For embedded developers, choosing the right System on Module (SOM) sets the foundation for a project’s performance, scalability, and long-term reliability. Whether building edge AI devices, smart gateways, or industrial controllers, a well-matched SOM can significantly reduce development complexity and accelerate time-to-market.
Geniatech’s SOM lineup based on NXP’s i.MX 9 and i.MX 8 processors delivers that balance. Built on open standards like OSM and SMARC, the modules provide flexibility across power and performance tiers while ensuring smooth migration paths between generations.
Open Standards That Simplify Hardware Design
In embedded design, open standards translate directly into reduced engineering effort and faster development cycles. Geniatech’s SOMs adopt mainstream open standards, giving developers predictable hardware interfaces and proven mechanical stability.
OSM (Open Standard Module)
Available in compact Size‑S (30×30 mm) and Size‑L (45×45 mm) formats, OSM modules provide LGA-surface mounting for better vibration resistance—ideal for factory or mobile-industrial environments. Developers can design custom carrier boards using standardized pinouts without managing low-level signal routing.
SMARC
With an 82×50 mm form factor, SMARC modules expose rich I/O while maintaining plug-and-play compatibility with various carrier boards, simplifying prototyping, evaluation, and system upgrades.
Performance and Energy Efficiency: i.MX 9 Series
NXP’s i.MX 9 series represents a new-generation application processor platform with major upgrades in AI performance, real-time capability, and security. Geniatech offers SOM solutions based on i.MX 9, addressing both high-performance edge AI workloads and balanced, power-efficient embedded applications.
1. i.MX 95 (SOM-iMX95-OSM/SOM-iMX95-SMARC): Flagship High Performance for Edge AI Applications
The i.MX 95 is NXP’s high-performance, safety-capable processor, and it’s typically the right choice when AI inference, multitasking, and real-time control all need to coexist on the same platform.
From an architectural perspective, it combines multi-core Arm Cortex-A55 application processors with dedicated Cortex-M real-time cores. What this means in practice is that Linux-based workloads and time-critical control tasks can run side by side without compromising determinism.
AI acceleration is handled by the integrated eIQ® Neutron NPU, which enables efficient on-device inference for vision and other AI workloads without relying on an external accelerator. On top of that, ASIL-B functional safety and a hardware-based security architecture make the i.MX 95 suitable for safety-aware industrial and automotive-oriented systems.
High-speed networking, rich multimedia interfaces, and long lifecycle support further position the i.MX 95 as a strong platform for complex, long-term embedded deployments.
2. i.MX93 (SOM-iMX93-OSM): Balanced Efficiency for Industrial Control and Smart Gateways
If performance is important but power efficiency and cost also matter, the i.MX 93 tends to be a more balanced option.
It features dual Arm Cortex-A55 cores alongside an ultra-low-power Cortex-M33 companion core. In real-world industrial systems, this setup works well for separating application-level processing from low-latency control or always-on tasks.
The integrated Arm Ethos-U65 microNPU provides enough AI capability for lightweight edge inference, such as basic vision or sensor-related workloads, without significantly increasing power consumption. Security is also a strong point here, with EdgeLock® Secure Enclave support built into the platform.
Overall, the i.MX 93 is optimized for low power operation, long product lifecycles, and a wide range of industrial interfaces—making it a practical choice for industrial controllers and smart gateways.
Proven and Reliable Choice: i.MX 8 Series
Despite the arrival of newer platforms, the i.MX 8 series remains a solid and widely deployed choice in many embedded systems. For developers who prioritize platform maturity, ecosystem stability, and long-term availability, i.MX 8 continues to be a dependable option.
Geniatech’s SOMs based on i.MX 8 processors are available in both OSM and SMARC form factors, covering a broad range of industrial and multimedia applications.
1. i.MX 8M Plus (SOM-iMX8MP-SMARC): Edge AI with a Strong Multimedia Focus
The i.MX 8M Plus is often selected for applications that combine AI-based vision with advanced multimedia or HMI requirements.
