Embedded-Solutions

The more powerful successor to the ESP32-S3 – RISC-V dual-core with higher clock speed, MIPI-DSI display interface and hardware acceleration for 2D graphics, JPEG and H.264. This allows the ESP32-P4 to cover HMI applications that would otherwise typically require a Linux-based MPU, without making the step into the MPU world.

Strengths

MIPI-DSI up to 1080p directly from the chip, without an external display bridge

Pixel processing accelerator and video decoder reduce CPU load for animations and video playback

Up to 32 MB PSRAM supports large framebuffers and multi-layer UIs (LVGL)

Boot time < 1 s, making the smart display ready for use almost instantly without the need for a splash-screen

A proven Cortex-M7 platform from STMicroelectronics, combining very high clock speed, industrial-standard peripherals and the long-established STM32 ecosystem. Traditionally a strong choice for demanding, TouchGFX-based premium HMIs in industrial and medical devices where real-time performance, certifiability and a predictable product roadmap are key.

Strengths

Cortex-M7 with clock speeds of up to 600 MHz and deterministic real-time performance, without Linux scheduler jitter

TouchGFX as an integral part of the STM32 ecosystem, providing development tools, demos and PC simulator

Industrial peripherals on board: Ethernet MAC, CAN-FD, multiple SPI/I²C, ADC classes for measurement applications

ST guarantees long-term availability, an important advantage for medical and industrial designs with extended product lifecycle

H7R variant with NeoChrom GPU enables modern, animated UIs without MPU power consumption

The ultra-low-power variant of the STM32 family, based on Cortex-M33. When battery-powered or energy-harvesting operation is essential while a modern display is still required, the U5 is a natural choice. High-end variants such as the U5F9 and U5G9 additionally offer MIPI-DSI and a 2D GPU for animated UIs.

Strengths

Ultra-low power consumption by design, optimized for applications where long battery life is a key requirement.

Cortex-M33 with TrustZone and ST security features – basis for connected and certification-bound devices

High-end variants (U5F9/U5G9) with MIPI-DSI and NeoChrom GPU for smooth, visually appealing animations

TouchGFX and long-term STM32 roadmap, with the same toolchain as the H7 family, enabling easy switching depending on energy budget

The next generation of the CM4, featuring a Cortex-A76 processor running at 2.4 GHz and a VideoCore VII GPU, delivers significantly higher processing and graphics performance as well as 4Kp60 support on up to two HDMI outputs. When the CM4 reaches its performance limits or high-resolution multi-display applications are required, the CM5 is the logical next step.

Strengths

Significant performance upgrade over the CM4 – even complex web apps and 3D UIs run smoothly

2× HDMI 2.0 with simultaneous 4Kp60 output plus 2× 4-lane MIPI ports supporting DSI/CSI-2, providing extensive flexibility for multi-display configurations

Same compact 55 × 40 mm compute module form factor, making it suitable for embedded and custom carrier-board designs

Up to 16 GB LPDDR4 SDRAM, providing ample headroom for sophisticated Linux applications

Same toolchain and distribution maintenance as the CM4 – no platform change on the software side

A pin-compatible industrial alternative to the Raspberry Pi CM4, based on the Rockchip RK3568J, with the "J" indicating the industrial-grade version. It integrates an NPU delivering around 0.8 TOPS for edge AI and is designed for long-term availability, making it a pragmatic option when the CM4 does not provide sufficient capabilities or when supply-chain risk needs to be mitigated.

Strengths

Industrial-grade variant with an extended temperature range and long-term availability

Integrated NPU (~0.8 TOPS) for vision and ML inference directly on the display, without additional hardware

LVDS, MIPI-DSI and HDMI available in parallel, providing flexibility for connecting different   industrial display panels

Linux and Android support, offering flexibility depending on the UI strategy and operating concept

Existing Raspberry Pi CM4 carrier-board designs can be reused with moderate adaptations, helping reduce dependency on CM4 availability

Industrial System-on-Module from Toradex based on the NXP i.MX8M Plus, combining a Cortex-A53 processor cluster with a dedicated Cortex-M7, a 2.3 TOPS NPU and the long-life support typically required in medical and industrial fields. When a smart display becomes part of a certified product with a lifecycle of 10+ years, Toradex is an established platform provider.

Strengths

Long-term availability from Toradex and NXP, providing security well beyond 10 years and making the platform suitable for medical and industrial products

2.3 TOPS NPU – productive vision and AI tasks directly on the device, without cloud connection

Additional Cortex-M7 integrated into the SoC, allowing real-time tasks to be separated from the Linux system

Torizon platform with a container-based update and maintenance workflow, simplifying software maintenance throughout the product lifecycle

Certified carrier boards and customer references in medical and industrial applications available