Adding M.2 NVMe support

Hi,

We have designed our own carrier-board for the iMX8QM module. We would like to add support for a fast NVMe SSD disc.

In the pin-designer we can enable PCIE_1x2 without conflict, which I guess is a requirement to support NVMe over PCIe. We think of using form-factor M.2 2242.

Questions:

  1. Does the SOM support NVMe?
  2. Is there any schematic/PCB reference design to look at, or any other helpful source?
  3. Is it possible to evaluate this using the Ixora board?

Model: Toradex Apalis iMX8 QuadMax 4GB Wi-Fi / BT IT V1.1E
Linux version 5.4.193-5.7.0
Yocto-based build

Hello @klangro,

Yes PCIe memory should work. On our Apalis carrier boards like IXora we still use the mini PCIe connector not the M.2. But you could take the ref design from the verdin Mellow carrier which has M.2
You can find a sample schematic for the verdin carrier mellow here.

There are Mini PCIe to M.2 adapters you could use to run M.2 memory with Ixora.

Best Regards,

Matthias Gohlke

Excellent!

Could I trouble you as well with a question about a M.2 adapter and SSD discs you successfully have used in the past.

Thanks for the fast reply

Hello @klangro,

there are many adapters out there that just route the signal to the other connector.
like https://www.amazon.de/PCIE-Adapterkarte-NVME-SSD-zu-Mini-PCIe-SSD-Konverter-Unterstützung-SSD-Moduls-SSD-Adapterkarte/dp/B08JM7MPZS

maybe you buy a few different one.

Best Regards,

Matthias Gohlke