for multimedia applications based on the ARM architecture and focused on low-power consumption. The i.MX application processors are SoCs (System-on-Chip), that integrate many processing units into one die, like the main CPU, a video processing unit and a graphics processing unit for instance. The i.MX products are qualified for automotive, industrial and consumer markets. Most of them are guaranteed for a production lifetime of 10 to 15 years.[1]
Many devices use i.MX processors, such as Ford Sync, Kobo_eReader, Amazon Kindle, Sony Reader, SolidRun SOM's (including CuBox), some Logitech Harmony remote controls and Squeezebox radio, some Toshiba Gigabeat mp4 players. The i.MX range was previously known as the "DragonBall MX" family, the fifth generation of DragonBall microcontrollers. i.MX originally stood for "innovative Multimedia eXtension".

The i.MX solutions consist of hardware (processors and development boards) and software optimized for the processor.

i.MX 1 series

Launched in 2001/2002, the i.MX1x series is based on the ARM920T architecture.

i.MX 2 series

The i.MX2x series is a family of processors based on the ARM9 architecture (ARM926EJ-S), designed in CMOS 90 nm process.

i.MX 21 family

The i.MX21 family is designed for low power handheld devices. It was launched in 2003.

i.MX 27 family

The i.MX27 family is designed for videotelephony and video surveillance. It was launched in 2007.

i.MX 25 family

The i.MX25 family was launched in 2009. It especially integrates key security features in hardware. The high-end member of the family, i.MX258, integrates a 400 MHz ARM9 CPU platform + LCDC (LCD controller) + security block and supports mDDR-SDRAM at 133 MHz.

i.MX 23 family

The i.MX233 processor (formerly known as SigmaTel STMP3780 of the STMP37xx family), launched in 2009, integrates a Power Management Unit (PMU) and a stereo audio codec within the silicon. This unique integration removes the need for external power management chip and audio codec chip.

i.MX 28 family

The i.MX28 family was launched in 2010. It especially integrates key security features in hardware, an ADC and the power management unit. It supports mDDR, LV-DDR2, DDR2-SDRAM at 200 MHz.

i.MX 3 series

The i.MX3x series is a family of processors based on the ARM11 architecture (ARM1136JF-S mainly), designed in CMOS 90 nm process.

i.MX 31 family

The i.MX31 was launched in 2005. It integrates a 532 MHz ARM1136 CPU platform (with vector floating point unit, L1 caches and 128KB L2 caches) + Video Processing Unit (VPU) + 3D GPU (OpenGL ES 1.1) + IPU + security block It supports mDDR-SDRAM at 133 MHz.

i.MX 37 family

The i.MX37 processor is designed for Portable Media Players. It was launched in 2008.

It supports mDDR-SDRAM at 133 MHz.

i.MX 35 family

The i.MX35 family is the replacement of i.MX31. It was launched in 2009. The high-end member of the family, i.MX357, integrates an 532 MHz ARM1136 CPU platform (with Vector Floating Point unit, L1 caches and 128KB L2 cache) + 2.5D GPU (OpenVG 1.1) + IPU + security block It supports DDR2-SDRAM at 133 MHz.

i.MX 5 series

The i.MX5x series is based on the ARM Cortex A8 core. It comprises two families: the i.MX51 family (high-end multimedia devices like smartbook or automotive infotainment) and the i.MX50 family (eReaders). It is designed in CMOS 65 nm process. Some models have an Imageon z460 GPU.

i.MX 51 family

The high-end member of the family, i.MX515, integrates an 800 MHz ARM Cortex A8 CPU platform (with NEON co-processor, Vector Floating Point Unit, L1 caches and 256KB L2 cache) + multi-format HD 720p decode / D1 encode hardware video codecs (VPU, Video Processing Unit) + Imageon 3D GPU (OpenGL ES 2.0) + 2.5D GPU (OpenVG 1.1) + IPU + security block. It especially supports DDR2 SDRAM at 200 MHz. The family was launched in 2009.

i.MX 50 family

The i.MX508 processor is the result of Freescale collaboration with E Ink. It is dedicated for eReaders. Launched in 2010, it integrates the E Ink display controller within the silicon to save both BOM cost and space on the PCB. It especially supports LP-DDR2 SDRAM at 400 MHz.

i.MX 53 family

i.MX535 was announced in June 2010. Shipped since the first quarter of 2011.

i.MX 6 series

The i.MX6 series are based on the ARM Cortex A9 solo, dual or quad cores. It is designed in CMOS 40 nm process. i.MX6 Solo, Dual and Quad were announced in January 2011, during Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Name Clock speed CPU cores L2 cache (KB) 3D GPU 2D GPU Vector GPU VPU other graphics cores other cores
i.MX6 UltraLite 528 MHz (Cortex-A7) 1 128 1x PXP security
i.MX6 SoloLite 1.0 GHz 1 256 Vivante GC320 Vivante GC355 1x PXP security
i.MX6 SoloX 1.0 GHz 1 256 Vivante Vivante GC320 Vivante GC355 1x PXP Cortex-M4 core, security
i.MX6 Solo 1.0 GHz 1 512 Vivante GC880 Vivante GC320 Full HD (1080p decode) 1x IPUv3, 1x PXP security
i.MX6 DualLite 1.0 GHz 2 512 Vivante GC880 Vivante GC320 Full HD (1080p decode) 1x IPUv3, 1x PXP security
i.MX6 Dual 1.2 GHz 2 1024 Vivante GC2000 Vivante GC320 Vivante GC355 Full HD (1080p decode) 2x IPUv3 security
i.MX6 Quad 1.2 GHz 4 1024 Vivante GC2000 Vivante GC320 Vivante GC355 dual Full HD (1080p decode) 2x IPUv3 security

i.MX 7 series

The i.MX7 series is based on the low-power ARM Cortex A7 CPU core with a secondary ARM Cortex M4 real-time co-processor. It is designed 28 nm fully depleted silicon-on-insulator (FDSOI) process.[2] So far only low-powered single and dual-core models, designed for IoT applications have been released. i.MX 7Solo and i.MX 7Dual were announced in September 2013.[3][4]

