NXP i.MX Guides#
NXP i.MX processors are widely used in professional embedded systems, industrial control products, medical devices, HMI panels, gateways, automotive-related terminals, smart building equipment, machine interfaces, and long-lifecycle embedded products.
Compared with many consumer-oriented SoCs, NXP i.MX platforms are often selected for projects where documentation, Linux support, long-term availability, industrial reliability, security features, and ecosystem stability are important. They are commonly used when a product needs to remain in the market for many years and must be maintained across multiple software and hardware revisions.
In the SBC market, i.MX processors are used in Linux SBCs, Android SBCs, system-on-modules, industrial HMI boards, gateway controllers, medical terminals, machine control panels, camera-enabled edge devices, and custom embedded mainboards.
About NXP#
NXP Semiconductors is a global semiconductor company focused on embedded processing, automotive electronics, industrial systems, secure connectivity, IoT, and edge processing. Its i.MX application processor family is one of the most recognized embedded processor lines for Linux-based and Android-capable products.
The i.MX family is used by many industrial board vendors, module suppliers, and equipment manufacturers. It is common to find i.MX processors in products where formal documentation, reference designs, software support, and lifecycle planning matter more than the lowest possible hardware cost.
For embedded engineers, NXP i.MX platforms are especially attractive because they are supported by a broad ecosystem that includes:
- Linux BSPs
- Yocto support
- Android support on selected platforms
- Evaluation boards
- System-on-modules
- Industrial SBCs
- Long-lifecycle product programs
- Security documentation
- Third-party hardware and software partners
Why NXP i.MX Is Used in Embedded Products#
NXP i.MX processors are commonly selected for embedded products because they provide a balanced platform for professional device development.
Typical advantages include:
- Strong embedded Linux ecosystem
- Mature Yocto-based development workflow
- Good documentation and reference manuals
- Long-lifecycle support on many processor families
- Industrial and automotive-related ecosystem
- Security-oriented features on selected platforms
- Display, camera, audio, networking, and industrial interface support
- Availability of SoM and SBC products from many vendors
- Suitability for medical, industrial, gateway, and HMI applications
For products such as industrial HMI panels, machine controllers, gateways, medical interfaces, and smart equipment, the development team often values stability and maintainability more than raw performance. This is where i.MX platforms are often strong.
NXP i.MX Processor Families#
The i.MX family includes many generations and product lines. Some are older but still found in existing products, while newer platforms are used for modern edge, HMI, AI, and industrial applications.
The table below focuses on i.MX processors commonly relevant to embedded SBCs, Linux systems, Android-capable devices, HMI panels, gateways, and machine control products.
| Processor Family | CPU Class | Typical OS | Common Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| i.MX6 | Cortex-A7 / Cortex-A9 class depending on model | Linux / Android | Legacy HMI, gateways, industrial panels, medical devices |
| i.MX6ULL / i.MX6UL | Low-power Cortex-A7 class | Linux | Gateways, industrial control, simple HMI, IoT terminals |
| i.MX7 | Cortex-A7 + Cortex-M class on selected models | Linux | Industrial control, gateways, low-power embedded devices |
| i.MX8M Mini | Cortex-A53 class | Linux / Android | HMI panels, gateways, medical terminals, SBCs |
| i.MX8M Nano | Cortex-A53 class | Linux | Low-power gateways, compact HMI, smart devices |
| i.MX8M Plus | Cortex-A53 class with AI/vision features | Linux / Android | Machine vision, industrial HMI, edge AI, smart cameras |
| i.MX8M Quad | Cortex-A53 class | Linux / Android | Multimedia HMI, smart displays, audio/video systems |
| i.MX8X / i.MX8QuadXPlus | Heterogeneous embedded platform | Linux / Android | Industrial, automotive-related HMI, safety-aware systems |
| i.MX8QuadMax | Higher-end heterogeneous platform | Linux / Android | Advanced HMI, multi-display, automotive-related systems |
| i.MX8ULP | Ultra-low-power application processor | Linux | Low-power HMI, IoT, battery-sensitive products |
| i.MX9 Series | Newer industrial edge platform | Linux / Android on selected designs | Industrial HMI, gateways, edge AI, secure devices |
NXP i.MX6 Series#
The i.MX6 series is an older but historically important NXP application processor family. It has been widely used in industrial HMI panels, medical devices, automotive-related terminals, gateways, and embedded Linux systems.
