User's Manual l TQMa8MxML UM 0103 l © 2022, TQ-Systems GmbH
Page 43
3.2.8
Differences between TQMa8MxML and TQMa8MxNL
The i.MX 8M Nano has some differences compared to the i.MX 8M Mini that must be taken into account when designing a carrier
board.
3.2.8.1
CPU
•
The i.MX 8M Nano has an integrated Cortex-M7, while the i.MX 8M Mini has a Cortex-M4.
•
The i.MX 8M Nano does not have a VPU and therefore cannot support video processing.
Due to the omission of the VPU, the TQMa8MxNL consumes less power than the TQMa8MxML.
•
The "Non Maskable Interrupt" (NMI) can still be used on the TQMa8MxNL.
The LGA pad "M4_NMI" is routed to the CPU ball [AF12] and is labelled "M7_NMI".
3.2.8.2
SDRAM
The i.MX 8M Nano only supports 16-bit wide SDRAM. Therefore, only 16-bit wide LPDDR4 RAM is populated.
3.2.8.3
Boot Mode
The Boot Mode of the i.MX 8M Nano is set using four Boot_Mode pins, while that of the i.MX 8M Mini is set using only two.
In addition to BOOT_MODE0 and BOOT_MODE1, JTAG_TRST# is used as BOOT_MODE2 and TEST_MODE as BOOT_MODE3 on the
TQMa8MxNL.
3.2.8.4
SAI
The i.MX 8M Nano lacks the SAI1 interface. Some of these pins are used on the i.MX 8M Mini to set the boot source. Accordingly,
the i.MX 8M Nano does not offer as many audio processing options, since SAI1 is the widest audio interface with 8 bits at the
same time. On the other hand, the i.MX 8M Nano also has a second 1-bit wide audio interface, SAI7, which can be multiplexed
if required.
3.2.8.5
PCIe
Compared to the i.MX 8M Mini, the i.MX 8M Nano does not have PCIe functionality. However, the corresponding pads are
present on the TQMa8MxNL. It is recommended to terminate them with 10 kΩ to Ground.
3.2.8.6
USB
The i.MX 8M Nano provides only one USB 2.0 interface, which is also OTG-capable. However, the corresponding pads are present
on the TQMa8MxNL. It is recommended to terminate the corresponding module pads (USB2_xx) with 10 kΩ to Ground.
