A public technical article edition focusing on the application of the NXP i.MX6ULL processor in low-cost industrial control, featuring EBYTE's ECK20-6Y28C core board, with product solutions, technical analysis and conclusions.
Note: The i.MX6ULL is a single-core ARM Cortex-A7 processor (792MHz); the "dual-core" wording in some drafts is a typo — this edition follows the official specification.

Introduction: Why Cortex-A7?

In the field of industrial control, the balance between cost and performance is an eternal theme. For applications such as PLCs, HMIs and IoT gateways, you need enough computing power to run Linux and handle multiple protocols, while keeping costs extremely low for large-scale deployment.

The NXP i.MX6ULL processor was created for exactly this. It uses a single-core ARM Cortex-A7 architecture running at up to 792MHz. Although it is a single core, in real-world applications its efficient Cortex-A7 core and rich I/O resources are more than enough for most low-cost industrial control scenarios. The i.MX6ULL is widely regarded as the "cost-optimized version" of the i.MX6UL, maintaining excellent cost-performance while streamlining some encryption features.

This article provides an in-depth analysis of the application of EBYTE's ECK20-6Y28C core board (built around the i.MX6ULL) in low-cost industrial control, showing how it delivers stable, reliable industrial-grade performance at an extremely low cost.

Which User Pain Points Are Solved?

The i.MX6ULL in low-cost industrial control mainly serves the following four core user groups, precisely addressing their rigid requirements:

Core Product Solution: ECK20-6Y28C Core Board

Product Introduction

The ECK20-6Y28C is an industrial-grade core board designed by EBYTE around the NXP i.MX6ULL processor, using a 120-pin BTB connector interface and integrating the processor, memory, storage and power management. Its core parameters:

• Processor: NXP i.MX6ULL, single-core ARM Cortex-A7, 792MHz

• Memory: On-board 256MB/512MB DDR3L SDRAM

• Storage: 512MB NAND FLASH or 8GB eMMC (optional)

• Display: 1 parallel LCD interface, up to 1366×768@60fps

• Ethernet: 2 10/100M auto-negotiation ports, IEEE 1588 supported

• USB: 2 USB2.0 OTG ports

• UART: 8 channels

• CAN: 2 channels

• SDIO: 2 MMC/SD/SDIO interfaces

• Other: Multiple GPIO, I2C, SPI, SAI, ADC, etc.

• Operating temperature: Industrial grade -40℃~+85℃

• Interface: 120-pin BTB connector (0.8mm pitch)

• Dimensions: 46×36×6.8mm

Core Advantages

• Extreme cost-performance: The i.MX6ULL is the cost-optimized version of the i.MX6UL, delivering industrial-grade performance while maintaining excellent value. The ECK20-6Y28C further lowers development barriers and BOM cost on this basis.

• Rich industrial interfaces: 8 UARTs, 2 CANs and 2 10/100M Ethernet ports easily connect to various field devices (PLCs, sensors, VFDs, instruments) for multi-protocol data acquisition and conversion.

• Mature Linux ecosystem: Based on the Linux 5.10.9 kernel and Yocto build system, developers can get started quickly and leverage rich open-source resources to shorten time-to-market.

• Industrial-grade reliable design: Supports -40℃~+85℃ industrial operating temperature, passes rigorous EMC and burn-in testing, ensuring long-term stable operation in harsh industrial environments.

Application Scenarios in Detail

Low-Cost PLC (Programmable Logic Controller)

• Scenario: In production-line automation and equipment control, a low-cost, high-performance PLC is needed for logic control, sequence control and PID regulation, while supporting multiple communication protocols and remote monitoring.

• Recommended solution: ECK20-6Y28C core board + custom PLC carrier board.

• Solution details:

• Core control: The i.MX6ULL runs Linux; open-source PLC runtimes (OpenPLC, Codesys) or custom control logic implement ladder logic and structured text programming.

• I/O expansion: Digital I/O (DI/DO) and analog I/O (AI/AO) modules are expanded via SPI or I2C to meet different control needs.

• Communication interfaces: 2 CAN ports connect fieldbus devices (e.g. CANopen); 2 10/100M Ethernet ports communicate with host computers or the cloud; 8 UARTs connect serial devices (VFDs, instruments).

• Human-machine interaction: A local touchscreen HMI is driven via the parallel LCD interface for parameter setting and status monitoring.

• Cloud data: Device status and alarm information are uploaded to the cloud via MQTT for remote O&M.

Industrial IoT Gateway

• Scenario: In factories, oil fields and coal mines, data from various on-site devices (PLCs, sensors, instruments) must be centrally acquired, processed and uploaded to the cloud, with multi-protocol conversion and edge computing.

• Recommended solution: ECK20-6Y28C core board + edge gateway carrier board.

• Solution details:

• Multi-protocol data acquisition: The ECK20-6Y28C periodically acquires data from multiple devices via 8 UARTs and 2 CANs using Modbus RTU, CANopen or custom protocols.

• Protocol conversion and edge computing: Protocol conversion programs (e.g. Modbus RTU to Modbus TCP) run on Linux, alongside data cleaning, filtering and threshold judgment — only key or changed data is uploaded.

• Cloud data: Pre-processed data is uploaded via MQTT over 2 10/100M Ethernet ports or an external 4G module.

• Offline buffering: Local 8GB eMMC caches data and automatically uploads after network recovery, ensuring no data loss.

• Remote configuration: Gateway configuration and firmware can be updated remotely via the cloud platform, reducing on-site maintenance costs.

Low-Cost HMI (Human-Machine Interface)

• Scenario: CNC machines, packaging equipment and injection molding machines need a low-cost, high-resolution touchscreen HMI for parameter setting, status monitoring and alarm display.

• Recommended solution: ECK20-6Y28C core board + HMI carrier board.

• Solution details:

• High-resolution display: The ECK20-6Y28C drives a high-res touchscreen (up to 1366×768) via the parallel LCD interface; combined with Qt for Embedded Linux, smooth and attractive HMI interfaces are developed.

• Device communication: RS485 or Ethernet interfaces communicate with device controllers (PLCs, VFDs) to read and display operating data in real time.

• Local storage: eMMC or NAND FLASH stores HMI configuration, historical data and alarm logs.

• Cloud data: Equipment data is uploaded via Ethernet for remote monitoring and analysis.

• Low cost: The i.MX6ULL's low cost makes the entire HMI system's BOM far cheaper than Cortex-A8/A9-based solutions.

ECK20-6Y28C vs. Competitors / Same-Series Products

EBYTE Company Introduction and Industry Advantages

Company Profile

Chengdu EBYTE Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. (EBYTE), founded in 2012, is a national high-tech enterprise integrating R&D, production and sales. Headquartered in Chengdu, it has offices in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing, with business spanning more than 100 countries and regions worldwide.

EBYTE focuses on industrial IoT wireless communication, with a product line covering wireless modules, data radios, industrial gateways, network I/O, industrial PCs, antennas and accessories — committed to providing professional IoT communication solutions for global customers.

Technical Philosophy

EBYTE upholds the mission of "Making wireless communication simpler and the IoT world smarter", continuously investing in R&D and innovation to deliver stable, reliable, high-performance and cost-effective i.MX6ULL core board products and solutions — driving the adoption and development of industrial automation and intelligence.

Choosing EBYTE means choosing a professional, reliable and efficient low-cost industrial control core platform.