ADLINK Launches Compact SMARC AI-on-Module to Drive Industrial AI at the Edge
March 22, 2021
News
ADLINK Technology has launched the LEC-IMX8MP SMARC module, the first SMARC rev. 2.1 AI-on-Module (AIoM) that uses NXP's next-generation i.MX 8M Plus SoC for edge AI applications.
The LEC-IMX8MP SMARC module integrates NXP NPU, VPU, ISP, and GPU computing in a compact size for future-proof AI-based applications across industrial AIoT/ IoT, smart homes, smart cities, and more.
The quad-core Arm Cortex-A53 processor runs up to 1.8 GHz with an integrated neural processing unit (NPU), delivering up to 2.3 Terra Operations Per Second (TOPS) for machine learning inference at the edge, suited for applications that require machine learning and vision systems paired with smart sensors to enable industrial decision-making.
The LEC-IMX8MP SMARC module features:
- LVDS/DSI/HDMI graphic output, dual CAN bus/USB 2.0/USB 3.0, dual GbE ports (one with TSN), and I2S audio interface – in a low power envelope that is typically below 6W
- Rugged design can sustain operating temperatures of -40°C to +85°C, and high shock and vibration environments for reliability in harsh industrial applications
- Standard BSP support for Debian, Yocto, and Android, including MRAA hardware abstraction layer (HAL), allows engineers to substitute modules, sensor HATs, and port code written in Raspberry Pi or Arduino environments to the I-Pi
- NXP eIQ machine learning software with consecutive inference on CPU cores, GPU cores, and NPU. Support for Caffe, TensorFlow Lite, PyTorch, and ONNX models. Enablement for models such as MobileNet SSD, DeepSpeech v1, and segmentation networks. Arm NN fully integrated into Yocto BSP, supporting i.MX 8
Delivering edge intelligence, machine learning, and vision for a smart world, the LEC-IMX8MP SMARC 2.1 module is an ideal platform for AI-based applications, removing cloud dependency and preserving individual privacy. Targeted uses include smart homes and home automation, smart cities, logistics, healthcare diagnostics, smart buildings, smart retail, and industrial IoT including machine vision, robotics, and factory automation.
A ready-to-run I-Pi SMARC prototyping platform based on the LEC-IMX8MP module can be ordered online at ADLINK’s I-Pi SMARC theme and support site.
For more information about the LEC-IMX8MP module, visit the company's site here.
Tiera Oliver is the assistant managing editor at Embedded Computing Design. She is responsible for web content editing, product news, and story development. She also manages, edits, and develops content for ECD podcasts, including Embedded Insiders.
She utilizes her expertise in journalism and content management to oversee editorial content, coordinate with editors, and ensure high-quality output across web, print, and multimedia platforms. She manages diverse projects, assists in the production of digital magazines, and hosts company podcasts by conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders to deliver engaging and insightful discussions.
Tiera attended Northern Arizona University, where she received her bachelor's in journalism and political science. She was also a news reporter for the student-led newspaper, The Lumberjack.
