Lvgl – Lightweight HMIs for Embedded Linux

With our Ezpire module for Lvgl you get a lean, high-performance GUI stack for Embedded Linux on PHYTEC hardware. On the phyBOARD-Pollux (i.MX 8M Plus), we provide a pre-configured LVGL demo image and the appropriate Yocto building blocks, allowing you to start developing your own HMI right away.

What is LVGL?

LVGL (Light and Versatile Graphics Library) LVGL (Light and Versatile Graphics Library) is an open-source graphics library designed specifically for resource-constrained embedded systems. It offers over 30 ready-to-use widgets (buttons, sliders, charts, keyboards, etc.), a flexible layout system, and support for animations and themes, all while maintaining an extremely small memory footprint. Unlike traditional, heavyweight GUI frameworks, LVGL relies on a software-based rendererthat adapts well to MCUs and SoCs without a powerful GPU, while simultaneously enabling smooth UIs on high-performance platforms like the i.MX 8M Plus.

Why LVGL is an Attractive Choice for Embedded Linux HMIs

  • Resource-Efficient: Originally designed for MCUs, LVGL runs highly efficiently — a significant advantage even when you are operating on a Linux-based SoC.

  • Flexible Architecture: The render backend can be adapted to various hardware (Framebuffer, DRM/KMS, Wayland), ensuring your LVGL application isn't locked into a specific platform.

  • Excellent Starting Point for Optimization: Building on the demo, you can later implement GPU acceleration (e.g., via VGLite/PXP on other platforms) or double-buffering, similar to the approaches described in performance guides from other silicon vendors.

What We Deliver: LVGL Out of the Box

We have prepared LVGL for PHYTEC hardware so you can get started immediately:

  • Demo BSP for phyBOARD-Pollux: A dedicated LVGL image for the i.MX 8M Plus that you can use as a blueprint for your project.

  • Yocto Meta-Layer: Matching the image, we have published the Yocto meta-layer on GitHub — ideal as a template for your own Yocto projects.

  • Reference Application: A CMake-based LVGL demo, pre-configured for Wayland on Linux (wl_shell), complete with a fullscreen window, input handling, and an LVGL widget showcase.

  • How-to Resources: Supplementary documentation and how-to videos for setup, customization, and performance tuning.

Recommended Hardware

For LVGL, we recommend the phyBOARD‑Pollux (i.MX 8M Plus)as your evaluation platform. We have already completed the groundwork for this board, including a dedicated LVGL Demo BSP ("LVGL Framework Demo BSP"). 

We are also happy to help you get your LVGL application running on any other PHYTEC platform. Feel free to reach out to our Field Application Engineers.

Would you like to learn more about LVGL on PHYTEC hardware?
Schedule a free consultation with our experts. We look forward to hearing from you.

Expert-Podolszki@2x.jpg

Martin Podolszki
Head of FAE

Links & Resources / Getting Started

Get up to speed quickly with the demo image, Yocto layer, and reference code.

LVGL Framework Demo BSP (phyBOARD-Pollux) – Dedicated demo image for LVGL, located in the "Special Linux Releases" section of the Pollux product page.
GitHub LVGL Demo for Pollux – Complete resources for the LVGL Demo Image.
GitHub Yocto Layer – Yocto meta-Layer with recipes for the LVGL demo and image.
How-To: LVGL on phyCORE‑i.MX 8M Plus (Video) – Step-by-step video series for setting up and customizing the LVGL demo.
LVGL Official Documentation – Comprehensive reference covering widgets, themes, and architecture.