Following the recent launch of the Arduino Ventuno Q, Toradex has introduced the Aquila IQ8, its first Qualcomm Dragonwing-based System on Module. Built around the same IQ-8275 processor, the module targets industrial edge AI, robotics, computer vision, and other compute-intensive embedded applications.

The Qualcomm Dragonwing IQ-8275 integrates an eight-core Kryo Gen 6 CPU arranged as four performance and four efficiency cores, an Adreno 623 GPU, and a Hexagon NPU rated for up to 40 dense TOPS of AI acceleration.

The Aquila IQ8 uses Toradex’s 400-pin Aquila architecture, which is designed for high-performance embedded systems and uses a rugged board-to-board connector. The platform exposes high-speed interfaces including Gigabit Ethernet, SGMII, and PCIe, together with 1.8V I/O.

Aquila IQ8 preliminary specifications

Toradex also highlights its Direct Breakout carrier-board approach, intended to reduce some of the high-speed layout complexity when designing custom carrier boards. According to the company, the 400-pin architecture is intended to expose the IQ-8275’s available I/O with fewer trade-offs than more standardized module formats.

The company also lists support for up to three quad-lane MIPI-CSI interfaces, providing up to 12 concurrent camera streams for multi-camera computer vision and other imaging applications.

Aquila IQ8 roadmap

Final module configurations have not yet been published. Toradex states that details covering memory, storage, exposed interfaces, dimensions, temperature ranges, and production software images will be provided in a later product announcement..

Aquila IQ8 prototype-to-production workflow

On the software side, Toradex lists support for Linux, Yocto, and its Torizon platform. Torizon provides an embedded Linux environment with support for application development, remote software updates, device monitoring, fleet management, and remote access.

Toradex Aquila IQ8

The module is also part of the Works with Arduino program. Developers can begin application development using the Arduino Ventuno Q, which uses the same Dragonwing IQ-8275 processor, and later move the application to the Aquila IQ8 for production hardware.

Preliminary features listed for the Aquila IQ8 include:

• Processor:
  • Qualcomm Dragonwing IQ-8275
  • 8-core Kryo Gen 6 CPU
  • 4 performance cores + 4 efficiency cores
  • Qualcomm Adreno 623 GPU
  • Qualcomm Hexagon NPU
  • Up to 40 dense TOPS
• Camera:
  • 3× quad-lane MIPI-CSI
• Connectivity:
  • Gigabit Ethernet
  • SGMII
• Expansion:
  • PCIe
• Mechanical:
  • 400-pin Aquila form factor
  • 1.8V I/O
  • Direct Breakout carrier-board approach

Further Information