MCUXpresso Platform Customization

DART-MX8M

Sections

Available dtbs

To allow Cortex M4 accessing shared resources without experiencing Linux kernel conflicts, a dedicated device tree must be loaded, by selecting the right version with the symbolic link in the /boot folder of the booting media.
These device trees contain m4 label in their name.

The below table lists an example dtb blob file name for DART-MX8M (on DT8MCustomBoard rev. 1.3 and higher) with support for M4 (and SD card and LVDS), for each kernel version / Yocto release:

File Name	Description
imx8mq-var-dart-dt8mcustomboard-m4-sd-lvds.dtb	For kernel >= 5.4.85 (Yocto >= Dunfell)
imx8mq-var-dart-m4-sd-lvds.dtb	For kernel = 5.4.24 (Yocto Zeus)
fsl-imx8mq-var-dart-m4-sd-lvds.dtb	For kernel = 4.19.35 (Yocto Warrior)
Image.gz-fsl-imx8mq-var-dart-m4-sd-lvds.dtb	For kernel = 4.14.98 (Yocto Sumo)

For the full list of device tree blob files, refer to the "Build Results" section in the appropriate wiki page for the specific Yocto/Debian release you are using.

Default M4 pins

Default M4 pins used by the demos are:

function	pin
debug UART (UART2)	RX: J12.6 / TX: J12.4
GPIO (GPIO4_IO03)	LED7 (only for 1.x DT8CustomBoard)
I2C (I2C3)	SCL: J12.18 / SDA: J12.20
PWM (PWM2)	J14.3

Available Demos

• driver_examples/i2c/interrupt_b2b_transfer/slave
• driver_examples/i2c/interrupt_b2b_transfer/master
• driver_examples/i2c/polling_b2b_transfer/slave
• driver_examples/i2c/polling_b2b_transfer/master
• driver_examples/wdog
• driver_examples/gpio/led_output (only for 1.x DT8CustomBoard)
• driver_examples/tmu/tmu_monitor_report
• driver_examples/pwm
• driver_examples/uart/auto_baudrate_detect
• driver_examples/uart/interrupt
• driver_examples/uart/interrupt_rb_transfer
• driver_examples/uart/polling
• driver_examples/uart/interrupt_transfer
• driver_examples/gpt/timer
• driver_examples/gpt/capture
• driver_examples/ecspi/ecspi_loopback
• driver_examples/qspi/polling_transfer
• driver_examples/rdc
• driver_examples/sema4/uboot
• rtos_examples/freertos_ecspi/ecspi_loopback
• rtos_examples/freertos_hello
• rtos_examples/freertos_queue
• rtos_examples/freertos_sem
• rtos_examples/freertos_generic
• rtos_examples/freertos_uart
• rtos_examples/freertos_tickless
• rtos_examples/freertos_mutex
• rtos_examples/freertos_event
• rtos_examples/freertos_swtimer
• rtos_examples/freertos_i2c
• cmsis_driver_examples/i2c/int_b2b_transfer/slave
• cmsis_driver_examples/i2c/int_b2b_transfer/master
• cmsis_driver_examples/uart/interrupt_transfer
• cmsis_driver_examples/ecspi/int_loopback_transfer
• multicore_examples/rpmsg_lite_str_echo_rtos
• multicore_examples/rpmsg_lite_pingpong_rtos/linux_remote
• demo_apps/hello_world

NXP Memory types

The SDK allow linking using 2 different memory types: DDR, TCM.

Here is available a short summary of memory areas used by Cortex-M4 as described in related linker file.

memory type	M4 memory area	A53 memory area	memory lentgh	linker file
DDR	0x80000000-0x801FFFFF (code) 0x80200000-0x803FFFFF (data) 0x80400000-0x80FFFFFF (data2)	0x80000000-0x801FFFFF (code) 0x80200000-0x803FFFFF (data) 0x80400000-0x80FFFFFF (data2)	16MB (DDR)	MIMX8MQ6xxxJZ_cm4_ddr_ram.ld
TCM	0x1FFE0000-0x1FFFFFFF (code) 0x20000000-0x2001FFFF (data) 0x80000000-0x80FFFFFF (data2)	0x007E0000-0x007FFFFF (code) 0x00800000-0x0081FFFF (data) 0x80000000-0x80FFFFFF (data2)	256kB (TCM) + 16MB (DDR)	MIMX8MQ6xxxJZ_cm4_ram.ld

All linker files are locate in the armgcc folder of each demo.

The DDR reserved area must much the one declared in the kernel device tree: at least 2 GB of RAM is required on the SoM to allow Cortex-M4 accessing the range 0x80000000 - 0x80FFFFFF.

The RPMSG area is located at 0xB8000000: at least 3 GB of RAM is required on the SoM to allow Cortex-M4 accessing the RPMSG area. After launching the build_all.sh command the following folder will be created in the armgcc folder

• ddr_debug: containing DDR binaries compiled in debug mode (not stripped: symbols available)
• ddr_release: containing DDR binaries compiled in release mode (stripped: no symbols available)
• debug: containing TCM binaries compiled in debug mode (not stripped: symbols available)
• release: containing TCM binaries compiled in release mode (stripped: no symbols available)

Further details about memory mapping are available in i.MX 8M Applications Processors Reference Manual paragraphs:

• 2.1.2 Cortex-A53 Memory Map
• 2.1.3 Cortex-M4 Memory Map

Variscite Memory types

The SDK allow linking using 2 different memory types: DDR, TCM.

Here is available a short summary of memory areas used by Cortex-M4 as described in related linker file.

memory type	M4 memory area	A53 memory area	memory lentgh	linker file
DDR	0x7E000000-0x7E1FFFFF (code) 0x7E200000-0x7E3FFFFF (data) 0x7E400000-0x7EFFFFFF (data2)	0x7E000000-0x7E1FFFFF (code) 0x7E200000-0x7E3FFFFF (data) 0x7E400000-0x7EFFFFFF (data2)	16MB (DDR)	MIMX8MQ6xxxJZ_cm4_ddr_ram.ld
TCM	0x1FFE0000-0x1FFFFFFF (code) 0x20000000-0x2001FFFF (data) 0x7E000000-0x7EFFFFFF (data2)	0x007E0000-0x007FFFFF (code) 0x00800000-0x0081FFFF (data) 0x7E000000-0x7EFFFFFF (data2)	256kB (TCM) + 16MB (DDR)	MIMX8MQ6xxxJZ_cm4_ram.ld

All linker files are locate in the armgcc folder of each demo.

The DDR reserved area must much the one declared in the kernel device tree: at least 1 GB of RAM is required on the SoM to allow Cortex-M4 accessing the range 0x7E000000 - 0x7EFFFFFF. For some reason, Cortex-M4 is not able to access RAM locations below 0x60000000: SoMs with 512 MB of RAM are not suitable to use Cortex-M4.

The RPMSG area is located at 0x40000000: all SoMs allow Cortex-M4 accessing the RPMSG area.

After launching the build_all.sh command the following folder will be created in the armgcc folder

• ddr_debug: containing DDR binaries compiled in debug mode (not stripped: symbols available)
• ddr_release: containing DDR binaries compiled in release mode (stripped: no symbols available)
• debug: containing TCM binaries compiled in debug mode (not stripped: symbols available)
• release: containing TCM binaries compiled in release mode (stripped: no symbols available)

Further details about memory mapping are available in i.MX 8M Applications Processors Reference Manual paragraphs:

• 2.1.2 Cortex-A53 Memory Map
• 2.1.3 Cortex-M4 Memory Map

JTAG

The VAR-DT8MCustomBoard exports the DART-MX8M JTAG signals through J29, a standard 1.27" 10 pin header.

Here the pinout

pin	signal	description	pin	signal	description
1	JTAG_VREF	JTAG IO reference voltage, connects to SOM_NVCC_3V3.	2	JTAG_TMS	JTAG Mode Select signal
3	GND	Digital Ground	4	JTAG_TCK	JTAG Clock signal, requires 10K pull down.
5	GND	Digital Ground	6	JTAG_TDO	JTAG Data Out signal
7	GND	Digital Ground	8	JTAG_TDI	JTAG Data In signal
9	JTAG_NTRST_C	JTAG Reset signal	10	NRST_CON	Programmer Reset, used to put the SOC in reset state.

Please refer to board schematics for further details.

Releases

mcuxpresso-2.5.1-mx8mq-v1.0

• HARDWARE_NAME = DART-MX8M
• RELEASE_NAME = mcuxpresso-2.5.1-mx8mq-v1.0
• RELEASE_LINK = MCUXPRESSO_2.5.1_V1.0_DART-MX8M
• MCUXPRESSO_VERSION = 2.5.1
• SDK_PATH = ~/var-mcuxpresso
• SDK_GIT_URL = https://github.com/varigit/freertos-variscite
• SDK_GIT_BRANCH = mcuxpresso_sdk_2.5.x-var01
• TOOLCHAIN_URL = https://developer.arm.com/-/media/Files/downloads/gnu-rm/7-2018q2/gcc-arm-none-eabi-7-2018-q2-update-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_BZ2_NAME = gcc-arm-none-eabi-7-2018-q2-update-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_FOLDER = gcc-arm-none-eabi-7-2018-q2-update
• BOARD_FOLDER = boards/dart_mx8mq
• DOCS_FOLDER = docs
• PINS_SECTION = DART-MX8M_PINS_SECTION
• DEMOS_SECTION = DART-MX8M_DEMOS_SECTION
• DTBS_SECTION = DART-MX8M_DTBS_SECTION
• MEMORY_TYPES_SECTION = DART-MX8M_MEMORY-TYPES_NXP_SECTION
• JTAG_SECTION = DART-MX8M_JTAG_SECTION
• NXP_USER_GUIDE = Getting Started with MCUXpresso SDK i.MX 8M Devices.pdf
• NXP_REFERENCE_KIT = EVK-MIMX8MQ

mcuxpresso-2.5.1-mx8mq-v1.1

   *HARDWARE_NAME = DART-MX8M

• RELEASE_NAME = mcuxpresso-2.5.1-mx8mq-v1.1
• RELEASE_LINK = MCUXPRESSO_2.5.1_V1.1_DART-MX8M
• MCUXPRESSO_VERSION = 2.5.1
• SDK_PATH = ~/var-mcuxpresso
• SDK_GIT_URL = https://github.com/varigit/freertos-variscite
• SDK_GIT_BRANCH = mcuxpresso_sdk_2.5.x-var01
• TOOLCHAIN_URL = https://developer.arm.com/-/media/Files/downloads/gnu-rm/7-2018q2/gcc-arm-none-eabi-7-2018-q2-update-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_BZ2_NAME = gcc-arm-none-eabi-7-2018-q2-update-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_FOLDER = gcc-arm-none-eabi-7-2018-q2-update
• BOARD_FOLDER = boards/dart_mx8mq
• DOCS_FOLDER = docs
• PINS_SECTION = DART-MX8M_PINS_SECTION
• DEMOS_SECTION = DART-MX8M_DEMOS_SECTION
• DTBS_SECTION = DART-MX8M_DTBS_SECTION
• MEMORY_TYPES_SECTION = DART-MX8M_MEMORY-TYPES_VAR_SECTION
• JTAG_SECTION = DART-MX8M_JTAG_SECTION
• NXP_USER_GUIDE = Getting Started with MCUXpresso SDK i.MX 8M Devices.pdf
• NXP_REFERENCE_KIT = EVK-MIMX8MQ

