IMX8 Switching Processors and the Change in Firmware/Software

[Phoenix42]

Hey y'all,

We're having some internal trouble and realized there may be a need to switch from the I.mx 8M mini to a more powerful chip in the I.MX 8 family (we have yet to decide what chip). Currently we are working with the NXP 8M-mini eval kits using quite a few peripherals and the Android OS. 

Should we expect there to be a major software/firmware rework due to the switch in processors, or will it be minor changes such as downloading a few build/image files and moving various connections? Originally, I noticed that the SDK seem uniform across NXP devices, but I didn't want to ruin our team based on one assumption.

I am inexperienced in these matters and NXP devices so I'd appreciate any guidance. 

[igorpadykov · Accepted solution]

Hi Connor

>Should we expect there to be a major software/firmware rework due to the switch in processors, or will it be >minor changes such as downloading a few build/image files and moving various connections?

yes changes are significant. i.MX8(X) series use SCFW concept for programming:

https://imxdev.gitlab.io/tutorial/System_controller_unit_introduction_for_imx_8qxp_mek/

https://community.nxp.com/t5/i-MX-Processors-Knowledge-Base/System-Controller-Firmware-101-Getting-s...

Best regards
igor

[Phoenix42]

Igor,

The SCFW download is under the Linux download page so I'm a bit confused as to its purpose in Android. Previously, since we were working off the Demos provided in the SDK, I was under the belief that the SDK download was enough. Thus from there we would simply replace the surrounding libraries and some references.

Just to confirm if I am understanding this right, we would need to restart development as the SCFW is different for every chip in the I.Mx 8 Family and there is no consistency between the chips. The SCFW is also separate to the SDK that NXP provides and is another layer/download that needs to be managed.

[igorpadykov]

Hi Connor

Android is based on linux so SCFW is used for i.MX8(X) development too.

i.MX8M Mini has not SCFW.

Best regards
igor

[igorpadykov]

Hi Connor

Android is based on linux so SCFW is used for i.MX8(X) development too.

i.MX8M Mini has not SCFW.

Best regards
igor

[Phoenix42]

So wait, there is no SCFW for the 8M-Mini, but there is a required SCFW for the rest of the I.mx 8 series? So if we switched to the 8M-plus there would be a SCFW. Or is that only for the ones with an 8X? 

You seem to contradict yourself here by saying that the I.mx 8 series require SCFW, and then say separately that the 8M-mini does not.

[igorpadykov]

>there is no SCFW for the 8M-Mini, but there is a required SCFW for the rest of the I.mx 8 series?

SCFW is used only for i.MX8QXP, i.MX8QM:

https://www.nxp.com/products/processors-and-microcontrollers/arm-processors/i-mx-applications-proces...

 

https://www.nxp.com/products/processors-and-microcontrollers/arm-processors/i-mx-applications-proces...

 

 

i.MX8M Mini, Plus do not use SCFW.

Best regards
igor