Unleash a world of smart possibilities with iWave and Crank

iWave Systems, a global leader in embedded system and cutting edge solutions, has partnered with Crank Software Inc., to support vibrant and rich graphics representation on the powerful i.MX 8 series System on Modules and SBC boards.

Powered by the NXP i.MX8 application processors, the SOM and SBC are optimized for sophisticated real-time computing in embedded applications, and the Crank Software perfectly complements the high performing modules with out of the box GUI experience, enabling consumers to interact with our platform seamlessly.

Here is an overview of iWave’s broad portfolio of i.MX8 Products:

• MX8 Quad Max and Quad Plus SMARC SOM
• MX8 Quad Max and Quad Plus SMARC SBC
• MX8M Quad/Dual/Quad lite SMARC SOM
• MX8M Mini Quad/Dual/Solo SODIMM SOM

Native to the i.MX 8QuadMax/QuadPlus SOM is an integrated high-performance Dual Vivante GC7000SXVX GPU and 4K H.265 capable VPU the Crank applications leverage to offer pixel-perfect 3D graphical acceleration on up to 4 x HD or one 4K display.

Crank has the following key features that make it well applicable for i.MX platforms:

• Accessible directly within NXP MCUXpresso SDK
• Wide support from FreeRTOS to QNX to Linux to Android OS
• Built to leverage board features that drive performance
• Consistent performance and reliability with both high- and low-power processors.
• Media-rich user interface development – Graphics, Audio, Connectivity
• Design, debug, deploy GUI without the need for programming
• Import and re-upload files from Photoshop
• Integrated animation & validation tools
• Adaptable to technology stack changes (hardware & software & OS)

“iWave is committed to delivering high-quality solutions that will help our customers build products much quicker and with ease. The iWave i.MX 8 series SOM offers the ability to advance performance in integrated eCockpits, multi-camera, and multi-domain systems across industrial medical, automotive, and IIoT verticals. To fully enable advanced applications in customer products, collaboration with trusted partners such as Crank was integral to our go-to-market strategy, says Abdullah Khan, President, iWave Systems Technologies, India.

iWave systems and Crank Software collaboration will facilitate efficiency in design cycles, cost, and time to market for many customers who want to use the i.MX8 series processors. Our partnership with Crank Software will enable diverse graphical performance in various i.MX SOM/SBC products and also in various iWave HMI solutions.

What better way to demonstrate the GUI performance than with a video? Check out the link for exciting impressions of the Launcher Demo on the i.MX 8QM/QP development platform: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCfa2Qm7WYQ&feature=youtu.be

Innovations enabled by winning combination of iWave platforms and Crank 

Automotive: 

The world is heading towards an increasingly autonomous and connected mobility. Take a glance at a modern vehicle today, and one would marvel at the amazing transformation that technology and digitalization have enabled, providing an amphitheatre-like experience – within the boundaries of a machine. From infotainment, navigation, instrument cluster to Heads up Display (HUD), boundless innovations are enriching user experience to never before seen dimension. Under the hood, iWave platforms and rich Crank GUI ensure dynamic performance, delivering rich and diverse functionality throughout the vehicle’s lifetime.

Medical: 

Health care systems are evolving to newer standards of diagnosis and patient care. Continuous monitoring using connected technology allows patients to conveniently interact with their health provider 24/7, accelerating early diagnosis, and better recording of health data. Emerging technologies are enabling advanced use cases to the point of performing medical operations remotely on patients. Such innovative concepts require efficient and sophisticated computing platforms such as i.MX8 and rich embedded GUI that facilitates seamless interaction, real-time intelligence, and flexibility in supercritical medical applications.

IoT Automation: 

Be it production centre or home, imagine the possibilities of having complete control over your assets even when you are away. Remote monitoring via automation systems ensures maximum throughput, interoperability in addition to cost and energy savings. iWave SOM platform and Crank GUI work in tandem to offer state of the art interactive platform to monitor assets and improve resource efficiency.

Crank Story Board demo on iWave i.MX 8QM/QP SMARC module: 

i.MX 8QuadMax/QuadPlus SMARC Development platform

Key features:

• MX8 QM/QP/DM SoC
• Up to 8GB LPDDR4 RAM and 128GB eMMC storage
• Built in 802.11ac Wi-Fi module
• Dual Gigabit Ethernet support.
• Multiple display options including 4K HDMI, video input, CAN ports
• Multiple PCIe devices, SATA, USB3.0, Serial interfaces and Audio.

Following are few snapshots of the Crank Application running on QNX RTOS in iWave’s i.MX 8QM SMARC development board;

GUI development on iWave SOMs and SBCs

Crank software enables a no programming framework that allows designers to easily generate stunning graphical images and animations by directly importing the GUI designs from software such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Sketch. Crank development tools instantly creates rich GUI pages along with interface routines and customized GUI images for various end applications requirements.

The resulting source code is cross-compiled to generate programmable binaries and copied to the target board using a simple USB / Ethernet interface. And that’s it; the GUI is now ready for use in the SOM platform in just a few minutes!!

Advantages of using iWave Platforms:                            

• 10+ years long term product longevity
• Technical support
• Pre-integrated libraries to run CRANK applications with iWave BSP
• Recognized skills and know-how with wide-ranging OS and RTOS
• Turnkey hardware, software services, and manufacturing support
• iWave is NXP Proven Gold Partner and worked with all i.MX parts

iWave extends service in customizing BSP for developing the Crank GUI and contribute to bringing the applications to life quickly and affordably to various i.MX8 family such as i.MX8, i.MX8M, i.MX8X and i.MX8M mini/nano.

For further information and inquiries, please write to [email protected]