NXP Debuts Applications Processors for Industrial and Automotive Designs

The new processor family offers a combination of real-time control and communications features.

At Electronica, NXP Semiconductors announced the i.MX 94 family, a new addition to its i.MX 9 series of application processors. Designed to address the dual challenges of increasing connectivity and operational complexity in industrial and automotive edge applications, the i.MX 94 integrates cutting-edge networking, safety, and real-time control capabilities into a single system-on-chip (SoC). 

An i.MX 94 SoC

Multicore Design and On-Chip Memory

The i.MX 94 integrates advanced real-time communication protocols, functional safety features, and multi-core performance within a unified SoC. According to NXP, this architecture eliminates the need for discrete components, reduces hardware footprint, and simplifies system design.  

For compute, the i.MX 94 combines performance and efficiency with its multi-core architecture. The primary computing platform integrates four Cortex-A55 cores, each with dedicated L2 and L3 caches to support application-level processing. Two Cortex-M33 and two Cortex-M7 cores provide low-latency, real-time capabilities. 

The memory architecture consists of 3.5 MB OCRAM, with 1.5 MB colocated with one Cortex-M33 core and the Ethernet TSN switch. Off-chip memory support includes high-speed LPDDR4 and LPDDR5 interfaces operating at up to 4.2 GT/s with a 32-bit wide bus and inline ECC for error correction. Additionally, the processor supports other storage options, such as SD 3.0, eMMC 5.1, and dual Octal SPI for both NOR and NAND Flash.

i.MX 94 family block diagram. 

For AI/ML compute, the i.MX 94 includes the NXP eIQ Neutron neural processing unit (NPU), which delivers 0.5 TOPS of machine learning performance. The NPU is supported by the eIQ development environment, which offers diverse machine learning frameworks that allow developers to implement custom AI models optimized for edge deployment.  

Focus on Safety and Security 

The family includes a functional safety island, a dedicated hardware module that ensures compliance with IEC61508 SIL2/SIL3 and ISO26262 ASIL-B standards. The result is fail-safe operation and robust fault management for safety-critical applications in industrial and automotive environments.

The family also introduces advanced security measures to meet evolving cybersecurity challenges. It is NXP's first application processor to integrate post-quantum cryptography. The EdgeLock Secure Enclave enhances security through features like secure boot, secure debug, and runtime protections.  For high-speed authentication and encryption, the EdgeLock Accelerator (Prime) enables real-time message signing and encryption at 5G-level speeds.

Advances in Communications

One of the family’s defining features is its integrated Ethernet time-sensitive networking (TSN) switch. The TSN switch supports up to 2.5 Gbps Ethernet on multiple ports, facilitating low-latency and deterministic communication. This makes the i.MX 94 useful for applications like robotic coordination that require precise synchronization across networked devices, enabling seamless real-time operations.

The i.MX 94 supports legacy and emerging industrial protocols such as Profinet, EtherCAT, and OPC-UA FX. NXP intentionally included such dual compatibility to enable the i.MX 94 to coexist in advanced systems with older, long-lifecycle infrastructure. By supporting a wide range of communication standards, the processor provides manufacturers and developers with the flexibility to modernize without abandoning existing investments.

The family also features up to six SPI interfaces, multiple CAN-FD ports, and support for USB 3.0 and PCIe Gen 3.0. For audio applications, the i.MX 94 includes three I2S TDM interfaces and an eight-channel PDM microphone input.

Applications and Availability

NXP designed the i.MX 94 family for applications, including programmable logic controllers (PLCs), industrial HMIs, automotive gateways, and service-oriented gateways for connected vehicles. Sampling for the i.MX 94 family will begin in Q1 2025.