mcuxpresso-2.8.0-mx8mq-v1.0

 *HARDWARE_NAME = DART-MX8M

• RELEASE_NAME = mcuxpresso-2.8.0-mx8mq-v1.0
• RELEASE_LINK = MCUXPRESSO_2.8.0_V1.0_DART-MX8M
• MCUXPRESSO_VERSION = 2.8.0
• SDK_PATH = ~/var-mcuxpresso
• SDK_GIT_URL = https://github.com/varigit/freertos-variscite
• SDK_GIT_BRANCH = mcuxpresso_sdk_2.8.x-var01
• TOOLCHAIN_URL = https://developer.arm.com/-/media/Files/downloads/gnu-rm/9-2020q2/gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update-x86_64-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_BZ2_NAME = gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update-x86_64-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_FOLDER = gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update
• BOARD_FOLDER = boards/dart_mx8mq
• DOCS_FOLDER = docs
• PINS_SECTION = DART-MX8M_PINS_SECTION
• DEMOS_SECTION = DART-MX8M_DEMOS_SECTION
• DTBS_SECTION = DART-MX8M_DTBS_SECTION
• MEMORY_TYPES_SECTION = DART-MX8M_MEMORY-TYPES_VAR_SECTION
• JTAG_SECTION = DART-MX8M_JTAG_SECTION
• NXP_USER_GUIDE = Getting Started with MCUXpresso SDK for EVK-MIMX8MQ.pdf
• NXP_REFERENCE_KIT = EVK-MIMX8MQ

mcuxpresso-2.9.0-mx8mq-v1.0

 *HARDWARE_NAME = DART-MX8M

• RELEASE_NAME = mcuxpresso-2.9.0-mx8mq-v1.0
• RELEASE_LINK = MCUXPRESSO_2.9.0_V1.0_DART-MX8M
• MCUXPRESSO_VERSION = 2.9.0
• SDK_PATH = ~/var-mcuxpresso
• SDK_GIT_URL = https://github.com/varigit/freertos-variscite
• SDK_GIT_BRANCH = mcuxpresso_sdk_2.9.x-var01
• TOOLCHAIN_URL = https://developer.arm.com/-/media/Files/downloads/gnu-rm/9-2020q2/gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update-x86_64-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_BZ2_NAME = gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update-x86_64-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_FOLDER = gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update
• BOARD_FOLDER = boards/dart_mx8mq
• DOCS_FOLDER = docs
• PINS_SECTION = DART-MX8M_PINS_SECTION
• DEMOS_SECTION = DART-MX8M_DEMOS_SECTION
• DTBS_SECTION = DART-MX8M_DTBS_SECTION
• MEMORY_TYPES_SECTION = DART-MX8M_MEMORY-TYPES_VAR_SECTION
• JTAG_SECTION = DART-MX8M_JTAG_SECTION
• NXP_USER_GUIDE = Getting Started with MCUXpresso SDK for EVK-MIMX8MQ.pdf
• NXP_REFERENCE_KIT = EVK-MIMX8MQ
• YOCTO_RELEASE_TAG = dunfell-fslc-5.4-2.1.x-mx8mq-v1.0

mcuxpresso-2.10.0-mx8mq-v1.0

 *HARDWARE_NAME = DART-MX8M

• RELEASE_NAME = mcuxpresso-2.10.0-mx8mq-v1.0
• RELEASE_LINK = MCUXPRESSO_2.10.0_V1.0_DART-MX8M
• MCUXPRESSO_VERSION = 2.10.0
• SDK_PATH = ~/var-mcuxpresso
• SDK_GIT_URL = https://github.com/varigit/freertos-variscite
• SDK_GIT_BRANCH = mcuxpresso_sdk_2.10.x-var01
• TOOLCHAIN_URL = https://developer.arm.com/-/media/Files/downloads/gnu-rm/10-2020q4/gcc-arm-none-eabi-10-2020-q4-major-x86_64-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_BZ2_NAME = gcc-arm-none-eabi-10-2020-q4-major-x86_64-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_FOLDER = gcc-arm-none-eabi-10-2020-q4-major
• BOARD_FOLDER = boards/dart_mx8mq
• DOCS_FOLDER = docs
• PINS_SECTION = DART-MX8M_PINS_SECTION
• DEMOS_SECTION = DART-MX8M_DEMOS_SECTION
• DTBS_SECTION = DART-MX8M_DTBS_SECTION
• MEMORY_TYPES_SECTION = DART-MX8M_MEMORY-TYPES_VAR_SECTION
• JTAG_SECTION = DART-MX8M_JTAG_SECTION
• NXP_USER_GUIDE = Getting Started with MCUXpresso SDK for EVK-MIMX8MQ.pdf
• NXP_REFERENCE_KIT = EVK-MIMX8MQ
• YOCTO_RELEASE_TAG = dunfell-fslc-5.4-2.1.x-mx8mq-v1.3

DART-MX8M-MINI

Sections

Available dtbs

To allow Cortex M4 accessing shared resources without experiencing Linux kernel conflicts, a dedicated device tree must be loaded, containing m4 label in the name, using the fdt_file environment variable in U-Boot.

This device tree disables some of the base device tree nodes in order to avoid conflicts between the main processor and Cortex M4.

File Name	Description
imx8mm-var-dart-dt8mcustomboard-m4.dtb	DART-MX8M-MINI device tree blob for kernel >= 5.4.74 (Yocto Dunfell)
imx8mm-var-dart-m4.dtb	DART-MX8M-MINI device tree blob for kernel 5.4.3 (Yocto Zeus) on SOM rev. > 1.0
fsl-imx8mm-var-dart-m4.dtb	DART-MX8M-MINI device tree blob for in kernels < 5.4.3 on SOM rev. > 1.0
imx8mm-var-som-symphony-m4.dtb	VAR-SOM-MX8M-MINI device tree blob for kernel >= 5.4.74 (Yocto Dunfell) on Symphony-Board 1.4a and above
imx8mm-var-som-symphony-legacy-m4.dtb	VAR-SOM-MX8M-MINI device tree blob for kernel >= 5.4.74 (Yocto Dunfell) on Symphony-Board 1.4 and below
imx8mm-var-som-m4.dtb	VAR-SOM-MX8M-MINI device tree blob for kernel 5.4.3 (Yocto Zeus) on SOM rev. > 1.0
imx8mm-var-som-rev10-m4.dtb	VAR-SOM-MX8M-MINI device tree blob for kernel 5.4.3 (Yocto Zeus) on SOM rev. 1.0
fsl-imx8mm-var-som-m4.dtb	VAR-SOM-MX8M-MINI device tree blob for in kernels < 5.4.3 on SOM rev. > 1.0
fsl-imx8mm-var-som-rev10-m4.dtb	VAR-SOM-MX8M-MINI device tree blob for in kernels < 5.4.3 on SOM rev. 1.0

Default M4 pins

Default M4 pins used by the demos are:

function	pin
debug UART (UART2)	RX: J12.6 / TX: J12.4
GPIO (GPIO4_IO03)	LED7
I2C (I2C4)	SCL: J12.17 / SDA: J12.19
PWM (PWM2)	J14.3

Default M4 pins v2

Default M4 pins used by the demos are:

function	SoC balls	DART-MX8M-MINI pins	DT8MCB pins	VAR-SOM-MX8M-MINI pins	Symphony pins	notes
UART3 RX/TX	E18 / D18	J2.87 / J2.89	J12.11 / J12.13	J1.175 / J1.124	J18.5 / J18.3
GPIO4_IO03	AF15	J2.59	GPLED1	J1.84	J17.3
I2C4 SCL/SDA	D13 / E13	J1.17 / J1.19	J12.17/ J12.19	J1.174 / J1.176	J16.10 / J16.12
PWM3	AF9	J3.36	J14.7	J1.69	J18.2
SPI1 CS0/SCK/SDI/SDO	B6 / D6 / A7 / B7	J2.79 / J2.77 / J2.81 / J2.83	J16.4/ J16.2 / J16.8 / J16.6	J1.39 / J1.43 / J1.41 / J1.45	J16.4/ J16.2 / J16.6 / J16.8	enablind it SPI devices will be no longer visible from Linux

Available Demos

• driver_examples/i2c/interrupt_b2b_transfer/slave
• driver_examples/i2c/interrupt_b2b_transfer/master
• driver_examples/i2c/polling_b2b_transfer/slave
• driver_examples/i2c/polling_b2b_transfer/master
• driver_examples/wdog
• driver_examples/sdma/scatter_gather
• driver_examples/sdma/memory_to_memory
• driver_examples/gpio/led_output (only for 1.x DT8CustomBoard)
• driver_examples/pwm
• driver_examples/uart/auto_baudrate_detect
• driver_examples/uart/interrupt
• driver_examples/uart/idle_detect_sdma_transfer
• driver_examples/uart/interrupt_rb_transfer
• driver_examples/uart/sdma_transfer
• driver_examples/uart/polling
• driver_examples/uart/interrupt_transfer
• driver_examples/gpt/timer
• driver_examples/gpt/capture
• driver_examples/ecspi/ecspi_loopback
• driver_examples/ecspi/interrupt_b2b_transfer/slave
• driver_examples/ecspi/interrupt_b2b_transfer/master
• driver_examples/ecspi/polling_b2b_transfer/slave
• driver_examples/ecspi/polling_b2b_transfer/master
• driver_examples/rdc
• driver_examples/tmu_1/monitor_threshold
• driver_examples/tmu_1/temperature_polling
• driver_examples/sema4/uboot
• rtos_examples/freertos_ecspi/ecspi_loopback
• rtos_examples/freertos_hello
• rtos_examples/freertos_queue
• rtos_examples/freertos_sem
• rtos_examples/freertos_generic
• rtos_examples/freertos_uart
• rtos_examples/freertos_tickless
• rtos_examples/freertos_mutex
• rtos_examples/freertos_event
• rtos_examples/freertos_swtimer
• rtos_examples/freertos_i2c
• cmsis_driver_examples/i2c/int_b2b_transfer/slave
• cmsis_driver_examples/i2c/int_b2b_transfer/master
• cmsis_driver_examples/uart/sdma_transfer
• cmsis_driver_examples/uart/interrupt_transfer
• cmsis_driver_examples/ecspi/int_loopback_transfer
• cmsis_driver_examples/ecspi/sdma_loopback_transfer
• multicore_examples/rpmsg_lite_str_echo_rtos
• multicore_examples/rpmsg_lite_pingpong_rtos/linux_remote
• demo_apps/hello_world

Variscite Memory types

The SDK allow linking using 2 different memory types: DDR, TCM.

