Digi ConnectCore 8X Quick user guide

ConnectCore® 8X
System-on-Module
Hardware Reference Manual

ConnectCore® 8X System-on-Module Hardware Reference Manual 2
Revision history—90002295
Revision Date Description
1P December 2018 Initial release
2P January 2019 Added backdrive caution.
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ConnectCore® 8X System-on-Module Hardware Reference Manual 3
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Contents
About the ConnectCore® 8X
Features and functionality 6
ConnectCore 8X module variants 9
Block diagrams 10
ConnectCore 8X module 11
NXP i.MX 8X application processor 12
The ConnectCore 8X System-on-Module
Power interfaces 12
System-on-Module input power supply 12
Internal Power Domains 13
Electrical characteristics 15
System power-up sequence 18
RTC power and coin cell charger 18
Reference power architecture scheme 19
Bootstrap 20
Wireless interfaces 21
WLAN IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac 21
Bluetooth 27
MIMO 2x2 27
CryptoAuthentication device 27
The Micro Controller Assist™ hardware 27
About the Micro Controller Assist 27
Module lines related to the MCA 28
Reset control 30
IOs 31
Watchdog 33
Real-time clock 33
Power management 33
MCA firmware update 36
IOMUX
Module pinout 38
IOMUX table 39
Extended LGAVerson 56
ConnectCore® 8X System-on-Module Hardware Reference Manual 4

ConnectCore® 8X System-on-Module Hardware Reference Manual 5
Module specifications
Environmental specifications 89

About the ConnectCore® 8X
The ConnectCore 8X delivers a secure and extremely cost-effective connected System-on-Module
platform that is slightly bigger than a postage stamp. Its innovative Digi SMTplus™ (patent-pending)
surface mount form factor allows you to choose simplified design integration leveraging proven and
easy-to-use edge-castellated SMT technology, or a versatile LGA option for ultimate design flexibility
with access to virtually all interfaces.
Built on the NXP i.MX 8X application processor, the module is the intelligent communication engine for
today’s secure connected devices. It seamlessly integrates dual-Ethernet and pre-certified dual-band
Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac) with Bluetooth 4.2 dual mode connectivity.
Features and functionality
The ConnectCore 8X System-on-Module is based on the i.MX 8X processor from NXP. This processor
offers a number of interfaces, some of them multiplexed and not available simultaneously. The module
has the following features:
ni.MX 8X dual/quad Arm Cortex-A35 and single Cortex-M4F cores:
lCortex-A35 cores operate up to 1.2 GHz, and support Arm virtualization extensions.
lCortex-M4F core operates up to 266 MHz.
lAArch64 for 64-bit support.
lAArch32 for backward compatibility with Armv7.
nSystem Control Unit (SCU):
lPower control, clocks, reset.
lBoot ROMs.
lPMIC interface.
lResource Domain Controller.
nGraphics Processing Unit (GPU):
l4x Vec4 shaders with 16 execution units.
lSupports OpenGL 3.0, 2.0; OpenGL EX 3.1, 3.0, 2.0 and 1.1: OpenCL 1.2 FP and 1.1; OpenVG
1.1; and Vulkan.
lHigh-performance 2D Blit Engine.
ConnectCore® 8X System-on-Module Hardware Reference Manual 6

About the ConnectCore® 8X Features and functionality
ConnectCore® 8X System-on-Module Hardware Reference Manual 7
nVideo Processing Unit (VPU):
lH.265 decode (4Kp30).
lH.264 decode (1080p60).
lVP6/VP8 decode (1080p60).
lMPEG-2 decode (1080p60).
lMPEG4, H263, Sorenson Spark decode (1080p).
lRealVideo decode (1080p).
lJPEG dec (64Kx64K image size).
lH.264 encode (1080p30).
nUp to 4 GB, 32-bit LPDDR4-1200 memory.
n8 GB, 8-bit eMMC memory. Higher density available depending on product variant.
nNXP PF8100 Power Management IC (PMIC):
l7x DC/DC buck converters.
l4x LDO regulators.
lOTP (one-time-programmable) memory.
lCoin cell charger.
nCryptoAuthentication device.
nSecurity accelerators:
lEnhanced High Assurance Boot (HAB) secure and encrypted boot.
lRandom Number Generator with a high-quality entropy source generator and NIST
certifiable HMAC-based DRBG.
lRSA up to 4096, Elliptic Curve up to 1023
lDedicated Security Controller for Flashless SHE and HSM support, Trustzone, RTIC.
lBuilt-in ECDSA/DSA protocol support.
l10x Tamper pins, up to 5 active or 10 passive.
lVoltage and temperature tamper detection to help prevent against side-channel style
attacks.
l64 kB Secure RAM (can be erased via tamper detection).
n2x2 MIMO IEEE802.11 a/b/g/n/ac.
nBluetooth 4.2.
nDebug interfaces:
lSystem JTAG controller.
lSingle Wired Debug (SWD) interface for the MCA.

