TI Korea (CEO Kent Chon, www.ti.com/ww/kr ) July 2, 2014 – TI (CEO Kent Chon) announced the new Sitara™ AM437x processor family, which supports industrial protocols for automation and industrial drives. This family features new capabilities, such as dual cameras for data terminals equipped with barcode scanning capabilities. The AM437x processors enable customers to create more differentiated designs and allow for real-time processing with an integrated quad-core Programmable Real-Time Unit (PRU). The PRU is highly robust, capable of managing deterministic tasks such as motor control by taking over real-time processing from ARM®, and implementing complex functions such as multiple industrial fieldbus protocols. Customers can develop applications such as factory automation, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), home automation and Internet of Things (IoT) gateways, and human-machine interfaces (HMI) through the combination of high-performance ARM Cortex-A9®, embedded peripherals, and PRUs.

The Sitara™ AM437x processor features a powerful 1GHz ARM Cortex-A9 core and other subsystems, delivering high system performance improved by up to 40% compared to previous Sitara processors. The next-generation quad-core PRU-ICSS (industrial communications subsystem) connectivity peripheral supports dual and simultaneous industrial protocols such as EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, Profibus, PROFINET-RT/IRT, POWERLINK, Sercos III, and IEC61850, as well as interfaces for motor feedback protocols like EnDat or sensors/actuators like BiSS. The on-chip quad-core PRU co-processor is capable of performing deterministic and real-time processing, direct access to I/O, and very low-latency requirements.

In addition, it integrates a number of new peripheral options required by specific applications.
- Dual-port 1Gb Ethernet switch for networking
- Two parallel camera ports for applications such as barcode scanners
- Two independent 8-channel ADCs up to 867ksps for servo motor control, audio sampling, and sensor monitoring
- Enhanced vector floating-point unit for motor control and audio algorithms
- 9-channel Sinc3 filter sigma-delta ADC for high-precision current sensing primarily used in industrial drives

The Sitara AM437x processor uses ARM Cortex-A9 cores to expand the product portfolio and provide even better performance. In addition, it includes up to 512kB of on-chip memory, a POWERVR SGX™ 3D graphics accelerator, and a display subsystem capable of color space conversion, overlays, and resizing. Based on this integration, the Sitara AM437x processor, which offers customers flexible, discrete power design options, features simplified power sequencing. Additionally, the accompanying power management IC, the TPS65218, reduces power consumption by 70% by providing additional benefits such as a high-efficiency converter with a power path, a high-accuracy built-in voltage monitor, and an ultra-low power mode. This IC is suitable for systems using low-capacity coin cell batteries that support a storage life of over five years. Equipped with Quad SPI, it enables execute-in-place (XIP) execution, allowing the system to run directly from low-cost NOR Flash.

Development using the Sitara AM437x processor can be easily performed using various software platforms, including the free and stable Mainline Linux Software Development Kit (SDK), multiple hardware platforms, and development tools that assist with debugging.

The General Evaluation Module (EVM) for the Sitara AM437x processor enables customers to easily develop various applications, including HMIs, portable data terminals, asset tracking, patient monitoring, and test and instrumentation. The EVM also includes a 7-inch capacitive touch LCD screen and a connector for connecting TI's WiLink™ 8 Combo Connectivity Module. The WiLink 8 Module includes software drivers that are included in the standard Linux SDK and have been tested. The Industrial Development Kit (IDK) will be available starting in the third quarter. This development kit assists in the development of industrial automation applications, including PLCs and drives, while enabling the implementation of simultaneous Industrial Ethernet and motor feedback protocols.