This is a solder-down QFN-style SoM, providing a drop-in, pin-compatible upgrade for the QSMP-15, the company highlights. And there is lower-cost DDR3 RAM with shorter lead times to avoid the ongoing AI-lead pressure on DDR4 and DDR5 memory supply, says the Oxfordshire-based Direct Insight.
Packaged in a compact shielded form factor, the module is aimed at size- and power-sensitive applications, such as smart home devices.
QSMP-20 features
In terms of its processors there is an STMicro STM32MP235C (1200MHz). This has two ARM Cortex-A35 chips, a GPU (supporting OpenGL ES 3.1, Vulkan 1.3), a VPU (1080p60 Decode) and NPU (0.6 TOPS).
The module adds 512MB of DDR3L RAM and 4GB eMMC Flash, integrated on a 27mm x 27mm solder-down package, with a height of just 2.6mm. Its QFN-type pinout features a 1mm pitch with 100 edge-located pads, providing unparalleled miniaturisation, thermal efficiency and EMI minimisation. An industrial operating temperature range of -25°C to +85°C is supported and the module requires a single 3.3v supply.
For I/O, the interfaces supported include CAN-FD, UART, SPI, I2C, audio, Gigabit Ethernet, SD, USB and a MIPI-DSI display interface.
DDR3L RAM.
AI pressure
As mentioned, the context for the SoM is the increasing demand for AI systems, said David Pashley, co-founder and MD at Direct Insight.
“The rapid boom of AI technology is sending shockwaves through the semiconductor memory market. Skyrocketing demand is ramping up pressure on high performance DDR5 and even DDR4, with prices and lead times spiralling as inventory is bought up and production is shifted to higher-margin high-bandwidth memory. But the QSMP-20 utilises cost-effective, higher availability DDR3L RAM, helping sidestep ongoing AI-driven lead time and supply issues.”
Linux
Note, the QSMP-20 comes with a dedicated development kit, equipped with a Yocto Linux BSP board support package.
You can find more information on the Direct Insight website, including a datasheet (PDF).
Founded in the UK in 1992, Direct Insight is a reseller, systems integrator and compliance specialist.
See also: 27mm system-on-module with dual Cortex-A35 processors
