Today’s drones are evolving far beyond simple flying platforms. They are becoming intelligent systems capable of sensing their surroundings, processing complex data, making decisions, and responding in real time. To achieve this, modern drone platforms need to efficiently handle data from cameras, sensors, AI models, and flight systems while meeting strict size, weight, power, and performance requirements.
This is where the NXP i.MX 95 System on Module provides a powerful foundation for next-generation drone platforms. Designed for demanding edge computing workloads, the i.MX 95 combines high-performance multicore processing, dedicated AI acceleration, advanced image processing, real-time control, connectivity, and security capabilities within a single platform.
By processing data directly at the edge, the i.MX 95 allows drones to analyze critical information closer to the source. This helps reduce latency and minimizes dependence on continuous cloud connectivity, making it well suited for systems that require fast response and reliable onboard decision-making.
Inside the NXP i.MX 95: Heterogeneous Architecture
The intelligence of the i.MX 95 comes from its heterogeneous computing architecture, which integrates multiple processing engines optimized for different workloads within a single System on Chip (SoC).
Rather than using one processor for every task, the i.MX 95 distributes workloads across specialized processing engines. This enables each task to run on the resource best suited for it, helping balance application processing, AI inference, vision processing, graphics, and real time control.
For a drone platform, the Arm Cortex A55 processors can manage mission applications, system software, and higher-level decision-making. The Cortex M7 supports deterministic and time critical functions, while the Neutron NPU accelerates AI inference workloads. The integrated Image Signal Processor (ISP) processes camera data for vision applications, and the integrated GPU supports graphics and visualization.
Together, these processing capabilities enable the drone to move efficiently from data acquisition and processing to AI analysis, decision-making, and real-time response within a compact edge-computing platform.
Figure 1: NXP i.MX 95 heterogeneous SoC architecture. Source: NXP
From Sensor Data to Intelligent Action
The i.MX 95 supports a complete onboard processing flow that transforms data captured by the drone into meaningful action.
- Sense: Cameras, IMUs, GPS/GNSS, and other sensors capture information from the surrounding environment.
- Process: The ISP and dedicated processing engines prepare incoming camera and sensor data.
- Analyze: The Neutron NPU accelerates AI workloads such as object detection, classification, tracking, and scene understanding.
- Decide: The Cortex-A55 processors manage mission-level software and coordinate system decisions.
- Act: The Cortex-M7 supports time-critical control functions and helps the system respond to changing conditions.
This division of workloads enables sophisticated onboard processing while maintaining responsiveness across both high-level applications and real-time control functions.
Key Highlights of the iWave i.MX 95 System on Modules:
- 6× Arm Cortex A55 application processors at up to 2.0 GHz
- 1× Arm Cortex M33 real-time processor at up to 333 MHz
- 1× Arm Cortex M7 real-time processor at up to 800 MHz
- Neutron NPU with up to 2.0 TOPS neural-network performance
- Up to 16GB LPDDR5 memory
- 16GB eMMC Flash (Expandable) & 16Mb QSPI Flash
- Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3
- SMARC v2.1.1-compatible System-on-Module
Advanced Vision, Video, and Graphics for Intelligent Drones:
Vision plays a critical role in enabling drones to understand and respond to their environment. The NXP i.MX 95 provides advanced camera and vision capabilities with support for up to 8 cameras through MIPI-CSI virtual lanes and an integrated RGB-IR Image Signal Processor (ISP).
With support for 12MP at 45 fps, 8MP at 60 fps, and 4K60 video encode/decode, the platform can efficiently capture, process, and analyze high-resolution visual data directly at the edge. This provides the processing capability needed for drones that depend on real-time visual awareness and onboard video intelligence.
Complementing its vision capabilities, the i.MX 95 integrates an Arm Mali 3D GPU delivering up to 64 GFLOPS, with support for OpenGL ES 3.2, Vulkan 1.2, and OpenCL 3.0. Its graphics and display capabilities can support the visualization of camera feeds, flight information, navigation data, and AI-generated insights.
Together, the advanced camera, video, AI, and graphics capabilities of the i.MX 95 provide a powerful foundation for drones to capture visual data, process it at the edge, extract meaningful intelligence, and respond quickly in real time.
Why i.MX 95 for Intelligent Drone Applications?
| Drone Requirement | i.MX 95 Capability | Benefit for Drones |
|---|---|---|
| High-Performance Compute | Up to 6× Arm Cortex-A55 cores + Cortex-M7 | Handles flight applications, sensor processing, and edge workloads |
| Edge AI Intelligence | NXP eIQ® Neutron NPU | Enables real-time object detection, tracking, and autonomous decision-making |
| Multi Camera Vision | Supports multiple MIPI-CSI camera inputs and high-speed ISP processing | Enables surround vision, obstacle detection, and situational awareness |
| Advanced Graphics & Display | Arm Mali™ GPU with multi-display support | Supports ground control interfaces and advanced visual applications |
| Real Time Processing | Dedicated Cortex-M7 real-time core | Supports deterministic control and time-critical drone functions |
| High-Speed Connectivity | PCIe, Ethernet, USB, CAN-FD and other interfaces | Connects cameras, sensors, communication modules, and peripherals |
| Safety & Security | NXP Safe Assure® Safety Domain and secure architecture | Helps protect critical drone functions and sensitive mission data |
| Low Power & High Integration | Heterogeneous processing in a single platform | Reduces system power, size, and weight important for airborne platforms |
As drones become increasingly autonomous and data intensive, the ability to process AI, vision, sensor, and control workloads directly at the edge is becoming essential. With its heterogeneous computing architecture, dedicated AI acceleration, advanced vision capabilities, real-time processing, connectivity, and integrated security features, the NXP i.MX 95 SoM provides a powerful foundation for intelligent drone platforms.
Built around the NXP i.MX 95 processor, the iWave System on Module helps developers create compact and high-performance edge platforms for demanding drone applications. From intelligent vision and obstacle detection to onboard AI processing and real-time system control, it provides the computing capabilities needed to accelerate the development of next-generation intelligent drones.
iWave Global is a leading provider of embedded computing solutions specializing in System on Modules, FPGA platforms, and ODM services. With deep expertise in high-performance and RF systems, iWave enables customers to accelerate product development and time to market.
For more information, please write to mktg@iwave-global.com
