The i.MX 6 series unleashes a scalable multicore platform that includes single-, dual- and quad-core families based on the ARM
Cortex
-A9 architecture for next-generation consumer, industrial and automotive applications. By combining the power-efficient processing capabilities of the ARM Cortex-A9 architecture with bleeding edge 3D and 2D graphics, as well as high-definition video, the i.MX 6 series provides a new level of multimedia performance to enable an unbounded next-generation user experience. The i.MX 6 series also brings world-class integration with high-performance multimedia processing, making it the ideal platform for future multimedia-centric applications such as tablets, smart devices and human-machine interfaces (HMI). With integrated options including LVDS, HDMI v1.4, MIPI DSI display port and MIPI CSI-2 camera port, as well as the ability to support up to four screens simultaneously, the i.MX 6 series provides the flexibility to develop tailored, market-specific solutions with faster time to market.
Few Words about the new ARM Cortex-A9 Architecture
Quick ARM MCUs and MPUs Core Roadmap
ARM MicroProcessor Core Generations
ARM9 (old generation)
ARM9 processor family enables single processor solutions for microcontroller,DSP and Java applications, offering savings in chip area and complexity, power consumption, and time-to-market. ARM9 is based on ARMv5 instruction set with 1,1 DMIPS/MHz reduced performances. The ARM9 processor family includes ARM926EJ-S, ARM946E-S and ARM968E-S processors.
ARM11 (old generation) and Cortex A5 (next generation)
ARM11 and Cortex A5 are entry level Ics. The first is old and less powerfull (1,25 DMIPS/MHz) . It was for example embedded in the first Apple iPhone (400 MHz) and in the entry-level smartphones. The principal default of the chip is the instruction set ARMv6, outdated. The Cortex A5 will replace the ARM11 as entry level solution, as it is a little bit more powerfull (1,58 DMIPS/MHz) but mostly compatible ARMv7, the current instruction set. Those cores can be coupled (MPcore), but they are usually single used.
Cortex A8
Cortex A8 is the old high-end solution from ARM. It is used in the Freescale i.MX5 (Kindle), Apple A4 (iPad v1) and TI OMAP3. Efficient (2,07 DMIPS/MHz), the chip can run up to 1,2 GHz in its recent implementations. A8 suffer from two low-points : an inefficient Floating Point Unit and the unavailability of a MPCore (single core only).
Cortex A9 (current generation)
Cortex A9 is the current high-end : available in MPCore versions, the majority of the implementations are limited to two cores, even if Freescale i.MX6 and Nvidia Tegra3 are just becoming available in quad cores versions. Current chips run up to 1.5GHz (then 2 GHz) and the core is approximately 25 % more efficient that Cortex A8 (2,5 DMIPS/MHz). Notice that NEON (SIMD) instructions support is optional, which can generate some compatibilities problems.
Cortex A7 (next generation)
Cortex A7 is the future ARM architecture : compatible ARMv7, this CPU is simplest than the others but also more modern. According to ARM, it is more energy efficient than Cortex A8 and it is smaller, with very close performances (1,9 DMIPS/MHz). Targeting entry-level, it should be used in pair with Cortex A15 in the architecture big.LITTLE.
Cortex A15 (next generation)
Cortex A15 is the future high-end from ARM. Still 32 bits, this CPU compatible ARMv7 is faster than the Cortex A9. Freescale should start sampling its i.MX7 like TI (OMAP5) and Samsung (Exynos 5xxx) end of 2013. 28 nm techno should allow to attend high frequencies (2 GHz)
| ARM9 | ARM11 | Cortex A5 | Cortex A7 | Cortex A8 | Cortex A9 | Cortex A15 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMIPS/MHz | 1,1 | 1,25 | 1,58 | 1,9 | 2,07 | 2,5 | 3,5 |
| Classical Frequencies | 125 - 480MHz | 500 - 1000MHz | 300 - 800MHz | 800 - 1500MHz | 600 - 1000MHz | 1 - 1,5GHz | 1 - 2GHz |
| Architecture | ARMv5TJ | ARMv6 | ARMv7A | ||||
ARM Cortex A9
The ARM Cortex-A9 processor provides unprecedented levels of performance and power efficiency making it an ideal solution for designs requiring high performance in low power or thermally constrained cost-sensitive devices. The ARM Cortex-A9 processor is available as either a single core or configurable multicore processor with either synthesizable or hard-macro implementations available. This processor can scale across a wide variety of applications while enabling a consistent software investment across multiple markets.
i.MX6 Series Presentation
Product Overview Highlights
The i.MX 6 series reaches a new level of power versus performance by providing a scalable family of single-, dual- and quad-core processor families based on the ARM Cortex-A9 architecture.
