Digi ConnectCore 93 Quick user guide

ConnectCore 93
System-on-Module
Hardware Reference Manual

Revision history—90002549
Revision Date Description
1P May 2023 Early draft.
2P May 2023 Initial release.
Trademarks and copyright
Digi, Digi International, and the Digi logo are trademarks or registered trademarks in the United States
and other countries worldwide. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of
their respective owners.
© 2023 Digi International Inc. All rights reserved.
Disclaimers
Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a
commitment on the part of Digi International. Digi provides this document “as is,” without warranty of
any kind, expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of fitness or
merchantability for a particular purpose. Digi may make improvements and/or changes in this manual
or in the product(s) and/or the program(s) described in this manual at any time.
Warranty
To view product warranty information, go to the following website:
www.digi.com/howtobuy/terms
Customer support
Gather support information: Before contacting Digi technical support for help, gather the following
information:
Product name and model
Product serial number (s)
Firmware version
Operating system/browser (if applicable)
Logs (from time of reported issue)
Trace (if possible)
Description of issue
Steps to reproduce
Contact Digi technical support: Digi offers multiple technical support plans and service packages.
Contact us at +1 952.912.3444 or visit us at www.digi.com/support.
ConnectCore 93 System-on-Module 2

ConnectCore 93 System-on-Module 3
Feedback
To provide feedback on this document, email your comments to
[email protected]
Include the document title and part number (ConnectCore 93 System-on-Module, 90002549 1P) in the
subject line of your email.

Contents
About the ConnectCore 93 SOM
Features and functionality 5
Safety instructions 7
Block diagrams 8
ConnectCore 93 module 9
i.MX 93 application processor 10
Power interfaces 11
Reference power diagram 11
System-on-module power architecture 12
Electrical characteristics 12
Bootstrap 15
Wireless interfaces 17
WLAN IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax 17
RF channels 21
Transmit power 24
Antenna ports 25
Bluetooth 25
Module pinout
External signals and pin multiplexing 27
Castellated pad signals and multiplexing 28
LGA signals and multiplexing 42
Module specifications
Mechanical specifications 69
Host PCB footprint and cutout 69
Label 69
Weight 69
Environmental specifications 70
ConnectCore 93 System-on-Module 4

About the ConnectCore 93 SOM Features and functionality
ConnectCore 93 System-on-Module 5
About the ConnectCore 93 SOM
The Digi ConnectCore® 93 System-on-Module (SOM) platform is a highly integrated, cost-effective,
connected, secure embedded solution, built on the i.MX 93 MPU family. It integrates memory, power
management, pre-certified wireless connectivity, and advanced Digi TrustFence device security with a
complete, open-source Linux software platform based on the Yocto Project.
Note While the ConnectCore 93 system-on-module is designed to be used in a production
environment, the ConnectCore 93 Development Kit is designed only for development and testing in a
pre-production environment.
Features and functionality
The ConnectCore 93 system-on-module is based on thei.MX 93 processor from NXP. This processor
offers a number of interfaces, most of them multiplexed and not available simultaneously. The
module has the following features:
nSingle/Dual Cortex-A55 MPCore platform:
lFrequency operating at up to 1.7 GHz.
l32 KB L1 instruction cache.
l32 KB L1 data cache.
l64 KB per-core L2 cache.
lMedia Processing Engine (MPE) with ARM NEON technology supporting the Advanced
Single Instruction Multiple Data architecture.
lFloating Point Unit (FPU) with support of the Arm VFPv4-D16 architecture.
lSupport of 64-bit Arm v8.2-A architecture.
l256 KB cluster L3 cache.
lParity/ECC protection on L1 cache, L2 cache, and TLB RAMs.
lBoot ROM (256 KB).
lOn-chip RAM (640 KB).
lSecurity:
oTrusted resource domain controller (TRDC).
oARM TrustZone (TZ) architecture, including both Trustzone-A and Trustzone-M.
oOn-chip RAM (OCRAM) secure region protection using OCRAM controller.
oEdgeLock secure enclave.
oBattery backed security module (BBSM):
oSecure non-volatile storage (SNVS).
oSecure real-time clock (RTC).
nCortex-M33 core platform:
lFrequency operating up to 250 MHz.
lSupport FPU, MPU, NVIC, FPB, DWT and ITM.

