NXP Semiconductors MCIMX7D3EVK10SC

Overview

MCIMX7D3EVK10SC from NXP Semiconductors is a development kit for the i.MX 7Dual applications processor, featuring dual-core ARM Cortex-A7 (up to 1.2 GHz) and single-core Cortex-M4 (up to 200 MHz), 1 GB LPDDR3, 8 GB eMMC, on-board Wi-Fi/BT module, and support for Linux and FreeRTOS. It serves as a hardware reference platform for evaluating heterogeneous multicore SoC performance in industrial HMI and secure edge gateway designs.

For engineers reviewing the MCIMX7D3EVK10SC datasheet, MCIMX7D3EVK10SC pinout, MCIMX7D3EVK10SC application, or MCIMX7D3EVK10SC equivalent, this kit enables rapid validation of power management partitioning, secure boot flow, inter-processor messaging (MU/SEMA4), and peripheral interface timing across A7/M4 domains - critical for deterministic real-time + application processing coexistence.

Technical Context

The MCIMX7D3EVK10SC implements the full i.MX 7Dual SoC (MCIMX7D5EVM10AB) with dual Cortex-A7 cores running at 1.2 GHz and a Cortex-M4 core at 200 MHz, integrated CAAM cryptographic accelerator, SNVS tamper detection, and RDC-based resource domain isolation. It supports High Assurance Boot (HAB) v4 and Secure Non-Volatile Storage for root-of-trust establishment.

This kit provides native access to all key interfaces: MIPI-DSI (1080p), MIPI-CSI-2 (dual camera), SAI audio, USB OTG/Host, PCIe Gen2 x1, SDIO 3.0, and multiple UART/I²C/SPI/GPIO banks - all routed to headers or connectors with documented signal integrity constraints per IMX7DRM Rev. 0.1.

Key Specifications

Availability

MCIMX7D3EVK10SC is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial HMI, secure edge gateways, medical UI terminals, and automotive diagnostic tools requiring stable component supply and long-term evaluation platform availability.

Supply support for MCIMX7D3EVK10SC includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

NXP Semiconductors is a global semiconductor company headquartered in Eindhoven, Netherlands, specializing in secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, IoT, and mobile applications.

The i.MX 7 series targets low-power, high-security embedded applications requiring asymmetric multiprocessing - specifically designed to separate real-time control (Cortex-M4) from rich OS execution (Cortex-A7) while maintaining hardware-enforced domain isolation via RDC and secure boot chain.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the MCIMX7D3EVK10SC?

The MCIMX7D3EVK10SC is an official NXP evaluation kit for the i.MX 7Dual SoC. It is not a standalone IC but a fully assembled, tested hardware platform enabling firmware development, driver porting, and system-level validation of dual-core A7/M4 operation, security features (HAB, CAAM), and peripheral integration. The MCIMX7D3EVK10SC includes debug probes, power supplies, and documented schematics to accelerate time-to-proof-of-concept.

Does the MCIMX7D3EVK10SC include the i.MX 7Dual SoC soldered onboard?

Yes, the MCIMX7D3EVK10SC integrates the MCIMX7D5EVM10AB SoC - the full-featured i.MX 7Dual package with 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 cores and 200 MHz Cortex-M4 core. This SoC is mounted in a 19x19 mm, 485-pin MAPBGA package and operates within the industrial temperature range (–40°C to +85°C), as specified in the i.MX 7Dual Reference Manual (IMX7DRM Rev. 0.1).

Which operating systems are officially supported on the MCIMX7D3EVK10SC?

NXP provides Yocto Project-based Linux BSPs (L4.14.98_2.0.0) and FreeRTOS SDKs validated for the MCIMX7D3EVK10SC. These include drivers for all major peripherals - MIPI-DSI/CSI-2, SAI audio, USB, PCIe, and CAAM crypto acceleration. Android support is not provided for this kit; it is optimized for Linux and RTOS deployments requiring deterministic M4 real-time response alongside A7 application services.

Can the MCIMX7D3EVK10SC be used for production deployment?

No - the MCIMX7D3EVK10SC is strictly an evaluation and development tool, not a production-ready module. Its PCB layout, thermal design, and component selection prioritize debug accessibility and flexibility over cost, size, or environmental ruggedness. For production, NXP recommends designing custom carrier boards using the i.MX 7Dual SoC (e.g., MCIMX7D5EVM10AB) or certified modules like the i.MX 7Dual-based VAR-SOM-MX7.

What debugging interfaces does the MCIMX7D3EVK10SC provide?

The MCIMX7D3EVK10SC includes an on-board OpenSDA debug probe supporting JTAG/SWD for both Cortex-A7 and Cortex-M4 cores, accessible via micro-USB. It also exposes SWD/JTAG pins on a 10-pin header for external debuggers (e.g., Segger J-Link). Full debug visibility into inter-processor messaging (MU registers), RDC domain assignments, and CAAM state is enabled through NXP's MCUXpresso IDE and Linux kernel debug tools targeting the MCIMX7D3EVK10SC platform.