The pin* and software compatible i.MX 6 series allows designers to create a broad portfolio of products based on a common platform, while providing compelling performance advantages for battery-based systems with constrained power budgets.
Next-generation graphics and high-definition video are centric to the i.MX 6 series, with the series supporting an integrated 1080p encoder/decoder hardware engine* and high performance graphics accelerators in its high performance families. The i.MX 6 series supports up to 1080p video playback* at 350 mW, enabling exceptionally long battery life for devices playing high-definition content. The 3D graphics engine is capable of providing up to 200 Mt/s, which enables ultra vivid, realistic graphics critical for gaming and tablet applications. The combined multimedia processing power of the i.MX 6 series enables a new generation of smart devices and auto infotainment with compelling features such as augmented reality applications, content creation capabilities and multichannel HD video processing for a new level of user experience.
* 4 of 5 families are pin-compatible
* i.MX 6SoloLite does not include video encode/decode hardware engine
Product Specification Highlights
- Scalable single-, dual- and quad-core offerings based on ARM Cortex-A9 up to 1.2 GHz, with ARMv7, Neon, VFPv3 and Trustzone support
- 32K instruction and data L1 caches and 256 KB to 1 MB of L2 cache
- Multi-stream-capable HD video engine delivering 1080p60 decode, 1080p30 encode and 3D video playback in HD in high performance families
- Superior 3D graphics performance with up to 4 shaders performing 200 MT/s
- Separate 2D Composition and/or Vector acceleration engines for an optimal user interface experience
- Stereoscopic image sensor support for 3D imaging
- Integrated market-specific IOs, which may include HDMI v1.4 with integrated PHY, SD 3.0, multiple USB 2.0 ports with integrated PHY, Gigabit Ethernet with integrated PHY, SATA-II with integrated PHY, PCI Express with integrated PHY, MIPI CSI, MIPI DSI, MIPI HSI and FlexCAN for automotive and industrial applications
- Comprehensive security features
- Optional integration of an E-Paper display controller for eReader and similar applications
i.MX6 Series At a Glance
i.MX6 Series Portfolio
Product Overview - i.MX 6Quad family
| Product Specifications of the i.MX 6Quad | i.MX 6Quad Applications Processor Block Diagram |
|---|---|
CPU - 4x ARM - 1 MB L2 cache - 32 KB instruction and data caches - NEON SIMD media accelerator
Multimedia - GPU 3D o Vivante GC2000 o 200Mtri/s 1000Mpxl/s, OpenGL ES 3.0 & Halti, CL EP - GPU 2D(Vector Graphics) o Vivante GC355 o 300Mpxl/s, OpenVG 1.1 - GPU 2D(Composition) o Vivante GC320 o 600Mpxl/s, BLIT - Video Decode o 1080p60 H.264 decode - Video Encode o 1080p30 H.264 BP/ Dual 720p encode - Camera Interface o Types: 2x 20-bit parallel, MIPI-CSI2 (4 lanes), three simultaneous inputs
Display - 2 x QXGA (2048x1536) or 2 x [1080p + WXGA (1280x720)] - LVDS, Parallel, MIPI-DSI
Memory - DDR o 2x32 LP-DDR2, 1x64 DDR3 / DDR3L - NAND o SLC/MLC, 40-bit ECC, ONFI2.2
Connectivity - Four USB2.0 o 1xHS OTG + PHY o 1xHost + PHY o 2xHost USB HSIC - Ethernet o 10/100/1000 + IEEE - Expansion Ports o 3x SD/MMC 4.4, 1x SDXC o 5x SPI, 5x UART, 3x I²C o MIPI-HSI o PCIe 2.0 (1 lane)
Security - Advanced security supporting High Assurance Boot, cryptographic cipher engines, random number generator, and tamper detection
