Hardware Overview
The cube:evk combines powerful automotive-grade components with a modular carrier design, making it ideal for V2X development, testing, and research.
It integrates processing, connectivity, and V2X communication hardware in a compact and robust form factor.
1. Main Processing Unit
The cube:evk is powered by the NXP i.MX 8M Plus, an advanced application processor that combines high-performance computing, real-time control, and dedicated AI acceleration.
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU | Quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 @ 1.8 GHz |
| Real-Time Co-Processor | ARM Cortex-M7 @ 800 MHz |
| Media Processor | Neon MPE (Media Processor Engine) |
| AI/ML Accelerator | NPU (Neural Processing Unit) — up to 2.3 TOPS |
| GPU | 2D/3D GC7000UL / GC520L |
| Memory | 4 GB LPDDR4 |
| Storage | 16 GB eMMC |
The combination of an ARM Cortex-A53 with a Cortex-M7 allows the cube:evk to run both high-level Linux applications and low-latency real-time control processes.
The integrated NPU provides on-device AI/ML capabilities for computer vision, sensor fusion, and predictive V2X applications.
The NXP i.MX 8M Plus delivers a balanced mix of performance, efficiency, and AI acceleration — ideal for demanding V2X and edge processing workloads.
2. GNSS and IMU
The cube:evk integrates a high-performance u-blox NEO-M8U receiver with Untethered Dead Reckoning (UDR) capability.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| GNSS Receiver | u-blox NEO-M8U UDR |
| Satellite Systems | GPS / QZSS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou |
| Sensor Fusion | DR Fusion algorithm for GNSS + IMU |
| IMU | 6-DoF (3-axis accelerometer + 3-axis gyroscope) |
The fusion of GNSS and IMU provides continuous, accurate positioning — even in tunnels, dense urban environments, or temporary GNSS loss.
High-accuracy Positioning
The u-blox NEO-M8U integrates GNSS and IMU for continuous, high-accuracy positioning, crucial for V2X timing and localization tasks.
3. Connectivity and Networking
The cube:evk includes multiple high-speed connectivity interfaces to enable vehicle, infrastructure, and backend communication.
| Interface | Specification |
|---|---|
| Ethernet | 1000 Mbps (Gigabit Ethernet) |
| Wi-Fi | Dual-band 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 / BLE |
| LTE Modem | Quectel EC21-EU (LTE Cat-1) |
| SIM Slot | Standard 3FF SIM Card Slot |
| CAN Bus | CAN / CAN-FD (Flexible Data-Rate) |
| USB | 2 × USB 2.0 Type-A ports |
| Debug Port | Micro USB for serial console access |
These interfaces allow developers to test hybrid communication setups, connect sensors or external systems, and enable remote access to the device.
4. Display and Multimedia
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Display Outputs | Mini HDMI (Type-C), HDMI 2.0a, LVDS |
| Video Decode | 1080p60 — H.265 / H.264 / VP9 / VP8 |
| Video Encode | 1080p60 — H.265 / H.264 |
The hardware acceleration ensures efficient video streaming, dashboard rendering, and AI vision workloads. The integrated video engine supports full HD encoding and decoding, enabling real-time visualization and multimedia applications.
5. Power and Environmental Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Power Input | 12 V DC |
| Max Current Consumption | 0.8 A |
| Dimensions (W×H×D) | 100 × 35 × 120 mm (without antennas) |
| Operating Temperature | -45 °C to +80 °C |
Compact and rugged, the cube:evk operates reliably under a wide range of automotive environmental conditions.
6. V2X Communication Module
The cube:evk integrates nfiniity’s dual-mode V2X radio module, supporting both DSRC (ITS-G5) and C-V2X (LTE-V2X) operation power by Muratas' 1YL.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Chipsets | Autotalks SECTON (ATK4055C; Cut 3.0) and PLUTON2 (ATK3200) |
| Qualification | AEC-Q100 Grade 2 |
| Form Factor | mPCIe (30 × 50.95 mm) |
| Temperature Range | -40 °C to +85 °C |
C-V2X / LTE-V2X
- Standards: 3GPP Release 14 / 15
- Channel bandwidths: 10 MHz / 20 MHz
- Power class 3 (≤ 23 dBm)
DSRC / ITS-G5
- Standards: IEEE 802.11p, ETSI ITS-G5
- Power class C (≤ 23 dBm)
- Compliant with IEEE 1609, SAE J2945.1, SAE J3161
Key Features
- Dual Channel / Diversity RF architecture
- Embedded Hardware Secure Module (eHSM)
- Dual-mode operation: DSRC + C-V2X
C-V2X and ITS-G5
The dual-mode V2X module ensures interoperability with both DSRC and C-V2X ecosystems, meeting global ITS standards.
7. Connection Interfaces
| Connector | Function |
|---|---|
| USB | 2 × USB 2.0 Type-A |
| CAN | 3-pin CAN/CAN-FD connector |
| Display | Mini HDMI (Type-C) |
| Network | RJ45 Ethernet |
| LEDs | 4 × Green status LEDs |
| Power | 2-pin DC power connector |
| Antenna Connectors (SMA) | 2 × V2X, 1 × LTE, 1 × Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, 1 × GNSS |
Rich Interfaces
The cube:evk provides all essential interfaces — from antennas to USB and CAN — in a compact, developer-friendly layout.
8. Operating System
The cube:evk ships with cube:os, nfiniity’s customized embedded Linux distribution based on Yocto Kirkstone and Linux kernel 5.15.
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Kernel | Linux 5.15 |
| Base Distribution | Yocto Kirkstone |
| Platform | cube:os preconfigured for V2X |
| Security | eHSM integration and signed updates |
| Updates | SWUpdate support for OTA updates |
cube:os provides a stable and modular environment for developing, deploying, and maintaining V2X applications, including communication stacks, GNSS services, and security frameworks. It combines automotive-grade Linux stability with V2X-specific enhancements such as hardware security integration and SWUpdate-based OTA capabilities.