i.MX 6SoloX Applications Processor Helps to Secure the IoT

Last year we teased you with details around the architecture of a new family in i.MX 6 series of applications processors that was coming soon. We talked about how it would enable highly functional, extremely secure and power efficient IoT devices that require constant connectivity and higher levels of integration with their surrounding environment. Well, it’s here! IoT, meet i.MX 6SoloX. The i.MX 6SoloX is the industry’s first applications processor to integrate an ARM® Cortex®-A9 core and an ARM Cortex-M4 core in a single-chip design to enable devices with world-class security, exception performance and power efficiency. And, since it is part of the popular i.MX 6 series, it leverages years of software development and industry-wide enablement.

How is the i.MX 6SoloX processor is bringing new levels of system security to IoT devices? Well…

(1)    The ability to run multiple independent software environments within a single System-on-Chip (SoC). This provides the capability to deploy a user interface-rich operating system on the Cortex-A9 core and benefit from the real-time determinism that is provided by the Cortex-M4 core. This is important for a wide range of automotive, building automation and medical devices that require a more evolved user experience but must have a reliable, secure and deterministic way of communicating with other devices in a network.

(2)    The uniquely designed Resource Domain Controller (RDC) enforces the safe sharing or exclusive access of SoC resources (peripherals, shared memory) by the Cortex-A9 core and Cortex-M4 core to ensure that the operating environments can coexist independently in a secure manner, that is, the Cortex-A9 domain will not try to take control of a peripheral that is, and must remain, dedicated to the Cortex-M4 domain. The RDC has a full programming model and the entire register map is available to either, or both, cores. This additional measure of flexibility ensures that the user can partition their system uniquely to their requirements.

(3)    Authenticated, secure boot (high-assurance boot) can be used to verify that the software boot image is authorized to run on the device. And, with the Cortex-M4 core involved, very fast secure boot times can be realized. High-assurance boot is a critical security feature that assists in preventing tampered boot images from being run on the device. In addition, cryptographic cipher engines and secure on-chip data storage round out the advanced security offerings of the i.MX 6SoloX applications processor.

In addition to the world-class security that i.MX 6SoloX will bring to new IoT devices, the independent power domains within the SoC allow it to provide smart system power — new ways of managing system-level tasks in the most power efficient way. The Cortex-M4 core can be used for low-level system monitoring tasks such as maintaining a wired or wireless connection or gathering inputs from sensors, all while the Cortex-A9 core and other higher-performing peripherals like the 2D and 3D GPU are power-gated. This provides maximum power efficiency during less process intensive, but highly critical, tasks as well as the ability to quickly and significantly scale up the performance and display capabilities of the system.

Other key features of the i.MX 6SoloX multicore applications processor include:

• Dual-port gigabit Ethernet audio video bridging (AVB) for quality-of-service in automotive and other applications with enhanced traffic shaping and packet prioritization.
• 2D and 3D graphics processing unit (GPU) for enhanced HMI development.
• Flexible boot options, including support for DDR QSPI and raw NAND, and a memory controller that supports both DDR3 and low power DDR2 memory.
• Multiple interface options for displays (parallel RGB, LVDS) and cameras (CSI, NTSC/PAL).
• Wireless connectivity support can be added via single-lane PCIe, SDIO or USB.
• A variety of package options to suit small form-factor designs, full HMI based designs or cost sensitive board designs.

Excited to get started designing with the i.MX 6SoloX applications processor? No need to wait any longer. The i.MX 6SoloX processor is here and available for you to start designing with today. SABRE board for smart devices based on i.MX 6SoloX is now shipping along with complementary software offerings including Linux and Android BSPs (for the Cortex-A9 core) and MQX BSP (for the Cortex-M4 core). Also available are a full documentation suite and design tools like Processor Expert tools for IO pin configuration, example hardware layout files, code-signing tools for high-assurance boot and manufacturing tools for image programming. And be sure to check out what the partner program is creating around the i.MX 6SoloX applications processor.

Amanda McGregor is product marketing manager for i.MX applications processors