About the ConnectCore 93 SOM Features and functionality
ConnectCore 93 System-on-Module 6
lTwo-way set-associative 16 KB system cache with parity support.
lTwo-way set-associative 16 KB code cache with parity support.
lBoot ROM (256 KB).
nNeural processing unit (NPU):
lNPU targets 8-bit and 16-bit integer RNN.
lHandles 8-bit weights.
nSystem debug:
lArm CoreSight debug and trace technology.
lEmbedded trace FIFO (ETF) with 4 KB internal storage to provide trace buffering.
lUnified trace capability for dual core Cortex-A55 and Cortex-M33.
lCross Triggering Interface (CTI).
l5-pin JTAG.
nImage sensor interface (ISI):
lStandard pixel formats commonly used in many camera input protocols.
lProgrammable resolutions up to 2K.
lImage processing for:
oSupports one source of up to 2K horizontal resolution.
oSupports pixel rate up to 200 Mpixel/s.
lImage down scaling via decimation and bi-phase filtering.
lColor space conversion.
lInterlaced to progressive conversions.
nConnectivity:
lx2 USB 2.0 controllers and PHYs interfaces.
lx2 CAN/CAN-FD.
lx2 I3C.
lx2 32-pin FlexIO modules.
lx3 uSDHC.
lx2 Ethernet controllers:
ox1 Gigabit Ethernet controller with support for Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE), Ethernet
AVB and IEEE 1588.
ox1 Gigabit Ethernet controller with support for TSN in addition to EEE, Ethernet AVB and
IEEE 1588.
lx8 LPSPI.
lx8 I2C.
lx8 LPUART.
nMultimedia:
lLCDIF display controller, which can drive any of three displays:
oMIPI DSI: up to 1920x1200p60.
oLVDS Tx: up to 1366x768p60 or 1280x800p60.
oParallel display: up to 1366x768p60 or 1280x800p60.

About the ConnectCore 93 SOM Safety instructions
ConnectCore 93 System-on-Module 7
l2-lane MIPI CSI-2 interface:
oCompliant with MIPI CSI-2 specification v1.2 and MIPI D-PHY specification v1.2.
oSupport up to 2 Rx data lanes (plus 1 Rx clock lane).
oSupport 80 Mbps - 1.5 Gbps per lane data rate in high speed operation.
oSupport 10 Mbps data rate in low power operation.
l4-lane MIPI DSI display with data supplied by the LCDIF:
oCompliant with MPI DSI specification v1.2 and MIPI D-PHY specification v1.2.
oCapable of resolutions achievable with a 200 MHz pixel clock and active pixel rate of 140
Mpixel/s with 24-bit RGB.
oSupport 80 Mbps - 1.5 Gbps data rate per lane in high speed operation.
oSupport 10 Mbps data rate in low power operation.
lAudio:
ox3 SAI interfaces:
oSAI1 supports 2-lane and SAI3 supports 1 lane.
oSAI2 supports 4 lanes.
oSAI2 and SAI3 support glue-less switching between PCM and stereo DSD operation.
ox1 SPDIF.
o24-bit PDM supports up to 8-microphones (4 lanes).
nUp to 1 GB, 16-bit LPDDR4 memory.
nUp to 8 GB, 8-bit eMMC memory.
nNXP PCA9451 Power Management IC (PMIC):
lx6 Step down regulators.
lx5 Linear regulators.
lx1 Load switch.
nIEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax WLAN interface.
nBluetooth version 5.2.
Safety instructions
nThe ConnectCore 93 SOM cannot be guaranteed operation due to the radio link and so should
not be used for interlocks in safety critical devices such as machines or automotive
applications.
nThe ConnectCore 93 SOM has not been approved for use in (this list is not exhaustive):
lnuclear applications
lexplosive or flammable atmospheres
nThere are no user serviceable components inside the ConnectCore 93 SOM. Do not modify the
ConnectCore 93 in any way. Modifications may exclude the SOM from any warranty and can
cause the ConnectCore 93 to operate outside of regulatory compliance for a given country,
leading to the possible illegal operation of the radio.
nUse industry standard ESD protection when handling the ConnectCore 93 SOM.
nTake care while handling to avoid electrical damage to the PCB and components.

About the ConnectCore 93 SOM Block diagrams
ConnectCore 93 System-on-Module 8
nDo not expose ConnectCore 93 SOM to water or moisture.
nUse this product with the antennas specified in the ConnectCore 93 SOM user guides.
nThe end user must be told how to remove power from the ConnectCore 93 SOM or to locate
the antennas 20 cm from humans or animals.
Block diagrams
The figures below show block diagrams of the ConnectCore 93 module and of the NXP i.MX 93
application processor.