| Item | Main Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU | Cortex-A7 or Cortex-A9 class depending on model |
| Positioning | Mature embedded application processor family |
| Typical OS | Linux, Android on selected legacy platforms |
| Display Use | RGB, LVDS, HDMI depending on model and board |
| Typical Interfaces | Ethernet, USB, UART, I2C, SPI, GPIO, CAN on selected models |
| Common Applications | Legacy HMI, gateways, medical terminals, industrial control panels |
| Main Strength | Mature ecosystem and long field history |
| Limitation | Older generation; new designs should evaluate lifecycle and software support carefully |
i.MX6 remains important because many existing industrial products still use it. However, new projects often consider i.MX8M Mini, i.MX8M Plus, or i.MX9 depending on requirements.
NXP i.MX6ULL and i.MX6UL#
i.MX6ULL and i.MX6UL are low-power NXP processors commonly used in cost-sensitive industrial Linux products. They are suitable for devices that do not need heavy graphics or multimedia but require stable Linux operation and industrial interfaces.
| Item | Main Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU | Single-core Cortex-A7 class |
| Positioning | Low-power, cost-effective embedded Linux platform |
| Typical OS | Linux, Yocto, Buildroot |
| Display Use | Basic LCD interface depending on board design |
| Typical Interfaces | Ethernet, USB, UART, I2C, SPI, GPIO, CAN on selected designs |
| Common Applications | Gateways, industrial control, simple HMI, IoT terminals, data loggers |
| Main Strength | Low power, mature Linux support, suitable for compact industrial products |
| Limitation | Limited graphics and multimedia capability |
These processors are useful when the product is mainly a controller, gateway, or simple Linux terminal rather than a rich graphical HMI.
NXP i.MX7 Series#
The i.MX7 series combines application processing with lower-level embedded control features. Some variants include Cortex-A cores together with Cortex-M cores, making them suitable for products that need Linux plus more predictable low-level processing.
| Item | Main Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU | Cortex-A7 class, with Cortex-M support on selected variants |
| Positioning | Low-power industrial and embedded Linux platform |
| Typical OS | Linux |
| Display Use | Basic HMI and LCD products depending on board |
| Typical Interfaces | Ethernet, USB, UART, I2C, SPI, GPIO, CAN on selected designs |
| Common Applications | Industrial control, gateways, power-sensitive devices, embedded terminals |
| Main Strength | Low power and heterogeneous processing options |
| Limitation | Not intended for heavy UI, multimedia, or AI workloads |
i.MX7 is suitable for products where power and control behavior matter more than advanced display performance.
NXP i.MX8M Mini#
i.MX8M Mini is one of the most widely used i.MX8 processors for embedded SBCs, HMI products, gateways, and professional devices. It provides a practical balance between Linux capability, display support, power consumption, and lifecycle suitability.
| Item | Main Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU | Cortex-A53 class, available in different core configurations |
| Positioning | Mid-range embedded Linux and HMI processor |
| Typical OS | Linux, Yocto, Android on selected BSPs |
| Display Use | MIPI DSI, HDMI, or other interfaces depending on board design |
| Typical Interfaces | Ethernet, USB, UART, I2C, SPI, GPIO, audio |
| Common Applications | Industrial HMI, gateways, medical terminals, smart building panels, Linux SBCs |
| Main Strength | Mature Linux ecosystem, good balance for HMI and gateway products |
| Limitation | Not ideal for heavy AI or advanced machine vision workloads |
i.MX8M Mini is often selected for products that need stable Linux support and professional embedded lifecycle rather than maximum performance.
