uCOM Carrier Board: Versatile Baseboard for i.MX RT/6/7/8/9 SoCs with Advanced Interface Support

11 February, 2025

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The uCOM Carrier Board serves as a baseboard designed to support a wide range of interfaces defined by the EAuCOM standard. This standard, developed by Embedded Artists, is built around i.MX RT/6/7/8/9 SoCs. An EAuCOM board typically integrates the i.MX RT/6/7/8/9 SoC along with essential components such as external SDRAM, Flash memory, power management, Ethernet PHYs, and wireless modules. When combined with a carrier board, an EAuCOM board functions similarly to a single-board computer (SBC) but offers greater flexibility.

The uCOM Carrier Board Specifications:

Compatibility:
- Supports multiple EAuCOM boards, including:
  - iMX93 uCOM
  - iMX8M Mini uCOM
  - iMX8M Nano uCOM
  - iMX7ULP uCOM
  - iMX RT1176 uCOM
  - iMX RT1166 uCOM
  - iMX RT1064 uCOM
Storage:
- uSD memory card connector
- Pads for mounting QSPI flash memories
Display Interfaces:
- MIPI-DSI dual connectors:
  - RPi-compatible (15-pos, 1mm pitch FPC)
  - NXP RK055HDMIPI4M-compatible (40-pos, 0.5mm pitch FPC)
- 16/24-bit Parallel RGB with backlight control
- MIPI-DSI to HDMI adapter (ADV7535) for supported processors
Camera Interface: MIPI-CSI (15-pos, 1mm pitch FPC, RPi-compatible pinning)
Networking:
- Gigabit Ethernet (1000/100/10 Mbps) RJ45 connector
- 100Mbps Ethernet PHY adapter with EUI-48 MAC address in I2C EEPROM
- Adapter for second 100Mbps Ethernet PHY (for supported processors)
USB Connectivity:
- USB 2.0 OTG interface (parallel with USB-C)
- USB 2.0 Host interfaces via USB 2.0 Hub
- Dual UART-to-USB bridges for console connections
Expansion:
- Hirose DF40C connectors (dual 100-pos and 40-pos) with standoffs for uCOM boards
- M.2 slots:
  - Key E (SDIO, PCIe, USB, SPI) for Wi-Fi/BT modules
  - Key B (PCIe, USB, SIM card holder)
- Mikrobus Module Interface (dual 8-pos, 100-mil pitch connectors) for Click boards
- 12x GPIOs
- 2x CAN transceivers
- UART: 3x, SPI: 2x, I2C: 4x (with I2C GPIO and GPIO-PWM expanders)
- JTAG debug interface (2×5-pos, 50-mil pitch)
Miscellaneous:
- On/Off, Reset, ISP Enable, Wakeup, and user pushbuttons
- RGB LED and status LEDs
- Series resistors for measuring supply currents
- Easy access to I2C signals
Power:
- 12V DC input (+-30%) with reverse polarity protection
- External VBAT input for uCOM RTC
- DC/DC converters:
  - 5V/3A for EAuCOM boards and USB interfaces
  - 3.3V/3A for RF modules (M.2 interfaces)
Environmental:
- Operating temperature: 0°C to 60°C
- Humidity: 5% to 90% (non-condensing)
Physical Dimensions:
- 152 mm x 152 mm
- Five M4 (4.3mm diameter) mounting and grounding holes
Adapters (for supported processors):
- ADV7535 MIPI-DSI to HDMI adapter
- 100Mbps Ethernet PHY adapter

The uCOM Carrier Board combines a versatile set of features and serves as a reference design for various interfaces. It is ideal for projects with lower production volumes, enabling significant time savings by using this board as a general-purpose carrier with minimal modifications.

In addition to providing a streamlined interface, the carrier board integrates the power solution and serves as the primary mechanical structure for installation in enclosures or similar setups. Compared to the EAuCOM board, the carrier board features a less complex design, making it easier to customize. It is often used as a foundation for custom-specific designs, leveraging its reference implementation for a wide range of interfaces.

The uCOM Carrier Board is well-suited for applications such as:

Industrial use cases, including factory, process, and building automation
Test and measurement equipment
Telematics and gateway solutions

The revision of the uCOM Carrier Board can be identified with the help of the picture below:

The uCOM Carrier Board supports all relevant EAuCOM interfaces, making it the foundation for iMX Developer’s Kits designed for various EAuCOM boards. It is currently compatible with the following EAuCOM boards: