Sitara™ AM437x processors, based on an ARM® Cortex®-A9 core, provides options for enhanced processing performance and industrial connectivity
DALLAS (June 30, 2014) — Today, Texas Instruments (TI) (NASDAQ: TXN) announced the new Sitara™ AM437x processor family that integrates support for industrial protocols for both automation and industrial drives and includes new features such as dual camera for data terminals with bar code scanning. Allowing customers to further differentiate their designs, the AM437x processors enable real-time processing with available quad core programmable real-time units (PRU). The PRU offloads real-time processing from the ARM® to manage deterministic tasks such as controlling motors and is robust enough to enable complex functions like multiple industrial fieldbus protocols. The combination of the high performance ARM Cortex®-A9 with the integration of peripherals and the PRUs allows customers to develop applications such as factory automation, Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), home automation and Internet of Things (IoT) gateways, human machine interface (HMI), and more.
Highlights of Sitara AM437x processors:
- With a powerful 1GHz ARM Cortex-A9 core and other sub-systems, this SoC offers up to 40 percent more system performance than the previous generation of Sitara processors
- Next-generation quad core PRU-ICSS (industrial communications subsystem) connectivity peripheral enables dual, simultaneous industrial protocols such as EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, Profibus, PROFINET-RT/IRT, POWERLINK, Sercos III, IEC61850, as well as motor feedback protocols like EnDat or interfaces for sensors and actuators like BiSS
- On-chip quad core PRU co-processor achieves deterministic, real-time processing, direct access to I/Os and ultra-low-latency requirements
- In addition, a host of new peripheral options addressing specific application needs are integrated
- Dual port 1Gb Ethernet switch for networking
- Two parallel camera ports for applications such as bar code scanners
- Two independent, up to 867ksps, eight-channel ADCs for servo motor control, audio sampling and sensor monitoring
- Improved Vector Floating Point unit for motor control and audio algorithms
- 9-channel Sinc3 filter sigma-delta ADC for higher precision current sensing, a trend in industrial drives
Extensive integration and new peripherals enable more features and functions
In addition to the expansion of the portfolio to provide more performance with the use of the ARM-Cortex-A9 core, Sitara AM437x processors also contain up to 512 kB of on-chip memory, a POWERVR SGXTM 3D graphics accelerator and a display subsystem that enables color space conversion, overlays, resizing and more. Building upon this integration and giving customers the option of using flexible, discrete power designs, the Sitara AM437x processors include simplified power sequencing. Additionally, the companion power management IC TPS65218 offers high-efficiency DC/DC converters with integrated power path and added benefits such as a high-accuracy, integrated voltage supervisor and the lowest power mode, reducing power consumption by 70 percent. This is designed for systems requiring a low-capacity coin-cell battery to support greater than five-year shelf life. The availability of quad-SPI allows execute-in-place (XIP) so the system can run directly from low-cost NOR flash.
Robust software and hardware offerings
Development on the Sitara AM437x processors is simplified with a variety of software platforms, including a free stable mainline Linux software development kit (SDK), multiple hardware platforms and development tools to aid in debugging.
The general-purpose EVM for the Sitara AM437x processors makes it easy for customers to develop a broad variety of applications, including HMI, portable data terminals, asset tracking, patient monitoring, test and measurement and more. The EVM also includes a seven inch capacitive touch LCD screen and has a connector to plug in TI’s WiLink™ 8 combo connectivity modules. The WiLink 8 modules include software drivers that are integrated and tested with the standard Linux SDK. Customers can purchase the industrial development kit (IDK) in 3Q, which aids development of industrial automation applications, including programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and drives, while enabling simultaneous industrial Ethernet and motor feedback protocols.
Availability
The general purpose TMDXEVM437X is available now for $599 from TI.com. The Industrial Development Kit will be available in 3Q for $329. AM437x will begin sampling in July. The mainline Linux SDK is available now and several members of TI’s Developer Network, including Adeneo Embedded, QNX, Mentor Embedded, WindRiver, Green Hills, SmartEmbedded and Ittiam will offer software solutions later this year. In addition, hardware module suppliers will offer AM437x-based solutions later this year, including Bytes at Work, Gumstix, Calixto and Mistral Solutions.
For more information:
- Learn more about third party support for AM437x in this quote sheet
- Check out one of many TI Designs based on AM437x
- Check out our Tools Insider blog post on the new AM437x processors
- Join the TI E2E™ Community
- Follow TI on Twitter
- Like TI on Facebook
About Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) is a global semiconductor design and manufacturing company that develops analog ICs and embedded processors. By employing the world's brightest minds, TI creates innovations that shape the future of technology. TI is helping more than 100,000 customers transform the future, today. Learn more at www.ti.com.
