Intelligence is continuously moving closer to the edge, but with that comes significant complexities as developers seek to ensure their modern edge devices balance competing demands for high performance, low power consumption, and robust security. System-on-module (SoM) designs help contribute to edge system optimization by enabling compact devices with multiple functions accommodated in the single SoM component, and they also provide the base for inclusion of new performance criteria.

NXP’s i.MX 9 family of application processors includes secure enclaves and energy-efficient cores that edge systems rely on to operate across industrial, smart home, and infrastructure environments. The application processors offer scalable performance for smart home hubs, energy meters, gateways, and industrial human-machine interfaces (HMIs). Importantly, scalable performance to support responsive HMI graphics and deterministic communication for automation systems is included along with an integrated, secure architecture.

Dependable connected edge systems rely on SoMs that integrate application processors and connectivity. Quectel’s SRG091X and SRG093X SoMs achieve this by integrating i.MX9 application processors with the IW610g tri-radio subsystem that delivers Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, and IEEE 802.15.4 radios on a single platform. Both Quectel SoMs include LPDDR4 (x) memory and eMMC storage and support a wide range of peripherals. The goal is to support real-time control and deterministic processing.

Expanded appetites

Developers and engineers are increasingly adopting the SoM approach to ensure their edge systems are reliable for the current generation of increasingly complex workloads as well as scalable for the future. A recent Quectel Masterclass titled ‘Designing reliable edge systems with NXP’s i.MX9 application processors and Quectel SoMs’, explored how engineers are turning to i.MX9 application processors and Quectel SRG09x SoMs. Many see the combined products helping to reduce design risks and costs while offering maximized control and connectivity options.

Presented by Brandon Oakes, the Director of Sales for GNSS and Short Range Products in North America at Quectel, and Robert Thompson, the Director Secure Connected Edge Ecosystems at NXP, the Masterclass explores the key challenges developers and engineers face in edge design before taking a deep dive into the attributes of NXP’s i.MX9 series. Oakes also presents a segment explaining why developers should choose Quectel’s SRG09x SoMs.

The webinar, which can be viewed here, also shares configuration tips, insurance trade-offs and recommendations for edge system optimization. By following these guidelines, engineers can shorten overall design cycles and reduce integration errors, ensuring accelerated time to market and simplified deployment and operation.

The Masterclass also demonstrates how the products can be utilized to support real-life use cases across smart homes, industrial automation, and connected infrastructure. Critically, enablement of the next generation of smart, secure edge devices relies on the appropriate selection of integrated functions in SoMs and application processors.