About the ConnectCore® 8X Features and functionality
ConnectCore® 8X System-on-Module Hardware Reference Manual 8
ni.MX 8X interfaces:
lPCIe 3.0 with L1 substate support. In wireless modules, this interface is used by the
Wireless MAC and it's not available for general purposes.
l1x USBOTG 3.0 with PHY - USB 3.0 can be used as USB 2.0.
l1x USBOTG 2.0 (with PHY).
l2x Gb Ethernet with AVB.
l3x CAN/CAN-FD.
lMedia Local Bus (MLB25/50).
l6x UARTs:
o4x UARTs, three of them support hardware flow control. One of the UARTs with
hardware flow control is used is used by the Bluetooth and it's not available for general
purposes.
o1x UART tightly coupled with Cortex-M4F cores.
o1x SCU (not available for general use).
l10x I2C. Note that I2C ports associated with a specific PHY (e.g. MIPI DSI) can be used
generally but require the PHY to be powered on even if the PHY itself is not used:
o4x I2C: High Speed, DMA support. One of them (I2C0) is used internally in the SoM and is
not available for general purposes.
o4x I2C: Low Speed, no DMA support.
o1x I2C: PMIC control (dedicated).
o1x I2C: Cortex M4F (dedicated).
l4x SAI:
oSAI0 and SAI1 are transmit/receive.
oSAI2 and SAI3 are receive only.
l1x Enhanced Serial Audio Interface (ESAI).
l2x ASRC (Asynchronous Sample Rate Converter).
l1x SPDIF.
lMPEG-2 Transport Stream.
l1x 12-bit, 6 channel ADC converter.
l3.3 V/1.8 V GPIO.
l4x PWM channels.
l1x 4x4 KPP (Key Pad Port).
l1x MQS (Medium Quality Sound).
l4x SPI.

About the ConnectCore® 8X ConnectCore 8X module variants
ConnectCore® 8X System-on-Module Hardware Reference Manual 9
nArm Cortex-M0+ Micro Controller AssistTM (MCA) subsystem:
lCortex-M0+ core operates up to 48 MHz.
lPower and reset control.
lRTC.
lPeripherals:
o1x UART operating up to 1.5 Mbit/s.
o2x low-power UART modules supporting asynchronous operation in low-power modes.
o2x I2C modules supporting up to 1 Mbit/s.
o2x 16-bit SPI modules supporting up to 24 Mbit/s for SPI1 and 12 Mbit/s for SPI0.
o1x FlexIO module supporting emulation of additional UART, SPI, I2C, I2S, PWM and other
serial modules.
o1x 16-bit ADC module with high accurate internal voltage reference, up to 20 channels
and up to 818 ksps at equal to or less than 13-bit mode.
oHigh-speed analog comparator containing a 6-bit DAC for programmable reference
input.
ConnectCore 8X module variants
Smart part
number
Part
number
ConnectCore
8X SoM
variant Description CPU1eMMC LDPDR4
WiFi+
Bluetooth
CC-WMX-
JM7D-NN
55001984-
01
0x01 ConnectCore
8X
QuadXPlus
1.2GHz, 8GB
eMMC, 1GB
LPDDR4, -
40/+85C,
Wireless,
Bluetooth
QuadXPlus
Quad-core
Automotive
with
Cortex-M4,
VPU, GPU -
40ºC/125ºC
1.2GHz
8GB 1GB YES
CC-WMX-
JM8E-NN
55001984-
02
0x02 ConnectCore
8X
QuadXPlus
1.2GHz,
16GB eMMC,
2GB LPDDR4,
-40/+85C,
Wireless,
Bluetooth
QuadXPlus
Quad-core
Automotive
with
Cortex-M4,
VPU, GPU -
40ºC/125ºC
1.2GHz
16GB 2GB YES