Power Management - PMU integration - Freescale PF-series PF0100 power management unit
Package and Temperature - 21 x 21mm, 0.8 mm BGA - Ext. Consumer (-20C to +105C), up to 1.2 GHz - Industrial (-40C to +105C), up to 800 MHz - Automotive (-40C to +125C), AEC-Q100, up to 1 GHz |  |
Product Overview - i.MX 6Dual family
| Product Specifications of the i.MX 6Dual | i.MX 6Dual Applications Processor Block Diagram |
|---|---|
CPU - 2x ARM - 1 MB L2 cache - 32 KB instruction and data caches - NEON SIMD media accelerator
Multimedia - GPU 3D o Vivante GC2000 o 200Mtri/s 1000Mpxl/s, OpenGL ES 3.0 & Halti, CL EP - GPU 2D(Vector Graphics) o Vivante GC355 o 300Mpxl/s, OpenVG 1.1 - GPU 2D(Composition) o Vivante GC320 o 600Mpxl/s, BLIT - Video Decode o 1080p60 H.264 decode - Video Encode o 1080p30 H.264 BP/ Dual 720p encode - Camera Interface o Types: 2x 20-bit parallel, MIPI-CSI2 (4 lanes), three simultaneous inputs
Display - 2 x QXGA (2048x1536) or 2 x [1080p + WXGA (1280x720)] - LVDS, Parallel, MIPI-DSI
Memory - DDR o 2x32 LP-DDR2, 1x64 DDR3 / DDR3L - NAND o SLC/MLC, 40-bit ECC, ONFI2.2
Connectivity - Four USB2.0 o 1xHS OTG + PHY o 1xHost + PHY o 2xHost USB HSIC - Ethernet o 10/100/1000 + IEEE - Expansion Ports o 3x SD/MMC 4.4, 1x SDXC o 5x SPI, 5x UART, 3x I²C o MIPI-HSI o PCIe 2.0 (1 lane)
Security - High Assurance Boot, cryptographic cipher engines, random number generator, and tamper detection
Power Management - PMU integration - Freescale PF-series PF0100 power management unit
Package and Temperature - 21 x 21mm, 0.8 mm BGA - Ext. Consumer (-20C to +105C), up to 1.2 GHz - Industrial (-40C to +105C), up to 800 MHz - Automotive (-40C to +125C), AEC-Q100, up to 1 GHz |  |
Product Overview - i.MX 6DualLite family
| Product Specifications of the i.MX 6DualLite | i.MX 6DualLite Applications Processor Block Diagram |
|---|---|
CPU - 2x ARM - 512 KB L2 cache - 32 KB instruction and data caches - NEON SIMD media accelerator
Multimedia - GPU 3D o Vivante GC880 o 35Mtri/s 266Mpxl/s Open GL ES 2.0 - GPU 2D(Vector Graphics) o Emulated on GPU 3D - GPU 2D(Composition) o Vivante GC320 o 600Mpxl/s, BLIT - Video Decode o 1080p30 H.264 - Video Encode o 1080p30 H.264 BP/ Dual 720p encode - Camera Interface o Types: 2x 20-bit parallel, MIPI-CSI2 (2 lanes)
Display - 2 x WXGA (1366x768) - EPDC, LVDS, Parallel, MIPI-DSI
Memory - DDR o 2x32 LP-DDR2, 1x64 DDR3 / DDR3L - NAND o SLC/MLC, 40-bit ECC, ONFI2.2
Connectivity - Four USB2.0 o 1xHS OTG + PHY o 1xHost + PHY o 2xHost USB HSIC - Ethernet o 10/100/1000 + IEEE - Expansion Ports o 3x SD/MMC 4.4, 1x SDXC o 4x SPI, 5x UART, 3x I²C o MIPI-HSI o PCIe 2.0 (1 lane)
Security - High Assurance Boot, cryptographic cipher engines, random number generator, and tamper detection
Power Management - PMU integration - Freescale PF-series PF0100 power management unit
Package and Temperature - 21 x 21mm, 0.8 mm BGA - Consumer (0C to +95C), up to 1 GHz - Extended Consumer (-20C to +105C), up to 1 GHz - Industrial (-40C to +105C), up to 800 MHz - Automotive (-40C to +125C), AEC-Q100, up to 800 MHz |  |
Product Overview - i.MX 6Solo family
| Product Specifications of the i.MX 6Solo | i.MX 6Solo Applications Processor Block Diagram |
|---|---|
CPU - 1x ARM - 512 KB L2 cache - 32 KB instruction and data caches - NEON SIMD media accelerator