It integrates a quad-core Arm Cortex-A53 processor and an on-chip NPU for vision inference, along with a dedicated image signal processor (ISP). In practical terms, this simplifies camera integration and video processing pipelines for edge vision systems.
With hardware video acceleration and multiple display interfaces, the i.MX 8M Plus fits well in smart vision, factory automation, and interactive edge devices where both AI and graphics performance are required.
2. i.MX 8M Mini (SOM-iMX8MM-OSM/SOM-iMX8MM-SMARC): Energy-Efficient Multimedia Platform
For more cost- and power-sensitive designs, the i.MX 8M Mini offers a simpler but efficient alternative.
It combines quad-core Arm Cortex-A53 processors with an ultra-low-power Cortex-M4 real-time core, which is often used to handle control tasks or low-power background processing. Multimedia capabilities are optimized for basic graphics, audio, and display use cases, rather than high-end video or AI.
This makes the i.MX 8M Mini a good fit for entry-level HMI terminals, IoT gateways, and industrial controllers where efficiency and cost are the primary concerns.
3. i.MX 8ULP (SOM-iMX8ULP-OSM): Ultra-Low Power for Portable and Smart Devices
The i.MX 8ULP targets a different class of embedded systems—those that need to remain active for long periods while consuming as little power as possible.
Its dual Arm Cortex-A35 cores are paired with an independent ultra-low-power Cortex-M33 domain, allowing always-on sensing and background tasks to run efficiently. Combined with advanced power management and EdgeLock® security, the platform is well suited for battery-powered and energy-constrained devices.
Typical use cases include portable devices, always-on sensors, and low-power IoT nodes that require long operational lifetimes without sacrificing security or reliability.
Comprehensive Development Kits: From Prototyping to Mass Production
Geniatech provides evaluation kits and custom carrier design services for both i.MX 9 and i.MX 8 SOMs, enabling rapid prototyping, workload validation, and seamless scaling from prototype to production.
Embedded Development Selection Recommendations
Based on application requirements and module characteristics:
| Application Type | Recommended SOM | Key Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| High-performance edge AI and safety-critical applications | SOM-iMX95-OSM / SOM-iMX95-SMARC | 6-core A55 + dual Cortex-M, 2 TOPS NPU, ASIL-B safety, 10GbE & PCIe, 4K display support |
| Cost-sensitive industrial control and smart gateways | SOM-iMX93-OSM | Dual A55 + M33, microNPU for light AI, EdgeLock® security, rich industrial I/O, low power |
| Mature high-end AI vision and multimedia applications | SOM-iMX8MP-SMARC | Quad A53 + M7, 2.3 TOPS NPU, ISP & video acceleration, multi-display, industrial-grade reliability |
| Low-power, long-lifecycle industrial applications | SOM-iMX8MM-OSM / SOM-iMX8MM-SMARC | Quad A53 + M4, low-power multimedia, key industrial I/O, 14 nm efficiency, 10+ year lifecycle |
| Ultra-low-power, always-on portable or battery-powered devices | SOM-iMX8ULP-OSM | Dual A35 + M33, advanced power management, EdgeLock® security, always-on sensing, long reliability |
Conclusion
Geniatech’s SOM portfolio based on NXP i.MX 9 and i.MX 8 series processors, built on open standards, covers the full spectrum from high-performance AI edge computing to low-power industrial control. For embedded developers, These modules simplify hardware design and reduce development barriers. Industrial-grade temperature support, robust packaging, and comprehensive development ecosystems ensure long-term reliability.
Whether the goal is cutting-edge AI performance or cost- and energy-efficient industrial solutions, developers can find an optimal SOM choice within this lineup. As NXP continues to evolve the i.MX processor family, Geniatech is well positioned to introduce even more next-generation SOM solutions to meet future embedded development needs.