NXP i.MX8 Series Overview#

The NXP i.MX8 series is a family of ARM-based embedded processors used in industrial, automotive-related, medical, HMI, gateway, multimedia, and long-lifecycle embedded products. Compared with many consumer-oriented SoCs, i.MX8 platforms are often selected when product teams care about documentation, industrial support, software stability, lifecycle planning, and professional embedded ecosystem.

For SBC products, the i.MX8 series can provide a strong foundation for Linux SBCs, Android SBCs, industrial HMI panels, machine control terminals, smart gateways, camera-enabled devices, and medical or laboratory equipment. The exact capability depends on the processor variant, board design, operating system, BSP, and application requirements.

The i.MX8 series is not one single chip. It includes several different processor families and variants. Some are optimized for compact HMI devices. Some focus on multimedia. Some include stronger graphics, camera interfaces, AI acceleration, or heterogeneous computing. Choosing the right i.MX8 processor requires understanding the product’s real workload, interface requirements, lifecycle target, and software support needs.

What Is the NXP i.MX8 Series?#

The NXP i.MX8 series is a group of embedded application processors based on ARM architecture. These processors are designed for products that need more capability than a microcontroller but do not necessarily require a full industrial PC.

Depending on the model, an i.MX8 processor may include:

• ARM Cortex-A application cores
• ARM Cortex-M real-time or low-power cores on selected models
• GPU for graphics acceleration
• Display controller
• Video processing
• Camera interface
• Image signal processor on selected models
• Audio interfaces
• Ethernet
• USB
• PCIe on selected models
• UART, SPI, I2C, GPIO, and PWM
• Security features
• NPU or AI accelerator on selected models

In an SBC or custom board, the i.MX8 processor is usually combined with DDR memory, eMMC storage, PMIC, Ethernet PHY, USB connectors, display connectors, audio codec, camera connectors, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth module, and industrial interface circuits.

The final product capability depends not only on the SoC, but also on board design and BSP quality.

Why i.MX8 Is Popular in Embedded Products#

NXP i.MX processors are widely used in professional embedded products because they are designed with industrial and long-lifecycle use cases in mind. Many companies choose i.MX platforms not only for hardware performance, but also for documentation, software ecosystem, and long-term support.

Key reasons include:

• Strong Linux ecosystem
• Android support on selected platforms
• Good documentation and reference designs
• Industrial and automotive-related ecosystem
• Long lifecycle planning
• Security features
• Heterogeneous processing options
• Display and HMI capability
• Camera and AI options on selected models
• Broad third-party module and SBC support

For industrial and medical products, product lifecycle can be more important than peak performance. A product may need to stay in production for five, seven, or even ten years. In this type of project, a stable platform is often more valuable than a low-cost processor with uncertain long-term support.

Main i.MX8 Product Families#

The i.MX8 series includes multiple processor families. Each family targets different product needs.

Common i.MX8-related platforms include:

• i.MX8M Mini
• i.MX8M Nano
• i.MX8M Plus
• i.MX8M Quad
• i.MX8QuadMax
• i.MX8QuadXPlus
• i.MX8X
• i.MX8ULP

Different variants provide different CPU performance, graphics capability, video support, camera support, AI acceleration, real-time cores, display outputs, and power characteristics.

For SBC and embedded product development, i.MX8M Mini and i.MX8M Plus are especially common. i.MX8M Mini is often used in HMI, gateways, and compact Linux devices. i.MX8M Plus is popular when camera input, machine learning, and richer multimedia features are required.

i.MX8M Mini#

i.MX8M Mini is one of the most widely used i.MX8 processors in embedded Linux SBCs and HMI products. It is suitable for products that need reliable Linux support, display output, audio, networking, and moderate computing performance.

Typical applications include:

• Industrial HMI panels
• Machine control terminals
• Gateways
• Medical devices
• Smart building devices
• Audio equipment
• Embedded Linux SBCs
• Compact Android devices
• Laboratory instruments

The i.MX8M Mini is often selected for products that need long-term stability rather than maximum performance. It can run Linux-based applications, graphical interfaces, network services, databases, and communication daemons.

