iMX

i.MX is a family of embedded applications processors developed by NXP Semiconductors (formerly Freescale). The line is designed for multimedia and general-purpose embedded systems, combining ARM CPU cores with integrated graphics, video processing, and a variety of peripherals on a single chip. i.MX devices are used in automotive infotainment, consumer electronics, industrial automation, and networking equipment, among other applications.

The family spans several generations built around ARM cores such as Cortex-A9, Cortex-A7, Cortex-A53, and Cortex-A72. Features commonly include 2D/3D graphics acceleration, video decode/encode blocks, image signal processing, and a range of hardware interfaces such as Ethernet, USB, PCIe, HDMI or LVDS, and camera/display interfaces. Many i.MX chips also integrate memory controllers, power management, and security features. Software support emphasizes Linux and Android, with official board support packages and Yocto/OpenEmbedded tooling, plus a broad third-party ecosystem.

Key lines include i.MX6 (Cortex-A9-based), i.MX7 (Cortex-A7 with a Cortex-M4 RT co-processor for low-power tasks), and i.MX8 families (higher performance, with Cortex-A53/A72 cores and enhanced multimedia capabilities). The i.MX8M and i.MX8M Plus focus on multimedia and AI workloads, with the Plus version including a neural processing unit for on-device inference. The platform is designed for long-term availability and suitability for industrial-grade deployments.

Developers leverage reference evaluation kits, extensive documentation, software development kits, and community resources to build Linux, Android, or real-time operating system solutions. The i.MX line remains a core component of NXP’s embedded processing portfolio.