NXP i.MX8M Nano#
i.MX8M Nano is a lower-power member of the i.MX8M family. It is suitable for compact devices that need Linux capability, basic HMI, and network-connected embedded functionality.
| Item | Main Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU | Cortex-A53 class, depending on configuration |
| Positioning | Low-power embedded application processor |
| Typical OS | Linux, Yocto |
| Display Use | Basic display and HMI depending on board |
| Typical Interfaces | Ethernet, USB, UART, I2C, SPI, GPIO, audio |
| Common Applications | Compact gateways, simple HMI products, smart devices, IoT terminals |
| Main Strength | Low power and compact embedded design suitability |
| Limitation | Less suitable for complex graphics, camera-heavy systems, or AI workloads |
i.MX8M Nano can be a good fit for products where power, size, and lifecycle matter more than multimedia performance.
NXP i.MX8M Plus#
i.MX8M Plus is one of the most important NXP processors for modern embedded edge applications. It is commonly used in machine vision, AI-assisted systems, smart cameras, industrial HMI panels, gateways, medical devices, and advanced Linux SBCs.
| Item | Main Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU | Cortex-A53 class with Cortex-M class real-time support on selected configurations |
| NPU | Integrated AI accelerator on i.MX8M Plus family |
| Positioning | Vision, AI, HMI, and industrial edge processor |
| Typical OS | Linux, Yocto, Android on selected BSPs |
| Display Use | MIPI DSI, LVDS/HDMI depending on board design |
| Camera | Camera input and image processing support depending on design |
| Typical Interfaces | Ethernet, USB, UART, I2C, SPI, GPIO, PCIe on selected boards, audio |
| Common Applications | Machine vision, smart cameras, edge AI gateways, industrial HMI, medical terminals |
| Main Strength | Strong choice for camera, AI, and industrial edge applications |
| Limitation | Higher cost and greater design complexity than simpler i.MX platforms |
i.MX8M Plus is often selected when a product needs camera input, local AI inference, image processing, or more advanced edge capability.
Recommended guide:
NXP i.MX8M Quad#
i.MX8M Quad is used in multimedia-oriented HMI and embedded display products. It can support graphics, video, audio, and richer user interface designs.
| Item | Main Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU | Cortex-A53 class |
| Positioning | Multimedia and display-oriented embedded processor |
| Typical OS | Linux, Android |
| Display Use | HDMI, MIPI DSI, or other interfaces depending on board |
| Typical Interfaces | Ethernet, USB, UART, I2C, SPI, GPIO, audio |
| Common Applications | Smart displays, multimedia HMI, audio/video terminals, Android/Linux SBCs |
| Main Strength | Multimedia and HMI capability |
| Limitation | Should be compared with i.MX8M Plus for newer camera/AI requirements |
i.MX8M Quad can be used in smart display products, but newer projects often compare it against i.MX8M Plus or i.MX9 depending on roadmap.
NXP i.MX8X and i.MX8QuadXPlus#
i.MX8X and i.MX8QuadXPlus are used in industrial and automotive-related embedded systems that may require heterogeneous processing, display support, and more advanced system partitioning.
| Item | Main Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU | ARM application cores with heterogeneous architecture depending on model |
| Positioning | Industrial and automotive-related embedded platform |
| Typical OS | Linux, Android on selected BSPs |
| Display Use | Multi-display or HMI support depending on board |
| Typical Interfaces | Ethernet, USB, UART, I2C, SPI, GPIO, CAN and other interfaces depending on design |
| Common Applications | Automotive-related HMI, industrial panels, control terminals, professional equipment |
| Main Strength | More advanced architecture for professional embedded systems |
| Limitation | Greater system complexity than simpler i.MX8M platforms |
These processors are usually selected for products that require more than a basic Linux SBC or HMI platform.
