There are literally hundreds of different Serious Integrated HMI Modules (SIMs); different families, different sizes, different LCD options, and more.  Use the guide below to pick the right SIM for your application and for development.

Choosing the Module Family

We recommend the new Generation 5 Serious Integrated HMI Modules (SIMs), including the SIMx52 and SIMx62 families, for new designs.

The SIMx52 family is our “cost-effective” line, spanning 3.5″ to 7″ LCDs and powered by the Renesas RZ/A1L MPU with a 400MHz Cortex-A9 core.

The SIMx62 family is our “performance” line, spanning 5″ to 10.1″ LCDs and powered by the Renesas RZ/G1E MPU with dual 1GHz Cortex-A7 cores and hardware accelerated video decoding.

Choosing the Specific Module Family based on LCD Size

Once you’ve determined which main family to use, pick the LCD size suitable for your design. If your BOM cost can support it, bigger is always better!  Once you’ve selected your LCD size, you now have the specific module family solidified, for example SIM552 for a 7″ member of the cost-effective SIMx52 family.

Need More Help?

Watch the videos here to help guide your choice on which family to use. Or download the SIMx52 Technical Product Brief (TPB) or the SIMx62 Technical Product Brief (TPB) to read more about each family.

SIMx52 Overview

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SIMx62 Overview

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Choosing the Module Variant

Each family, for example the SIM552, comes in several cost/feature options we call “variants”.  For example, the “A01” variant is full-featured with the full complement of I/O of the family, whereas the “A05” variant is stripped down and lower cost and designed generally for use in the presence of a daughtercard such as a SCM318 or one of your own design.

While you may find that an A03 or A05 variant will be perfect for your production design, we recommend you start with the most full-featured variant for development, typically the A00 or A01 variant. For example, the  SIM552-A01 is the most full featured in its family, with the SIM552-A03 and SIM552-A05 being more cost/feature reduced options.

Need More Help?

Each module family has a feature/variant table you can explore, for example the SIM552 Feature/Variant Table.

In addition, the Technical Reference Manual (TRM) for each family can be downloaded from the www.mySerious.com portal, including the SIMx52 TRM and SIMx62 TRM.

Choosing the Right LCD

There are many LCD sizes and LCD types, so choose the one you think best suits your usage model.  First start with choosing the touch type: Resistive, Capacitive, or Non-Touch. 

Then choose the brightness of the screen and other features of the LCD.  Each SIM, in its product page, comes with a table of LCD options, for example see the SIM552’s LCD Option Table.

To learn more about LCDs and LCD option codes, see the LCD Learning Center.

Tip for Non-Touch Designs

For development targeting a no-touch application, we recommend you develop with a resistive touch module to help in debugging. Put hidden buttons on the screen to navigate the GUI until your membrane keypad or the rest of your system is attached.

Choosing the Package Size: -01? -05? -10?

Generation 5 Serious Integrated HMI Modules (SIMs), including the SIMx52 and SIMx62 families, can be purchased in -01 single packs for development and prototyping, or -05 or -10 packs for production with less packaging waste. When starting out, buy a SIM in a -01 pack that matches what you want to develop and prototype with.

Building the Right Part Number

Now that you’ve chosen all the different options for your Serious Integrated HMI Module, it’s time to build the complete part number.

Simply take all the pieces:

  • SIM family with size, e.g. SIM552
  • Variant, e.g. A01
  • LCD Option Code, e.g. C43ALLDA
  • Package Quantity: 
    • 01 for a 1 pack for development
    • 19 for 5″ LCDs and smaller in 10-unit production packaging
    • 05 for 7″ LCDs and larger in 5-unit production packaging

and put them together into the final part number:
SIM552-A01-C43ALLDA-01

Looking For a Development Kit?

Developing for the SIMx52 and SIMx62 families is a “build-your-own” dev kit approach: purchase the SIM of your choice with the help of the selection guide above, then buy one of the SIM Development Kit Accessory (SIMDKA) packages.

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