Dear all,
I am used to A64-OLinuXino (https://www.olimex.com/Products/OLinuXino/A64/A64-OLinuXino/open-source-hardware), but for the next project I am considering the iMX8MP-SOM-4GB-IND (https://www.olimex.com/Products/SOM/NXP-iMX8/iMX8MP-SOM-4GB-IND/open-source-hardware) + iMX8MP-SOM-EVB-IND (https://www.olimex.com/Products/SOM/NXP-iMX8/iMX8MP-SOM-EVB-IND/open-source-hardware) combo.
What I miss from the A64-OLinuXino is the LiPo battery connector, that has proven to be very useful and effective against power cuts.
So a new product idea would be an external board that acts as a UPS for the 5V power. Optionally, this board could have an UEXT connector for informing the main board on the status of the battery (%, charging status...). Ideally, the LiPo battery would be discharged during power cuts and recharged when the power is back.
It would be a board with the following connectors: 5V inlet (barrel plug socket), 5V outlet (either a short cable ending with a barrel plug or a block terminal), LiPo battery connection, and, optionally, an UEXT connector for communicating to the computer the status of the battery.
I found this board from Adafruit that seems fulfilling the same goal (but without giving info on the battery status to the computer):
"PowerBoost 1000 Charger - Rechargeable 5V Lipo USB Boost @ 1A - 1000C"
https://www.adafruit.com/product/2465
With the matching power supply being out of stock on Adafruit but available on other distributors' websites.
"5V 2.5A Switching Power Supply with 20AWG MicroUSB Cable"
https://www.adafruit.com/product/1995
On the computer side, it would be complemented either by this cable:
"USB to 2.1mm Male Barrel Jack Cable - 22AWG & 1 meter"
https://www.adafruit.com/product/2697
Or these two pieces:
"Terminal Block - 2-pin 3.5mm"
https://www.adafruit.com/product/724
"POWER CABLE RIGHT ANGLE"
https://www.olimex.com/Products/Components/Cables/PWR-CABLE-RA/
This setup will probably work, yes.
Either use the power jack cable or the terminal cable to the headers for the input on the SOM-EVB board, not both. This will lead to short circuit.