NXP Semiconductors MCIMX8ULP-EVK9 User manual

MCIMX8ULP-EVK9-UM
MCIMX8ULP-EVK9 Board User Manual
Rev. 1 — 25 August 2023 User manual
Document information
Information Content
Keywords MCIMX8ULP-EVK9-UM, MCIMX8ULP-EVK9, i.MX 8ULP, MCIMX8ULP-EVK9BB, MX8ULP-
EVK9SOM, base board, SOM board
Abstract MCIMX8ULP-EVK9 is a design and evaluation platform based on NXP i.MX 8ULP application
processor (9.4 mm x 9.4 mm package).

NXP Semiconductors MCIMX8ULP-EVK9-UM
MCIMX8ULP-EVK9 Board User Manual
1 Overview
MCIMX8ULP-EVK9 is a design and evaluation platform based on NXP i.MX 8ULP application processor (9.4
mm x 9.4 mm package).
MCIMX8ULP-EVK9 is designed as a system-on-module (SOM) board (MX8ULP-EVK9SOM) that connects to
an associated base board (MCIMX8ULP-EVK9BB).
The SOM board provides 2 GB LPDDR4 memory, 32 MB octal SPI NOR flash memory and 8 MB octal SPI
pSRAM on real-time processor domain (RTD), 64 MB octal SPI NOR flash memory on application processor
domain (APD), 32 GB eMMC memory, and an NXP PCA9460A power management IC (PMIC).
The base board provides other capabilities, including an M.2 Key-E slot for Wi-Fi/Bluetooth based on NXP
IW416, an audio codec, multiple sensors, a 10/100 Mbit/s Ethernet RJ45 connector, a mini-SAS connector
for camera, two USB 2.0 OTG with Type-C connectors, an HDMI connector, and an alternative MIPI display
connector.
In addition, MCIMX8ULP-EVK9 facilitates software development with the ultimate goal of faster time to market,
by supporting operating systems, including Linux, Android, and FreeRTOS.
For information on how to set up and boot MCIMX8ULP-EVK9, see i.MX 8ULP Evaluation Kit 9 Quick Start
Guide provided in the MCIMX8ULP-EVK9 hardware kit.
This document provides details about MCIMX8ULP-EVK9 interfaces, power supplies, clocks, connectors,
jumpers, push and slide buttons, DIP switch, and LEDs.
1.1 Acronyms
Table 1 lists the acronyms used in this document.
Acronym Description
ADC Analog-to-Digital Converter
APD Application processor domain
BCU Board Control Utilities
CC Configuration channel
CSI-2 Camera serial interface - 2
DAC Digital-to-Analog Converter
DFP Downstream-Facing Port
DIP Dual inline package
DNP Do not populate
dps Degrees per second
DRP Dual-Role Power
DSI Display serial interface
EEPROM Electrically erasable programmable read-only memory
FD Flexible data-rate
FlexCAN Flexible Controller Area Network
HS High-speed
I2C Inter-Integrated Circuit
Table 1. Acronyms
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Acronym Description
I2S Inter-IC Sound
IoT Internet of Things
LDO Low-dropout regulator
LED Light-emitting diode
LPDDR4 Low-Power Double Data Rate Controller
LPI2C Low-Power Inter-Integrated Circuit
LPUART Low-Power Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter
MAC Medium access control
MIPI Mobile Industry Processor Interface
MPSSE Multiprotocol synchronous serial engine
NTC Negative temperature coefficient
OTG On-The-Go
PMIC Power management integrated circuit
PMT Power Measurement Tool
pSRAM Pseudo static random-access memory
RTC Real-time clock
RTD Real-time processor domain
RTOS Real-time operating system
SAI Synchronous Audio Interface
SAS Serial attached SCSI
SCSI Small Computer System Interface
SDRAM Synchronous dynamic random-access memory
SOM System-on-module
SPDIF Sony/Philips Digital Interface
SPI Serial Peripheral Interface
TFT Thin film transistor
UART Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter
UFP Upstream-Facing Port
USB Universal Serial Bus
uSDHC Ultra Secured Digital Host Controller
WLAN Wireless local area network
Table 1. Acronyms...continued
1.2 Related documentation
Table 2 lists and explains the additional documents and resources that you can refer to for more information
on the board. Some of the documents listed below may be available only under a non-disclosure agreement
(NDA). To request access to these documents, contact your local field applications engineer (FAE) or sales
representative.