NXP i.MX8QuadMax#
i.MX8QuadMax is a higher-end i.MX8 platform designed for advanced embedded systems, including automotive-related HMI, multi-display terminals, and complex professional equipment.
| Item | Main Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU | Heterogeneous multi-core ARM platform |
| Positioning | High-end i.MX8 embedded and automotive-related processor |
| Typical OS | Linux, Android on selected BSPs |
| Display Use | Advanced display and multi-display systems depending on board |
| Typical Interfaces | Ethernet, USB, PCIe, audio, camera, CAN, UART, I2C, SPI depending on design |
| Common Applications | Digital cockpit, advanced HMI, multi-display systems, professional embedded computers |
| Main Strength | High system capability and advanced architecture |
| Limitation | Higher cost and design complexity; often unnecessary for simple SBC products |
i.MX8QuadMax is not usually selected for simple HMI panels. It is more relevant to complex systems requiring multiple processing domains or advanced display architecture.
NXP i.MX8ULP#
i.MX8ULP is designed for ultra-low-power embedded applications. It can be useful in battery-sensitive devices, low-power HMIs, IoT terminals, and always-on connected systems.
| Item | Main Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU | Low-power ARM application processor architecture |
| Positioning | Ultra-low-power embedded platform |
| Typical OS | Linux on suitable configurations |
| Display Use | Low-power HMI and compact display products |
| Typical Interfaces | USB, UART, I2C, SPI, GPIO, audio depending on board |
| Common Applications | Battery-powered terminals, low-power HMI, IoT devices, smart equipment |
| Main Strength | Power efficiency and always-on design suitability |
| Limitation | Not intended for heavy multimedia or high-performance edge computing |
i.MX8ULP should be considered when low power is a primary design goal.
NXP i.MX9 Series#
The i.MX9 series is a newer NXP embedded processor family for industrial edge, HMI, secure connected devices, and next-generation embedded systems. It is often considered for new product designs that require modern security, edge processing, and long-term roadmap support.
| Item | Main Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU | Newer ARM application processor architecture, varies by model |
| Positioning | Modern industrial edge and secure embedded platform |
| Typical OS | Linux, Android on selected platforms and BSPs |
| Display Use | HMI and display products depending on variant and board |
| AI / Edge | AI acceleration available on selected models |
| Typical Interfaces | Ethernet, USB, CAN, UART, I2C, SPI, GPIO, audio, camera depending on model |
| Common Applications | Industrial HMI, gateways, smart devices, edge AI, secure terminals |
| Main Strength | Newer platform direction, security and industrial edge positioning |
| Limitation | Newer platform; BSP maturity and board availability should be evaluated carefully |
For new industrial projects, i.MX9 can be attractive, but engineers should validate BSP readiness, board support, display integration, and lifecycle fit before committing.
Quick Selection Table#
| Product Type | Recommended NXP i.MX Platforms |
|---|---|
| Simple Linux gateway | i.MX6ULL, i.MX7, i.MX8M Nano |
| Compact HMI | i.MX8M Nano, i.MX8M Mini |
| Industrial HMI panel | i.MX8M Mini, i.MX8M Plus, i.MX9 |
| Medical interface device | i.MX8M Mini, i.MX8M Plus, i.MX9 |
| Machine control terminal | i.MX8M Mini, i.MX8M Plus |
| Camera-enabled terminal | i.MX8M Plus |
| Edge AI gateway | i.MX8M Plus, i.MX9 |
| Automotive-related HMI | i.MX8X, i.MX8QuadXPlus, i.MX8QuadMax |
| Low-power connected device | i.MX8ULP, i.MX8M Nano |
| Long-lifecycle Linux SBC | i.MX8M Mini, i.MX8M Plus, i.MX9 depending on needs |
i.MX for Linux SBCs#
Linux is one of the strongest use cases for NXP i.MX processors. Many i.MX boards and modules provide Linux BSPs, Yocto support, kernel source, device tree examples, and production-ready development tools.
