congatec, a leading provider of embedded and edge computing technologies, has launched a new high-performance Computer-on-Module (COM) featuring NXP’s i.MX 95 processor, expanding its extensive module portfolio with low-power NXP i.MX Arm processors. With this, congatec highlights its strong partnership with NXP. Customers benefit from easy scalability and a reliable upgrade path for existing and new energy-efficient edge AI applications with high security requirements.
In these applications, the new modules offer a computing performance advantage of up to 3x GFLOPS compared to the previous generation with the i.MX8 M Plus processor. NXP's new Neural Processing Unit, eIQ Neutron, doubles the inference performance for AI-accelerated machine vision. Additionally, the hardware-integrated EdgeLock® Secure Enclave simplifies the implementation of internal cyber security measures.
The new conga-SMX95 SMARC module is designed for the industrial temperature range of -40°C to +85°C and is mechanically robust and optimized for cost-effective and energy-efficient applications. The integrated high-performance eIQ Neutron NPU enables AI acceleration workloads to run even closer to the local device level. Specific use cases for the new SMARC module include AI acceleration low-power applications in areas such as industrial manufacturing, machine vision and visual inspection, rugged HMIs, 3D printers, robot controllers in AMRs and AGVs, medical imaging systems, and patient monitoring systems. Further target applications include passenger seatback entertainment in buses and aircraft, fleet management in transportation, construction and agriculture applications.
Feature set details
The new conga-SMX95 SMARC 2.1 modules are based on the next generation of NXP i.MX 95 application processors with 4 to 6 Arm Cortex-A55 cores. NXP is using the new Arm Mali 3D graphics unit for the first time, delivering up to 3X the GPU performance compared to the previous generation based on the i.MX8 M Plus. There is also a new Image Signal Processor (ISP) for hardware-accelerated image processing. Of particular note is the NXP eIQ Neutron NPU for hardware-accelerated AI inference and machine learning (ML) at the edge on the new SMARC modules. NXP's corresponding eIQ® software development environment provides OEMs with a high-performance development environment to simplify the implementation of in-house ML applications.
Furthermore, the new SMARC modules integrate a real-time domain for real-time controllers. The conga-SMX95 SMARC module offers 2x Gbit Ethernet with TSN for synchronized and deterministic network data transfer, as well as LPDDR5 (with inline ECC) for data security. For display connectivity, the new module offers DisplayPort as standard interface, as well as the still widely used LVDS display interface. For direct camera connection, the module has 2x MIPI-CSI.
congatec also offers an extensive hardware and software ecosystem as well as comprehensive design-in services to simplify and speed up application development, including evaluation and production-ready application carrier boards as well as customized cooling solutions. In terms of services, congatec offers comprehensive documentation, training and signal integrity measurements for application development.
