IoT edge applications need more performance than ever—but that’s just the beginning. Sophisticated AI, graphics, and networking are all becoming must-haves across a wide range of applications. For example:
- Customer kiosks call for rich multimedia and interactive features.
- Portable medical imaging devices depend on AI-accelerated analysis.
- Industrial systems require high-bandwidth, deterministic networking.
Traditional single-board computers (SBCs) are often constrained by size and interfaces that prevent their use in many deployed embedded applications. This has led to the rise of system-on-module (SOM) solutions, which pack the core computing and memory elements of an SBC on a module. With the development of an application-specific carrier board, the SOM approach optimizes hardware solution by enabling interface and I/O flexibility and the ability to incorporate other specialized features and cutting-edge technologies.
Indeed, the latest generation of SOMs pair scalable performance with additional advanced capabilities like AI acceleration to create a complete, future-proof product platform that improves flexibility, reduces development costs, and enables easier management and upgrades.
But what SOMs should you consider when developing your IoT edge applications?
Meet SECO’s SOM SMARC ASL/ADL-N, powered by Intel Atom® x7000E Series processors (formerly known as Amston Lake and Alder Lake-N), designed specifically for scalable, high-performance edge IoT solutions.
These Atom® processors provide extended temperature operation and AI support with enhanced performance over previous generations.
Key SECO SOM SMARC ASL/ADL-N specs include:
- Atom® x7000E Series, Intel Core i3, and Intel Processors N Series
- 16GB of soldered LPDDR5-4800 memory
- Integrated Intel UHD graphics powered by Intel Xe architecture
- Supports up to 3 independent 4K displays
- 1x external SATA Gen 3.2 channel
- 2 NBASE-T Ethernet ports (supporting up to 2.5GbE)
- 6 USB 2.0- ports, 2 USB 3.2 Gen2 ports
- 4 PCIe Gen3 lanes
- Up to 14x GPIOs, SM bus, 12C, 1x SPI and more
- Microsoft Windows 10 and Linux operating systems
- From 0°C to +60°C (in ADL-N version) and -40°C - +85°C (in ASL version)
Looking for more information about the SOM SMARC ASL/ADL-N? Download the data sheet here.
Exploring Intel Atom® x7000E Series Capabilities
The Intel Atom® processors x7000E Series excels in complex IoT edge environments. It can easily enable hardware virtualization, support multiple operating systems, and handle real-time computing needs – while utilizing embedded roadmap industrial grade processor devices.
When designing this series of processors, Intel wanted to ensure they kept up with the breakneck speed of AI advancements with several key features, including:
Deep Learning Interface
These processors include built-in AI acceleration with a low power budget. Both Intel® Advanced Vector Extensions 2 and Intel® Deep Learning Boost accelerate deep learning processing and compute-intensive operations.
It also supports cross-architecture deep learning inference using the Intel® Distribution of OpenVINO™ toolkit and processing of AI workloads with Intel® UHD Graphics, an integrated GPU powered by the company’s Xe architecture.
Multi-Display Support
Thanks to the 32 execution units (EUs) in the new Atom processor’s Intel® UHD Graphics GPU, end users can implement up to 3x 4K60 displays. Displays can be configured as: 1x embedded DisplayPort (eDP) 1.3 or a dual-channel 18/24-bit LVDS interface (factory alternative), as well as 2x DP++ multimode DisplayPort 1.4 or an HDMI® 2.1 interface. You can easily enable virtual GPUs using single-root IO virtualization (SR-IOV) while using acceleration APIs to maintain full control over image quality.
Precision Timing
The Intel Atom® x7000E Series processors feature Intel Time Coordinated Computing (TCC), a key capability for enabling real-time computing and deterministic performance in IoT edge applications. TCC includes support for Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN), a set of IEEE 802.1 standards that enable deterministic real-time communication over Ethernet networks, allowing for precise time-synchronization and traffic scheduling between TSN-capable devices.
High-Performance and Rugged SOMs for Any IoT Edge Use Case
Raw processing power isn’t enough today. Building future-proof IoT edge solutions means striking the right balance between performance, ruggedness, and flexibility. With the SECO SOM SMARC ASL/ADL-N, you can design, develop, and deploy with the industry-standard SMARC form-factor, enabling a SMARC-based future processor upgrade utilizing the same carrier board.
Looking to develop new IoT solutions? Power your IoT infrastructure with Clea—SECO’s cloud-agnostic software suite for orchestrating and analyzing data, managing a fleet of devices, and creating the front-end for your solutions.
Get in touch with SECO today to learn more about how the SECO SOM SMARC ASL/ADL-N can enable your IoT applications.