Here is available a short summary of memory areas used by Cortex-M4 as described in related linker file.

memory type	M4 memory area	A53 memory area	memory lentgh	linker file
DDR	0x7E000000-0x7E1FFFFF (code) 0x7E200000-0x7E3FFFFF (data) 0x7E400000-0x7EFFFFFF (data2)	0x7E000000-0x7E1FFFFF (code) 0x7E200000-0x7E3FFFFF (data) 0x7E400000-0x7EFFFFFF (data2)	16MB (DDR)	MIMX8MM6xxxxx_cm4_ddr_ram.ld
TCM	0x1FFE0000-0x1FFFFFFF (code) 0x20000000-0x2001FFFF (data) 0x7E000000-0x7EFFFFFF (data2)	0x007E0000-0x007FFFFF (code) 0x00800000-0x0081FFFF (data) 0x7E000000-0x7EFFFFFF (data2)	256kB (TCM) + 16MB (DDR)	MIMX8MM6xxxxx_cm4_ram.ld

All linker files are locate in the armgcc folder of each demo.

The DDR reserved area must much the one declared in the kernel device tree: at least 1 GB of RAM is required on the SoM to allow Cortex-M4 accessing the range 0x7E000000 - 0x7EFFFFFF. For some reason, Cortex-M4 is not able to access RAM locations below 0x60000000: SoMs with 512 MB of RAM are not suitable to use Cortex-M4.

The RPMSG area is located at 0x40000000: all SoMs allow Cortex-M4 accessing the RPMSG area.

After launching the build_all.sh command the following folder will be created in the armgcc folder

• ddr_debug: containing DDR binaries compiled in debug mode (not stripped: symbols available)
• ddr_release: containing DDR binaries compiled in release mode (stripped: no symbols available)
• debug: containing TCM binaries compiled in debug mode (not stripped: symbols available)
• release: containing TCM binaries compiled in release mode (stripped: no symbols available)

Further details about memory mapping are available in i.MX 8M-Mini Applications Processors Reference Manual paragraphs:

• 2.1.2 Cortex-A53 Memory Map
• 2.1.3 Cortex-M4 Memory Map

Releases

mcuxpresso-2.5.0-mx8mm-v1.0

• HARDWARE_NAME = DART-MX8M-MINI
• RELEASE_NAME = mcuxpresso-2.5.0-mx8mm-v1.0
• RELEASE_LINK = MCUXPRESSO_2.5.0_V1.0_DART-MX8M-MINI
• MCUXPRESSO_VERSION = 2.5.0
• SDK_PATH = ~/var-mcuxpresso
• SDK_GIT_URL = https://github.com/varigit/freertos-variscite
• SDK_GIT_BRANCH = mcuxpresso_sdk_2.5.x-var01
• TOOLCHAIN_URL = https://developer.arm.com/-/media/Files/downloads/gnu-rm/7-2018q2/gcc-arm-none-eabi-7-2018-q2-update-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_BZ2_NAME = gcc-arm-none-eabi-7-2018-q2-update-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_FOLDER = gcc-arm-none-eabi-7-2018-q2-update
• BOARD_FOLDER = boards/dart_mx8mm
• DOCS_FOLDER = docs
• PINS_SECTION = DART-MX8M-MINI_PINS_SECTION
• DEMOS_SECTION = DART-MX8M-MINI_DEMOS_SECTION
• DTBS_SECTION = DART-MX8M-MINI_DTBS_SECTION
• MEMORY_TYPES_SECTION = DART-MX8M-MINI_MEMORY-TYPES_VAR_SECTION
• JTAG_SECTION = DART-MX8M_JTAG_SECTION
• NXP_USER_GUIDE = Getting Started with MCUXpresso SDK for i.MX 8M Mini.pdf
• NXP_REFERENCE_KIT = EVK-MIMX8MM

mcuxpresso-2.5.0-mx8mm-v1.1

   *HARDWARE_NAME = DART-MX8M-MINI

• RELEASE_NAME = mcuxpresso-2.5.0-mx8mm-v1.1
• RELEASE_LINK = MCUXPRESSO_2.5.0_V1.1_DART-MX8M-MINI
• MCUXPRESSO_VERSION = 2.5.0
• SDK_PATH = ~/var-mcuxpresso
• SDK_GIT_URL = https://github.com/varigit/freertos-variscite
• SDK_GIT_BRANCH = mcuxpresso_sdk_2.5.x-var01
• TOOLCHAIN_URL = https://developer.arm.com/-/media/Files/downloads/gnu-rm/7-2018q2/gcc-arm-none-eabi-7-2018-q2-update-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_BZ2_NAME = gcc-arm-none-eabi-7-2018-q2-update-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_FOLDER = gcc-arm-none-eabi-7-2018-q2-update
• BOARD_FOLDER = boards/dart_mx8mm
• DOCS_FOLDER = docs
• PINS_SECTION = DART-MX8M-MINI_PINS_SECTION_V2
• DEMOS_SECTION = DART-MX8M-MINI_DEMOS_SECTION
• DTBS_SECTION = DART-MX8M-MINI_DTBS_SECTION
• MEMORY_TYPES_SECTION = DART-MX8M-MINI_MEMORY-TYPES_VAR_SECTION
• JTAG_SECTION = DART-MX8M_JTAG_SECTION
• NXP_USER_GUIDE = Getting Started with MCUXpresso SDK for i.MX 8M Mini.pdf
• NXP_REFERENCE_KIT = EVK-MIMX8MM

mcuxpresso-2.8.0-mx8mm-v1.0

   *HARDWARE_NAME = DART-MX8M-MINI

• RELEASE_NAME = mcuxpresso-2.8.0-mx8mm-v1.0
• RELEASE_LINK = MCUXPRESSO_2.8.0_V1.0_DART-MX8M-MINI
• MCUXPRESSO_VERSION = 2.8.0
• SDK_PATH = ~/var-mcuxpresso
• SDK_GIT_URL = https://github.com/varigit/freertos-variscite
• SDK_GIT_BRANCH = mcuxpresso_sdk_2.8.x-var01
• TOOLCHAIN_URL = https://developer.arm.com/-/media/Files/downloads/gnu-rm/9-2020q2/gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update-x86_64-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_BZ2_NAME = gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update-x86_64-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_FOLDER = gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update
• BOARD_FOLDER = boards/dart_mx8mm
• DOCS_FOLDER = docs
• PINS_SECTION = DART-MX8M-MINI_PINS_SECTION_V2
• DEMOS_SECTION = DART-MX8M-MINI_DEMOS_SECTION
• DTBS_SECTION = DART-MX8M-MINI_DTBS_SECTION
• MEMORY_TYPES_SECTION = DART-MX8M-MINI_MEMORY-TYPES_VAR_SECTION
• JTAG_SECTION = DART-MX8M_JTAG_SECTION
• NXP_USER_GUIDE = Getting Started with MCUXpresso SDK for EVK-MIMX8MM.pdf
• NXP_REFERENCE_KIT = EVK-MIMX8MM

mcuxpresso-2.9.0-mx8mm-v1.0

   *HARDWARE_NAME = DART-MX8M-MINI

• RELEASE_NAME = mcuxpresso-2.9.0-mx8mm-v1.0
• RELEASE_LINK = MCUXPRESSO_2.9.0_V1.0_DART-MX8M-MINI
• MCUXPRESSO_VERSION = 2.9.0
• SDK_PATH = ~/var-mcuxpresso
• SDK_GIT_URL = https://github.com/varigit/freertos-variscite
• SDK_GIT_BRANCH = mcuxpresso_sdk_2.9.x-var01
• TOOLCHAIN_URL = https://developer.arm.com/-/media/Files/downloads/gnu-rm/9-2020q2/gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update-x86_64-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_BZ2_NAME = gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update-x86_64-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_FOLDER = gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update
• BOARD_FOLDER = boards/dart_mx8mm
• DOCS_FOLDER = docs
• PINS_SECTION = DART-MX8M-MINI_PINS_SECTION_V2
• DEMOS_SECTION = DART-MX8M-MINI_DEMOS_SECTION
• DTBS_SECTION = DART-MX8M-MINI_DTBS_SECTION
• MEMORY_TYPES_SECTION = DART-MX8M-MINI_MEMORY-TYPES_VAR_SECTION
• JTAG_SECTION = DART-MX8M_JTAG_SECTION
• NXP_USER_GUIDE = Getting Started with MCUXpresso SDK for EVK-MIMX8MM.pdf
• NXP_REFERENCE_KIT = EVK-MIMX8MM
• YOCTO_RELEASE_TAG = dunfell-fslc-5.4-2.1.x-mx8mm-v1.1

mcuxpresso-2.10.0-mx8mm-v1.0

   *HARDWARE_NAME = DART-MX8M-MINI

• RELEASE_NAME = mcuxpresso-2.10.0-mx8mm-v1.0
• RELEASE_LINK = MCUXPRESSO_2.10.0_V1.0_DART-MX8M-MINI
• MCUXPRESSO_VERSION = 2.10.0
• SDK_PATH = ~/var-mcuxpresso
• SDK_GIT_URL = https://github.com/varigit/freertos-variscite
• SDK_GIT_BRANCH = mcuxpresso_sdk_2.10.x-var01
• TOOLCHAIN_URL = https://developer.arm.com/-/media/Files/downloads/gnu-rm/10-2020q4/gcc-arm-none-eabi-10-2020-q4-major-x86_64-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_BZ2_NAME = gcc-arm-none-eabi-10-2020-q4-major-x86_64-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_FOLDER = gcc-arm-none-eabi-10-2020-q4-major
• BOARD_FOLDER = boards/dart_mx8mm
• BOARD_SDK = dart_mx8mm
• DEACTIVATE_LMEM_CACHE = 0001-iMX8M-MINI-deactivated-the-LMEM-caches-to-debug-in-e.patch
• DOCS_FOLDER = docs
• PINS_SECTION = DART-MX8M-MINI_PINS_SECTION_V2
• DEMOS_SECTION = DART-MX8M-MINI_DEMOS_SECTION
• DTBS_SECTION = DART-MX8M-MINI_DTBS_SECTION
• MEMORY_TYPES_SECTION = DART-MX8M-MINI_MEMORY-TYPES_VAR_SECTION
• JTAG_SECTION = DART-MX8M_JTAG_SECTION
• NXP_USER_GUIDE = Getting Started with MCUXpresso SDK for EVK-MIMX8MM.pdf
• NXP_REFERENCE_KIT = EVK-MIMX8MM
• YOCTO_RELEASE_TAG = hardknott-fslc-5.4-2.3.x-mx8mm-v1.0

VAR-SOM-MX8M-NANO

Sections

Available dtbs

To allow Cortex M7 accessing shared resources without experiencing Linux kernel conflicts, a dedicated device tree must be loaded, containing m7 label in the name, using the fdt_file environment variable in U-Boot.

