Embedian, Inc.
151
SMARC-iMX8M Computer on Module User’s Manual v.1.0
Chapter 4 Power Control Signals between
SMARC‐iMX8M Module and Carrier
SMARC
modules are designed to be driven with a 3V to +5.25V input
power rail. Unlike Q7 module, there is no separate voltage rail for standby
power, other than the very low current RTC voltage rail. All module operating
and standby power comes from the single set of
VDD_IN
pins. This suits
battery power sources well, and is also easy to use with non‐battery sources.
SMARC
module has specific handshaking rules to the carrier by
SMARC
hardware specification. To design the carrier board, users need to follow
these rules or it might not boot up. Some pull‐up and pull‐down also need to
be cared to make all functions work.
4.1 SMARC‐iMX8M Module Power
4.1.1. Input Voltage / Main Power Rail
The allowable Module DC input voltage range for
SMARC‐iMX8M
is from
3.0V to 5.25V. This voltage is brought in on the
VDD_IN
pins and returned
through the numerous
GND
pins on the connector.
Ten pins are allocated to
VDD_IN
. The connector pin current rating is 0.5A
per pin. This works out to 5A total for the 10 pins. At the lowest allowed
Module input voltage, this would allow up to 16.75W of electrical power to
be brought in (with no de‐rating on the connector current capability). With
a 40% connector current de‐rating, up to 10W may be brought in at 3V.
SMARC‐iMX8M
typically consumes 3~4W depending on dual or quad cores
and is pretty safe in using the connector.