About the ConnectCore® 8X Block diagrams
ConnectCore® 8X System-on-Module Hardware Reference Manual 10
Smart part
number
Part
number
ConnectCore
8X SoM
variant Description CPU1eMMC LDPDR4
WiFi+
Bluetooth
CC-MX-
JM8D-ZN
55001984-
03
0x03 ConnectCore
8X
QuadXPlus
1.2GHz, 8GB
eMMC, 2GB
LPDDR4, -
40/+85C
QuadXPlus
Quad-core
Automotive
with
Cortex-M4,
VPU, GPU -
40ºC/125ºC
1.2GHz
8GB 2GB NO
CC-WMX-
JN7D-NN
55001984-
04
0x04 ConnectCore
8X DualXPlus
1.2GHz, 8GB
eMMC, 1GB
LPDDR4, -
40/+85C,
Wireless,
Bluetooth
DualXPlus
Dual-core
Automotive
with
Cortex-M4,
VPU, GPU -
40ºC/125ºC
1.2GHz
8GB 1GB YES
CC-MX-
JN7D-ZN
55001984-
05
0x05 ConnectCore
8X DualXPlus
1.2GHz, 8GB
eMMC, 1GB
LPDDR4, -
40/+85C
DualXPlus
Dual-core
Automotive
with
Cortex-M4,
VPU, GPU -
40ºC/125ºC
1.2GHz
8GB 1GB NO
1CPU temperature is Tj (junction)
Block diagrams
The following figures show block diagrams of the ConnectCore 8X module and of the NXP i.MX 8X
application processor.

About the ConnectCore® 8X Block diagrams
ConnectCore® 8X System-on-Module Hardware Reference Manual 11
ConnectCore 8X module

The ConnectCore 8X System-on-Module Power interfaces
ConnectCore® 8X System-on-Module Hardware Reference Manual 12
NXP i.MX 8X application processor
The ConnectCore 8X System-on-Module
This section describes the functionality of the ConnectCore 8X System-on-Module.
Power interfaces
System-on-Module input power supply
The ConnectCore 8X requires three primary power supply inputs: VSYS, VSYS2, and VCC_MCA:
nVSYS and VSYS2 are the input power supplies to the on-module NXP PF8100 Power
Management IC (PMIC), as well as to most of its regulators. Some of the PMIC regulators are
internally dedicated to powering the module, while others power external circuitry.
nVCC_MCA is the input power supply of the on-module Micro Controller Assist.
Two additional linear dropout regulators, which have a dedicated input power line, are available to
power carrier board external circuitry. These additional regulators are not mandatory.
The following table summarizes the PMIC regulators of the ConnectCore 8X SOM:

The ConnectCore 8X System-on-Module Power interfaces
ConnectCore® 8X System-on-Module Hardware Reference Manual 13
PMIC
regulator
SoM power
rail name
Input
power
supply
Internally
used
Externally
available Comments
SW1 - VSYS2 YES NO
SW2 - VSYS2 YES NO
SW3 - VSYS2 YES NO
SW4 - VSYS2 YES NO
SW5 - VSYS2 YES NO
SW6 1V8 VSYS2 YES YES General purpose 1.8V power
rail for external circuitry. Also
used internally in the SoM.
SW7 3V3 VSYS YES YES General purpose 3.3V power
rail for external circuitry. Also
used internally in the SoM.
LDO1 VCC_SCU_1V8 VSYS2 YES YES Power supply for the i.MX 8X
System Control Unit (SCU).
Recommendation is to not use
this power rail externally,
unless otherwise noted.
LDO2 VDD_EMMC0 VSYS2 YES YES Used for powering the internal
eMMC0 memory.
Recommendation is not to use
this power rail externally,
unless otherwise noted.
LDO3 LDO3 LDO3IN NO YES
LDO4 LDO4 LDO4IN NO YES
VSNVS VCC_SNVS_
LDO_1V8
VSYS / VCC_
LICELL
YES YES An always-on power domain of
the CPU that powers some
core functionality of the SoM.
Do not use this power rail
externally.
Note VCC_LICELL is the input power for the PMIC VSNVS regulator, which is normally used to power
the CPU in low-power mode (RTC). This pin also supports coin cell charger functionality for Li-ion
rechargeable batteries or super capacitors. However, RTC mode in the ConnectCore 8X is
supported by the ConnectCore 8X MCA, not by the i.MX 8X. Therefore, in order to supply the RTC of
the system, do not use VCC_LICELL as an input power rail. Instead, follow the configuration
explained in RTC power and coin cell charger.
Internal Power Domains
In addition to the input power supplies of the PMIC, there are other power domains of the SoM which
must be set externally. This allows flexibility regarding power management, so that the input voltage

