EMBEDDED TECHNOLOGY
Designing with embedded modules by Inelco Hunter
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ather than designing electronic products “from scratch”, embedded modules can offer a powerful, rapid-time- to-market approach for smaller OEMS, potentially resulting in a more affordable solution. Embedded modules can perform whatever the required application needs in terms of functionality. Applications range factory automation and full AI robotic control systems.
The embedded module advantages
Powerful. Arm-Cortex based SoMs are the most common offering. A good example is the AI-focused EDM-G-IMX8M-PLUS and the VisionSOM-V2L from Inelco Hunter. The SoMs incorporate an ARM Cortex-A processor and an ARM Cortex-M with a built-in AI accelerator. Truly powerful. Quick. Solutions using embedded modules offer a very rapid time-to-market. Embedded modules from the major manufacturers early product introduction risks. Also, the time required to manufacture and test a complex CPU subsystem is completely avoided - manufacturing costs are reduced or eliminated. Affordable. The reduced design time and low/zero production cost result in a very fast time-to-market. The end-result is rapid updates are a simple matter of swapping out modules, extending the product lifetime and keeping one step ahead of the competition.
Types of embedded module
Carrier boards. Flexibility is key - many
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from a wide range of SoM manufacturers. Standard carrier boards can also be used to evaluate a proposed SoM. As an added bonus, manufacturers like SoMLabs and that custom carrier boards can be easily developed.
System-on-Modules. A typical SoM incorporates at least one microprocessor or DSP (digital signal processor). Memory will include RAM and Flash. Industry-standard communication interfaces will include USB, MIPI-DSI/CSI, HDMI, I²C and SPI. Examples of peripherals will include timers, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and interfaces such as digital-to-analogue and analogue-to-digital converters. Touch displays. A ready-to-use embedded touch display module will offer an easy- to-use solution. A good example is the 10.1 inch PCAP Touch Screen Kit, developed by Inelco Hunter utilising a Raspberry Pi as the SoM. This cost-effective, pre-assembled display kit offers time savings by speeding up installation and cutting development time. The screen comes pre-assembled and provides a resolution up to WXGA. Fast displays. For applications that require the ultimate in power and response, the Inelco Powertip MPU range of displays Cortex-A processors, providing what might be called blisteringly fast response times and the ultimate in smooth 2D/3D graphics. Embedded vision modules. AI is opening up many new application areas including robotics, drones and autonomous vehicle systems. Embedded vision enables the perception and interaction with the surroundings, performing complex tasks with precision. Speed, precision and the ability
APRIL 2026 | ELECTRONICS FOR ENGINEERS
to work dependably in low-light conditions is absolutely essential. An example of high- performance industrial-grade embedded range from Inelco Hunter. Peripheral support. For machine vision and machine learning applications which do not rely on a cloud connection (EDGE computing), SoMs with built-in AI accelerators are an excellent solution. Examples of suitable IMX8M-PLUS, and ROVY-4VM. These modules offer AI computation power ranging from 2.3 to 8.0 TOPS while maintaining low power consumption. Wireless. This type of module will include Wirepas Mesh modules, Bluetooth low energy modules and Dual mode modules (Bluetooth version 5.0). For example, Fujitsu wireless modules have a small form factor and their design provides optimised IO usage.
Choosing your embedded solution partner
Inelco Hunter offers strong engineering capability combined with practical application experience. The company focuses on helping customers successfully deploy products rather than simply supplying standard hardware. One of Inelco Hunter’s key strengths is the ability to provide mechanical, hardware and system requirements. Whether integrating unique peripherals, adapting to mechanical constraints, or optimising system performance, the engineering team works closely with customers to deliver reliable solutions.
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