Multimedia - GPU 3D o Vivante GC880 o 35Mtri/s 266Mpxl/s Open GL ES 2.0 - GPU 2D(Vector Graphics) o Emulated on GPU 3D - GPU 2D(Composition) o Vivante GC320 o 600Mpxl/s, BLIT - Video Decode o 1080p30 H.264 - Video Encode o 1080p30 H.264 BP/ Dual 720p encode - Camera Interface o Types: 2x 20-bit parallel, MIPI-CSI2 (2 lanes)
Display - 2 x WXGA (1366x768) - EPDC, LVDS, Parallel, MIPI-DSI
Memory - DDR o 32 bit LP-DDR2 / LP-DDR3 / DDR3L - NAND o SLC/MLC, 40-bit ECC, ONFI2.2
Connectivity - Automotive o FlexCAN o MLB - Four USB2.0 o 1xHS OTG + PHY o 1xHost + PHY o 2xHost USB HSIC - Ethernet o 10/100/1000 + IEEE - Expansion Ports o 3x SD/MMC 4.4, 1x SDXC o 4x SPI, 5x UART, 3x I²C o MIPI-HSI o PCIe 2.0 (1 lane)
Security - High Assurance Boot, cryptographic cipher engines, random number generator, and tamper detection
Power Management - PMU integration - Freescale PF-series PF0100 power management unit
Package and Temperature - 21 x 21mm, 0.8 mm BGA - Consumer (0C to +95C), up to 1 GHz - Extended Consumer (-20C to +105C), up to 1 GHz - Industrial (-40C to +105C), up to 800 MHz - Automotive (-40C to +125C), AEC-Q100, up to 800 MHz |  |
Product Overview - i.MX 6SoloLite family
| Product Specifications of the i.MX 6SoloLite | i.MX 6SoloLite Applications Processor Block Diagram |
|---|---|
CPU - 1x ARM - 256 KB L2 cache - 32 KB instruction and data caches - NEON SIMD media accelerator
Multimedia - GPU 2D (Vector Graphics) o Vivante GC355 o 300Mpxl/s, OpenVG 1.1 - GPU 2D(Composition) o 2D BLIT Engine o Vivante GC320 - Video Decode o SW only - Video Encode o SW only - Camera Interface o 16-bit parallel
Display - WXGA (1366x786)
Memory - DDR o 16/32 bit LP-DDR2 o 16/32 bit DDR3 / DDR3L
Connectivity - 3x USB 2.0 o 1x HS OTG + PHY o 1x Host + PHY o 1x Host USB HSIC - Ethernet - Fast Ethernet Controller, 10/100 Mbps Expansion Ports - 3x SD/MMC 4.4, 1x SDXC - 4x SPI, 5x UART, 3x I²C
Security - Advanced security supporting High Assurance Boot, cryptographic cipher engines, random number generator, and tamper detection
Power Management - PMU integration - Freescale PF-series PF0100 power management unit
Package and Temperature - 13 x 13 mm, 0.5 mm BGA - Consumer (0C to +95C), up to 1 GHz - Extended Temperature (-40C to +105C), up to 1 GHz |  |
Targeted Applications
| Automotive | Medical | Building Control | Transportation & Aerospace | Industrial | Consumer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- Infotainment_Telematics - Multimedia Infotainment - Instrument Cluster | - Imaging - Diagnostics & Therapy - Others Medical | - Fire Alarm System - Other Building Control HVAC | - Industrial Transportation - Aerospace - Defense - Other Mil_Civil Aerospace | - HMI Human Machine Int - Video Surveillance - Test & Measurement - G/Way Router Concentrator - Smart Grid Other - G/Way Router Concentrator - Smart Grid Other | - Smart Display Monitor - Others Home Multimedia - Tablet / MID / Netbook - PND - Printers and Scanners - Digital Still Cameras - Media Phones and Video Phones - eReaders - Consumer Other - Electronic Games - Other Electronic Gaming - RF Remote Controls - PND Personal Navigation - Mobile Accessories - Other home multimedia - IPTV |
Development Tools
Summary
Freescale offers a broad portfolio of development tools to support early evaluation and development with the i.MX 6 series. Through Freescale and its extensive ecosystem, customers can access a wide variety of software support including Google Android, Windows Embedded CE, Ubuntu, Linux, Skype.