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NXP Semiconductors MCIMX8ULP-EVK9-UM
MCIMX8ULP-EVK9 Board User Manual
Document Description Link / how to obtain
i.MX 8ULP Evaluation Kit 9 Quick
Start Guide
Provides information on how to set up and
boot MCIMX8ULP-EVK9.
Available in the MCIMX8ULP-EVK9
hardware kit
i.MX 8ULP Processor Reference
Manual
Provides a detailed description about the
i.MX 8ULP processor and its features,
including memory maps, power supplies, and
clocks.
i.MX 8ULP Applications Processor—
Consumer Products Data Sheet
i.MX 8ULP Applications Processor—
Industrial Products Data Sheet
Provides information about electrical
characteristics, hardware design
considerations, and ordering information.
i.MX 8ULP Hardware Developer’s
Guide
Provides information about board layout
recommendations and design checklists to
ensure first-pass success and to avoid board
bring-up problems. It is intended to help
hardware engineers design and test their
i.MX 8ULP processor-based designs.
i.MX 8ULP Errata Lists the details of all known silicon errata for
i.MX 8ULP.
MCIMX8ULP-EVK9 design files Board schematics, assembly layout
Contact NXP FAE / sales
representative
Board Control Utilities Release Notes Provides release information about BCU
software.
GitHub
i.MX Power Measurement Tool
Application Note (AN13119)
Describes i.MX Power Measurement Tool
(PMT).
AN13119.pdf
PTN5150A Product Data Sheet Provides information about electrical
characteristics, hardware design
considerations, and ordering information.
PTN5150A.pdf
TJA1057 Data Sheet Provides information about electrical
characteristics, hardware design
considerations, and ordering information.
TJA1057.pdf
i.MX Linux User's Guide Describes how to build and install the i.MX
Linux board support package (BSP) on the
i.MX platform. It also covers special i.MX
features and how to use them.
IMX_LINUX_USERS_GUIDE.pdf
Table 2. Related documentation
1.3 Kit contents
Table 3 lists the items included in the MCIMX8ULP-EVK9 hardware kit.
Item Quantity
MCIMX8ULP-EVK9 hardware assembled with two separate boards, MX8ULP-
EVK9SOM and MCIMX8ULP-EVK9BB
1
5 V DC, 5 A power adapter with 2.1 mm x 5.5 mm plug 1
USB Type-A to USB micro-B cable 1
USB Type-A to USB Type-C cable 1
Quick Start Guide 1
Table 3. Kit contents
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1.4 Block diagram
Figure 1 shows the MCIMX8ULP-EVK9 block diagram.
Audio
WM8960
Arduino
interface
Reset
Tamper
detect switch
x3 button
ADC+DAC
connector
Power
monitor
PMIC
PCA9460A
i.MX 8ULP
DAC
CAN
connector
CAN0
JTAG
connector
RJ45
JTAG
RMII
I2C
connector
I2C7
Mini-SAS
connector
MIPII2C1
MIPI panel
connector
MIPII2C1
DSI to HDMI
IT6161
HDMI
connector
MIPI LCD
panel OV5640
MIPI SPDIF
Battery
charger
Battery
connector
I2C1
5 V
DC jack
M.2
connector
SDHC2,
UART6, I2S6
USB
Type-C x2
USB 2.0
RGB LED
PWM
I2C
Remote debug USB connector (FT4232)
with power monitor
UART1/UART5ADC
Hirose connectors
Hirose connectors
eMMC
32 GB
SDHC0
DDR
LPAV domain
A35 domain
M33 domain
A35/M33
domain
Power
Daughter
card
SOM board
Base board
Daughter card
Base board
Audio jack
ON/OFF I2S0 I2C0
Sensors (accelerometer,
gyroscope, pressure sensor)
Power
I2C0
I3C2
Power
FLEXSPI0
FLEXSPI1
FLEXSPI2
Debug
UART
Debug
related
LPDDR4(x)
16 Gbit
M.2 Key-E Wi-Fi / Bluetooth module
IW416
SPI NOR
32 MB
SPI pSRAM
8 MB SPI NOR/NAND
64 MB
Figure 1. MCIMX8ULP-EVK9 block diagram
1.5 Board pictures
Figure 2 shows the top-side view of MCIMX8ULP-EVK9, with SOM board (MX8ULP-EVK9SOM) and base
board (MCIMX8ULP-EVK9BB) highlighted.