The ConnectCore 8X System-on-Module Power interfaces
ConnectCore® 8X System-on-Module Hardware Reference Manual 14
of the different interfaces can be adjusted. The following table lists the input power rails that must be
powered externally to the SoM, together with the devices/power domains they power:
Input rail
Device
being
powered
Internal power domains being
powered Description
VCC_MCA Micro
Controller
Assist
Full device Input power supply
for the ConnectCore
8X MCA. This power
domain is
mandatory.
VDD_USDHC1 i.MX 8X CPU VDD_USDHC1_1P8_3P3 Input power supply
for the USDHC1
interface. This
interface is typically
connected to a
microSD socket,
which also allows
booting from the
microSD card. Digi
recommends that
this power domain
be connected to a
flexible power
supply (LDO3/4) so
that it can work at
its highest speed by
adjusting input
voltage level.
VDD_MIPI_DSI_DIG i.MX 8X CPU VDD_MIPI_DSI_DIG_1P8_3P3 Input power supply
for DSI0 and DSI1
dedicated GPIOs
and I2C buses.
VDD_ENET0 i.MX 8X CPU nVDD_ENET0_VSELECT_1P8_2P5_3P3
nVDD_ENET0_1P8_2P5_3P3
nVDD_ENET_MDIO_1P8_3P3
Input power supply
for the ENET0
interface, including
the MDIO bus.
Because all ENET0-
related CPU blocks
are powered from
the same power
rail, 2.5V
configuration is not
available (the MDIO
bus does not work
at this voltage).

The ConnectCore 8X System-on-Module Power interfaces
ConnectCore® 8X System-on-Module Hardware Reference Manual 15
Input rail
Device
being
powered
Internal power domains being
powered Description
VDD_ESAI_SPDIF i.MX 8X CPU VDD_ESAI_SPDIF_1P8_2P5_3P3 Input power supply
for ESAI0 and
SPDIF0 interfaces.
VDD_SPI_SAI i.MX 8X CPU VDD_SPI_SAI_1P8_3P3 Input power supply
for SAI0, SAI1, SPI0
and SPI2 interfaces.
VDD_QSPI0B i.MX 8X CPU VDD_QSPI0B_1P8_3P3 Input power supply
for QSPI0B
interface.
VDD_CSI i.MX 8X CPU nVDD_TMPR_CSI_1P8_3P3
nVDD_CSI_1P8_3P3
Input power supply
for CSI interface.
USB_OTG1_VBUS i.MX 8X CPU USB_OTG1_VBUS Input power supply
of the USB1
interface VBUS.
There are two additional power domains of the CPU connected to the module LGA pads:
nVDD_PCIE_DIG
nNVCC_MIPI_CSI_DSI
These power domains are powered internally in the SoM and must not be connected to external
circuitry unless otherwise noted.
Electrical characteristics
Input power rails
The following table lists the electrical specifications of all input power rails for the ConnectCore 8X:
Device SoM power rail Input voltage (V)
Minimum Typical Maximum
PMIC
VSYS TBD
(2.7)
- 5.5
VSYS2 TBD
(3.0)
- 5.5
LDO3IN 2.51- 5.5
1When VLDOx > 2.5V, minimum input voltage for the LDOs will be the nominal output voltage plus
0.25V.

The ConnectCore 8X System-on-Module Power interfaces
ConnectCore® 8X System-on-Module Hardware Reference Manual 16
Device SoM power rail Input voltage (V)
Minimum Typical Maximum
LDO4IN 2.51- 5.5
MCA VCC_MCA TBD
(1.71)
- 5.5
CPU
VDD_USDHC1
VDD_MIPI_DSI_DIG
VDD_ENET0
VDD_SPI_SAI
VDD_QSPI0B
VDD_CSI
1.8V mode 1.65 1.8 1.95
3.3V mode 3.00 3.30 3.60
VDD_ESAI_SPDIF
1.8V mode 1.65 1.8 3.60
2.5V mode 2.40 2.50 2.60
3.3V mode 3.00 3.30 3.60
USB_OTG1_VBUS 4.4 - 5.5

