Texas Instruments is extending its Sitara AM437x processor family to include lower cost products with an ARM Cortex-A9 plus a variety of peripherals.
The Sitara AM4376 processor hosts an ARM Cortex-A9 core and will sell in production volumes for around $7. This 300 MHz processor extends the Sitara processor portfolio with a scalable, pin-compatible processor that’s an economical option for designers using the range of peripherals in the Sitara AM437x family. The AM437x processors integrate support for industrial protocols for automation and industrial drives suiting them to applications such as building automation, telecom infrastructure, and industrial tools.
Sitara AM437x processors are offered in commercial (0 to 90C), industrial (-40 to 90C) and extended (-40 to 105C) junction temperature ranges; four pin compatible and software compatible processor options are available, and at clock speeds of 300 MHz, 800 MHz and 1 GHz plus optional 3D graphics acceleration for enhanced user interfaces
As part of the Sitara AM437x family, the AM4376 processor contains a programmable real-time unit, industrial communications subsystem (PRU-ICSS) that offloads tasks from the ARM core so developers can save cost and differentiate their designs. The PRU-ICSS can replace expensive FPGAs by handing the deterministic, real-time operations that an FPGA would typically perform in a control system. This PRU technology enables industrial automation protocols and motor position feedback control enabling applications that require real-time control of motors, actuators and sensors.
Developers can evaluate the Sitara AM437x processors with the AM437x evaluation module (EVM) or the AM437x industrial development kit (IDK). Developers also have access to software support including TI’s Processor SDK for Linux, as well as the Industrial software development kit for EtherCAT and position feedback control. Adeneo Embedded is now offering Android KitKat 4.4.4 for AM437x.
Availability
The Sitara AM437x processors are now available, including the AM4376BZDND30 processor which sells for $7 in volume quantities. The AM437x EVM for general purpose (TMDXEVM437X) is for $599. The Industrial Development kit (TMDXIDK437X) is $329.
Texas Instruments; www.ti.com/ep-pro-sit-am4376-pr-pf1-en