Figure 2. Board top-side view
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Base board (MCIMX8ULP-EVK9BB)
SOM board (MX8ULP-EVK9SOM)
Figure 3 shows the bottom-side view of MCIMX8ULP-EVK9.
Figure 3. Board bottom-side view
Figure 4 highlights important SOM board components.
Figure 4. SOM board components
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MCIMX8ULP-EVK9 Board User Manual
PMIC
LPDDR4
Octal SPI pSRAM
(in RTD)
eMMC
i.MX 8ULP
Octal SPI NOR
(in RTD)
Octal SPI NOR
(in APD)
1.6 Board features
Table 4 lists the features of MCIMX8ULP-EVK9.
Board feature Target processor feature
used
Description
Processor NXP i.MX 8ULP processor (part number: MIMX8UD7DVK10SA,
package size: 9.4 mm x 9.4 mm) based on up to two Arm Cortex-A35
cores, each running at 800 MHz frequency, and one Arm Cortex-M33F
core running at 216 MHz nominal (RUN) frequency.
Note: For details on the i.MX 8ULP processor, see i.MX 8ULP
Processor Reference Manual.
LPDDR4/
LPDDR4x
memory
LPDDR4 controller 2 GB LPDDR4 SDRAM
eMMC memory uSDHC0 controller 32 GB eMMC NAND flash memory
FlexSPI0 controller 32 MB octal SPI NOR flash memory
FlexSPI1 controller 8 MB octal SPI pSRAM memory
FlexSPI interface
FlexSPI2 controller 64 MB octal SPI NOR flash memory
Ethernet interface ENET controller 10BASE-T / 100BASE-TX RMII Ethernet PHY accessible through an
RJ45 jack
USB0 controller (USB OTG) USB 3.1 Type-C connectorUSB interface
USB1 controller (USB OTG) USB 3.1 Type-C connector
Table 4. MCIMX8ULP-EVK9 features
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Board feature Target processor feature
used
Description
CAN interface FlexCAN controller HS CAN transceiver with option to connect (populate) a 3-pin CAN
header
Display interface MIPI-DSI host controller One of the following two options can be used:
•MIPI-to-HDMI transmitter with an HDMI Type-A connector
•MIPI-DSI + touch connector
Camera interface MIPI-CSI-2 host controller Mini-SAS camera connector
I2C interface LPI2C0, LPI2C1, LPI2C7, and
PMIC0 controllers
•LPI2C0, LPI2C1, LPI2C7, and PMIC0 buses from the i.MX 8ULP
processor
•FTB bus from USB debug host (via USB-to-UART/MPSSE bridge)
•2x4-position I2C connector for remote I2C access
Audio codec SAI0 controller One of the following two options can be used:
•Audio codec with an audio stereo headphone jack
•External codec connector
Sensors LPI2C0 controller •3-axis digital accelerometer
•3-axis digital accelerometer (G-sensor) / gyroscope
•I2C precision pressure sensor
ADC/DAC ADC1 and DAC0 controllers 10-pin ADC/DAC header
M.2 connector SAI6, uSDHC2, LPUART6,
LPI2C7, and USB1 controllers
75-pin, M.2 Key-E mini card connector having EAR00385 Wi-Fi +
Bluetooth card plugged in
Arduino
connectors
Arduino socket with four connectors (not populated by default)
I/O expanders Four I/O expanders to provide remote I/O expansion via the I2C bus
interface
Debug interface USB-to-UART/MPSSE bridge (with a USB debug connector) or a JTAG
header for debugging the i.MX 8ULP processor
Boot
configuration
8-pin DIP switch for controlling boot configuration
Power The following power supply options are available:
•DC power jack for connecting 5 V external power
•Lithium-ion battery socket and battery charger
•USB micro-B connector
•Coin cell battery option (primary/secondary)
Power monitoring Five quad-channel power monitors for power and energy monitoring
Clocks Six crystals/oscillators
Orderable part
number
MCIMX8ULP-EVK9
Table 4. MCIMX8ULP-EVK9 features...continued
1.7 Connectors
Figure 5 and Figure 6 show the MCIMX8ULP-EVK9 connectors.
