Digi's ConnectCore MP25 System-on-Module Aims at "Next-Gen Computer Vision" and Edge AI
New SOM delivers two application-class cores, two microcontrollers, and a dedicated NPU delivering up to 1.35 TOPS of compute.
Wireless communication and embedded computing specialist Digi International has announced a new system-on-module, the Digi ConnectCore MP25, which aims to deliver energy-efficient on-device machine learning and edge artificial intelligence (edge AI) for computer vision work — powered by an STMicroelectronics STM32MP25.
"The introduction of Digi ConnectCore MP25 marks a pivotal moment in addressing the evolving needs of industries all over the world," claims Digi International's Andreas Burghart of the company's latest design, in an announcement brought to our attention by CNX Software. "With its robust design, vast connectivity options and innovative features including advanced security, the ConnectCore MP25 exemplifies our dedication to providing solutions that both simplify application development and enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction in an always-changing landscape."
The STMicro STM32MP257F at the heart of Digi's new ConnectCore MP25 offers a pair of Arm Cortex-A35 application-class cores running at 1.5GHz along with a 400MHz Cortex-M33F and 200MHz Cortex-M0+ cores, and a Verisilicon neural processing unit (NPU) accelerator running at 900MHz and offering a claimed 1.35 tera-operations per second (TOPS) of compute for machine learning and artificial intelligence workloads. There's up to 2GB of DDR4 memory, model-dependent, and up to 128GB of eMMC flash storage.
Elsewhere on the module are a pair of camera interfaces, one MIPI Camera Serial Interface 2 (CSI-2) supporting a five-megapixel sensor at up to 30 frames per second and a second parallel interface for a one-megapixel sensor at up to 15 frames per second, with an LCD-TFT controller supporting 1080p60 and a four-lane MIPI Display Serial Interface (DSI) offering QXGA output at 60 frames per second.
For connectivity, the module includes on-board dual-band Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.2 with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) radios, two gigabit Ethernet controllers requiring external PHYs expandable to up to three GMAC interfaces, USB 3.0, USB 2.0 Host, and USB Type-C Power Delivery (USB PD), three SDMMC conections, a single PCI Express lane sharing a PHY with USB 3.0, and up to 172 general-purpose input/output (GPIO) pins including eight I2C, four I3C, five UART and four USART, eight SPI, and three CAN FD buses.
"As the IoT landscape continues to evolve, Digi remains committed to delivering solutions that not only meet the demands of today but also anticipate the needs of tomorrow," claims Burghart. "With Digi ConnectCore MP25, we’re empowering device developers with the ready-to-use edge intelligence, security features and other future-proof tools and technologies needed to drive forward-thinking innovation and deliver exceptional value to their customers."
More information on the module is available on the Digi International website; pricing has yet to be confirmed.
Freelance journalist, technical author, hacker, tinkerer, erstwhile sysadmin. For hire: freelance@halfacree.co.uk.