Freescale Support Ecosystem
Third-Party Vendors Support Ecosystem
Development Tools
Element14 development kit for i.MX 6Quad, built to the Freescale SABRE Lite design
- Basic Description: A low-cost development platform featuring the powerful i.MX 6Quad Application Processor
- Global sourcing through
- Best “Out of Box” Experience Including:
+ 4GB SD card pre-loaded with Timesys LinuxLink
+ Power Adapter and USB also included free of charge
- Complete product details, user manuals, and software on the element14 Knode HERE
- Pre-Order available mid-October / shipping in November
- Availability by Element 14: MCIMX6Q-SLMCIMX6Q-SL
| MCIMX6Q-SL: Board Features | MCIMX6Q-SL: Board Picture |
|---|---|
- Quad-Core ARM - 1GByte of 64-bit wide DDR3 @532MHz - RGB, LVDS, and HDMI 1.4a ports - Two camera ports - HD video engine - Triple Play Graphics system - Serial ATA 2.5 (SATA) at 3Gbps - Dual SD 3.0/SDXC card slots - PCIe port (1 lane) - Analog and Digital audio - Compact size (3″x3″) - 10/100/Gb IEEE1588 Ethernet - 10-pin JTAG interface - 3 High speed USB ports - 1xCAN2 port - I2C - GPIOs |  |
Software
Adeneo
- Basic Description: Android, Linux and Windows Embedded BSPs for Freescale i.MXBased Solutions
- Availability: Now
- Pricing: Custom development pricing
- Purchasing Information: http://www.adeneo-embedded.com/Products/Board-Support-Packages/Freescale
Allgo
- Basic Description: Fast boot Android
- Availability: Coming Soon
- Pricing: Contact AllGo
- Purchasing Information: http://allgosystems.com/fast_boot_android.php
QNX
- Basic Description: QNX CAR Application Platform
- Availability: Now
- Pricing: Contact QNX
- Purchasing Information: http://www.qnx.com/products/qnxcar/index.html
iWave
- Basic Description: WEC7 on i.MX6 Q7 Development Platform
- Availability: now
- Pricing: Contact iWave
- Purchasing Information: http://www.iwavesystems.com/blog/?tag=freescale
Wind River
- Basic Description: Wind River Platform for Infotainment with Linux-based GENIVI
- Availability: Now
- Pricing: Contact Wind River
- Purchasing Information: http://www.windriver.com/products/platforms/infotainment/
Mentor
- Basic Description: Accelerate In-Vehicle Infotainment Product Development for the i.MX6 Series of Applications Processors
- Availability: Now
- Pricing: Contact Mentor
- Purchasing Information: http://www.mentor.com/embedded-software/news/mentorfreescale-infotainment
Timesys
- Basic Description: LinuxLink for Sabre-Lite Development Kit
- Availability: Now
- Pricing: $199 starting 11/1/12
- Purchasing Information: http://www.timesys.com/company/news-events/pr/freescale-imx6
Intrinsyc
- Basic Description: OPEN-6 Design and Production Platform
- Availability: Now
- Pricing: Contact Intrinsyc
- Purchasing Information: http://www.wnd.com/markets/news/read/20311385/intrinsyc_launches_open
Green Hills
- Basic Description: Green Hills Software's INTEGRITY Multivisor on Freescale i.MX application processors
- Availability: Now
- Pricing: Contact Green Hills
- Purchasing Information: http://www.ghs.com/news/20111026_ARM_techcon_freescale_imx.html
De-Bug Tools
- ARM Development Tool: http://www.arm.com/products/tools/index.php
- IAR System: http://www.iar.com/
- Lauterbac: http://www.lauterbach.com/frames.html?home.html
- Macraigor System: http://www.macraigor.com/
- Mentor Embedde: http://www.mentor.com/embedded-software/
- Segge: http://www.segger.com/index.html
- Timesy: http://www.timesys.com/
Traning
- Adeneo - US / Europe: http://www.adeneo-embedded.com/
- Timesys - US / Europe: http://www.adeneo-embedded.com/
- iWave – Asia: http://www.iwavesystems.com
For any additional information concerning Freescale Solutions, visit the Freescale Group on Element14 Community HERE
For any additional information concerning the Element14 Sabre Lite board (doc, schematics, BSP ...), visit E14 The Knode Group dedicated to this tool HERE