MCM-iMX8M-Mini: Evaluation Kit: Hardware Guide

Overview

Terms and Definitions

• SoM – System-on-Module.
  
• SBC – Single Board Computer.
  
• MCM-iMX8M-Mini – System-on-module product based on the iMX8M Mini SoC. More information here.
  
• SB-MCMIMX8M – A carrier board, intended for evaluation and development with MCM-iMX8M-Mini.
• Evaluation kit – A combination of MCM-iMX8M-Mini SoM and SB-MCMIMX8M carrier-board accompanied by a set of accessories. More information here.
  

Additional resources

• All additional materials for MCM-iMX8M-Mini and SB-MCMIMX8M are available here.
  

Connector Locations

Interfaces and Functions

DC Power

SB-MCMIMX8M main power is provided with 12V DC power supply. Adapters for European AC and US AC outlets are included. Connect the PSU to connector J2 before turning on the device.

Serial Console

To start using serial console connect your host PC to the micro-USB connector P13 with the USB cable (included in the evaluation kit).

USB

SB-MCMIMX8M features two USB2.0 ports that are derived directly from the iMX8M-Mini USB subsystem.

• Connector P17 – USB2.0 OTG, micro-USB connector;
  
• Connector J3 – USB2.0 host, type-A connector.
  

Ethernet

SB-MCMIMX8M features one Ethernet port available via RJ45 connector P6.

CAN bus

SB-MCMIMX8M implements CAN bus interface with MCP2518FD controller. CAN interface is routed to RJ11 connector P14.

RS485

SB-MCMIMX8M implements RS485 interface with MAX3491E transceiver. RS485 interface is routed to RJ11 connector P47.

PCI-Express

Plug your PCI-Express device into the SB-MCMIMX8M mini-PCIe connector P11. Full and half size mini-PCIe modules are supported.

Audio

SB-MCMIMX8M features analog stereo output (implemented with the WM8731L audio codec) and digital S/PDIF input/output. Both are accessible via the following 3.5mm jacks:

• P3 – Microphone IN;
  
• P4 – Audio IN;
  
• P5 – Audio OUT.
  

Wireless

WiFi/Bluetooth

WiFi and Bluetooth are implemented on SB-MCMIMX8M with Laird Sterling-LWB5 module interfaced with MCM-iMX8M-Mini via SDIO and UART interfaces.
For WiFi or Bluetooth operation connect the WiFI/BT antenna (included in the evaluation kit) to antenna connector J4.

Cellular

USB and/or PCI-express interfaced cellular modems (2G/3G/4G etc.) can be plugged into mini-PCIe socket P11. For modem operation:

• Insert the cellular modem into socket P11.
• Insert the SIM card to socket P12 on the bottom side of the board.
• Make sure that jumper E14 is removed (to route the USB interface to the mini-PCIe socket).

Display

The MCM-iMX8M-Mini evaluation kit contains Startec KD050HDFIA020 5" TFT panel with capacitive touch panel.

LCD

To enable the display connect the LCD data cable to connector P22.

Touch panel

To enable the touch-panel connect the touch-panel cable to connector P45.

Camera

The MCM-iMX8M-Mini evaluation kit is compatible with the LI-OV5640 camera module. To start using the camera module connect the module to connector P8.

Multi functional signals access

UART

UART interface is available via header P20.
Please refer to MCM-iMX8M-Mini reference guide and SB-MCMIMX8M schematics for details.

SPI

SPI interface is available via header P20.
Please refer to MCM-iMX8M-Mini reference guide and SB-MCMIMX8M schematics for details.

I2C

I2C interface is available via header P20.
Please refer to MCM-iMX8M-Mini reference guide and SB-MCMIMX8M schematics for details.

GPIO

GPIO signals are available via header P20.
Please refer to MCM-iMX8M-Mini reference guide and SB-MCMIMX8M schematics for details.

System

Reset

Pressing the reset button SW8 triggers SBC-iMX8M-Mini cold reset.

Boot Sequence Selection

Pressing and holding the alt-boot button SW9 during power-up or cold reset forces UCM-iMX8M-Mini to boot from SD card.

Power ON / OFF

Pressing the Power On button SW10 shuts down the device.

RTC

For RTC operation make sure that a charged battery is present in socket BH1 and that jumper E6 is populated.

Jumpers Summary

Jumpers:

• E7, E8 – Can be used for the SOM current measurement.
  
• E6 – Must be populated for RTC operation.
  
• E11 – When populated EEPROM is write protected.
  
• E14 – Controls USB multiplexing. When E14 is populated USB interface is routed to USB connector J3. When E14 is not populated USB interface is routed to mini-PCIe connector P11.
  
• E4 – When populated debug console routing is forced to micro-USB connector P13. When not populated debug console routing is controlled by auto-detection of USB cable.
  
• E1, E2, E3, E12, E15 - production jumpers; not needed for evaluation.

Default state:

• Jumpers E9, and E14 are populated;
  
• Jumpers E1, E4, E7, E8, E11, E12 and E15 are removed.