The ConnectCore 8X System-on-Module Power interfaces ConnectCore® 8X System-on-Module Hardware Reference Manual 17
Output power rails
The following table lists the electrical specifications of all output power rails for the ConnectCore 8X:
Device SoM power rail Used
internally
in the
SoM
Output voltage (V) Accuracy (%) Max
output
current
(mA)1
Turn-on time
(us)
Turn-off time
(us)
Min Typ Max Min Typ Max Min Typ Max Min Typ Max
PMIC
SW6 1V8 YES - 1.80 - -2.0 - 2.0 2500 36 160 279 - - -
SW7 3V3 YES - 3.30 - -2.0 - 2.0 2500 - - 200
2
- - -
LD01 VCC_SCU_1V8 YES - 1.80 - -3.0 - 3.0 400 - - 500 - - 2500
LD02 VDD_EMMC0 YES - 3.30 - -3.0 - 3.0 400 - - 500 - - 2500
LD03 LDO3 NO 1.5 - 5.0 -3.0 - 3.0 400 - - 500 - - 2500
LD04 LDO4 NO 1.5 - 5.0 -3.0 - 3.0 400 - - 500 - - 2500
VSNVS VCC_LICELL
(coin cell
charger)
2.6 V
to
3.6 V
YES
1.8
- 3.6 -3.0 - 3.0
0.060
1.8 V
to
2.5 V
YES -4.0 - 4.0
1Note that the maximum output current involves both external and internal circuitry. For those regulators that are used internally in the SOM, the
current available outside it will be lower.
2Turn-on time for this regulator is specified for VSW7 = 1.8 V. In the ConnectCore 8X this regulator is configured to work at 3.3V, so a higher turn-on time
may be observed.
Note For a complete description of the electrical characteristics of the different output power rails (PMIC regulators), please refer to the NXP PF8x00
datasheet.

The ConnectCore 8X System-on-Module Power interfaces
ConnectCore® 8X System-on-Module Hardware Reference Manual 18
System power-up sequence
When the power supply is connected to the ConnectCore 8X module, the PMIC and the MCA are the
first components to be powered up. VSYS and VSYS2 are the PMIC input power supplies, while VCC_
MCA is the Micro-Controller Assist input power line. The system power-up sequence is as follows:
1. The MCA starts to run as soon as it is powered up. After a certain programmable time, it will
release the PWRON line of the PMIC(PMIC power on/off).
2. Once the PMIC is switched on, it starts an initialization process as determined by its OTPs.
Finally the CPU reset line, which is controlled by both the SCU and the MCA, is released.
The following time diagram shows the power-up sequence.
RTC power and coin cell charger
The VCC_LICELL pin supports coin cell charger functionality. This pin is also the input power supply for
an always-on regulator of the PMIC (VSNVS) that feeds the low-power mode circuitry of the CPU. In
the ConnectCore 8X module, the low-power modes of the system (RTC) are supported by the on-
module MCA, not by the i.MX 8X CPU. Therefore, in order to reduce the static power consumption of
the SoM, do not power the VSNVS regulator in low power mode. The coin cell should only power the
VCC_MCA power domain through the diode configuration as shown in the following diagrams.
If the coin-cell charger functionality is mandatory, place a reverse diode between VCC_LICELL and the
coin cell.

The ConnectCore 8X System-on-Module Power interfaces
ConnectCore® 8X System-on-Module Hardware Reference Manual 19
RTC connection without coin cell charger
RTC connection with coin cell charger
Note This hardware configuration has been validated with the Panasonic DB2J31400L diode, which
has a low reverse leakage current (300nA) that is ideal for this low-power mode application.
Reference power architecture scheme
The following diagram represents the full power architecture distribution of the ConnectCore 8X
module in a typical application with the coin cell charger functionality supported:

The ConnectCore 8X System-on-Module Bootstrap
ConnectCore® 8X System-on-Module Hardware Reference Manual 20
Bootstrap
The ConnectCore 8X module can be configured to boot from different devices and interfaces as
determined by the Boot ROM. The configuration of the booting process of the CPU is done through the
SCU (System Control Unit) boot mode.
The BOOT_MODE is initialized by the SCU at the rising edge of POR_B, when it latched the SCU_
BOOT_MODE lines. Once these lines are sampled, the subsequent state does not affect the content of
the BOOT_MODE, which is tracked by the SCU.
The following table describes the eight boot modes that are supported by the ConnectCore 8X
module: