F&S Elektronik Systeme has placed the multimedia CPU i.MX 8M from NXP (4x ARM Cortex-A53 (64 Bit) with 1.5GHz & Cortex-M4 CPU) on the new Single Board Computer (SBC), armStone MX8M (PicoITX format).

The i.MX 8M CPU from NXP is suitable for applications with graphics in building automation, HMI in industry and medical technology, as well as POS and POI terminals.

With Linux on the Cortex-A53 cores and FreeRTOS on the Cortex-M4 core, NXP continues its heterogeneous concept and offers an ideal possibility for real-time processing. For graphics processing the CPU allows OpenGL/ES 3.1, OpenGL 3.0, Vulkan, OpenCL 1.2, as well as the playback of videos up to 4Kp60.

The  armStone MX8M features up to 8GB LPDDR4 RAM, 1GB SLC NAND Flash, and additionally up to 64GB eMMC, as well as USB3.0, Audio IN/OUT/MIC, Gigabit Ethernet, mPCIe (SIM Slot), MIPI CSI, 3x I2C, SPI, 4x UART, CAN, and SDIO (uSD Slot) are available.

More features include:

• 2x LVDS (up to FullHD) and DVI up to 4k are available for display interface;
• A resistive or PCAP touch panel is connected via I2C;
• Another option is an OnBoard WLAN/BT module (pre-certified) with antenna socket.

As with all armStone single board computers, many of the signals are on common connectors or on the 66-pin feature bus. The armStone MX8M is powered by 5V (a pluggable 12/24V adapter is offered as an accessory), the power consumption is only a few watts. With a temperature range of up to -20°C - +70°C, the SBC can also be used outdoors.

Linux (Buildroot, Yocto follows) is available as operating system. This has already been ported by the software team of F&S Elektronik Systeme. Bootloader, device tree, customized interface drivers, and all tools necessary for development are also available.

Various security functions are made available by the Linux adaptation of F&S Elektronik Systeme.
With the F&S project guarantee, F&S Elektronik Systeme accompanies the customer from the project start to the completion of the project. Starterkit and workshop, documents for hardware and software development, and free support by the engineers of F&S Elektronik Systeme GmbH are available.

The armStoneMX8M will remain available until at least 2028.

The armStoneMX8M can be purchased directly from F&S Elektronik Systeme or from one of its worldwide distribution partners.

For more information, visit: https://www.fs-net.de/en/products/armstone/