The MCIMX7ULP-EVK is the i.MX 7ULP Evaluation Kit, which provides a platform for rapid application development using the i.MX 7ULP, featuring NXP's advanced implementation of the Arm
Cortex-A7 core, the Arm Cortex-M4 core, as well as 3D and 2D Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). Recently, I got a chance to test drive.
In June 2019, NXP released an addition to their i.MX 7 Series, the i.MX 7ULP, which is the latest achievement in ultra-low-power processing for use cases demanding long battery life. The i.MX 7ULP and its solutions achieve extreme low power by combining FD-SOI technology with a heterogeneous domain computing architecture which provides low stand-by power and the ability to optimize RUN states to the dynamic requirements of the application.
In the box, the i.MX 7ULP Evaluation Kit contains a baseboard (the larger board) and a SOM (the smaller board), USB cable, a 5 V/2 A universal power supply, an 8 GB SD card preloaded with a bootable software demo and a printed sheet that directs you to online instructions.
The online instructions are straightforward with the description of the board, instructions for getting started and a quick start guide. The “Getting Started” section guides you through the process of bringing up the EVK.
A quick note on the step ”1.4 Connect the HDMI Cable”: If you want to connect your i.MX 7ULP EVK to an HDMI monitor, you need to provide your own HDMI cable (which is not provided with the i.MX 7ULP Evaluation Kit). If you want to connect your i.MX 7ULP to an LCD display, NXP provides a purchase option “TFT3P5581-T” (i.MX7ULP1 MIPI Display Touch Panel). I will do a follow-up on using that LCD in the future.
By the time you complete step “2. Embedded Linux”, you will have the required set up to start using the i.MX 7ULP EVK to play with your own code. Step “3. Explore” connects you resources for the i.MX 7ULP including the i.MX 7ULP EVK board documentation, documentation for the i.MX 7ULP itself and software documentation.