For HMI products, it can drive displays and run UI frameworks such as Qt, GTK, LVGL, or browser-based interfaces depending on the board and software stack. For gateway products, it can support Ethernet, USB, UART, I2C, SPI, and other interfaces through board-level design.

i.MX8M Nano#

i.MX8M Nano is positioned for lower-power and more compact embedded applications. It can be useful when the product needs Linux capability but does not require high multimedia performance.

Typical applications include:

• Low-power gateways
• Compact control terminals
• Smart home devices
• Basic HMI products
• Edge monitoring nodes
• Industrial data collection devices
• Small embedded Linux boards

The i.MX8M Nano can be attractive when power consumption and cost are important. It is suitable for devices that need connectivity, simple display support, and stable Linux operation.

It is not the best choice for heavy graphics, complex camera pipelines, or AI-intensive applications. For those requirements, i.MX8M Plus or other higher-performance platforms may be better.

i.MX8M Plus#

i.MX8M Plus is one of the most important i.MX8 platforms for advanced embedded applications. It is widely used in products that need camera support, image processing, AI acceleration, industrial connectivity, and richer HMI features.

Typical applications include:

• Machine vision terminals
• Smart industrial cameras
• Advanced HMI panels
• Medical imaging terminals
• Edge AI gateways
• Access control systems
• Smart retail devices
• Robotics interfaces
• Laboratory equipment
• Industrial inspection systems

One of the major attractions of i.MX8M Plus is its support for AI-related workloads and vision applications. It can be used in products that need local image analysis, object detection, barcode reading, human-machine interaction, or simple machine learning inference.

For industrial HMI products, i.MX8M Plus can provide more performance headroom than lower-end platforms. For gateways, it can support more advanced local processing before sending data to a cloud platform or factory server.

i.MX8M Quad#

i.MX8M Quad is used in multimedia and display-oriented embedded products. It can support applications requiring graphics, video, audio, and multiple software services.

Typical applications include:

• Multimedia HMI panels
• Smart displays
• Audio and video systems
• Medical terminals
• Commercial display devices
• Android or Linux SBCs
• High-quality user interface products

For products requiring stronger multimedia features than a basic gateway, i.MX8M Quad can be a useful choice. However, product teams should compare it with i.MX8M Plus and other platforms based on current BSP support, display needs, camera requirements, and lifecycle plans.

i.MX8QuadMax and i.MX8QuadXPlus#

i.MX8QuadMax and i.MX8QuadXPlus target more advanced embedded and automotive-related applications. These processors may include heterogeneous processing, stronger graphics, safety-related architecture features, and multiple cores for complex systems.

Typical applications include:

• Automotive-related HMI
• Digital cockpit systems
• Advanced industrial control
• Multi-display terminals
• Professional embedded systems
• High-reliability gateways
• Complex machine interfaces

These platforms can be powerful, but they may also bring greater system complexity. They are usually selected when the product needs a more advanced architecture, stronger isolation, multiple display outputs, or specific industrial and automotive-related features.

For general SBC products, i.MX8M Mini and i.MX8M Plus are often more common and easier to adopt.

i.MX8 for Linux SBCs#

Linux is one of the most common operating systems for i.MX8 SBCs. The i.MX ecosystem is strong in Linux development, and many board vendors provide Linux BSPs, Yocto support, kernel sources, device tree examples, and development tools.

An i.MX8 Linux SBC can be used in:

• Industrial gateways
• HMI panels
• Machine controllers
• Test equipment
• Medical terminals
• Smart building devices
• Camera systems
• Robotics interfaces
• Edge monitoring devices

Linux gives engineers direct access to device tree, kernel drivers, system services, network tools, serial ports, GPIO, I2C, SPI, and custom daemons. This makes it practical for hardware-driven products and industrial applications.

For production systems, Yocto is commonly used because it allows teams to build a controlled and reproducible Linux image. Buildroot can also be used for smaller systems. Debian or Ubuntu may be useful during development, but production systems usually need a more controlled software stack.

i.MX8 for Android SBCs#

Although i.MX8 is often associated with Linux, selected platforms can also support Android. Android is useful when the product needs a polished touch interface, multimedia features, WebView, camera preview, animations, and a consumer-like user experience.

i.MX8 Android SBCs may be used in:

• Smart HMI panels
• Medical touch terminals
• Commercial control panels
• Building automation panels
• Access terminals
• Smart displays
• Interactive service devices

Android development depends strongly on BSP quality. Engineers should confirm Android version, display support, touch support, GPU driver, audio routing, camera HAL, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth support, OTA tools, and source code availability.

