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phyCORE-i.MX 8X Carrier Board — Revision 1.0 Schematics (03-22-2026)

Summary

This pull request introduces the Revision 1.0 (2026-03-22) schematics for the CADENCE phyCORE-i.MX 8X Carrier Board.

The design provides a platform for the i.MX 8X System on Module (SOM) for use in CADENCE as a flight computer.


Key Features

  • Dual Samtec connector interface to SOM
  • Multi-rail power architecture (5V, 3.3V, 12V, VBAT nominal 10.8V)
  • Radiation-tolerant watchdog implementation
  • Ethernet (dual port), USB, GNSS, and state of health/telemetry sensors
  • Mixed memory subsystem (OSPI NOR Flash, MRAM, NAND, uSD)
  • Debug interfaces (UART, JTAG, USB bridge)
  • Buffered/differential interfaces

Schematic Page Overview

Page 1 — Block Diagram

  • System-level architecture of the carrier board
  • i.MX 8X SOM interfaced via dual Samtec connectors
  • High-level connectivity: Ethernet, Flash/MRAM, GPS, sensors, and power distribution

Page 2 — IMX8X SOM Samtec Connectors and Notes

  • Some Interface mappings for UART, SPI, and I2C buses
  • Samtec Pinout
  • load switch to power sequence onboard peripherals to prevent damage to IMX8X SOM

Page 3 — Power System

  • Power distribution tree implementation:

    • LT8612 switching regulators (5V, 3.3V rails)
    • CMOS Image Sensor LTC3115-1 boost regulator (12V rail)
    • SCALES LDOs for Ethernet PHY and sensitive rails
    • power LEDs (also shows when power switch on/off)

Page 4 — External Watchdog Timer

  • Radiation-tolerant watchdog (SCALES-inspired design)
  • TLV1704 comparator-based implementation
  • Ensures system recovery in fault conditions

Page 5 — User Controls

  • Power switch
  • SOM reset button
  • 4-position DIP switch for boot mode selection
  • LED to show when SOM is reset

Page 6 — microSD Interface

  • Standard microSD slot via uSDHC1 interface

Page 7 — Flash and MRAM Memory

  • 512 Mbit OSPI NOR Flash
  • 4 Mbit MRAM for critical data
  • NAND Flash for non-critical storage

Page 8 — Ethernet PHY

  • TI DP83867IR Gigabit Ethernet PHY (present on SOM as well)
  • RGMII interface to SOM
  • Integrated clocking circuitry

Page 9 — Ethernet Connectors

  • Dual RJ45 (ETH0, ETH1) implementation
  • SRV05-4LCT surge/ESD protection diodes

Page 10 — USB Ports

  • USB-C (development/debug)
  • USB-A host port
  • LM1085 regulator supplying 3.3V from VBUS

Page 11 — Payload Board Connection

  • External payload interface:

    • SN65C1168 RS-422 transceiver
    • 16-pin payload connector
    • P82B715 I2C buffer for long-distance comms

Page 12 — Blank

  • Intentionally left blank (I2C Buffers integrated with external board connections)

Page 13 — GPS and Power Monitor

  • Skytraq Orion B16 GPS module
  • INA219 power monitor for GPS rail

Page 14 — Onboard Sensors

  • Sensor/peripheral suite includes:

    • RV-3028-C7 RTC
    • LSM6DSO Accelerometer & Gyroscope
    • LIS2MDL magnetometer
    • TMP112 temperature sensor
    • INA219 (main board & voltage rail/device power monitoring)

Page 15 — Debug USB (UART/JTAG)

  • FT2232HL USB-to-UART/JTAG bridge
  • Enables full system debugging via USB-C

Page 16 — External and SATNOGS Connections

  • Interfaces for:

    • SATNOGS
    • Ebyte RF module
    • Debug headers for probing and testing
    • preliminary ADCS communication connection
    • preliminary Heater trigger connection