Linux i.MX SBCs are commonly used in:
- Industrial gateways
- HMI panels
- Machine control terminals
- Medical equipment
- Laboratory instruments
- Smart building systems
- Data loggers
- Edge monitoring devices
- Camera-enabled systems
Linux gives engineers direct access to device tree, kernel drivers, networking tools, serial ports, GPIO, I2C, SPI, systemd services, and custom daemons. This makes i.MX platforms well suited for hardware-driven products.
i.MX for Android SBCs#
Selected i.MX platforms can also run Android. Android is useful when the product needs a polished touch interface, multimedia support, camera preview, WebView, and an app-based software model.
Android i.MX products may include:
- Smart HMI panels
- Medical touch terminals
- Building automation panels
- Commercial control terminals
- Interactive devices
- Smart display products
However, Android support should always be verified for the exact processor, board, and BSP. Android version, display support, touch support, camera HAL, GPU driver, audio routing, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth support, OTA tools, and source code availability are important.
i.MX for Industrial HMI#
NXP i.MX processors are commonly used in industrial HMI panels because they combine Linux support, display capability, and long-term product suitability.
An i.MX HMI system may include:
- TFT LCD display
- Capacitive touch panel
- Linux or Android OS
- Qt, LVGL, GTK, or web-based UI
- Ethernet
- USB
- RS485, CAN, or GPIO expansion through board design
- eMMC storage
- Wide-voltage input
- Industrial enclosure
For Linux HMI systems, Qt is a common choice because it provides a mature graphical framework and long-term maintainability. For lightweight interfaces, LVGL may be suitable.
i.MX for Gateways and Machine Control#
i.MX processors are widely used in gateways and machine control-related systems. In many architectures, the i.MX board does not replace a PLC or safety controller. Instead, it handles HMI, data logging, protocol conversion, remote communication, and supervisory logic.
Typical functions include:
- Modbus RTU or Modbus TCP communication
- MQTT data upload
- CAN monitoring
- Local data buffering
- Remote diagnostics
- Web dashboard
- Configuration management
- Firmware update
- User permission management
For deterministic or safety-critical control, a PLC, MCU, motion controller, or safety module should handle the real-time tasks. The i.MX SBC is better suited for high-level software and communication.
Key Factors for NXP i.MX Selection#
Before selecting an i.MX processor, engineers should evaluate:
- Linux or Android support
- Yocto BSP maturity
- Display interface requirement
- Touch panel support
- Camera and ISP requirements
- AI acceleration requirement
- Ethernet and USB needs
- UART, I2C, SPI, GPIO, CAN, and PCIe requirements
- Security features
- Operating temperature
- Power consumption
- Thermal design
- Long-term supply
- Board and module availability
- Documentation quality
- Vendor technical support
The best i.MX processor is the one that matches the real product requirement with acceptable cost, software support, and lifecycle risk.
Related NXP i.MX Guides#
- NXP i.MX8 Series Overview
- Rockchip vs NXP for Embedded SBCs
- Choosing SoCs for Android SBCs and Linux SBCs
Conclusion#
NXP i.MX processors are widely used in professional embedded products where stability, documentation, Linux support, security, and long-term availability are important. They are especially relevant for industrial HMI panels, gateways, machine control terminals, medical devices, automotive-related interfaces, and long-lifecycle Linux SBCs.
Older platforms such as i.MX6 and i.MX7 remain important in existing products. i.MX8M Mini is a strong option for HMI and gateway designs. i.MX8M Plus is valuable for camera, AI, and industrial edge applications. i.MX9 provides a newer direction for secure connected industrial and edge devices.
Choosing the right i.MX platform requires matching processor capability, board design, operating system, display support, industrial interfaces, BSP maturity, power design, thermal behavior, security, and lifecycle planning.
When the i.MX processor, SBC hardware, operating system, application software, enclosure, and production process are designed together, NXP i.MX can provide a reliable foundation for professional embedded systems.