For long-lifecycle products, Android maintenance should be evaluated carefully because Android versions and security update requirements can change quickly.

Industrial HMI Applications#

The i.MX8 series is well suited for industrial HMI applications. A typical i.MX8 HMI product may include a TFT LCD, capacitive touch panel, Ethernet, USB, audio, local storage, and industrial I/O through external circuits.

Common HMI display sizes include:

• 5 inch
• 7 inch
• 10.1 inch
• 12.1 inch
• 15 inch
• 15.6 inch

For Linux HMI products, Qt is commonly used because it provides a mature graphical framework, good touch support, and long-term maintainability. LVGL may be suitable for lightweight interfaces. Browser-based UIs may be used when local and remote access need to share a similar interface.

For Android HMI products, the Android framework can provide a modern touch experience, smooth transitions, and multimedia functions.

Machine Control Applications#

An i.MX8 SBC can be used as a high-level computing platform in machine control systems. It usually does not replace a PLC or safety controller. Instead, it works as an HMI, gateway, data logger, edge processor, or supervisory controller.

Typical machine control functions include:

• Displaying machine status
• Showing alarms and trend charts
• Managing recipes and parameters
• Logging production data
• Communicating with PLCs
• Sending data to SCADA or MES
• Running remote diagnostics
• Supporting firmware updates
• Managing user permissions

Standard Linux is not a hard real-time operating system. Time-critical control loops should usually remain on a PLC, MCU, motion controller, or real-time subsystem. The i.MX8 SBC is better suited for high-level logic and communication.

Gateway and Edge Applications#

i.MX8 processors are often used in gateway and edge computing products. These devices collect data from local equipment, process it locally, and send useful information to higher-level systems.

Gateway applications may include:

• Modbus RTU to MQTT conversion
• CAN data monitoring
• Sensor data collection
• Local data buffering
• Remote configuration
• Secure cloud communication
• Local web dashboard
• Edge analytics
• Predictive maintenance indicators

The right i.MX8 processor depends on the workload. A simple gateway may use i.MX8M Mini or i.MX8M Nano. A gateway with camera input or AI features may use i.MX8M Plus.

Camera and Vision Applications#

Some i.MX8 processors are suitable for camera and vision applications. i.MX8M Plus is especially relevant because it is often used in camera-enabled and AI-assisted edge devices.

Possible applications include:

• Barcode scanning
• Object presence detection
• Machine vision terminals
• Access control cameras
• Medical image capture
• Smart retail cameras
• Laboratory inspection devices
• Operator assistance systems

Camera integration depends on the selected board, camera interface, sensor driver, image pipeline, lens design, and lighting conditions. Software may use V4L2, GStreamer, OpenCV, or vendor-specific frameworks.

For AI vision applications, engineers should test the actual model, input resolution, frame rate, memory usage, and thermal behavior before final hardware selection.

Display and Touch Support#

Display and touch integration are central to many i.MX8 products. Depending on the processor and board, display interfaces may include MIPI DSI, LVDS, HDMI, eDP, or parallel RGB.

A complete display design must consider:

• Resolution
• Pixel clock
• Display timing
• Interface type
• Backlight control
• Power sequence
• Reset GPIO
• Touch controller
• Touch coordinate mapping
• Screen rotation
• EMI and cable design

Capacitive touch panels usually connect through I2C or USB. Industrial products may require glove support, thick cover glass support, water rejection, and strong noise immunity.

Display and touch should be tested in the final enclosure because mechanical design, grounding, and cable routing can affect performance.

Industrial Communication Interfaces#

i.MX8 SBCs can support a wide range of industrial communication interfaces through board-level design.

Common interfaces include:

• Ethernet
• USB
• UART
• I2C
• SPI
• GPIO
• PWM
• PCIe on selected boards
• CAN on selected designs
• RS485 or RS232 through external transceivers

For industrial products, raw SoC pins must be converted into robust physical interfaces. RS485 requires a transceiver. CAN requires a CAN transceiver. Digital inputs may require isolation and filtering. Long cables may require surge protection and ESD protection.

