Minnesota-based Digi has expanded its ConnectCore family of products with the ConnectCore 8M Mini system on module (SoM).

The 8M Mini is an integrated SoM platform based on the NXP i.MX 8M Mini applications processor. Featuring a balance of performance, power and cost, it is designed for mission-critical industrial, medical, transportation and agriculture applications.

ConnectCore simplifies embedded product development thanks to integrated memory, power management, pre-certified wireless, security and the complete, open-source Digi Embedded Yocto Linux software platform based on Yocto Project or Android-based Digi Embedded Android.

“Digi is excited to be expanding the Digi ConnectCore family of products,” said Steve Ericson, general manager at Digi. “We remain dedicated to delivering advancements that simplify product development for manufacturers seeking secure, connected products that also help reduce the cost of R&D. The Digi ConnectCore 8M Mini SoM extends that commitment and delivers increased capability while lowering the total cost of ownership.”

With Arm Cortex-A53 and Cortex-M4 processing cores, multimedia (2D/3D GPU, VPU, Mipi-DSI/CSI, SAI, PDM) and connectivity (802.11ac, Bluetooth 5, Gigabit Ethernet), the SoM is for IoT, HMI, equipment monitoring, audio and voice, edge computing, and machine learning applications.

Security and longevity are at the heart of the SoM’s design. Digi TrustFence delivers a tested and integrated device security framework designed for the long product life cycle of embedded devices. Additionally, the i.MX 8M Mini processor is industrial qualified and backed by NXP’s product longevity programme, ensuring long-term availability of more than ten years.

The feature set is said to make it the only SoM to offer Bluetooth 5 compatibility and cellular enablement as well as Digi’s proprietary TrustFence security framework. At 40 by 45 by 3.5mm, its physical hardware size is also said to be among the smallest in the industry.