In the landscape of edge computing, NXP’s i.MX series has long been a name synonymous with innovation and performance. The latest addition to this illustrious lineup, the i.MX9, is poised to redefine what’s possible in the world of embedded processors. Thanks to our Partners at Compulab, we were able to get our hands on one of the first i.MX9 SoMs on the market, their UCM-iMX93.
In this blog post, we’ll delve into what makes the i.MX9 a great opportunity to enable your edge computing devices, how it differs from its predecessor, the i.MX8 and explore how to scale a fleet of Compulab’s UCM-iMX93 using balena.
What is an i.MX9?
At its core, the i.MX9 is a family of NXP processors, designed to work in high-performance edge computing applications. Building on the success of its predecessor, the i.MX8, the i.MX9 takes edge processing to new heights. It features a multi-core architecture, combining powerful Arm Cortex-A55 application processors running at speeds of up to 1.7 GHz, with an integrated neural processing unit (NPU) that delivers up to 2.3 TOPS (Trillions of Operations Per Second).
According to Compulab, their module is:
“designed to bring out the full capabilities of the i.MX93 SoC, UCM-iMX93 provides up-to 2GB RAM and 64GB eMMC, Gbit Ethernet, RGMII, 2 USB ports, 2 CAN-FD, 7 UARTs and up-to 79 GPIOs. Display connectivity is supported with LVDS and MIPI-DSI. Measuring just 28 x 38 mm, UCM-iMX93 also features on-board WiFi 802.11ac and Bluetooth 5.3 interfaces. UCM-iMX93 is offered with a full industrial temperature range of -40C to 85C. Excellent connectivity, low cost and small size make UCM-iMX93 a versatile solution for many applications such as building and industrial control, medical devices, IoT gateways and measurement equipment.”
What is the difference between i.MX8 and i.MX9?
While the NXP i.MX8 has been a workhorse in the edge computing domain, the i.MX9 takes a giant leap forward. The NPU, which significantly boosts machine learning capabilities, enables complex tasks like human pose and emotion detection, multi-object surveillance, and word recognition. Furthermore, the i.MX9 boasts energy efficiency with NXP’s energy flex architecture, fine-grained power control, and a focus on optimizing power efficiency. Additionally, it raises the bar on security with the EdgeLock secure enclave, providing advanced threat protection and updated cryptographic protocol support.
What are the most interesting use cases for i.MX9 devices?
The i.MX9’s capabilities find their best use in a range of applications that require high-performance edge computing. Some examples:
- In the renewable energy sector, it can enable critical updates and continuous feature additions.
- In the smart home sector, it can power AI local servers, security systems, smart robots and home automation applications.
- In smart cities, the i.MX9 can run in safety, surveillance, transportation, and fleet management. For broader applications in the smart world, it excels in retail, targeted advertising, building control, and teleconferencing systems.
- The industrial IoT (IIoT) domain benefits from the i.MX9’s machine vision, robot control, industrial gateway, and HMI capabilities.
If you’re familiar with the other Compulab products we support, the IOT-GATE-iMX8 and IOT-GATE-iMX8PLUS Industrial Gateways, you’ll know that Compulab products in particular are well supported and of a high build quality. Their long lifecycle support is one of their most compelling offerings, with a guarantee of 15-years for product availability. And nothing speaks to quality quite like having your hardware running on Mars.
Are you new to balenaCloud?
If you’re unfamiliar with balena, balenaCloud offers a comprehensive fleet management solution that simplifies the process of deploying, monitoring and maintaining embedded devices at scale. balena has spent years perfecting a full-stack solution that complements developers’ existing skill sets, allowing them to:
- Develop more comprehensive applications with balena SDKs
- Plan and deploy OTA updates (for the hostOS or individual applications)
- Provide minimal delta updates for networks with limited bandwidth
- Integrate application deployment with existing CI/CD workflows
- Receive OS updates tested on real hardware
- Use an API to script any action seen in the dashboard
- Automate repetitive tasks and those requiring minimal human error with a CLI
- Scale fleets as large as the business requires
In short, balena’s technology stack allows for easy provisioning, software and hostOS updates, and remote monitoring, ensuring that your fleet of i.MX9 devices operates seamlessly and remains up to date with the latest software and security patches. Whether you’re starting fresh with an i.MX9-only based fleet, or you’re adding i.MX9 devices to your current fleet of i.MX8-based devices, you can count on balena to help you transition and scale quickly.
Getting started quickly on balena with the Compulab new evaluation kit is as simple as following our getting started instructions. Once you’ve got the board connected to balenaCloud, you can easily deploy a web server that displays the good old “Hello World” we all know and love.
balena, Compulab and NXP i.MX9
Overall, the i.MX9 is a testament to NXP’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s achievable in edge computing. With its powerful architecture, integrated NPU, energy efficiency, and robust security features, the i.MX9 is well-equipped to tackle the diverse and demanding requirements of today’s edge computing applications.
Whether you’re working on smart homes, smart cities, industrial IoT, or any other edge computing project, the i.MX9 stands ready to elevate your solutions to the next level of intelligence and efficiency. Combined with Compulab’s build quality + lifecycle standards, and balena’s ability to help you quickly scale your fleet, there’s no better time to start testing the new i.MX9 and seeing what it can do for your embedded applications.
Thanks again to our Partner Compulab, both for their early adoption of the new i.MX9, and for sharing their first i.MX9-based product with balena.
Reach out to balena via email at hello@balena.io to learn more using balenaCloud with your custom i.MX93 based board!
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