Qualcomm Unveils Dragonwing IQ-X Series to Revolutionise Industrial PCs and Accelerate Edge Intelligence

TDLR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)

• Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. introduces the Qualcomm Dragonwing IQ-X Series, a new line of industrial-grade processors designed for next-generation Industrial PCs (IPCs) and edge controllers.
• The series leverages the custom-designed Qualcomm Oryon CPU to deliver best-in-class single and multithread compute performance, alongside highly efficient on-device AI capabilities.
• The processors are built for harsh environments, featuring a ruggedised package, industrial-grade temperature support ($-40^\circ\text{C}$ to $105^\circ\text{C}$), and extensive peripheral compatibility.
• The IQ-X Series integrates an NPU to support up to 45 TOPS of AI performance for essential industrial automation use cases, including predictive maintenance and defect detection.
• Leading Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) like Advantech, Kontron, and SECO are adopting the platform, with commercial devices anticipated to launch in the coming months.

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. officially announces the launch of the Qualcomm Dragonwing IQ-X Series, a sophisticated new portfolio of industrial-grade processors specifically engineered to transform the landscape of Industrial PCs (IPCs) and edge intelligence systems. These processors target crucial industrial devices, including Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), advanced Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs), edge controllers, panel PCs, and box PCs. Recognizing the stringent demands of modern manufacturing and industrial environments, the IQ-X Series is housed in a ruggedised package and offers broad peripheral support, facilitating seamless integration with diverse industrial equipment and flexible deployment across critical applications. This innovation signifies Qualcomm’s concerted effort to inject high-performance, power-efficient, and intelligent processing capabilities directly onto the factory floor.

Architectural Superiority for Demanding Environments

The foundation of the Qualcomm Dragonwing IQ-X Series is the custom-designed Qualcomm Oryon CPU, fabricated on an advanced 4nm process technology. This architecture is paramount to the series’ ability to deliver superior single and multithread compute performance, a critical factor for enabling faster and more capable edge controllers. The processors are available in scalable configurations, offering between 8 to 12 high-performance cores.

Crucially, the IQ-X Series is designed for operational resilience in challenging conditions. The ruggedised solution boasts an industrial-grade temperature range, supporting operation from $-40^\circ\text{C}$ to $105^\circ\text{C}$. This exceptional thermal tolerance ensures system stability and longevity, even in the most physically demanding industrial settings. Furthermore, the platform adheres to industry-standard COM module form-factors, which simplifies system design for OEMs and ODMs by allowing for drop-in replacement on existing carrier boards. This feature significantly accelerates time-to-market for new, scalable industrial solutions.

Accelerating Edge Intelligence with Integrated AI

A key differentiator of the Qualcomm Dragonwing IQ-X Series is the deep integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) acceleration. The processors incorporate a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) which provides up to 45 TOPS (Trillions of Operations Per Second) of AI performance. This on-device AI infrastructure is essential for the future of Industrial Automation, empowering partners to deploy intelligent edge solutions at scale.

Industrial partners can readily leverage this AI capability through the Qualcomm AI Software Stack and common runtimes such as ONNX and PyTorch. This comprehensive software support streamlines the process of porting AI models and developing critical applications for sophisticated use cases. These include real-time predictive maintenance, precise condition-based monitoring, and highly accurate defect detection, all of which require instantaneous, localized data processing to enhance operational efficiency and mitigate downtime.

Simplified Development and Ecosystem Compatibility

To further reduce complexity and accelerate the development cycle for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and Original Design Manufacturers (ODMs), the Qualcomm Dragonwing IQ-X Series is engineered for rapid customization and scalability. Its flexible architecture aids in simplifying the design of rugged systems and concurrently reduces the Bill-of-Materials (BOM) by eliminating the requisite for external AI or multimedia modules.

The platform provides broad software compatibility, supporting a range of industry-leading middleware and applications on Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC, alongside tools like Qt, CODESYS, and EtherCAT. This extensive ecosystem support, combined with long life-cycle support and advanced security features, provides OEMs and ODMs with a superior, future-proof platform. A multitude of leading OEMs, including industry stalwarts such as Advantech, Congatec, Kontron, NEXCOM, Portwell, Inc., SECO, and Tria, are already in the process of adopting the IQ-X Series, with the anticipation of commercial devices entering the market within the ensuing months. Qualcomm’s Nakul Duggal notes that the platform grants OEMs a superior foundation to build upon for years while substantially reducing both complexity and time-to-market.