Window/Cutout on the Carrier Board

Question

Does my custom Carrier Board design need to incorporate the window/cutout beneath the SOM? Is this window playing a role in cooling the SOM?

Answer 

The phyCORE-i.MX7 SOM does NOT require a window to be positioned beneath it on the Carrier Board. This window is only present in PHYTEC's design because there were once plans for accommodating a Direct Solder Connect variant of the phyCORE-i.MX7 SOM but his never came to fruition. This window's role in thermal management is negligible and is not its intended purpose.