Kontron presents its new SoM OSM-S i.MX8M Mini and the Baseboard BL i.MX8M Mini OSM for Arm® Processor Architecture

The Open Standard Module™ specification (OSM) standardizes manufacturer-specific modules and combines the advantages of modular embedded computing with the growing requirements regarding cost, size, interfaces and manufacturer-independence

Ismaning, February 8, 2022 – Kontron, a leading global provider of IoT/Embedded Computer Technology (ECT), has extended its product portfolio to include the system-on-module OSM-S i.MX8M Mini with a 1.6 GHz quad core processor, eMMC, LPDDR4 memory and the Open Standard Module™ (OSM) form factor size-S of only 30 mm x 30 mm as well as the single-board computer BL i.MX8M Mini OSM. The OSM standard is designed for modules that can be directly soldered without plug connections so that the OSM module can be economically manufactured mechanically.

Several manufacturers, including Kontron, have developed the new OSM standard for soldered system-on-modules within the framework of the Standardization Group for Embedded Technologies (SGET). The aim behind this standard is to streamline manufacturer-specific modules with regard to size, pin assignments, interfaces, cooling and power loss.

The new system-on-module OSM-S i.MX8M Mini is powerful, compact and affordable; it combines all the advantages of the Open Standard Module™ specification in minimum space. It offers high performance for sophisticated computing-intensive applications, 3D visualization and a wide range of communication applications. With its numerous digital I/Os and serial communication interfaces as well as PWM and SDIO interfaces, the module is perfect for industrial applications. Its latest processor (4x Arm® Cortex®-A53, 1x Arm® Cortex®-M4) and memory technology (LPDDR4) make it easy and quick to be used for custom board and application developments. The Arm®-based CPUs are RISC (reduced instruction set computer) processors. These are particularly suitable for cost-sensitive embedded applications with high energy efficiency combined with high computing and graphics performance.

The OSM standard offers several additional specific advantages. In addition to manufacturer-independence, it includes easy and affordable embedded application development with custom board design, minimized design risk, and shortened time-to-market. These advantages not only reduce development times due to the simplified baseboard design, but also free up valuable resources for other tasks. Simplified machine manufacturing forms the cost-effective basis for board and application development and reduces the manufacturing costs for baseboards, since several complex components are already integrated on the module.

In addition to the SoM, the new SBC BL i.MX8M Mini OSM includes a standard peripheral set with a variety of interfaces. Ethernet, USB, CAN, display, touch, audio and programming interfaces are located on the baseboard. This can be used to test applications in a proof-of-concept in order to decide on the design and the appropriate processor for the baseboard in a next step. Computing and memory performance can be scaled according individual requirements.