Notes

  • Designed with radiation tolerance considerations for LEO environments wherever possible
  • Rad-tested parts from EEERadiation Database and IEEE Radiation Effects Data Workshop
  • Supports both development and flight-like configurations for Engineering Model

as-470 and others added 30 commits June 10, 2025 13:26
RADEFT symbols are in a kicad_sym library file. RADEFT footprints are in a .pretty folder file.
in process of implementing changes for rev2
uploaded cygnet devboard v1 firmware reference & updated schematic and layout for v2 demo. to do: assign new jlc part numbers
Uses CD-PA1616D from Adafruit
Using RP2350.
To do list listed inside KiCAD main page.
Will continue to work on it in available time.
- more decoupling caps
- i2c address config
-implemented 3.3v to 12v boost converter
-radfet readout circuitry done (i think)
-added readout circuitry from oresat & proves fc v5c board
-finished gps schematic (need footprint still)
-added few LEDs

main priorities:
-watchdog circuit
-calculate voltage div resistor values for 12v
-gps footprint
- removed pullup resistors on i2c 0 (proves board has the pullups)
- will be adding nand flash for more long term storage of gps and radfet data & telemetry
- gps footprint not finished but started. will finish when i get access to a mouse
- refined gps footprint
- reorganized schematic
jfets no more for now. Also added footprints to some symbols.
- using analog switch ic to switch between sense & readout (tmux1133)
- added non inverting buffer for voltage readout
- haven't fully deep dived into the new components & must look into more
-replaced custom circuitry with radfet readout modules
-cleaned up sensor schematic page
-changed temp sensor
-added more missing footprints
MattSand1234 and others added 30 commits April 21, 2026 11:57
- circuit layout blocks for ltc3115-1 boost converter, usb LDOs, ethernet 1v and 2.5v completed
- rearranged battery holder, moved memory ics, plan to change board dimensions
- in progress: layout for power monitor, microsd, peripheral controls, watchdog
- grouping components

- microsd,
ethernet power tag also fixed in previous commit
- finished microSD layout, payload connector, and some other peripheral layouts but it got messed up when grouping & i didnt notice so yay (i wasted my time)
- 3.3v buck completed
-replaced satnogs connector footprint
-resized board
- finished 5v regulator layout
- modified edge cuts to be more refined
- new board dimensions (167.67mm x 85.00 mm); shrunk dimensions to make it easier for structures, let me know if you guys think it is unfeasible with new dimensions
- satnogs connectors spacing

to do:
- peripherals
- rs 422 connection
- canbus connection to satnogs
-power monitors
-microsd again yay
- add general board mounting holes & satnogs mounting holes
watchdog unfinished but in progress
- began placement of some circuit module blocks
- another power monitor (satnogs block completed
- rearranged usb, ethernet connectors a little

to do:
- verify buck regulator connections can handle high current
- ftdi layout
- can bus layout (impedance? need to look into more)
- rs-422 layout (need to look into more as well
- debug connectors
Has 16 pin smd and 4 through holes
- finished rs-422 payload connector layout (changed footprint, package being used has around 40 left in stock at JLCPCB)
- modified memory (mram & nor flash) ic layouts & organized into layout blocks for easy placement later
- revised & reorganized gps, rtc, temp sensor, imu connections into separate layout  blocks. also moved around gps and moved peripherals into completed layout circuit block section for later placement
- changed some power monitor shunt resistor footprints so 10W or so doesnt go thru a sad 0402 resistor lol
- fixed microSD connection issues
- adjusted gps 50 ohm coax impedance connection (28 ohm trace + 22ohm resistor)
- 50 ohm impedance calculations for gps added to schematic & disclaimer for switching regulator low ripple burst mode added to power schematic page

to do:
- verify that board power monitor wont lead to reverse current driving i.mx8x and make it explode
- look further into & verify that cmos image sensor connector is correct one being used by lucid
started placing components onto board itself
-satnogs power monitor and connector reoriented
-m3 mounting holes will be added to corners
- nor flash, mrams added under the som on top layer
- finalized mounting hole place
- ftdi layout block complete
- more ethernet layout
- connections on board
- removed vbus regulators (left vbus unconnected for now, will reconnect to vbus on som later)
- outbound signal connectors to adcs & ebyte placement with i2c buffers and power monitors, etc
- layout block placement and some connections
mram & nor flash
- payload rs-422 completed
- fixed some power net names
- can bus to satnogs
- gps uart
- ftdi uart
- spi & octal spi to memories
- microsd
- more digital signal connections
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5 participants