Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs) are a vital part of modern industrial systems, acting as the bridge between operators and complex machinery. Whether it's a touchscreen on a factory floor or a control panel for building automation, HMIs must deliver responsive performance, long-term reliability, and strong integration options. NXP’s FRDM i.MX 93 Development Board (030-9806) is a robust platform designed to meet these industrial demands with ease.
NXP FRDM i.MX Development Board.
A Foundation Built for Edge Intelligence
The FRDM i.MX 93 Development Board is built around the i.MX 93 applications processor, which features a powerful and efficient dual-core Arm® Cortex®-A55 processor running at up to 1.7 GHz, and a Cortex-M33 real-time co-processor. This combination allows for responsive graphical interfaces while simultaneously handling real-time control tasks, ideal for smart HMIs in automation, energy, and medical sectors.
The board includes 2GB of LPDDR4 RAM, offering ample headroom for running full Linux environments, such as Yocto-based builds or Debian distributions, alongside UI toolkits like Qt, GTK+, or LVGL. In addition, it features 32GB eMMC Flash, supporting robust local storage for firmware, data logging, or media assets.
Display and Interface Flexibility
Industrial HMIs demand seamless display support. The FRDM i.MX 93 Development Board supports a MIPI DSI interface for high-resolution LCDs and integrates a MIPI CSI interface for camera inputs, enabling advanced features like visual inspection or user identification.
Touchscreen controllers are supported via I²C or SPI, and the board also includes GPIOs with interrupt capability, crucial for latency-sensitive inputs like buttons or rotary encoders. Brightness control and panel wake-up functionality are supported through PWM outputs, enhancing display responsiveness and power management.
Communication and Expansion
The FRDM i.MX 93 Development Board shines in connectivity. It includes:
- Dual USB 2.0 ports (Host and OTG)
- 10/100M Ethernet with PHY
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support via M.2 slot
- I²C, SPI, and UART
These features are especially important in industrial HMIs that must communicate with PLCs, sensors, or remote control centres.
For storage and logging, a microSD card slot provides flexible, removable storage, ideal for field updates or extended data retention.
Security for Industrial Longevity
Security is a cornerstone of modern industrial design, and the FRDM i.MX 93 Development Board reflects this with a comprehensive suite of integrated protection features. It incorporates NXP’s EdgeLock® Secure Enclave (advanced profile), delivering hardware-accelerated cryptographic functions, secure key storage, and runtime device protection for connected edge applications.
This ensures the FRDM i.MX 93 Development Board is well-suited for deployment in sensitive environments, such as critical infrastructure or medical systems.
Designed for Developers
Engineers will appreciate the development-friendly design. The board includes:
- SWD debug interface
- USB-to-serial debug console
- Onboard power monitoring
- Open hardware design for customisation
NXP’s robust software ecosystem, including the MCUXpresso SDK, Yocto Project, and Linux BSPs, supports fast bring-up and long-term support, allowing developers to get from prototype to production more efficiently.
Final Thoughts
The FRDM i.MX 93 Development Board (030-9806) provides a balanced, future-ready platform for industrial HMI development. With a power-efficient processor, advanced I/O support, and industrial-grade security features, it is a versatile choice for design engineers tackling the next wave of connected, intelligent, and secure interfaces.
Whether you're building a rugged HMI for a production line or a smart energy control terminal, the FRDM i.MX 93 Development Board (030-9806) offers a scalable, developer-friendly solution that stands up to the challenges of the industrial edge.
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