Kontron’s industrial temperature “SMARC-sAMX8X” module runs Linux on a dual- or quad Cortex-A35 i.MX8X SoC with up to 3GB LP-DDR4, up to 64GB eMMC, dual GbE controllers, and PCIe.

Like Congatec’s Conga-SMX8X, Kontron’s SMARC-sAMX8X delivers NXP’s mid-range i.MX8X SoC package in an 82 by 50mm SMARC 2.0 form factor. Other i.MX8X modules include a Qseven-based Conga-QMX8X COM announced at the same time as the Conga-SMX8X, plus Phytec’s phyCORE-i.MX 8X, Variscite’s VAR-SOM-MX8X, and the Toradex Colibri iMX8X and Digi ConnectCore 8X.

SMARC-sAMX8X and block diagram
(click images to enlarge)

NXP’s power-efficient, Cortex-A35 based i.MX8X is clocked to 1.2GHz and includes a Cortex-M4 chip for real-time duties. You can choose between the quad-core i.MX8X QuadXPlus, the dual-core i.MX8 DualXPlus, or the dual-core i.MX8 DualX, all of which are available on the SMARC-sAMX8X module. Like the QuadXPlus, the DualX Plus model has a 4-shader Vivante GT7000Lite GPU while the DualX has a 2-shader GT7000UltraLite.

Like the other i.MX8X modules, the SMARC-sAMX8X ships with a Yocto Project based Linux stack, supports -40 to 85°C temperatures, and offers up to 64GB eMMC, but unlike some it lacks a wireless option. The module ships with up to 3GB LP-DDR4 compared to 2GB or 4GB for its competitors.

Designed for “networked terminal devices in industrial environments,” the SMARC-sAMX8X features 2x GbE controllers and offers dual-channel LVDS, HDMI, DisplayPort, and MIPI-CSI interfaces. Other I/O includes up to 4x serial (2x with RX/TX only), up to 6x USB 2.0, and single USB 3.0, SDIO, and I2S connections.

The SMARC-sAMX8X is further equipped with 4x I2C, 2x SPI, 2x CAN, and 12x GPIO interfaces. A standard PCIe interface is available only on the dual-core options, but any of the configurations can be fit with 3x PCIe lanes on request. The 3-5.25V power supply can run on Lithium Ion batteries. Kontron’s Approtect security solution is optional.

SMARC Evaluation carrier 2.0
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The module is available with Kontron’s SMARC Evaluation carrier 2.0 board, which is also available with its i.MX7 based SMARC-sAMX7 module. The 12V, 210 x 200mm carrier supplies dual GbE ports, an SD slot, and two USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports apiece. Other features include mSATA, 2x mini-PCIe slots, and 2x PCIe slots. HDMI and DP++ ports are available along with LVDS, audio, MIPI-CSI, CAN, and other I/O.

 
Further information

The SMARC-sAMX8X module is coming soon at an undisclosed price. More information may be found at Kontron’s SMARC-sAMX8X product page.