A module combines AI, vision, connections, and security to support the design of devices for industrial, medical, and edge systems.
Designers of compact, low-power embedded systems often struggle to balance processing performance, AI capability, connectivity, and security within tight size, power, and cost limits. Variscite’s VAR-SMARC-MX8M-PLUS module targets this challenge by delivering AI-ready processing, strong connectivity, and built-in security in a compact SMARC standard format for industrial, medical, IoT, and mobile devices.
The module is built on the NXP i.MX 8M Plus processor, combining four Cortex-A53 cores running at 1.8GHz with a Cortex-M7 real-time core at 800MHz. This setup enables AI and machine-learning workloads along with advanced image processing, making it suitable for vision-based systems, edge AI, and real-time control applications, while keeping power consumption low.
To support system integration in demanding environments, the module adds multiple USB interfaces, dual Ethernet controllers with IEEE1588 support for precise time synchronization, expanded GPIO options, and a secure real-time clock. These features help engineers meet strict size, weight, power, and cost constraints in applications such as industrial IoT systems, point-of-sale terminals, medical devices, and power-sensitive mobile platforms.
Security is handled directly on the module using dedicated hardware implementing Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0. This protects encryption keys and authentication data and supports compliance with the EU Cyber Resilience Act and FIPS 140-3 standards. This makes the module suitable for connected devices operating in regulated and security-sensitive environments.
For teams working with small and medium production volumes, Variscite offers hardware configuration options starting at 20 units. Developers also receive full Board Support Packages and development support for Yocto, Debian, Android, FreeRTOS, and Zephyr, without additional cost, helping shorten development cycles and reduce engineering effort.
The VAR-SMARC-MX8M-PLUS is the first product in Variscite’s new SMARC pin-to-pin compatible family. This allows developers to upgrade system performance and features later by replacing the module while keeping the same carrier board design. This approach reduces redesign risk, lowers cost, and supports long-term scalability across product generations.
