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 accelerates 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 SOMs targeting high-performance edge AI and balanced efficiency applications.
1. SOM-iMX95-OSM: Flagship High Performance for Edge AI Applications
For embedded applications requiring maximum AI inference performance and strong multitasking—such as edge AI vision analytics, intelligent security, and high-end industrial control—the SOM-iMX95-OSM is the optimal choice.
- Processor: i.MX95 with 6× Cortex-A55 (up to 2.0 GHz) + Cortex-M7 & M33 for real-time tasks.
- AI: 2 TOPS eIQ® Neutron NPU, enabling advanced AI workloads (image recognition, object detection) directly at the edge without external accelerators.
- Graphics: 4K video, Mali GPU (OpenGL ES 3.2, Vulkan 1.2), MIPI-DSI (4K@30), LVDS—ideal for advanced HMI and 4K monitoring.
- Connectivity: 10GbE, dual GbE with TSN, PCIe Gen3, USB 3.0—supporting high-throughput, time-sensitive industrial applications.
2. SOM-iMX93-OSM: Balanced Efficiency for Industrial Control and Smart Gateways
For cost-sensitive embedded designs emphasizing power efficiency—such as industrial controllers, smart gateways, and basic HMI devices—the SOM-iMX93-OSM offers an excellent balance between cost and performance.
- Processor: Dual Cortex-A55 + Cortex-M33 for low-latency control.
- AI: 0.5 TOPS Arm Ethos-U65 microNPU for lightweight AI workloads (basic image recognition, environmental sensing).
- Form Factor & I/O: OSM Size-S (30×30 mm) with dual GbE, MIPI-DSI/CSI, CAN-FD, UART, USB 2.0—covering most industrial and gateway applications.
Geniatech supports the i.MX 9 series with evaluation kits and custom carrier design services, enabling rapid prototype-to-deployment workflows.
Proven and Reliable Choice: i.MX 8 Series
The i.MX 8 line remains a go‑to platform for developers needing stable, field-tested SoCs with extended lifecycle support. Geniatech’s OSM and SMARC SOMs on this platform cover a broad range of industrial and multimedia applications.
1. i.MX 8M Plus: High-Performance AI Edge Inference
Designed for embedded applications requiring machine learning and advanced multimedia processing—such as intelligent video surveillance and high-end smart gateways.
- Architecture: Feature quad-core Arm Cortex-A53 (1.8 GHz) plus a Cortex-M7 (800 MHz). The A53 cores handle multitasking, while the M7 manages real-time control, balancing performance and determinism.
- AI Capability: With a built-in 2.3 TOPS NPU (expandable up to 40 TOPS), these modules can handle complex AI inference workloads required by advanced AI embedded applications.
- Interfaces: SOM-iMX8MP-SMARC supports dual Gigabit Ethernet (TSN), HDMI 2.0, LVDS, MIPI-DSI/CSI, PCIe Gen 3, and dual CAN-FD, covering both high-speed and multimedia requirements.
2. i.MX 8M Mini: Energy-Efficient Multimedia Platform
Built on a 14 nm FinFET process, the i.MX 8M Mini series emphasizes power efficiency, making it suitable for low-power embedded applications such as smart terminals, industrial sensor gateways, and compact HMIs. Available models include SOM-iMX8MM-OSM and SOM-iMX8MM-SMARC.
- Architecture: Quad-core Arm Cortex-A53 (1.8 GHz) plus a Cortex-M4 (400 MHz) ensure adequate application performance, with the M4 handling real-time and low-power tasks. The 14 nm process further reduces power consumption and extends device operating life.
- Memory Support: Up to 8 GB LPDDR4 and 128 GB eMMC, sufficient for most embedded use cases.
- Standards: OSM Size‑L and SMARC 2.1 with long-term availability (10 + years).
3. i.MX 8ULP: Ultra-Low Power for Portable and Smart Devices
The SOM‑IMX8ULP‑OSM module adopts the OSM‑S form factor and is built around an ultra-low power design philosophy. It is specifically developed for embedded applications sensitive to power consumption, making it widely suitable for portable devices, low-power communication nodes, and smart terminals. Its ultra-low power characteristics effectively extend device battery life and reduce energy costs for end products, making it especially well-suited for outdoor portable devices without continuous power supply and low-power IoT node scenarios. The interface design is optimized for low-power terminals, ensuring core functionality while further improving power efficiency. Together with other i.MX 8 series models, it complements the product line, providing comprehensive coverage for low-power embedded application scenarios.
4. Comprehensive Development Kits: From Prototyping to Mass Production
Geniatech offers multiple SBCs and evaluation kits for the i.MX 8 series:
- CBD-iMX8MM-OSM evaluation board: Designed for testing and rapid prototyping, accelerates functional validation and iteration.
- XPI-iMX8MM industrial SBC: Compatible with Raspberry Pi form factor, enables partial reuse of the Raspberry Pi ecosystem to reduce development cost.
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 | 6-core A55 architecture, 2 TOPS NPU, and 10GbE connectivity. |
| Cost-sensitive industrial control and smart gateways | SOM-iMX93-OSM | Balanced A55 + M33 architecture, rich industrial interfaces, and flexible form factors. |
| Mature high-end AI vision and multimedia applications | SOM-iMX8MP-SMARC | Strong NPU performance and multimedia support. |
| Low-power, long-lifecycle industrial applications | i.MX 8M Mini series (SOM-iMX8MM-OSM / SMARC) | 14 nm efficiency and 10+ year lifecycle support. |
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, reduce development barriers, and ensure long-term reliability through industrial-grade temperature support, robust packaging, and comprehensive development ecosystems.
Whether targeting 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.