ARM64 SOM for industrial applications

[thom_nic]

Hey folks - we're presently happy customers of the STMP1-SOM and before that AM33-SOM.  I'd like to move to 64-bit architecture i.e. Cortex-A53.  I know the SOM204 and RK3328 are out there however I'd prioritize hardware connectivity i.e. CAN-FD over multimedia.  My applications don't require any audio/video (or wireless connectivity at the moment.) 

NXP iMX8 are too expensive.

A low cost Coretex-53 such as STM32MP253C or TI AM623 look ideal.  The AM623 is very cheap, their list price is $6.589/ 1k units.

Edit: industrial temp rating is a must as well.

[LubOlimex]

We will have a look at those suggestions, thanks.

You didn't mention A64-OLinuXino, in your list of Cortex-A53, what about this:

https://www.olimex.com/Products/OLinuXino/A64/A64-OLinuXino/open-source-hardware

[thom_nic]

Hey thanks for the reply!  I would consider the A64 SOC in a SOM form-factor.  It's missing CAN support unfortunately but we could use a SPI or I2C to CAN chip.  I see the A64 board is industrial temp rated which we need.  We evaluated the A13-SOM but found it had poor thermal performance (and the A13 is not industrial temp rated anyway.)

If you released an A64-SOM I would definitely purchase a couple for evaluation.

[LubOlimex]

You should evaluate A64-OLinuXino, it is a mature board we also release Olimage Linux image for it. The only downside of the board is that there is multiplexing between the Ethernet and the LCD, so if you want to use LCD and Ethernet at the same time it might be a deal breaker.

Additionally I believe that the A64 chip has no CAN (unlike the A20 chip which has built-in CAN support). So any CAN module should be external.

I don't think we are making A64 SOM board.

[thom_nic]

Ok thanks. 

The real dealbreaker is that an SBC won't fit inside our product - it's huge - and has a bunch of connectors that we don't need and are in fact all in the way.  We can only use a SOM that mounts on a mainboard with a fine pitch header, and we'll put the peripheral connectors on our mainboard. 

Edit: it seems the RK3328-SOM is the closest arm64 that meets our requirements based on what is offered today.  I hesitate because the data sheet doesn't advertise industrial temp operation range.  But it could still work.