File Name	Description
imx8mn-var-som-symphony-m7.dtb	VAR-SOM-MX8M-NANO device tree blob for kernel >= 5.4.74 (Yocto Dunfell) on Symphony-Board 1.4a and above
imx8mn-var-som-symphony-legacy-m7.dtb	VAR-SOM-MX8M-NANO device tree blob for kernel >= 5.4.74 (Yocto Dunfell) on Symphony-Board 1.4 and below
imx8mn-var-som-m7.dtb	VAR-SOM-MX8M-NANO device tree blob for kernel 5.4.3 - 5.4.24 (Yocto Zeus) on som rev > 1.0
imx8mn-var-som-rev10-m7.dtb	VAR-SOM-MX8M-NANO device tree blob for kernel 5.4.3 - 5.4.24 (Yocto Zeus) on som rev 1.0
fsl-imx8mn-var-som-m7.dtb	VAR-SOM-MX8M-NANO device tree blob for kernel < 5.4.3 on som rev > 1.0
fsl-imx8mn-var-som-rev10-m7.dtb	VAR-SOM-MX8M-NANO device tree blob for kernel < 5.4.3 on som rev 1.0

This device tree disables some of the base device tree nodes in order to avoid conflicts between the main processor and Cortex M7.

Default M7 pins

Default M7 pins used by the demos are:

function	SoC balls	VAR-SOM-MX8M-NANO pins	Symphony pins	notes
UART3 RX/TX	E18 / D18	J1.175 / J1.124	J18.5 / J18.3
GPIO4_IO23	AC24	J1.21	J16.5
I2C4 SCL/SDA	D13 / E13	J1.174 / J1.176	J16.10 / J16.12
PWM3	AF9	J1.69	J18.2
SPI1 CS0/SCK/SDI/SDO	B6 / D6 / A7 / B7	J1.39 / J1.43 / J1.41 / J1.45	J16.4/ J16.2 / J16.6 / J16.8	enablind it SPI devices will be no longer visible from Linux

Available Demos

• driver_examples/i2c/interrupt_b2b_transfer/slave
• driver_examples/i2c/interrupt_b2b_transfer/master
• driver_examples/i2c/polling_b2b_transfer/slave
• driver_examples/i2c/polling_b2b_transfer/master
• driver_examples/wdog
• driver_examples/sdma/scatter_gather
• driver_examples/sdma/memory_to_memory
• driver_examples/gpio/led_output
• driver_examples/pwm
• driver_examples/uart/auto_baudrate_detect
• driver_examples/uart/interrupt
• driver_examples/uart/idle_detect_sdma_transfer
• driver_examples/uart/interrupt_rb_transfer
• driver_examples/uart/sdma_transfer
• driver_examples/uart/polling
• driver_examples/uart/interrupt_transfer
• driver_examples/gpt/timer
• driver_examples/gpt/capture
• driver_examples/ecspi/ecspi_loopback
• driver_examples/ecspi/interrupt_b2b_transfer/slave
• driver_examples/ecspi/interrupt_b2b_transfer/master
• driver_examples/ecspi/polling_b2b_transfer/slave
• driver_examples/ecspi/polling_b2b_transfer/master
• driver_examples/rdc
• driver_examples/tmu_1/monitor_threshold
• driver_examples/tmu_1/temperature_polling
• driver_examples/sema4/uboot
• rtos_examples/freertos_ecspi/ecspi_loopback
• rtos_examples/freertos_hello
• rtos_examples/freertos_queue
• rtos_examples/freertos_sem
• rtos_examples/freertos_generic
• rtos_examples/freertos_uart
• rtos_examples/freertos_tickless
• rtos_examples/freertos_mutex
• rtos_examples/freertos_event
• rtos_examples/freertos_swtimer
• rtos_examples/freertos_i2c
• cmsis_driver_examples/i2c/int_b2b_transfer/slave
• cmsis_driver_examples/i2c/int_b2b_transfer/master
• cmsis_driver_examples/uart/sdma_transfer
• cmsis_driver_examples/uart/interrupt_transfer
• cmsis_driver_examples/ecspi/int_loopback_transfer
• cmsis_driver_examples/ecspi/sdma_loopback_transfer
• multicore_examples/rpmsg_lite_str_echo_rtos
• multicore_examples/rpmsg_lite_pingpong_rtos/linux_remote
• demo_apps/hello_world

Memory types

The SDK allow linking using 2 different memory types: DDR, TCM.

Here is available a short summary of memory areas used by Cortex-M7 as described in related linker file.

memory type	M7 memory area	A53 memory area	memory lentgh	linker file
DDR	0x7E000000-0x7E1FFFFF (code) 0x7E200000-0x7E3FFFFF (data) 0x7E400000-0x7EFFFFFF (data2)	0x7E000000-0x7E1FFFFF (code) 0x7E200000-0x7E3FFFFF (data) 0x7E400000-0x7EFFFFFF (data2)	16MB (DDR)	MIMX8MN6xxxxx_cm7_ddr_ram.ld
TCM	0x00000000-0x0001FFFF (code) 0x20000000-0x2001FFFF (data) 0x7E000000-0x7EFFFFFF (data2)	0x007E0000-0x007FFFFF (code) 0x00800000-0x0081FFFF (data) 0x7E000000-0x7EFFFFFF (data2)	256kB (TCM) + 16MB (DDR)	MIMX8MN6xxxxx_cm7_ram.ld

All linker files are locate in the armgcc folder of each demo.

The DDR reserved area must much the one declared in the kernel device tree: at least 1 GB of RAM is required on the SoM to allow Cortex-M7 accessing the range 0x7E000000 - 0x7EFFFFFF. For some reason, Cortex-M7 is not able to access RAM locations below 0x60000000: SoMs with 512 MB of RAM are not suitable to use Cortex-M7.

The RPMSG area is located at 0x40000000: all SoMs allow Cortex-M7 accessing the RPMSG area.

After launching the build_all.sh command the following folder will be created in the armgcc folder

• ddr_debug: containing DDR binaries compiled in debug mode (not stripped: symbols available)
• ddr_release: containing DDR binaries compiled in release mode (stripped: no symbols available)
• debug: containing TCM binaries compiled in debug mode (not stripped: symbols available)
• release: containing TCM binaries compiled in release mode (stripped: no symbols available)

Further details about memory mapping are available in i.MX 8M Applications Processors Reference Manual paragraphs:

• 2.1.2 Cortex-A53 Memory Map
• 2.1.3 Cortex-M7 Memory Map

JTAG

VAR-SOM-MX8M-NANO exposes JTAG signals on a header (not assembled by default) on the SOM top left side.

Here the pinout

pin	signal	description	pin	signal	description
1	JTAG_VREF	JTAG IO reference voltage, connected to SOM_3V3_PER via 150 Ohm.	2	JTAG_TMS	JTAG Mode Select signal
3	GND	Digital Ground	4	JTAG_TCK	JTAG Clock signal, include PD of 8.2K Ohm.
5	GND	Digital Ground	6	JTAG_TDO	JTAG Data Out signal
7	GND	Digital Ground	8	JTAG_TDI	JTAG Data In signal
9	JTAG_TRST_B	JTAG Reset signal, active low signal	10	POR_B	Programmer Reset, used to put the SOC in reset state.

Please refer to SoM datasheet for further details.

Releases

mcuxpresso-2.7.0-mx8mn-v1.0

   *HARDWARE_NAME = VAR-SOM-MX8M-NANO

• SOC_HAS_M7 = true
• RELEASE_NAME = mcuxpresso-2.7.0-mx8mn-v1.0
• RELEASE_LINK = MCUXPRESSO_2.7.0_V1.0_VAR-SOM-MX8M-NANO
• MCUXPRESSO_VERSION = 2.7.0
• SDK_PATH = ~/var-mcuxpresso
• SDK_GIT_URL = https://github.com/varigit/freertos-variscite
• SDK_GIT_BRANCH = mcuxpresso_sdk_2.7.x-var01
• TOOLCHAIN_URL = https://developer.arm.com/-/media/Files/downloads/gnu-rm/8-2019q3/RC1.1/gcc-arm-none-eabi-8-2019-q3-update-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_BZ2_NAME = gcc-arm-none-eabi-8-2019-q3-update-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_FOLDER = gcc-arm-none-eabi-8-2019-q3-update
• BOARD_FOLDER = boards/som_mx8mn
• DOCS_FOLDER = docs
• PINS_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8M-NANO_PINS_SECTION
• DEMOS_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8M-NANO_DEMOS_SECTION
• DTBS_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8M-NANO_DTBS_SECTION
• MEMORY_TYPES_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8MN_MEMORY-TYPES
• JTAG_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8MN_JTAG_SECTION
• NXP_USER_GUIDE = Getting Started with MCUXpresso SDK for EVK-MIMX8MN.pdf
• NXP_REFERENCE_KIT = EVK-MIMX8MN

mcuxpresso-2.8.0-mx8mn-v1.0

 *HARDWARE_NAME = VAR-SOM-MX8M-NANO

• SOC_HAS_M7 = true
• RELEASE_NAME = mcuxpresso-2.8.0-mx8mn-v1.0
• RELEASE_LINK = MCUXPRESSO_2.8.0_V1.0_VAR-SOM-MX8M-NANO
• MCUXPRESSO_VERSION = 2.8.0
• SDK_PATH = ~/var-mcuxpresso
• SDK_GIT_URL = https://github.com/varigit/freertos-variscite
• SDK_GIT_BRANCH = mcuxpresso_sdk_2.8.x-var01
• TOOLCHAIN_URL = https://developer.arm.com/-/media/Files/downloads/gnu-rm/9-2020q2/gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update-x86_64-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_BZ2_NAME = gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update-x86_64-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_FOLDER = gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update
• BOARD_FOLDER = boards/som_mx8mn
• DOCS_FOLDER = docs
• PINS_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8M-NANO_PINS_SECTION
• DEMOS_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8M-NANO_DEMOS_SECTION
• DTBS_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8M-NANO_DTBS_SECTION
• MEMORY_TYPES_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8MN_MEMORY-TYPES
• JTAG_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8MN_JTAG_SECTION
• NXP_USER_GUIDE = Getting Started with MCUXpresso SDK for EVK-MIMX8MN.pdf
• NXP_REFERENCE_KIT = EVK-MIMX8MN

