What Is Yocto BSP? Understanding What a Board Support Package Includes for i.MX8M Mini and Plus

In embedded Linux development, the Board Support Package (BSP) is the foundation that makes it possible to run a customized operating system on specific hardware. A BSP bridges the gap between hardware and the operating system by providing all board-specific software components required for system bring-up and operation.

In the context of Yocto Linux, a Yocto BSP refers to the collection of board-specific software layers, configurations, and metadata used to build a Linux image for a target platform. It defines how the Linux kernel, bootloader, device tree, and hardware drivers are integrated for a specific board.

Understanding what a Yocto BSP includes is essential for engineering teams working on embedded Linux projects, as it directly affects system stability, performance, and long-term maintainability.

Why Yocto BSP Matters in Embedded Linux Systems

A Yocto BSP plays a critical role in how quickly and reliably an embedded Linux system can be brought up on new hardware. Without a well-structured BSP, developers must manually integrate low-level components, increasing development time and project risk.

On Estone’s embedded platforms—such as PPC-4710 based on i.MX8M Mini and PPC-4910 based on i.MX8M Plus—the Yocto BSP defines how the operating system is initialized, how peripherals are enabled, and how the system is prepared for long-term operation.

With a properly designed Yocto BSP, teams can focus on application development and system integration rather than low-level hardware enablement, while maintaining a stable foundation for updates, security patches, and product lifecycle management.

What Is Yocto and Why It’s Used for i.MX8M Platforms

The Yocto Project is an open-source framework for building custom Linux distributions tailored to specific hardware and application requirements. It is widely used in embedded systems because it allows precise control over system components, reproducible builds, and long-term support planning.

For platforms such as NXP’s i.MX8M Mini and i.MX8M Plus, Yocto is commonly used to create optimized Linux images that align with performance, peripheral support, and lifecycle requirements across industrial, medical, and IoT applications.

Yocto BSP Components: What a Board Support Package Includes

The hierarchical structure of a Yocto BSP, illustrating the relationship between hardware, the kernel, and the application layers.

A Yocto BSP typically consists of several core components that together enable Linux to run on a specific board:

Bootloader (U-Boot) : Handles early hardware initialization and loads the Linux kernel.

Linux Kernel:Includes board-specific configurations and patches to support the processor, memory, and peripherals.

Device Tree: Describes the hardware layout, including memory, buses, interfaces, and connected devices.

Drivers: Enable support for peripherals such as Ethernet, CAN, display, camera, audio, and wireless modules.

Root Filesystem (Rootfs): A Yocto-generated Linux userspace that contains essential libraries, services, and runtime components.

Toolchain / SDK: Cross-compilation tools that allow developers to build and debug applications for the target platform.

Together, these elements form the technical backbone of an embedded Linux BSP.

Practical Example: Building with Estone BSPs

To support engineers working with our platforms, Estone provides BSPs with detailed build documentation. Using our guides, developers can:

Set up a Yocto build environment
Compile board-specific Yocto images
Build and install SDKs for application development
Select display backends such as Wayland (fsl-imx-wayland) for graphical performance

For example, the PPC-4910 BSP includes everything needed to build images optimized for its 10.1-inch touch panel, dual Ethernet ports, and AI-enabled NPU. Developers can follow ourYocto setup guide andSDK build instructions to get started quickly.

Differences Between i.MX8M Mini and i.MX8M Plus BSPs

While both processors are part of the same family, their BSPs support different capabilities:

MX8M Mini (PPC-4710): Compact and power-efficient, optimized for HMI devices, building automation, and medical terminals. Its BSP focuses on display, connectivity, and real-time communication features.
MX8M Plus (PPC-4910): More advanced, featuring a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for AI inference, camera input and CAN. Its BSP includes support for machine vision, inference acceleration, and additional connectivity.

This distinction ensures that each platform’s BSP is tailored to its unique role in industrial and IoT applications.

Industry Use Cases

BSPs are more than just software—they unlock real applications. In industrial automation, the PPC-4910 BSP supports AI-enabled defect detection and predictive maintenance using its NPU and camera inputs. In building automation, the PPC-4710 BSP provides reliable networking and display integration for wall-mounted control panels with Modbus or RS-485 support. For IoT gateways, both BSPs provide the necessary connectivity stacks and SDKs to deploy reliable IoT hubs that manage data at the edge.

Customization & ODM Support

Estone goes beyond stock BSP releases by offering custom BSP services. This includes adding drivers for custom hardware, secure boot and OS lockdown for security-sensitive applications, preloading customer applications and libraries. As an ODM, Estone works closely with partners to deliver BSPs that are optimized for their exact project requirements, reducing development time and resources.

Getting Started

The BSP is the backbone of a successful Yocto Linux project. Estone’s i.MX8M Mini and Plus platforms come with complete BSPs and step-by-step build instructions so developers can begin quickly and scale confidently.

For more details, check our Yocto BSP resources or contact Estone Technology to discuss BSP customization and Yocto development services for your next project.

Tech Blog

2026 / 03 / 12

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