Summary of VARISCITE RELEASES HEADLESS VERSION OF ITS LINUX-FRIENDLY DART-6UL COM
Variscite is launching a new pin-compatible DART-6UL computer-on-module featuring the NXP i.MX6 ULZ SoC. Designed for headless IoT and smart home applications, this 50x25mm module supports up to 900MHz operation with onboard WiFi/Bluetooth but lacks display and Ethernet interfaces. It includes essential security features like secure boot and AES encryption, paired with 512MB DDR3L memory and storage options ranging from 512MB NAND to 64GB eMMC.
Parts used in the DART-6UL with iMX6 ULZ:
- NXP i.MX6 ULZ SoC
- Cortex-A7 Core
- WiFi-ac module
- Bluetooth 4.2 BLE
- TRNG (True Random Number Generator)
- AES crypto engine
- Secure boot
- 512MB DDR3L
- 512MB NAND
- Up to 64GB eMMC
Variscite is releasing another pin-compatible version of their 50 x 25mm DART-6UL computer-on-module. This time it will be loaded with NXP’s headless new i.MX6 ULZ variant of the single Cortex-A7 core i.MX6 UL. This yet unnamed module lacks display or LAN support. It is described as “a native solution for headless Linux-based embedded products such as IoT devices and smart home sensors requiring low power, low size, and rich connectivity options.”
The lack of display and LAN features mimic the limitations of the cost-effective Linux processor i.MX6 ULZ by NXP. The headless, up to 900MHz Cortex-A7 ULZ SoC offers most of the I/O of the of the i.MX6 UL/ULL, including ESAI, S/PDIF, and 3x I2S audio interfaces, but features such as the 2D Pixel acceleration engine and Ethernet controllers are missing.
We’ve seen last year, Variscite upgraded the Linux-ready DART-6UL into a faster, 696MHz v1.2, which added the option of NXP’s power-efficient i.MX6 ULL SoC in addition to the i.MX6 UL. It was followed up with a DART-6UL-5G model that houses an onboard, certified WiFi/Bluetooth module with dual-band, 2.4GHz/5GHz 802.11ac/a/b/g/n.
The upcoming i.MX6 ULZ based version has the same WiFi-ac module with Bluetooth 4.2 BLE. Like the latest versions of the other DART-6UL modules, the module can be clocked to 900MHz. The “cost effective” ULZ version only lacks the touch-enabled, 24-bit parallel RGB interface and dual 10/100 Ethernet controllers. Other deducted features compared to earlier models include dual CAN, parallel camera, and “extra security features.”
The new module is also limited to a temperature range of 0 to 85°C instead of being available in 0 to 70°C or -40 to 85°C versions. The i.MX6 ULZ SoC itself has a slightly wider range of 0 to 95°C. The pin-compatible DART-6UL with iMX6 ULZ will offer the i.MX6 ULZ SoC with optional security features. It will include TRNG, AES crypto engine, and secure boot. This 50 x 25mm module will ship with 512MB DDR3L. The storage range is similar, with a 512MB NAND and up to 64GB eMMC.
Read more: VARISCITE RELEASES HEADLESS VERSION OF ITS LINUX-FRIENDLY DART-6UL COM
- What is the primary use case for the new DART-6UL ULZ module?
It is described as a native solution for headless Linux-based embedded products such as IoT devices and smart home sensors. - Does the new module support display or LAN connections?
No, it lacks display and LAN support due to the limitations of the i.MX6 ULZ processor. - Can the module be clocked to 900MHz?
Yes, the module can be clocked to 900MHz like the latest versions of other DART-6UL modules. - What security features are included in the i.MX6 ULZ version?
The module includes TRNG, an AES crypto engine, and secure boot. - What is the operating temperature range for this specific module?
The module is limited to a temperature range of 0 to 85°C. - How much memory does the new module ship with?
The module ships with 512MB DDR3L. - What storage options are available for this project?
Storage ranges from 512MB NAND up to 64GB eMMC. - Which wireless connectivity standards are supported?
It includes a certified WiFi/Bluetooth module with dual-band 802.11ac/a/b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.2 BLE.