Name Clock speed (MHz) CPU cores L2 cache (KB) 3D GPU 2D GPU Vector GPU VPU other graphics cores other cores
i.MX 7Solo 800 1 512 - - - - PXP Secondary CPU – ARM Cortex M4 real-time co-processor
i.MX 7Dual 1000 2 512 - - - - PXP Secondary CPU – ARM Cortex M4 real-time co-processor

i.MX 8 series

The i.MX8 series was announced in September 2013. The i.MX8 will be based on CPU cores using the ARMv8-A 64-bit CPU architecture. No models have been publicly released, but NXP have written that the i.MX8 series is designed for Driver Information Systems (car computers) and applications have been released. [5][6]

Software support

Freescale proposes a layered approach of software with selection of software components optimized for its chips. The i.MX board support packages (BSP), common across all i.MX nodes, consists of kernel optimization, hardware drivers and unit tests. The company also provides a portfolio of multimedia Codecs (ARM and Video processing unit accelerated). The i.MX solution also includes middleware with reuse of open source frameworks like multimedia framework plugins, power management, security/DRM or graphics (OpenGL/OpenVG).

All software solutions for i.MX are publicly available on the company website.

Linux

Freescale i.MX development kits include a Linux software stack with a GNOME Mobile environment.

On the i.MX51 family, the reference user interface is Ubuntu. The last Ubuntu version supported is 10.04.1 (still available on mirrors). Ubuntu dropped the "official" i.MX51 family support since version 10.10.[7] Since Ubuntu 11.10 support for the i.MX53 Quickstart board is available as a preinstalled desktop or server SD card.[8]

The OpenEmbedded Linux distribution supports several i.MX platforms.

Commercial Linux support is available from companies like Lanedo, TimeSys, MontaVista, Wind River Systems and Mentor Graphics.

FreeBSD

Support for the Freescale i.MX51 was added to FreeBSD on 2013-10-31. [9] Support for other members of the i.MX5 family has been added since.

Support for the Freescale i.MX6 family was added to FreeBSD on 2013-10-31.[10]

NetBSD

NetBSD 6.0 comes with support for the Freescale i.MX51.[11] In version 7.0, support for i.MX6 based boards was added.[12]

OpenBSD

Support for the FreeScale's i.MX6 series SoC was added to [13]OpenBSD's head on the 2013-09-06.

Windows CE

Freescale i.MX development kits include WinCE.

Android

In February 2010, Freescale launched an Android platform for the i.MX5x family.[14]

Chromium

In early 2010 Freescale demoed Chromium OS running on the i.MX515 processor.[15] The company has not disclosed any further plans about Chromium or Chrome.

Real-time OS

Freescale has a range of partners providing real-time operating systems and software solutions running on the i.MX processors, such as Trinity Convergence, Adeneo, Thundersoft, Intrinsyc, Wind River Systems, QNX, Green Hills and Mentor Graphics.[16]

Reference designs

In January 2010, Freescale announced the first platform of its Smart Application Blueprint for Rapid Engineering (SABRE) series.[17] It is a smartbook (tablet form factor with 7" touch screen resistive), running on i.MX515.

In February 2010, Freescale demoed the SABRE platform for eReaders,[18] based on i.MX515.

Many more reference boards are mentioned and supported through the Freescale i.MX community website. These include:

See also

References

  1. ↑ Freescale Longevity Program http://www.freescale.com/productlongevity
  2. ↑ http://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1325866 Freescale, Cisco, Ciena Give Nod to FD-SOI
  3. ↑ http://www.cnx-software.com/2015/06/23/freescale-launches-i-mx-7-series-cortex-a7-cortex-m4-processors-for-iot-applications/ Freescale Launches i.MX 7 Series Cortex A7 + Cortex M4 Processors for IoT Applications
  4. ↑ http://www.nxp.com/files/training/doc/dwf/DWF13_APF_CON_T0838.pdf
  5. ↑ http://www.cnx-software.com/2015/06/23/freescale-launches-i-mx-7-series-cortex-a7-cortex-m4-processors-for-iot-applications/ Freescale Launches i.MX 7 Series Cortex A7 + Cortex M4 Processors for IoT Applications
  6. ↑ http://liliputing.com/2013/09/freesclae-unveils-plans-mx-7-mx-8-chips.html Freescale unveils plans for i.MX 7, i.MX 8 chips
  7. ↑ Maverick ReleaseNotes on wiki.ubuntu.com
  8. ↑ Oneiric ReleaseNotes
  9. ↑ FreeBSD.org - Efika MX and i.MX51 support Announcement
  10. ↑ FreeBSD.org - Wandboard and i.MX6 support Announcement
  11. ↑ Announcing NetBSD 6.0
  12. ↑ ARM multiprocessor support
  13. ↑ marc.info - FreeScale's i.MX6 SoC
  14. ↑ Android OS for i.MX Applications Processors Product Summary Page
  15. ↑ Chromium OS on a $199 Tablet http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yr5cGR-uSv4
  16. ↑ http://www.freescale.com/webapp/sps/site/overview.jsp?code=FWDN_CUST_EXPER_CNTR_WP
  17. ↑ Welcome to Freescale Semiconductor - Media Center - News Release
  18. ↑ http://www.freescale.com/webapp/sps/site/prod_summary.jsp?code=RDIMX51EREADEVSYS&aspll=1

External links

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