mcuxpresso-2.9.0-mx8mn-v1.0

 *HARDWARE_NAME = VAR-SOM-MX8M-NANO

• SOC_HAS_M7 = true
• RELEASE_NAME = mcuxpresso-2.9.0-mx8mn-v1.0
• RELEASE_LINK = MCUXPRESSO_2.9.0_V1.0_VAR-SOM-MX8M-NANO
• MCUXPRESSO_VERSION = 2.9.0
• SDK_PATH = ~/var-mcuxpresso
• SDK_GIT_URL = https://github.com/varigit/freertos-variscite
• SDK_GIT_BRANCH = mcuxpresso_sdk_2.9.x-var01
• TOOLCHAIN_URL = https://developer.arm.com/-/media/Files/downloads/gnu-rm/9-2020q2/gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update-x86_64-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_BZ2_NAME = gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update-x86_64-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_FOLDER = gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update
• BOARD_FOLDER = boards/som_mx8mn
• DOCS_FOLDER = docs
• PINS_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8M-NANO_PINS_SECTION
• DEMOS_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8M-NANO_DEMOS_SECTION
• DTBS_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8M-NANO_DTBS_SECTION
• MEMORY_TYPES_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8MN_MEMORY-TYPES
• JTAG_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8MN_JTAG_SECTION
• NXP_USER_GUIDE = Getting Started with MCUXpresso SDK for EVK-MIMX8MN.pdf
• NXP_REFERENCE_KIT = EVK-MIMX8MN
• YOCTO_RELEASE_TAG = dunfell-fslc-5.4-2.1.x-mx8mn-v1.1

mcuxpresso-2.10.0-mx8mn-v1.0

 *HARDWARE_NAME = VAR-SOM-MX8M-NANO

• SOC_HAS_M7 = true
• RELEASE_NAME = mcuxpresso-2.10.0-mx8mn-v1.0
• RELEASE_LINK = MCUXPRESSO_2.10.0_V1.0_VAR-SOM-MX8M-NANO
• MCUXPRESSO_VERSION = 2.10.0
• SDK_PATH = ~/var-mcuxpresso
• SDK_GIT_URL = https://github.com/varigit/freertos-variscite
• SDK_GIT_BRANCH = mcuxpresso_sdk_2.10.x-var01
• TOOLCHAIN_URL = https://developer.arm.com/-/media/Files/downloads/gnu-rm/10-2020q4/gcc-arm-none-eabi-10-2020-q4-major-x86_64-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_BZ2_NAME = gcc-arm-none-eabi-10-2020-q4-major-x86_64-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_FOLDER = gcc-arm-none-eabi-10-2020-q4-major
• BOARD_FOLDER = boards/som_mx8mn
• DOCS_FOLDER = docs
• PINS_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8M-NANO_PINS_SECTION
• DEMOS_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8M-NANO_DEMOS_SECTION
• DTBS_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8M-NANO_DTBS_SECTION
• MEMORY_TYPES_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8MN_MEMORY-TYPES
• JTAG_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8MN_JTAG_SECTION
• NXP_USER_GUIDE = Getting Started with MCUXpresso SDK for EVK-MIMX8MN.pdf
• NXP_REFERENCE_KIT = EVK-MIMX8MN
• YOCTO_RELEASE_TAG = dunfell-fslc-5.4-2.1.x-mx8mn-v1.5

DART-MX8M-PLUS

Sections

Available dtbs

To allow Cortex M7 accessing shared resources without experiencing Linux kernel conflicts, a dedicated device tree must be loaded, containing m7 label in the name, using the fdt_file environment variable in U-Boot.

This device tree disables some of the base device tree nodes in order to avoid conflicts between the main processor and Cortex M7.

File Name	Description
imx8mp-var-dart-dt8customboard-m7.dtb	DART-MX8M-PLUS device tree blob for kernel >= 5.4.70 (Yocto Zeus) on DT8MCustomBoard 2.x
imx8mp-var-dart-dt8mcustomboard-legacy-m7.dtb	DART-MX8M-PLUS device tree blob for kernel >= 5.4.70 (Yocto Zeus) on on DT8MCustomBoard 1.x
imx8mp-var-som-symphony-m7.dtb	VAR-SOM-MX8M-PLUS device tree blob for kernels >= 5.4.70 (Yocto Zeus) on on Symphony-Board
imx8mp-var-som-symphony-2nd-ov5640m7.dtb	VAR-SOM-MX8M-PLUS device tree blob for kernels >= 5.4.70 (Yocto Zeus) on on Symphony-Board with 2nd OV5640

Default M7 pins v1

Default M7 pins used by the demos are:

function	SoC balls	DART-MX8M-PLUS pins	DT8MCB pins	VAR-SOM-MX8M-PLUS pins	Symphony pins	notes
UART3 RX/TX	AE6 / AJ4	J2.87 / J2.89	J12.11 / J12.13
UART4 RX/TX	AH5 / AJ5			J1.115 / J1.171	J18.9 / J18.7
GPIO3_IO14	R26			J1.79	J17.10
GPIO4_IO03	AF10	J2.59	GPLED1
I2C3 SCL/SDA	AJ7 / AJ6	J3.46 / J3.42	J12.18/ J12.20
I2C4 SCL/SDA	AF8 / AD8			J1.92 / J1.90	J16.13 / J16.15	enabling it SPI devices will be no longer visible from Linux
PWM2	D8			J1.69	J18.2
PWM3	AE18	J3.36	J14.7
SPI1 CS0/SCK/SDI/SDO	AE20 / AF20 / AD20 / AC20	J2.79 / J2.77 / J2.81 / J2.83	J16.4/ J16.2 / J16.8 / J16.6			enabling it SPI devices will be no longer visible from Linux
SPI2 CS0/SCK/SDI/SDO	AJ22 / AH21 / AH20 / AJ21			J1.39 / J1.43 / J1.41 / J1.45	J16.4/ J16.2 / J16.6 / J16.8	enabling it SPI devices will be no longer visible from Linux
FLEXCAN1 RX/TX	AH15 / AJ16	j2.56 / j2.50	J13.11 / J13.5 on DT8MCB rev 1.x, TTL levels (CAN transceiver not mounted!)			enabling it FLEXCAN1 devices will be no longer visible from Linux
			J16.9 / J16.7 on DT8MCB rev 2.x, CANL/CANH levels (CAN transceiver mounted!)
FLEXCAN2 RX/TX	AJ4 / AE6			J1.46 / J1.44	J16.18 / J16.20, CANL/CANH levels (CAN transceiver mounted!)	enabling it FLEXCAN2 devices will be no longer visible from Linux

Available Demos

• driver_examples/i2c/interrupt_b2b_transfer/slave
• driver_examples/i2c/interrupt_b2b_transfer/master
• driver_examples/i2c/polling_b2b_transfer/slave
• driver_examples/i2c/polling_b2b_transfer/master
• driver_examples/wdog
• driver_examples/sdma/scatter_gather
• driver_examples/sdma/memory_to_memory
• driver_examples/gpio/led_output
• driver_examples/pwm
• driver_examples/uart/auto_baudrate_detect
• driver_examples/uart/interrupt
• driver_examples/uart/interrupt_rb_transfer
• driver_examples/uart/polling
• driver_examples/uart/interrupt_transfer
• driver_examples/gpt/timer
• driver_examples/gpt/capture
• driver_examples/ecspi/ecspi_loopback
• driver_examples/ecspi/interrupt_b2b_transfer/slave
• driver_examples/ecspi/interrupt_b2b_transfer/master
• driver_examples/ecspi/polling_b2b_transfer/slave
• driver_examples/ecspi/polling_b2b_transfer/master
• driver_examples/rdc
• driver_examples/tmu/monitor_threshold
• driver_examples/tmu/temperature_polling
• driver_examples/sema4/uboot
• driver_examples/canfd/interrupt_transfer
• driver_examples/canfd/loopback
• driver_examples/canfd/loopback_transfer
• driver_examples/canfd/ping_pong_buffer_transfer
• driver_examples/flexcan/interrupt_transfer
• driver_examples/flexcan/loopback
• driver_examples/flexcan/loopback_transfer
• driver_examples/flexcan/ping_pong_buffer_transfer
• rtos_examples/freertos_ecspi/ecspi_loopback
• rtos_examples/freertos_hello
• rtos_examples/freertos_queue
• rtos_examples/freertos_sem
• rtos_examples/freertos_generic
• rtos_examples/freertos_uart
• rtos_examples/freertos_tickless
• rtos_examples/freertos_mutex
• rtos_examples/freertos_event
• rtos_examples/freertos_swtimer
• rtos_examples/freertos_i2c
• cmsis_driver_examples/i2c/int_b2b_transfer/slave
• cmsis_driver_examples/i2c/int_b2b_transfer/master
• cmsis_driver_examples/uart/interrupt_transfer
• cmsis_driver_examples/ecspi/int_loopback_transfer
• cmsis_driver_examples/ecspi/sdma_loopback_transfer
• multicore_examples/rpmsg_lite_str_echo_rtos
• multicore_examples/rpmsg_lite_pingpong_rtos/linux_remote
• demo_apps/hello_world

The demos below only work if loaded from U-Boot !

• driver_examples/uart/idle_detect_sdma_transfer
• driver_examples/uart/sdma_transfer
• cmsis_driver_examples/uart/sdma_transfer

Variscite Memory types

The SDK allow linking using 2 different memory types: DDR, TCM.

Here is available a short summary of memory areas used by Cortex-M7 as described in related linker file.

memory type	M7 memory area	A53 memory area	memory lentgh	linker file
DDR	0x80000000-0x801FFFFF (code) 0x80200000-0x803FFFFF (data) 0x80400000-0x80FFFFFF (data2)	0x80000000-0x801FFFFF (code) 0x80200000-0x803FFFFF (data) 0x80400000-0x80FFFFFF (data2)	16MB (DDR)	MIMX8MN6xxxxx_cm7_ddr_ram.ld
TCM	0x00000000-0x0001FFFF (code) 0x20000000-0x2001FFFF (data) 0x80000000-0x80FFFFFF (data2)	0x007E0000-0x007FFFFF (code) 0x00800000-0x0081FFFF (data) 0x80000000-0x80FFFFFF (data2)	256kB (TCM) + 16MB (DDR)	MIMX8MN6xxxxx_cm7_ram.ld

All linker files are locate in the armgcc folder of each demo.

The DDR reserved area must much the one declared in the kernel device tree: at least 1 GB of RAM is required on the SoM to allow Cortex-M7 accessing the range 0x80000000 - 0x80FFFFFF.

The RPMSG area is located at 0x40000000: all SoMs allow Cortex-M7 accessing the RPMSG area.

After launching the build_all.sh command the following folder will be created in the armgcc folder

• ddr_debug: containing DDR binaries compiled in debug mode (not stripped: symbols available)
• ddr_release: containing DDR binaries compiled in release mode (stripped: no symbols available)
• debug: containing TCM binaries compiled in debug mode (not stripped: symbols available)
• release: containing TCM binaries compiled in release mode (stripped: no symbols available)

Further details about memory mapping are available in i.MX 8M-Plus Applications Processors Reference Manual paragraphs:

• 2.2 Cortex-A53 Memory Map
• 2.3 Cortex-M7 Memory Map

JTAG

VAR-SOM-MX8M-NANO exposes JTAG signals on a header (not assembled by default) on the SOM top left side.