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BT1
P1
J3
(DNP)
J2 J1
J4
CON1
J16J15
J14
J17
J13
J8
(DNP)
J6
J11 J12
Figure 5. Connectors (top-side view)
Note: In Figure 5, board-to-board connectors between base board and SOM board are hidden.
J18
J19
J20 J21
(DNP)
J22 J23
(DNP)
Figure 6. Connectors (bottom-side view)
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Table 5 describes the connectors available on the MCIMX8ULP-EVK9BB board.
Part identifier PCB label Connector type Description Reference section
BT1 – Coin cell battery holder Holder for ML414 size coin cell
battery. By default, no coin cell
battery is present in BT1. With
coin cell battery, BT1 can be used
to produce LICELL_3V0 supply.
Note: As an alternative, a lithium
coin cell battery BAT1 can be
populated to produce LICELL_3V0
supply.
P1 DC5V DC power jack 5 V power supply connector
Section 2.2
J2 ETHERNET RJ45 jack Ethernet connector Section 2.7
J15 USB0 USB0 Type-C connector
J16 USB1
USB 3.1 Type-C
connector USB1 Type-C connector
Section 2.8
J8 (DNP) CAN 1x3-pin header CAN connector Section 2.9
J1 HDMI 1x19-pin connector HDMI Type-A connector
J18 – 1x40-pin connector MIPI-DSI + touch connector
Section 2.10
J4 MIPI-CSI 2x18-pin connector Mini-SAS camera connector Section 2.11
J6 I2C 2x4-position receptacle I2C connector Section 2.12
J12 I2S 2x5-pin header External codec connector
J14 HEADPHONE 3.5 mm audio jack Audio headphone connector
Section 2.13
J11 ADC/DAC 2x5-pin header 12-bit ADC/DAC connector Section 2.15
J19 – 75-pin connector M.2 Key-E mini card connector
J3 (DNP) – 1x5-pin header HiFi4 UART debug connector
Section 2.16
J20 (DNP) 1x10-pin header Arduino connector (A35 domain)
J21 (DNP) 1x8-pin header Arduino connector (M33 domain)
J22 (DNP) 1x8-pin header Arduino connector (power and
reset)
J23 (DNP)
Arduino
Interface
1x6-pin header Arduino connector (M33 domain)
Section 2.17
J17 DEBUG USB 2.0 micro-B
connector
USB debug connector Section 2.20.3
J13 JTAG 2x5-pin header JTAG connector Section 2.20.4
JP1 – 2x40-position receptacle
JP2 – 2x40-position receptacle
JP3 – 2x40-pin header
Board-to-board connectors
for base board – SOM board
interconnection
CON1 BATTERY Wire-to-board connector Connector for external battery
For more information
on these connectors,
see MCIMX8ULP-
EVK9BB board
schematics.
Table 5. Base board connectors
Table 6 describes the connectors available on the MX8ULP-EVK9SOM board.
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