SmarCore iQ6 and iQ8: Bringing Qualcomm Dragonwing Technology to Industrial Embedded Systems

Industrial devices increasingly need to process camera streams, run AI workloads and manage sophisticated user interfaces close to where data is generated. Meeting these requirements means choosing a computing platform that balances processing performance, power consumption, connectivity and long-term availability.

Our SmarCore iQ6 and upcoming SmarCore iQ8 address different needs within this landscape. Based on Qualcomm Dragonwing™ processors by Qualcomm, they bring two performance options to the SmarCore family, supporting applications from industrial interfaces and gateways to demanding edge AI systems.

SmarCore iQ6: Efficient Computing for Connected Industrial Devices

Based on the Qualcomm Dragonwing™ IQ-615 processor, SmarCore iQ6 combines an eight-core CPU running at up to 1.9 GHz with up to 8 GB of LPDDR4X memory.

Its combination of low-power computing, graphics and camera capabilities provides a foundation for embedded devices that need to acquire data, display information and communicate with other systems.

Key features include:

• Adreno™ 612 graphics.

• HDMI, DisplayPort, eDP, dual-channel LVDS and MIPI-DSI display interfaces.

• Two MIPI-CSI interfaces for camera integration.

• Gigabit Ethernet, USB and PCIe Gen2 connectivity.

• Linux Yocto support.

For projects such as industrial HMIs, connected terminals and gateways, SmarCore iQ6 offers a practical balance of processing resources and peripheral interfaces.

SmarCore iQ8: More Resources for Demanding Edge AI

The upcoming SmarCore iQ8  is based on the Qualcomm Dragonwing™ IQ-8275 processor, extending the family toward applications with greater AI, memory and data-throughput requirements.

Engicam’s module characteristics include an eight-core CPU running at up to 2.35 GHz, a Hexagon™ Tensor Processor delivering 40 dense TOPS and up to 32 GB of LPDDR5X memory.

Connectivity also takes a step forward, with PCIe Gen4, one Gigabit Ethernet port and one 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port. Camera and display interfaces include two MIPI-CSI interfaces, MIPI-DSI, HDMI, DisplayPort and dual-channel LVDS.

Together, these resources make SmarCore iQ8 a platform to consider for compute-intensive vision and AI applications at the industrial edge.

Inside Dragonwing IQ8: Different Processing Engines for Different Tasks

The Dragonwing IQ8 Series is a heterogeneous computing platform combining CPU, NPU, GPU, DSP and real-time MCU resources.

This architecture allows software to assign different workloads to the processing engines best suited to them. Application logic, graphics, AI inference and real-time tasks can therefore use distinct resources within the same platform.

Industrial vision, robotics, autonomous mobile robots, industrial HMIs and edge AI are among the series’ target applications. For developers, this opens opportunities to combine visual processing and local intelligence in increasingly capable industrial devices.

Processing AI workloads on the device can also reduce dependence on cloud communication, helping applications respond locally and limiting the need to transmit raw data off-site. Actual results depend on the AI model, software implementation and complete system design.

Common Foundations for Industrial Product Design

Both Engicam modules use an 82 × 50 mm footprint, a single 5 V supply and Linux Yocto. Both specify an operating temperature range of −40°C to +85°C, with availability listed through 2038.

These shared characteristics support projects where compact integration, industrial operating conditions and product lifecycle planning matter alongside computing performance.

The choice depends on the application: SmarCore iQ6 suits designs focused on efficient embedded computing and multimedia interfaces, while SmarCore iQ8 adds resources for heavier AI workloads, larger memory requirements and faster peripheral connectivity.

Start with Your Application Requirements

Selecting a module begins with the workload: the data to acquire, the AI models to run, the interfaces to connect and the operating environment.

Explore SmarCore iQ6 and SmarCore iQ8, or contact our team to discuss your project.