Here the pinout

pin	signal	description	pin	signal	description
1	JTAG_VREF	JTAG IO reference voltage, connected to SOM_3V3_PER via 150 Ohm.	2	JTAG_TMS	JTAG Mode Select signal
3	GND	Digital Ground	4	JTAG_TCK	JTAG Clock signal, include PD of 8.2K Ohm.
5	GND	Digital Ground	6	JTAG_TDO	JTAG Data Out signal
7	GND	Digital Ground	8	JTAG_TDI	JTAG Data In signal
9	JTAG_TRST_B	JTAG Reset signal, active low signal	10	POR_B	Programmer Reset, used to put the SOC in reset state.

Please refer to SoM datasheet for further details.

Releases

mcuxpresso-2.9.0-mx8mp-v1.0

   *HARDWARE_NAME = DART-MX8M-PLUS

• RELEASE_NAME = mcuxpresso-2.9.0-mx8mp-v1.0
• RELEASE_LINK = MCUXPRESSO_2.9.0_V1.0_DART-MX8M-PLUS
• MCUXPRESSO_VERSION = 2.9.0
• SDK_PATH = ~/var-mcuxpresso
• SDK_GIT_URL = https://github.com/varigit/freertos-variscite
• SDK_GIT_BRANCH = mcuxpresso_sdk_2.9.x-var01
• TOOLCHAIN_URL = https://developer.arm.com/-/media/Files/downloads/gnu-rm/9-2020q2/gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update-x86_64-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_BZ2_NAME = gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update-x86_64-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_FOLDER = gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update
• BOARD_FOLDER = boards/dart_mx8mp
• DOCS_FOLDER = docs
• PINS_SECTION = DART-MX8M-PLUS_PINS_SECTION
• DEMOS_SECTION = DART-MX8M-PLUS_DEMOS_SECTION
• DTBS_SECTION = DART-MX8M-PLUS_DTBS_SECTION
• MEMORY_TYPES_SECTION = DART-MX8M-PLUS_MEMORY-TYPES_VAR_SECTION
• JTAG_SECTION = DART-MX8M-PLUS_JTAG_SECTION
• NXP_USER_GUIDE = Getting Started with MCUXpresso SDK for EVK-MIMX8MP.pdf
• NXP_REFERENCE_KIT = EVK-MIMX8MP
• YOCTO_RELEASE_TAG = zeus-fsl-5.4.70_2.3.2-mx8mp-v1.1
• SOM_CAN_SUPPORT_1GB_DDR = yes

mcuxpresso-2.10.0-mx8mp-v1.0

   *HARDWARE_NAME = DART-MX8M-PLUS

• RELEASE_NAME = mcuxpresso-2.10.0-mx8mp-v1.0
• RELEASE_LINK = MCUXPRESSO_2.10.0_V1.0_DART-MX8M-PLUS
• MCUXPRESSO_VERSION = 2.10.0
• SDK_PATH = ~/var-mcuxpresso
• SDK_GIT_URL = https://github.com/varigit/freertos-variscite
• SDK_GIT_BRANCH = mcuxpresso_sdk_2.10.x-var01
• TOOLCHAIN_URL = https://developer.arm.com/-/media/Files/downloads/gnu-rm/10-2020q4/gcc-arm-none-eabi-10-2020-q4-major-x86_64-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_BZ2_NAME = gcc-arm-none-eabi-10-2020-q4-major-x86_64-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_FOLDER = gcc-arm-none-eabi-10-2020-q4-major
• BOARD_FOLDER = boards/dart_mx8mp
• DOCS_FOLDER = docs
• PINS_SECTION = DART-MX8M-PLUS_PINS_SECTION
• DEMOS_SECTION = DART-MX8M-PLUS_DEMOS_SECTION
• DTBS_SECTION = DART-MX8M-PLUS_DTBS_SECTION
• MEMORY_TYPES_SECTION = DART-MX8M-PLUS_MEMORY-TYPES_VAR_SECTION
• JTAG_SECTION = DART-MX8M-PLUS_JTAG_SECTION
• NXP_USER_GUIDE = Getting Started with MCUXpresso SDK for EVK-MIMX8MP.pdf
• NXP_REFERENCE_KIT = EVK-MIMX8MP
• YOCTO_RELEASE_TAG = hardknott-fsl-5.10.35_2.0.0-mx8mp-v1.2
• SOM_CAN_SUPPORT_1GB_DDR = yes

VAR-SOM-MX8X

Sections

Available dtbs

To allow Cortex M4 accessing shared resources without experiencing Linux kernel conflicts, a dedicated device tree must be loaded, containing m4 label in the name, using the fdt_file environment variable in U-Boot.

This device tree disables some of the base device tree nodes in order to avoid conflicts between the main processor and Cortex M4.

File Name	Description
imx8qxp-var-som-symphony-sd-m4.dtb	VAR-SOM-MX8 device tree blob for kernel >= 5.4.85 (Yocto Dunfell)
imx8qxp-var-som-symphony-m4.dtb	VAR-SOM-MX8 device tree blob for kernel >= 5.4.85 (Yocto Dunfell)

Default M4 pins

Default M4 pins used by the demos are:

function	pin
debug UART (UART2)	RX: J18.5 / TX: J18.3
I2C (I2C3)	SCL: J16.10 / SDA: J16.12
M4 GPIO (M40_GPIO0_IO00)	J16.3
M4 PWM (M40_TPM0_CH0)	J16.7

Available Demos

• cmsis_driver_examples/lpi2c/int_b2b_transfer/slave
• cmsis_driver_examples/lpi2c/int_b2b_transfer/master
• cmsis_driver_examples/lpi2c/edma_b2b_transfer/slave
• cmsis_driver_examples/lpi2c/edma_b2b_transfer/master
• cmsis_driver_examples/lpuart/edma_transfer
• cmsis_driver_examples/lpuart/interrupt_transfer
• demo_apps/hello_world
• driver_examples/edma/scatter_gather
• driver_examples/edma/memory_to_memory
• driver_examples/intmux
• driver_examples/lpi2c/edma_b2b_transfer/slave
• driver_examples/lpi2c/edma_b2b_transfer/master
• driver_examples/lpi2c/interrupt_b2b_transfer/slave
• driver_examples/lpi2c/interrupt_b2b_transfer/master
• driver_examples/lpi2c/polling_b2b_transfer/slave
• driver_examples/lpi2c/polling_b2b_transfer/master
• driver_examples/lpi2c/read_accel_value_transfer
• driver_examples/lpit
• driver_examples/lpuart/edma_transfer
• driver_examples/lpuart/interrupt_rb_transfer
• driver_examples/lpuart/polling
• driver_examples/lpuart/interrupt_transfer
• driver_examples/rgpio/led_output
• driver_examples/sema42/uboot
• driver_examples/tpm/input_capture
• driver_examples/tpm/dual_edge_capture
• driver_examples/tpm/timer
• driver_examples/tpm/simple_pwm
• driver_examples/tpm/output_compare
• driver_examples/tstmr
• driver_examples/wdog32
• mmcau_examples/mmcau_api
• multicore_examples/rpmsg_lite_pingpong_rtos/linux_remote
• multicore_examples/rpmsg_lite_str_echo_rtos
• rtos_examples/freertos_hello
• rtos_examples/freertos_queue
• rtos_examples/freertos_sem
• rtos_examples/freertos_generic
• rtos_examples/freertos_tickless
• rtos_examples/freertos_mutex
• rtos_examples/freertos_event
• rtos_examples/freertos_swtimer

Additional demos are available as reference code, but require HW/SW customization.

NXP Memory types

The SDK allow linking using 2 different memory types: DDR, TCM.

Here is available a short summary of memory areas used by Cortex-M4 as described in related linker file.

memory type	M4 memory area	A35 memory area	memory lentgh	linker file
DDR	0x88000000-0x881FFFFF (code) 0x88200000-0x883FFFFF (data) 0x88400000-0x8FFFFFFF (data2)	0x88000000-0x881FFFFF (code) 0x88200000-0x883FFFFF (data) 0x88400000-0x8FFFFFFF (data2)	128MB (DDR)	MIMX8QX6xxxFZ_cm4_ddr_ram.ld
TCM	0x1FFE0000-0x1FFFFFFF (code) 0x20000000-0x2001FFFF (data) 0x88000000-0x8FFFFFFF (data2)	0x34FE0000-0x34FFFFFF (code) 0x35000000-0x3501FFFF (data) 0x88000000-0x8FFFFFFF (data2)	256kB (TCM) + 128MB (DDR)	MIMX8QX6xxxFZ_cm4_ram.ld

All linker files are locate in the armgcc folder of each demo.

After launching the build_all.sh command the following folder will be created in the armgcc folder

• ddr_debug: containing DDR binaries compiled in debug mode (not stripped: symbols available)
• ddr_release: containing DDR binaries compiled in release mode (stripped: no symbols available)
• debug: containing TCM binaries compiled in debug mode (not stripped: symbols available)
• release: containing TCM binaries compiled in release mode (stripped: no symbols available)

Further details about memory mapping are available in i.MX 8DualXPlus/8QuadXPlus Applications Processor Reference Manual paragraphs:

• 2.2 System Memory Map
• 2.2.9 Cortex-M4 Memory Map

JTAG

The VAR-SOM-MX8X exposes JTAG interface via an optional 10-pin header

Here the pinout

pin	signal	description	pin	signal (ball)	description
1	JTAG_VREF	JTAG reference voltage (3.3V)	2	JTAG_TMS (AG35)	JTAG Mode Select
3	GND	Digital Ground	4	JTAG_TCK (AE31)	JTAG Clock
5	GND	Digital Ground	6	JTAG_TDO (AF32)	JTAG Data Out
7	RTCK	JTAG Return clock	8	JTAG_TDI (AH34)	JTAG Data In
9	JTAG_TRST_B_CONN	JTAG TAP reset	10	JTAG_SRST_B	JTAG System reset

Please refer to SOM datasheet for further details.