Good industrial communication design depends on both hardware protection and software reliability.

Security Features#

Security is important in industrial and connected devices. i.MX8 platforms may support security features depending on the specific model and BSP.

Security considerations may include:

• Secure boot
• Hardware encryption support
• Trusted execution features
• Signed firmware updates
• Protected credentials
• Encrypted communication
• User role management
• Network access control

For connected products, security should be designed from the beginning. Remote access, OTA updates, cloud tokens, Wi-Fi credentials, and machine communication must be protected.

Power and Thermal Design#

Power and thermal behavior are important in i.MX8 products. Many devices are fanless and installed in sealed or compact enclosures.

Power design may include:

• 12V or 24V input
• Wide-voltage input
• PMIC sequencing
• Surge protection
• ESD protection
• Reverse polarity protection
• Low-power modes
• Display backlight management

Thermal behavior depends on CPU load, GPU load, display brightness, camera usage, network activity, enclosure design, and ambient temperature.

A product should be tested inside its final enclosure with real workloads. Open-board testing is not enough for industrial validation.

BSP and Software Support#

BSP quality is critical for i.MX8 development. A good BSP can reduce risk and shorten development time.

For Linux, engineers should check:

• U-Boot support
• Kernel source
• Device tree files
• Yocto support
• Driver availability
• Display examples
• Touch examples
• Camera examples
• Ethernet support
• Audio support
• Documentation
• Long-term maintenance

For Android, engineers should check:

• Android version
• Kernel version
• Display support
• Touch support
• Audio routing
• Camera HAL
• GPU support
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support
• OTA tools
• Flashing tools
• Source code availability

Software support should be evaluated before hardware selection is finalized.

i.MX8 vs Rockchip Platforms#

NXP i.MX8 and Rockchip platforms are both used in embedded SBC products, but they often serve different priorities.

i.MX8 is often selected when the product needs:

• Long lifecycle
• Strong documentation
• Industrial ecosystem support
• Security features
• Professional embedded positioning
• Stable Linux support
• Automotive or medical design consideration

Rockchip is often selected when the product needs:

• Competitive cost
• Strong Android display ecosystem
• Multimedia support
• Fast development for smart panels
• Broad use in commercial Android terminals
• Cost-performance balance

Neither option is universally better. The right choice depends on the product. A cost-sensitive Android smart panel may use Rockchip. A long-lifecycle industrial or medical system may use NXP i.MX8.

How to Choose an i.MX8 Processor#

Choosing an i.MX8 processor should start from the product requirement.

Important questions include:

• Does the product need Linux or Android?
• Is the product mainly an HMI, gateway, camera device, or controller?
• What display interface is required?
• Is camera input needed?
• Is AI acceleration required?
• How many Ethernet, USB, UART, and I2C interfaces are needed?
• Is industrial temperature required?
• How long must the product remain available?
• What BSP and documentation are available?
• What are the power and thermal limits?
• What is the target cost?

A simple HMI or gateway may use i.MX8M Mini. A low-power product may use i.MX8M Nano. A camera or AI-enabled product may use i.MX8M Plus. A complex automotive-related HMI may require a higher-end i.MX8 platform.

Conclusion#

The NXP i.MX8 series is a widely used embedded processor family for Linux SBCs, Android SBCs, industrial HMI panels, machine control systems, gateways, medical terminals, and long-lifecycle embedded products.

Its strengths include strong embedded ecosystem support, Linux maturity, documentation, lifecycle planning, industrial positioning, and processor options for different performance levels.

i.MX8M Mini is useful for stable HMI and gateway products. i.MX8M Nano is suitable for lower-power embedded systems. i.MX8M Plus is attractive for camera, AI, and advanced edge applications. Higher-end i.MX8 platforms can support more complex systems requiring stronger graphics, heterogeneous processing, or automotive-related features.

A successful i.MX8 product requires careful evaluation of processor variant, board design, display support, touch integration, camera requirements, industrial interfaces, power design, thermal behavior, BSP quality, security, update strategy, and long-term supply.

When the i.MX8 processor, SBC hardware, operating system, display module, enclosure, and application software are planned together, the i.MX8 series can provide a reliable foundation for professional embedded products.