Applications processors target AI edge

Announced at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), NXP Semiconductors has expanded its i.MX 9 series with the i.MX 95 family of applications processors with a new accelerator, targeting AI-enabled edge platforms. In addition to the new NXP accelerator for machine learning, the i.MX 95 family integrates high-performance compute, Arm Mali-powered 3D graphics, and high-speed data processing.

The i.MX 95 applications processors can be used in a range of applications in automotive, industrial, networking, connectivity, and advanced human machine interface (HMI). They feature high-performance safety and security features, developed in compliance with automotive ASIL-B and industrial SIL-2 functional safety standards, including an integrated EdgeLock secure enclave.

(Source: NXP Semiconductors)

NXP said the i.MX 95 family meets the critical requirements for the next-generation of edge applications that need advanced processing, machine-learning capabilities, and high-speed connectivity “to better analyze the environment and make intelligent decisions locally.”

The i.MX 95 family is the first i.MX applications processor family to integrate NXP’s eIQ Neutron neural processing unit (NPU) and NXP’s new image signal processor (ISP). The eIQ Neutron NPU helps enable machine vision for use with multiple camera sensors or network-attached smart cameras, while the NXP ISP supports a range of imaging sensors to enable vision-capable industrial, robotics, medical and automotive applications. In addition, high-performance graphics is enabled by the Arm Mali GPU capabilities, ranging from multi-display automotive infotainment centers to industrial and IoT HMI-based applications.

With scaling performance and features and multiple options to meet different application requirements, the i.MX 95 family includes a multi-core application domain with up to six Arm Cortex-A55 cores, as well as an independent safety domain consisting of high-performance Arm Cortex-M7 and Arm Cortex-M33 CPUs, which delivers low-power, real-time, and high-performance processing.

i.MX 95 applications processor block diagram. Click for a larger image. (Source: NXP Semiconductors)

For edge platform connectivity, the application processors combine integrated 10-gigabit Ethernet plus two 1-gigabit Ethernet ports, with TSN capabilities.  It is also easy to add wireless connectivity such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth LE, satellite radio, or 5G, thanks to two independent PCIe ports, USB 3 port, and integrated BSP-level drivers for NXP’s range of wireless connectivity solutions, said the company.

Safety also is paramount. The i.MX 95 family enables ISO 26262 ASIL-B and SIL-2 IEC 61508 compliant platforms for many automotive and industrial applications. Platforms based on i.MX 95 help ensure safety critical actions in a vehicle, like voice warnings, instrumentation, and cameras to meet high reliability standards set by automotive OEMs, said NXP. The family also includes a dedicated cryptographic engine with support for a range of standards that enables next-generation automotive V2X applications.

Similarly, the functional safety domain also helps ensure that an industrial control system returns to a pre-determined state, even when the rest of the system fails, added the company.

In addition to the integrated EdgeLock secure enclave, which simplifies implementation of security critical functions like secure boot, cryptography, trust provisioning, and run-time attestation, the i.MX 95 SoC includes NXP’s EdgeLock 2 GO key management services to provision products for secure remote management including secure over-the-air updates (OTA).

The i.MX 95 applications processors will start sampling to lead customers in the second half of 2023. NXP offers a range of support for the i.MX families including an ecosystem of tools and software. All i.MX 8 series and i.MX 9 series products are guaranteed for a minimum of 15 years of availability as part of NXP’s product longevity program.