Releases

mcuxpresso-2.5.2-mx8qx-v1.0

       *HARDWARE_NAME = VAR-SOM-MX8X

• SOC_HAS_SCU = true
• RELEASE_NAME = mcuxpresso-2.5.2-mx8qx-v1.0
• RELEASE_LINK = MCUXPRESSO_2.5.2_V1.0_VAR-SOM-MX8X
• YOCTO_RELEASE_LINK = RELEASE_SUMO_V1.2_VAR-SOM-MX8X
• MCUXPRESSO_VERSION = 2.5.2
• SDK_PATH = ~/var-mcuxpresso
• SDK_GIT_URL = https://github.com/varigit/freertos-variscite
• SDK_GIT_BRANCH = mcuxpresso_sdk_2.5.x-var01
• TOOLCHAIN_URL = https://developer.arm.com/-/media/Files/downloads/gnu-rm/7-2018q2/gcc-arm-none-eabi-7-2018-q2-update-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_BZ2_NAME = gcc-arm-none-eabi-7-2018-q2-update-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_FOLDER = gcc-arm-none-eabi-7-2018-q2-update
• BOARD_FOLDER = boards/som_mx8qx
• DOCS_FOLDER = docs
• PINS_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8X_PINS_SECTION
• DEMOS_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8X_DEMOS_SECTION
• DTBS_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8X_DTBS_SECTION
• MEMORY_TYPES_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8X_MEMORY-TYPES_NXP_SECTION
• JTAG_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8X_JTAG_SECTION
• NXP_USER_GUIDE = Getting Started with MCUXpresso SDK for i.MX 8QuadXPlus.pdf
• NXP_REFERENCE_KIT = IMX8QXP-MEK
• SCFW_SOC = = mx8qx_b0
• SCFW_PATCH_URL = = ftp://customerv:Variscite1@ftp.variscite.com/VAR-SOM-MX8X/Software/SCFW
• SCFW_M4_PATCH = = 0002-mx8qxp-var-som_scfw-1.2.2_sample-M4-customization.diff
• IMX_MKIMAGE_SOC = = iMX8QX

mcuxpresso-2.8.0-mx8qx-v1.0

     *HARDWARE_NAME = VAR-SOM-MX8X

• SOC_HAS_SCU = true
• RELEASE_NAME = mcuxpresso-2.8.0-mx8qx-v1.0
• RELEASE_LINK = MCUXPRESSO_2.8.0_V1.0_VAR-SOM-MX8X
• YOCTO_RELEASE_LINK = RELEASE_SUMO_V1.2_VAR-SOM-MX8X
• MCUXPRESSO_VERSION = 2.8.0
• SDK_PATH = ~/var-mcuxpresso
• SDK_GIT_URL = https://github.com/varigit/freertos-variscite
• SDK_GIT_BRANCH = mcuxpresso_sdk_2.8.x-var01
• TOOLCHAIN_URL = https://developer.arm.com/-/media/Files/downloads/gnu-rm/9-2020q2/gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update-x86_64-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_BZ2_NAME = gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update-x86_64-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_FOLDER = gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update
• BOARD_FOLDER = boards/som_mx8qx
• DOCS_FOLDER = docs
• PINS_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8X_PINS_SECTION
• DEMOS_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8X_DEMOS_SECTION
• DTBS_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8X_DTBS_SECTION
• MEMORY_TYPES_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8X_MEMORY-TYPES_NXP_SECTION
• JTAG_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8X_JTAG_SECTION
• NXP_USER_GUIDE = Getting Started with MCUXpresso SDK for MEK-MIMX8QX.pdf
• NXP_REFERENCE_KIT = IMX8QXP-MEK
• SCFW_SOC = = mx8qx_b0
• SCFW_PATCH_URL = = ftp://customerv:Variscite1@ftp.variscite.com/VAR-SOM-MX8X/Software/SCFW
• SCFW_M4_PATCH = = 0002-mx8qxp-var-som_scfw-1.2.2_sample-M4-customization.diff
• IMX_MKIMAGE_SOC = = iMX8QX
• SDK_GIT_TAG = som-mx8qx_mcuxpresso-2.8.0_v10
• RELEASE_DATE = 02/18/2021
• SUPPORTED_REV_SOM = v1.1 and higher
• SUPPORTED_REV_CARRIER = v1.1 and higher
• YOCTO_RELEASE_TAG = dunfell-fslc-5.4-2.1.x-mx8x-v1.0

mcuxpresso-2.9.0-mx8qx-v1.0

     *HARDWARE_NAME = VAR-SOM-MX8X

• SOC_HAS_SCU = true
• RELEASE_NAME = mcuxpresso-2.9.0-mx8qx-v1.0
• RELEASE_LINK = MCUXPRESSO_2.9.0_V1.0_VAR-SOM-MX8X
• YOCTO_RELEASE_LINK = RELEASE_SUMO_V1.2_VAR-SOM-MX8X
• MCUXPRESSO_VERSION = 2.9.0
• SDK_PATH = ~/var-mcuxpresso
• SDK_GIT_URL = https://github.com/varigit/freertos-variscite
• SDK_GIT_BRANCH = mcuxpresso_sdk_2.9.x-var01
• TOOLCHAIN_URL = https://developer.arm.com/-/media/Files/downloads/gnu-rm/9-2020q2/gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update-x86_64-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_BZ2_NAME = gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update-x86_64-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_FOLDER = gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update
• BOARD_FOLDER = boards/som_mx8qx
• DOCS_FOLDER = docs
• PINS_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8X_PINS_SECTION
• DEMOS_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8X_DEMOS_SECTION
• DTBS_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8X_DTBS_SECTION
• MEMORY_TYPES_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8X_MEMORY-TYPES_NXP_SECTION
• JTAG_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8X_JTAG_SECTION
• NXP_USER_GUIDE = Getting Started with MCUXpresso SDK for MEK-MIMX8QX.pdf
• NXP_REFERENCE_KIT = IMX8QXP-MEK
• SCFW_SOC = = mx8qx_b0
• SCFW_PATCH_URL = = ftp://customerv:Variscite1@ftp.variscite.com/VAR-SOM-MX8X/Software/SCFW
• SCFW_M4_PATCH = = 0002-mx8qxp-var-som_scfw-1.2.2_sample-M4-customization.diff
• IMX_MKIMAGE_SOC = = iMX8QX
• SDK_GIT_TAG = som-mx8qx_mcuxpresso-2.9.0_v10
• RELEASE_DATE = 03/04/2021
• SUPPORTED_REV_SOM = v1.1 and higher
• SUPPORTED_REV_CARRIER = v1.1 and higher
• YOCTO_RELEASE_TAG = dunfell-fslc-5.4-2.1.x-mx8x-v1.0

VAR-SOM-MX8

Sections

Available dtbs

To allow Cortex M4 accessing shared resources without experiencing Linux kernel conflicts, a dedicated device tree must be loaded, containing m4 label in the name, using the fdt_file environment variable in U-Boot.

This device tree disables some of the base device tree nodes in order to avoid conflicts between the main processor and Cortex M4.

File Name	Description
imx8qm-var-som-lvds-m4.dtb	VAR-SOM-MX8 device tree blob for kernel >= 5.4.85 (Yocto Dunfell)
imx8qm-var-som-hdmi-m4.dtb	VAR-SOM-MX8 device tree blob for kernel >= 5.4.85 (Yocto Dunfell)
imx8qm-var-som-lvds-m4.dtb	VAR-SOM-MX8 device tree blob for kernel >= 5.4.85 (Yocto Dunfell)
imx8qm-var-spear-dp-m4.dtb	VAR-SPEAR-MX8 device tree blob for kernel >= 5.4.85 (Yocto Dunfell)
imx8qm-var-spear-hdmi-m4.dtb	VAR-SPEAR-MX8 device tree blob for kernel >= 5.4.85 (Yocto Dunfell)
imx8qm-var-spear-lvds-m4.dtb	VAR-SPEAR-MX8 device tree blob for kernel >= 5.4.85 (Yocto Dunfell)

Default M4 pins

Default M4 pins used by the demos are:

function	SoC balls	VAR-SOM-MX8 pins	Symphony pins	SPEAR-MX8 pins	SP8CustomBoard pins	notes
M40_UART0 RX / TX	AM44 / AU51	N/A	N/A	J3.32 / J3.38	J40	SP8CustomBoard requires SW8 ON, SW9 OFF
DMA_UART2 RX / TX	BE35 / BE37	J1.175 / J1.124	J18.5 / J18.3	J1.80 / J1.82	J26.19 /J26.17
DMA_UART4 RX / TX	AR47 / AU53	J1.115 / J1.171	J18.9 / J18.7	J3.34 / J3.29	J20.2 / J20.4	SPEAR-MX8 demos do not refer it
FLEXCAN0 RX/TX	C5 / H6	J1.46 / J1.44	J16.18 / J16.20	J4.79 / J4.80	J26.1 / J26.3
M41_I2C0 SCL/SDA	AR45 / AU49	N/A	N/A	J1.9 / J3.36	J20.18 / J20.20
DMA_I2C0 SCL/SDA	BN9 / BN7	J1.174 / J1.176	J16.10 / J16.12	J2.88 / J1.90	J26.2 / J26.4
DMA_SPI0 CS0 / SCK / SDI / SDO	BC1 / BB4 / BA5 / AY6	J1.79 / J1.75 / J1.77 / J1.70	J17.10 / J17.6 / J17.8 / J17.4	J2.78 / j2.74 / J2.72 / J2.76	J20.7 / J20.1 / J20.5 / J20.3
ADC_IN6	AL9	J1.39	J16.4	J4.62	J29.16	VAR-SOM-MX8 requires enabling a buffer (refer to the datasheet)
M40_TPM0 0 / 1	AR47 / AU53	J1.115 / J1.171	J18.9 / J18.7	J3.34 / J3.29	J20.2 / J20.4	pins are share with with DMA_UART4
GPIO3_IO06	BA3	J1.40	J17.2	J2.80	J20.9

Available Demos

• cmsis_driver_examples/lpi2c/int_b2b_transfer/master
• cmsis_driver_examples/lpi2c/int_b2b_transfer/slave
• cmsis_driver_examples/lpi2c/edma_b2b_transfer/master
• cmsis_driver_examples/lpi2c/edma_b2b_transfer/slave
• cmsis_driver_examples/lpuart/edma_transfer
• cmsis_driver_examples/lpuart/interrupt_transfer
• cmsis_driver_examples/lpspi/edma_b2b_transfer/master
• cmsis_driver_examples/lpspi/edma_b2b_transfer/slave
• cmsis_driver_examples/lpspi/int_b2b_transfer/master
• cmsis_driver_examples/lpspi/int_b2b_transfer/slave
• demo_apps/hello_world
• driver_examples/canfd/loopback_transfer
• driver_examples/canfd/loopback
• driver_examples/canfd/interrupt_transfer
• driver_examples/edma/scatter_gather
• driver_examples/edma/memory_to_memory
• driver_examples/flexcan/loopback_edma_transfer
• driver_examples/flexcan/loopback_transfer
• driver_examples/flexcan/loopback
• driver_examples/flexcan/interrupt_transfer
• driver_examples/intmux
• driver_examples/lpadc/interrupt
• driver_examples/lpadc/polling
• driver_examples/lpi2c/edma_b2b_transfer/slave
• driver_examples/lpi2c/edma_b2b_transfer/master
• driver_examples/lpi2c/interrupt_b2b_transfer/slave
• driver_examples/lpi2c/interrupt_b2b_transfer/master
• driver_examples/lpi2c/polling_b2b_transfer/slave
• driver_examples/lpi2c/polling_b2b_transfer/master
• driver_examples/lpi2c/read_accel_value_transfer
• driver_examples/lpspi/edma_b2b_transfer/master
• driver_examples/lpspi/edma_b2b_transfer/slave
• driver_examples/lpspi/interrupt_b2b/master
• driver_examples/lpspi/interrupt_b2b/slave
• driver_examples/lpspi/interrupt_b2b_transfer/master
• driver_examples/lpspi/interrupt_b2b_transfer/slave
• driver_examples/lpspi/polling_b2b_transfer/master
• driver_examples/lpspi/polling_b2b_transfer/slave
• driver_examples/lpspi/polling_b2b_transfer/master
• driver_examples/lpspi/polling_b2b_transfer/slave
• driver_examples/lpit
• driver_examples/lpuart/edma_transfer
• driver_examples/lpuart/interrupt_rb_transfer
• driver_examples/lpuart/polling
• driver_examples/lpuart/interrupt_transfer
• driver_examples/lpuart/interrupt
• driver_examples/gpio/led_output
• driver_examples/rgpio/led_output
• driver_examples/sema42/uboot
• driver_examples/sema42/dual_core
• driver_examples/tpm/timer
• driver_examples/tpm/simple_pwm
• driver_examples/tpm/pwm_twochannel
• driver_examples/tpm/output_compare
• driver_examples/tpm/input_capture
• driver_examples/tpm/dual_edge_capture
• driver_examples/tpm/combine_pwm
• driver_examples/tstmr
• driver_examples/wdog32
• mmcau_examples/mmcau_api
• multicore_examples/rpmsg_lite_pingpong_rtos/linux_remote
• multicore_examples/rpmsg_lite_str_echo_rtos
• multicore_examples/rpmsg_lite_pingpong_rtos/sdk_remote
• multicore_examples/rpmsg_lite_pingpong_rtos/sdk_master
• rtos_examples/freertos_hello
• rtos_examples/freertos_queue
• rtos_examples/freertos_sem
• rtos_examples/freertos_generic
• rtos_examples/freertos_tickless
• rtos_examples/freertos_mutex
• rtos_examples/freertos_lpuart
• rtos_examples/freertos_event
• rtos_examples/freertos_swtimer
• rtos_examples/freertos_lpi2c
• rtos_examples/freertos_lpspi_b2b/master
• rtos_examples/freertos_lpspi_b2b/slave
• rtos_examples/freertos_lpspi

