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NXP’s Board Control Utilities (BCU) is a Linux-host tool for monitoring supported NXP evaluation boards; it is not a tool for building a Yocto Linux image. NXP documents two Linux installation routes: installing the Snap package or downloading a release binary. After installing, select the exact board identifier for your model and revision, connect its debug interface, and run a board-specific monitor command.

How do I install NXP BCU on Linux?

Choose between Snap and a release binary based on your host distribution and whether Snap is available. The official BCU project README documents Snap for 64-bit Ubuntu 16.04 or later and other 64-bit Linux distributions. It documents release binaries for Ubuntu 18.04 or later.

Route Documented host support Setup and maintenance
Snap 64-bit Ubuntu 16.04 or later, or another 64-bit Linux distribution Install with Snap commands; update with snap refresh.
Release binary Ubuntu 18.04 or later Install the listed prerequisites, download a binary from the release page, and consult that release’s notes.

Install with Snap

  1. Install and alias the package:
    sudo snap install --devmode bcu-nxp
    sudo snap alias bcu-nxp bcu
  2. When updating, use the command documented by the project:
    sudo snap refresh bcu-nxp --devmode

Install a release binary

  1. On Ubuntu 18.04 or later, install the prerequisites listed by the project:
    sudo apt-get install libftdi1-2 libyaml-dev libconfuse-dev
  2. Download the binary for your system from the BCU releases page and follow the accompanying release notes. The project directs users to the release notes for more details about BCU.

Release status changes over time. On October 4, 2026, the releases page labeled bcu_1.1.128 “Latest” while higher-numbered releases were marked pre-release; check the page when downloading rather than assuming that version remains current.

How do I run BCU without sudo?

The project README documents a udev rule for a USB device with FTDI vendor ID 0403 and product ID 6011. It assigns the device to the dialout group with mode 0660:

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  1. Save the rule in a file under /etc/udev/rules.d/, following the project’s USB permissions instructions.
  2. Re-plug the debug wire as the README instructs, then retry BCU access.

This rule applies only if the connected interface reports those identifiers. Confirm the device IDs and follow your host’s access-control policy; it is not a universal fix for USB permission problems.

What board name should I use with bcu monitor?

Use the identifier for the exact board model and hardware revision, not a name copied from a command for a different kit. Check the supported-board list and your board’s label. Revision differences can change the identifier: NXP’s i.MX 93 example uses imx93evk11b1 for a B1 board and imx93evk11 for an older board, as described in its i.MX 93 board-revision guidance.

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Connect the board and start a monitor

Physical connections depend on the board. For the i.MX 8M Plus Power Measurement Board, NXP’s hardware guide specifies connecting the Micro-B USB Debug Port to the PC, connecting Type-C USB Port 0 to the power supply, and turning on the board. Its Linux example starts a monitor that refreshes once per second:

sudo ./bcu monitor -hz=1 -board=imx8mpevkpwra1

That command is specific to the i.MX 8M Plus Power Measurement Board. A separate NXP i.MX 91 example uses bcu monitor -board=imx91evk11; its setup is documented in AN14506 (Rev. 1.1, January 6, 2025), which identifies BCU version 1.1.92 in its test setup. Treat both examples as board-specific, and check the current release notes for available options. NXP also shows CSV output using -dump=file.csv in its i.MX 8M Plus measurement example; confirm that option for your release and target board.

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What to check if BCU cannot access the board

  • Board name: Verify the model and revision against the supported-board list; similar board names are not necessarily interchangeable.
  • USB access: If access fails without sudo, verify the connected interface’s vendor and product IDs before applying the FTDI udev rule.
  • Physical setup: Check the target board’s own guide for which port is the debug connection and which connection supplies power. The i.MX 8M Plus arrangement is not a universal wiring prescription.
  • Installation route: For a release binary, verify that the host meets the documented Ubuntu requirement and that its listed dependencies are installed. For Snap, confirm the host is 64-bit and supports Snap.
  • Command options: Check the release notes and board documentation rather than assuming an option shown for another board or tool version applies.

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