About the ConnectCore 93 SOM Block diagrams
ConnectCore 93 System-on-Module 9
ConnectCore 93 module

About the ConnectCore 93 SOM Block diagrams
ConnectCore 93 System-on-Module 10
i.MX 93 application processor

Power interfaces
ConnectCore 93 System-on-Module 11
Power interfaces
Reference power diagram
The following diagram represents the power architecture of the ConnectCore 93 module in a
typicalapplication:

Power interfaces
ConnectCore 93 System-on-Module 12
System-on-module power architecture
The ConnectCore 93 requires two primary power supply inputs: VSYS and VSYS2. These supplies are
the input power supplies to the on-module NXP PCA9451 power management IC (PMIC), which
generates all required supply voltages for the module as well as the external interfaces.
The following table summarizes the PMIC regulators and switches on the ConnectCore 93 SOM:
PMIC
regulator
SOM power rail
name
Input power
supply
Internally
used
Externally
available
BUCK1 - VSYS2 YES NO
BUCK2 - VSYS2 YES NO
BUCK3 - VSYS2 YES NO
BUCK4 3V3 VSYS YES YES
BUCK5 1V8 VSYS2 YES YES
BUCK6 - VSYS2 YES NO
LDO1 - VSYS2 YES NO
LDO2 LDO2 VSYS2 NO YES
LDO3 LDO3 VSYS2 NO YES
LDO4 - VSYS2 YES NO
LDO5 MUX_3V3_1V8 VSYS2 NO YES
Load switch SWOUT SWIN NO YES
In addition to the input power supplies of the PMIC, other power domains of the SOM must also be set
externally. This allows power management flexibility so you can adapt the input voltage of the
different interfaces. 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 Internally connected to Description
NVCC_SD2 NVCC_SD2 pin of the i.MX93 CPU IO supply for uSDHC2
Electrical characteristics
Input power rails
The following table lists the electrical specifications of all input power rails for the ConnectCore 93:
Device SOM power rail
Input voltage (V)
Minimum Typical Maximum
PMIC VSYS 3.7 - 6.01

Power interfaces
ConnectCore 93 System-on-Module 13
Device SOM power rail
Input voltage (V)
Minimum Typical Maximum
VSYS2 2.7 - 6.01
CPU NVCC_SD2 1.8V mode 1.62 1.80 1.98
3.3V mode 3.00 3.30 3.465
1Absolute maximum ratings.

Power interfaces
ConnectCore 93 System-on-Module 14
Output power rails
The following table lists the electrical specifications of all output power rails for the ConnectCore 93:
SOM power
rail
Used internally in the
SOM
Output voltage Accuracy ( % )
Continuous output current (mA)1
Startup time
(µs)
Min Typ Max Min Max Typ Max
3V3 YES 0.6 - 3.4 -2 2 3000 250 500
1V8 YES 0.6 - 3.4 -2 2 2000 250 500
LDO2 NO 0.8 - 1.5 -3 3 10 100 -
LDO3 NO 0.8 - 3.3 -3 3 300 150 -
MUX_3V3_1V8 NO 1.8 - 3.3 -3 3 150 200 -
SWOUT NO 2.8 - 5.5 - - 400 200 500
Note Some of the electrical characteristics may depend on the configuration and operation mode of the different regulators. For a complete description
of the electrical characteristics of the different output power rails (PMIC regualtors), see the PCA9451 datasheet.
1The maximum output current involves both external and internal circuitry. For those regulators that are used internally in the SOM, the current
available outside will be lower.

Bootstrap
ConnectCore 93 System-on-Module 15
Bootstrap
The ConnectCore 93 module can be configured to boot from different devices and interfaces. The boot
mode can be selected in two ways:
• Through the boot mode pins (recommended for development).
• Overriden by fuses (recommended for production).
When using the boot mode pins, the boot mode is determined by the binary value stored in the
internal BOOT_MODE register. The boot mode is initialized by sampling the BOOT_MODE[3:0] inputs
on the rising edge of POR_B. After these inputs are sampled, the subsequent states do not affect
BOOT_MODE internal register value.
The BOOT_MODE[3:0] bits are available in the following signals of the SOM:
Signal Boot mode
BT_UART1_TX BOOT0
BT_UART1_RTS BOOT1
SPI1_CS0 BOOT2
SPI1_SCK BOOT3
The following table lists the different boot modes available on the ConnectCore 93 module:
BOOT core BOOT_MODE[3:0] Boot mode
Cortex-A55 0000 Internal fuses
0001 Serial downloader
0010 USDHC1 8-bit eMMC 5.1
0011 USDHC2 47-bit SD3.0
0100 FlexSPI serial NOR
0101 FlexSPI serial NAND 2K page
0110 Infinite loop
0111 Test mode

Bootstrap
ConnectCore 93 System-on-Module 16
BOOT core BOOT_MODE[3:0] Boot mode
Cortex-M33 1000 Internal fuses
1001 Serial downloader
1010 USDHC1 8-bit eMMC 5.1
1011 USDHC2 47-bit SD3.0
1100 FlexSPI serial NOR
1101 FlexSPI serial NAND 2K page
1110 Infinite loop
1111 Test mode