Additional demos are available as reference code, but require HW/SW customization.

NXP Memory types

The SDK allow linking using 2 different memory types: DDR, TCM.

Here is available a short summary of memory areas used by Cortex-M4 as described in related linker file.

memory type	M4 if	M4 memory area	memory lentgh	linker file
DDR	0	0x88000000-0x881FFFFF (code) 0x88200000-0x883FFFFF (data) 0x88400000-0x887FFFFF (data2)	8MB (DDR)	MIMX8QM6xxxFF_cm4_core0_ddr_ram.ld
DDR	1	0x88800000-0x88BFFFFF (code) 0x88C00000-0x88FFFFFF (data) 0x89000000-0x8FFFFFFF (data2)	120MB (DDR)	MIMX8QM6xxxFF_cm4_core1_ddr_ram.ld
TCM	0	0x1FFE0000-0x1FFFFFFF (code) 0x20000000-0x2001FFFF (data) 0x88000000-0x887FFFFF (data2)	256kB (TCM) + 8MB (DDR)	MIMX8QM6xxxFF_cm4_core0_ram.ld
TCM	1	0x1FFE0000-0x1FFFFFFF (code) 0x20000000-0x2001FFFF (data) 0x88800000-0x8FFFFFFF (data2)	256kB (TCM) + 120MB (DDR)	MIMX8QM6xxxFF_cm4_core1_ram.ld

All linker files are locate in the armgcc folder of each demo.

After launching the build_all.sh command the following folder will be created in the armgcc folder

• ddr_debug: containing DDR binaries compiled in debug mode (not stripped: symbols available)
• ddr_release: containing DDR binaries compiled in release mode (stripped: no symbols available)
• debug: containing TCM binaries compiled in debug mode (not stripped: symbols available)
• release: containing TCM binaries compiled in release mode (stripped: no symbols available)

JTAG

The VAR-SOM-MX8 and SPEAR-MX8 exposes JTAG interface via an optional 10-pin header

Here the pinout

pin	signal	description	pin	signal (ball)	description
1	JTAG_VREF	JTAG reference voltage (3.3V)	2	JTAG_TMS (AG35)	JTAG Mode Select
3	GND	Digital Ground	4	JTAG_TCK (AE31)	JTAG Clock
5	GND	Digital Ground	6	JTAG_TDO (AF32)	JTAG Data Out
7	RTCK	JTAG Return clock	8	JTAG_TDI (AH34)	JTAG Data In
9	JTAG_TRST_B_CONN	JTAG TAP reset	10	JTAG_SRST_B	JTAG System reset

Please refer to SOM datasheet for further details.

Releases

mcuxpresso-2.5.2-mx8qm-v1.0

      *HARDWARE_NAME = VAR-SOM-MX8

• SOC_HAS_SCU = true
• SOC_HAS_M40_M41 = true
• RELEASE_NAME = mcuxpresso-2.5.2-mx8qm-v1.0
• RELEASE_LINK = MCUXPRESSO_2.5.2_V1.0_VAR-SOM-MX8
• YOCTO_RELEASE_LINK = RELEASE_SUMO_V1.2_VAR-SOM-MX8
• MCUXPRESSO_VERSION = 2.5.2
• SDK_PATH = ~/var-mcuxpresso
• SDK_GIT_URL = https://github.com/varigit/freertos-variscite
• SDK_GIT_BRANCH = mcuxpresso_sdk_2.5.x-var01
• TOOLCHAIN_URL = https://developer.arm.com/-/media/Files/downloads/gnu-rm/7-2018q2/gcc-arm-none-eabi-7-2018-q2-update-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_BZ2_NAME = gcc-arm-none-eabi-7-2018-q2-update-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_FOLDER = gcc-arm-none-eabi-7-2018-q2-update
• BOARD_FOLDER = boards/som_mx8qm
• DOCS_FOLDER = docs
• PINS_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8_PINS_SECTION
• DEMOS_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8_DEMOS_SECTION
• DTBS_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8_DTBS_SECTION
• MEMORY_TYPES_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8_MEMORY-TYPES_NXP_SECTION
• JTAG_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8_JTAG_SECTION
• NXP_USER_GUIDE = Getting Started with MCUXpresso SDK for i.MX 8QuadMax.pdf
• NXP_REFERENCE_KIT = IMX8QM-MEK
• SCFW_SOC = = mx8qm_b0
• SCFW_DEFINES_URL = = https://github.com/varigit/imx-sc-firmware/blob/1.2.8/src/scfw_export_mx8qm_b0/platform/board/mx8qm_var_som/board.c#L79
• IMX_MKIMAGE_SOC = = iMX8QM

mcuxpresso-2.8.0-mx8qm-v1.0

    *HARDWARE_NAME = VAR-SOM-MX8

• SOC_HAS_SCU = true
• SOC_HAS_M40_M41 = true
• RELEASE_NAME = mcuxpresso-2.8.0-mx8qm-v1.0
• RELEASE_LINK = MCUXPRESSO_2.8.0_V1.0_VAR-SOM-MX8
• YOCTO_RELEASE_LINK = RELEASE_SUMO_V1.2_VAR-SOM-MX8
• MCUXPRESSO_VERSION = 2.8.0
• SDK_PATH = ~/var-mcuxpresso
• SDK_GIT_URL = https://github.com/varigit/freertos-variscite
• SDK_GIT_BRANCH = mcuxpresso_sdk_2.8.x-var01
• TOOLCHAIN_URL = https://developer.arm.com/-/media/Files/downloads/gnu-rm/9-2020q2/gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update-x86_64-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_BZ2_NAME = gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update-x86_64-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_FOLDER = gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update
• BOARD_FOLDER = boards/som_mx8qm
• DOCS_FOLDER = docs
• PINS_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8_PINS_SECTION
• DEMOS_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8_DEMOS_SECTION
• DTBS_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8_DTBS_SECTION
• MEMORY_TYPES_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8_MEMORY-TYPES_NXP_SECTION
• JTAG_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8_JTAG_SECTION
• NXP_USER_GUIDE = Getting Started with MCUXpresso SDK for MEK-MIMX8QM.pdf
• NXP_REFERENCE_KIT = IMX8QM-MEK
• SCFW_SOC = = mx8qm_b0
• SCFW_DEFINES_URL = = https://github.com/varigit/imx-sc-firmware/blob/1.2.8/src/scfw_export_mx8qm_b0/platform/board/mx8qm_var_som/board.c#L79
• IMX_MKIMAGE_SOC = = iMX8QM
• SDK_GIT_TAG = som-mx8qm_mcuxpresso-2.8.0_v10
• RELEASE_DATE = 02/19/2021
• SUPPORTED_REV_SOM = v1.1 and higher
• SUPPORTED_REV_CARRIER = v1.1 and higher
• YOCTO_RELEASE_TAG = dunfell-fslc-5.4-2.1.x-mx8-v1.1

mcuxpresso-2.9.0-mx8qm-v1.0

    *HARDWARE_NAME = VAR-SOM-MX8

• SOC_HAS_SCU = true
• SOC_HAS_M40_M41 = true
• RELEASE_NAME = mcuxpresso-2.9.0-mx8qm-v1.0
• RELEASE_LINK = MCUXPRESSO_2.9.0_V1.0_VAR-SOM-MX8
• YOCTO_RELEASE_LINK = RELEASE_SUMO_V1.2_VAR-SOM-MX8
• MCUXPRESSO_VERSION = 2.9.0
• SDK_PATH = ~/var-mcuxpresso
• SDK_GIT_URL = https://github.com/varigit/freertos-variscite
• SDK_GIT_BRANCH = mcuxpresso_sdk_2.9.x-var01
• TOOLCHAIN_URL = https://developer.arm.com/-/media/Files/downloads/gnu-rm/9-2020q2/gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update-x86_64-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_BZ2_NAME = gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update-x86_64-linux.tar.bz2
• TOOLCHAIN_FOLDER = gcc-arm-none-eabi-9-2020-q2-update
• BOARD_FOLDER = boards/som_mx8qm
• DOCS_FOLDER = docs
• PINS_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8_PINS_SECTION
• DEMOS_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8_DEMOS_SECTION
• DTBS_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8_DTBS_SECTION
• MEMORY_TYPES_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8_MEMORY-TYPES_NXP_SECTION
• JTAG_SECTION = VAR-SOM-MX8_JTAG_SECTION
• NXP_USER_GUIDE = Getting Started with MCUXpresso SDK for MEK-MIMX8QM.pdf
• NXP_REFERENCE_KIT = IMX8QM-MEK
• SCFW_SOC = = mx8qm_b0
• SCFW_DEFINES_URL = = https://github.com/varigit/imx-sc-firmware/blob/1.2.8/src/scfw_export_mx8qm_b0/platform/board/mx8qm_var_som/board.c#L79
• IMX_MKIMAGE_SOC = = iMX8QM
• SDK_GIT_TAG = som-mx8qm_mcuxpresso-2.9.0_v10
• RELEASE_DATE = 03/15/2021
• SUPPORTED_REV_SOM = v1.1 and higher
• SUPPORTED_REV_CARRIER = v1.1 and higher
• YOCTO_RELEASE_TAG = dunfell-fslc-5.4-2.1.x-mx8-v1.1

~/var-mcuxpresso/freertos-variscite/devices/MIMX8QM6