In 2022, Forlinx Embedded globally launched the OK-MX9352-C development board equipped with the NXP i.MX 93 series processors. Over the past three years, this product has provided powerful intelligent main-control support for numerous customers with its excellent performance and high-level security.

Recently, NXP introduced the i.MX 93 series processors into the FRDM product line and launched the FRDM i.MX 93 development board. As the first FRDM board equipped with an i.MX MPU, it offers modular hardware, comprehensive software and tools, and a quick-start experience common to all FRDM development boards.

Forlinx Embedded got the FRDM i.MX 93 development board first. Here, I will give a quick unboxing review.

First Unboxing Experience: Small Size, Comprehensive Functions

Opening the FRDM i.MX 93 dev board's small package, you'll first notice its compact and delicate design. A rough ruler-measure shows its long side is only about 10.5 cm. Despite its small size, every component on the development board is carefully laid out to ensure comprehensive functions and stability.

In addition, the package also includes a quick-start guide, a list of accessories, and two USB 2.0 Type-A to Type-C cables.

i.MX 93 Processor：Balance between Performance and Power Consumption

The FRDM i.MX 93's core is the NXP i.MX93 processor, known for high-performance and low-power consumption. It integrates 2 x 1.7 GHz ARM Cortex-A55 multi-tasking cores and 1 x Cortex-M33 real-time core. It innovatively uses the ARM Ethos U-65 microNPU with 256 MACs/cycle and 0.5 TOPS computing power, enabling efficient, fast, and secure edge machine learning.

The Energy Flex architecture in i.MX 93 ensures high-efficiency complex-task processing and ultra-low standby power consumption, fitting IoT and industrial apps well.

Block Diagram of FRDM i.MX 93

IW612 Module: Connect to Multiple Wireless Networks

The FRDM i.MX 93 has an IW612 wireless module supporting 2.4/5 GHz Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, and IEEE 802.15.4,etc. It enables easy connection to various wireless networks for smart homes, industrial IoT, etc.

The module has dedicated processors and memories for subsystems, allowing real-time independent protocol processing.

Internal Structure Block Diagram of IW612

Expansion Interfaces for Diverse Needs

The FRDM i.MX 93 provides a rich set of expansion interfaces, including GPIO, UART, I2C, SPI, etc.These interfaces can meet your needs for connecting various sensors, actuators, and peripherals. The flexibility of the development board allows it to adapt to multiple application scenarios, providing more possibilities for your project development.

Front

Back

Multimedia Performance: HDMI and MIPI Interfaces Available

For application scenarios requiring high-definition display, the FRDM i.MX 93 also performs excellently. The HDMI interface on the development board supports high-definition video output and can be connected to a monitor or TV to present delicate and clear pictures. This is undoubtedly a great plus for application scenarios such as industrial monitoring and home entertainment.

In addition, it is also equipped with a 4-channel MIPI-DSI interface and a 2-channel MIPI CSI-2 interface, which can easily achieve high-resolution display connection and high-resolution, high-frame-rate image capture, providing powerful multimedia processing capabilities.

Software and Tool Support: Greatly Accelerate the Development Cycle

To help developers get started faster, the FRDM i.MX 93 development board is also equipped with a comprehensive software and toolchain. It supports operating system environments (such as Yocto Linux and Debian Linux), as well as GoPoint for i.MX application processors and a rich set of application examples. These software and tools will greatly accelerate the development cycle and simplify the process from prototype to production.

GoPoint Tool Interface

It's pretty obvious that the NXP FRDM i.MX 93 development board has loads of advantages. It's got a compact design, awesome performance, low-power consumption, plenty of wireless connection options, all kinds of expansion interfaces, and great multimedia capabilities. It can really be a super helpful tool for embedded engineers. If you need a high-performance, low-power dev board for your project, the FRDM i.MX 93 is worth considering.