Prerequisites
The NavQPlus is an embedded Linux device. You will need terminal access via a PC or Laptop in order to interface with the board. While a Windows PC can have terminal programs, you will find that working in a Linux host environment will allow you greater flexibility, capability and being able to cross compile software more easily. Most examples will be shown assuming a linux host PC running Ubuntu 22.04 or later is attached.
Ubuntu Desktop
Learn about installing Ubuntu Desktop on a development PC using the link below:
Supported Hardware
NavQPlus is a standalone embedded linux device. There are many peripherals that will attach and interface with it, or can be made to interface with the correct drivers. In addition, the Mobile Robotics team works with several complimentary devices and boards which work with the NavQPlus:
MR-B3RB (Buggy3 RevB): a robotics platform in the form of an ackermann steering small car
iRobot Create3: AKA Turtlebot 4, ROS development platform
RDDRONE-T1ADAPT: Adapter board from 100BaseT1 to RJ45
MR-T1ETH8: T1+RJ45 Ethernet Switch
MR-CANHUBK344: MCU board with S32K344, 6 CAN , T1 Ethernet
CANHUB-ADAP: plug on board with IMU and GPS connectors
MR-VMU-RT1176
Pixhawk V6X standard Vehicle Manangement Unit, with IMU
Note both NuttX and Zephyr Supported on this platform
RDDRONE-BMS772: Battery Management 6S
UCANS32K146: CAN Node board
HDMI displays (Many off the shelf small displays)
NavQPlus add on modules
Supported Software
Software available for NavQPlus
NavQPlus Enablement
NavQPlus has specific enablement that is not typically found in generic EVK's from NXP. The Ubuntu POC , ROS2 and other software has been enabled in order to work with robotics development systems. Consider using the a pre-built binary or following the 3rd party reference on building from source using a Docker image.
Opensource Community
While our team may have used and tested this software, the enablement is under continual development and is expected to change regularly. Where this software is application level (I.e ROS2), and not hardware device level (i.e gstreamer) you should look for opensource ommunity support for that application and not directly from NXP
Guidance
Elsewhere in this "engineering notebook" GitBook you will find specific guidance on how some of this software may be used. Specific software used in these examples will be noted.
OS/Software
Example NavQPlus typical OS images may include the following. (note that this configuration changes regularly and may be updated/upgraded to newer versions.)
NXP Yocto Linux 5.15 kernel
gstreamer
eIQ AI/ML tools
Ethernet over USB-C Gadget mode (SSH connection to laptop using USB cable)
Ubuntu 22.04 built on top of NXP Yocto 5.15
ROS2 Humble enabled
Yocto Linux
NXP i.MX 8M Plus Linux is a Yocto build plus Desktop image layer. Refer to the NXP GIT repo and NXP documentation when building from source.
https://www.nxp.com/docs/en/user-guide/IMX_YOCTO_PROJECT_USERS_GUIDE.pdf
Other NXP EVK software
NavQPlus is a derivative of the NXP EVK. Refer to the NXP website for the complete variety of software support for i.MX 8M Plus
Complete overview
For a complete view of all the software available for i.MX 8M Plus please refer to the NXP website here:
Build from Source (Docker Image)
Building from source using a docker image
Building the Linux image from source is complex and time consuming. A 3rd party has prepared a docker image which can be used and instructions to be followed in order to be successful in building from source without being an Expert. Please follow this guide in order to build the latest image from source, in a docker window. https://github.com/rudislabs/navqplus-images?tab=readme-ov-file#build-steps-for-current-image-release
Experimental Nature
Experimental nature
Because NavQPlus is experimental and contains a new set of boards and peripherals, please expect and plan for software enablement to undergo several iterations. Our intent is to provide an Ubuntu PoC (Proof of Concept) "user-friendly Linux" with typical packages and additional tools included, rather than the traditional Yocto-based distribution that is typical of the highly optimized and stripped down Linux operating systems used in deeply embedded products. Since this Ubuntu PoC is also built on top of Yocto, it is still able to be reduced and optimized for full commercial deployment as well.
Ubuntu Proof of Concept (Ubuntu POC)
Ubuntu PoC
The software available for the NavQPlus includes an Ubuntu Desktop environment based on Ubuntu opensource distribution as a Proof of Concept (PoC). It should be clearly noted that this Ubuntu PoC is NOT an official Canonical distribution.
Canonical outlines this mission philosophy of supporting free and opens software here:
https://ubuntu.com/community/ethos/mission
Canonical Ubuntu commercial support
Canonical does independently support commercial development on NXP i.MX processors and they are available on a contractual basis to provide commercial support for Canonical Ubuntu on NXP processors.
3rd Party Commercial Support
The NavQPlus was prepared in cooperation with one of our Gold partners Emcraft. It should be noted that various NXP partner program partners are available for commercial support including hardware and software support. Please refer to the NXP partner program webpages for further details: https://www.nxp.com/design/partner-marketplace:PARTNER-MARKETPLACE
https://www.nxp.com/webapp/connect/displayPartnerProfile.sp?partnerId=1-B6G0-5&offeringId=44513