Crossover MCU with security and real-time

phyCORE®-RT1170

Root Part #: PCM-073

Crossover MCU for real-time applications

  • 30 mm x 30 mm
  • Crossover MCU Cortex®-M4 Cortex®-M7
  • Advanced Security
  • MIPI-CSI/DSI, Audio Codec

Product Overview

A compact RT1170 module for real-time embedded applications that need high-speed processing, advanced security and reliable industrial connectivity. Built on the NXP i.MX RT1170 crossover MCU, the phyCORE®-RT1170 combines Arm® Cortex®-M7 and Cortex®-M4 processing in a 30 mm x 30 mm footprint, making it ideal for industrial automation, automotive systems, machine control and secure connected devices.

The phyCORE®-RT1170 is designed for engineering teams that need fast, deterministic control without the time, layout complexity, and integration risk of designing directly from the processor. As PHYTEC’s smallest connectorized module to date, it gives teams a compact production-ready platform for real-time applications where board space, response time, and reliability all matter.

Built on the NXP i.MX RT1170 crossover MCU, the module combines Cortex-M7 and Cortex-M4 processing to support responsive control, efficient task separation, and real-time system behavior. This makes it well-suited to industrial automation, automotive control systems, connected equipment, secure edge devices, and compact human-machine interfaces.

The module also supports the interfaces engineers need for feature-rich embedded products, including CAN-FD, Dual Ethernet, USB 2.0, MIPI CSI, MIPI DSI, audio, and multiple serial interfaces. With integrated security accelerators, secure boot support, and Zephyr BSP resources, the phyCORE®-RT1170 helps teams reduce development risk while keeping full focus on product performance and deployment.

Contact Sales for more information about this product.

When to Choose the RT1170 Module

Designed for applications where real-time response, efficient control, and compact hardware integration are more important than running a high-overhead application processor platform.

Choose this module if your application requires:

  • Real-time control for industrial automation, motor control, or connected equipment
  • High-speed Cortex-M7 processing with Cortex-M4 co-processing
  • Compact module integration for space-constrained embedded designs
  • Advanced security features for secure boot, encryption, and protected keys
  • Industrial connectivity, including CAN-FD, Dual Ethernet, USB, and serial interfaces
  • Camera, display, and audio support without moving to a larger application processor
  • A faster route to production than designing a custom i.MX RT1170 board from scratch

Typical applications include:

  • Industrial automation and machine control
  • Automotive and transportation systems
  • Motor control and motion systems
  • Building automation and smart infrastructure
  • Secure connected control devices
  • Compact HMIs and display-based systems
  • Industrial IoT monitoring and data acquisition devices
  • Real-time equipment controllers

Development and Integration Benefits

  • Compact 30 mm x 30 mm form factor to reduce PCB space requirements
  • Connectorized module architecture to simplify carrier board development
  • Dual-core processing for responsive real-time control
  • CAN-FD, Dual Ethernet, and USB support for industrial communication
  • MIPI CSI, MIPI DSI, and audio support for multimedia-enabled designs
  • Security accelerators, including AES, SHA, TRNG, HAB, and eFUSE support
  • Zephyr BSP resources to accelerate embedded software development
  • Development kit options to support early evaluation and prototyping
  • Access to PHYTEC engineering support from evaluation through production
  • Reduced development risk compared to fully custom RT1170 board designs
Expand All

Features

Crossover MCU

This Crossover MCU features simultaneous dual-core processing in real time.

Advanced Security

Security features include Hardware Elliptic Curve Cryptography, Hardware-protected keys for secure boot, AES engine for data encryption, On-the-fly AES decryption for execute-in-place (NOR) from Quad/Octal SPI/HyperFlash, NXP’s EdgeLock® Assurance

Multimedia Capabilities

MIPI CSI, MIPI DSI, Audio Codec

Tiny

30 x 30 mm is so small, made possible by two 100-pin low-pitch connectors, while still providing a rich pinout ready for compact designs.

Specifications

Processor

Processor NXP RT1176
Architecture Arm Cortex-M7, Arm Cortex-M4
Frequency 800 MHz (M7) / 400 MHz (M4)

Memory

RAM 64 MB SDRAM
NOR 16 MB (Octal/Quad SPI Flash)
EEPROM 4 KB
SD/SDIO/MMC Interfaces 2

High-Speed Interfaces

USB 2x USB 2.0 OTG

Peripherals

ADC 2
CAN 3x CAN-FD
GPIO Yes
I2C 6
PWM 4x FlexPWM
SPI/SSP 6
UART 12

Connectivity

Ethernet 1x 10/100 Mb, 1 Gb AVB, 1 Gb TSN

Multimedia

Display 1x MIPI-DSI
Camera 1x MIPI CSI
Audio 4x SAI

Miscellaneous

JTAG Yes
RTC Yes
Security Accelerators 3DES, AES, DES, HAB, SHA-1, SHA-2, TRNG, eFUSE

Mechanical

Dimensions 30 x 30 mm
Connector 2x 100 pin, 0.4 mm pitch

Operating Conditions

Operating Temperature -40° to +85° C
Supply Voltage 3.3V
Power (Typical) TBD
Power (Max) TBD

Hardware Documentation

SOM

Hardware Manual

phyCORE-RT1170 Hardware Manual

Component Placement

phyCORE-RT1170 Component Placement

Schematic Symbol & Footprint

phyCORE-RT1170

Carrier Board

Component Placement

phyBOARD-RT1170 Component Placement

PHYTEC PinMux Tool

Pinmuxing Tool

FCC/CE Documentation

Coming Soon!

Connectors

SOM Connectors
PHYTEC# VB433

DF40C-100DP-0.4V(51).zip

Carrier Board Connectors
PHYTEC# VB434

DF40C-100DS-0.4V(51).zip

The i.MX RT1176 Processor

i.MX RT1170 crossover MCUs are part of the EdgeVerse™ edge computing platform and are setting speed records at 1 GHz. This ground-breaking family combines superior computing power and multiple media capabilities with ease-of-use and real-time functionality. The dual core i.MX RT1170 MCU runs on the Arm® Cortex®-M7 core up to 1 GHz and Arm Cortex-M4 at 400 MHz, while providing advanced security. The i.MX RT1170 MCU offers support over a wide temperature range and is designed for consumer, industrial and automotive markets.

Go to Processor Details

Software

Zephyr

BSP-Zephyr-RT1170-PD25.1.1
2025-07-10
BSP-Zephyr-RT1170-PD25.1.0
2025-06-27
BSP-Zephyr-RT1170-ALPHA1
2025-06-17

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