Wireless interfaces
ConnectCore 93 System-on-Module 17
Wireless interfaces
The ConnectCore 93 System-on-module combines a wireless local area network (WLAN) and Bluetooth dual solution to support IEEE802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax
WLAN standards and Bluetooth 5.2, enabling seamless integration of WLAN/Bluetooth and Low Energy technology. Digi also offers a non-wireless variant
of the ConnectCore 93 module.
The following sections include specifications for the wireless interfaces available on the ConnectCore 93 module.
WLAN IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax
The following sections specify the performance of the WLAN IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax interface on the ConnectCore 93 module.
Modulation and data rates
The following tables list modulation values for the ConnectCore 93 module, which supports the following WLAN standards:
Mode Modulation & coding Rate
802.11b DBPSK 1 Mbps
DQPSK 2 Mbps
CCK 5.5 Mbps
CCK 11 Mbps

Wireless interfaces
ConnectCore 93 System-on-Module 18
Mode Modulation & coding Rate
802.11ga BPSK-1/2 6 Mbps
BPSK-3/4 9 Mbps
QPSK-1/2 12 Mbps
QPSK-3/4 18 Mbps
16QAM-1/2 24 Mbps
16QAM-3/4 36 Mbps
64QAM-2/3 48 Mbps
64QAM-3/4 54 Mbps
802.11n BPSK-1/2 MCS0
QPSK-1/2 MCS1
QPSK-3/4 MCS2
16QAM-1/2 MCS3
16QAM-3/4 MCS4
64QAM-2/3 MCS5
64QAM-3/4 MCS6
64QAM-5/6 MCS7

Wireless interfaces
ConnectCore 93 System-on-Module 19
Mode Modulation & coding Rate
802.11ac BPSK-1/2 MCS0
QPSK-1/2 MCS1
QPSK-3/4 MCS2
16QAM-1/2 MCS3
16QAM-3/4 MCS4
64QAM-2/3 MCS5
64QAM-3/4 MCS6
64QAM-5/6 MCS7
256QAM-3/4 MCS8
256QAM-5/6 MCS9
802.11ax BPSK-1/2 MCS0
QPSK-1/2 MCS1
QPSK-3/4 MCS2
16QAM-1/2 MCS3
16QAM-3/4 MCS4
64QAM-2/3 MCS5
64QAM-3/4 MCS6
64QAM-5/6 MCS7
256QAM-3/4 MCS8
256QAM-5/6 MCS9
1024QAM-3/4 MCS10
1024QAM-5/6 MCS11

Wireless interfaces
ConnectCore 93 System-on-Module 20
Data rate (Mbps) - Non Short Guard Interval (Non-SGI)
Data rate
(Mbps) 802.11b 802.11ga 802.11n 802.11ac 802.11ax
Modulation
DBPSK CCK
BPSK-
1/2
64QAM-
3/4
BPSK-
1/2
64QAM-
5/6
BPSK-
1/2
64QAM-
5/6
256QAM-
5/6
BPSK-
1/2
64QAM-
5/6
1024QAM-
5/6
1 Mbps
11
Mbps 6 Mbps 54 Mbps MCS0 MCS7 MCS0 MCS7 MCS9 MCS0 MCS7 MCS11
2.4
GHz
HT20 1 11 6 54 6.5 65 6.5 65 4 81 135
HT40 13.5 135 13.5 135 180 8 163 271
5 GHz HT20 6 54 6.5 65 6.5 65 4 81 135
HT40 13.5 135 13.5 135 180 8 163 271
HT80 29.3 292.5 390 17 340 600
Data rate (Mbps) - Short Guard Interval (SGI)
Mode 802.11b 802.11ga 802.11n 802.11ac 802.11ax
Modulation
DBPSK CCK
BPSK-
1/2
64QAM-
3/4
BPSK-
1/2
64QAM-
5/6
BPSK-
1/2
64QAM-
5/6
256QAM-
5/6
BPSK-
1/2
64QAM-
5/6
1024QAM-
5/6
1 Mbps
11
Mbps 6 Mbps 54 Mbps MCS0 MCS7 MCS0 MCS7 MCS9 MCS0 MCS7 MCS11
2.4
GHz
HT20 1 11 6 54 7.2 72.2 7.2 72.2 8.6 86 143
HT40 15 150 15 150 200 17.2 172 287
5 GHz HT20 6 54 7.2 72.2 7.2 72.2 8.6 86 143
HT40 15 150 15 150 200 17.2 172 287
HT80 32.5 325 433.3 36 360 600