Overview
The AM4378BZDND100 is a Sitara processor from Texas Instruments, part of the AM437x family. This processor is built around the ARM Cortex-A9 32-bit RISC core, which can operate at speeds up to 1000 MHz. It also includes a NEON SIMD coprocessor and vector processing capabilities. The AM4378 is designed to provide high-performance processing, advanced graphics, and a wide range of peripherals, making it suitable for various industrial, medical, and consumer applications.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Processor Core | ARM Cortex-A9 32-bit RISC |
| Processing Speed | Up to 1000 MHz |
| Cache Memory | 32KB L1, 256KB L2, 64KB RAM |
| Graphics | PowerVR SGX 3D GFX, 20 MTri/s |
| Memory Interface | Supports LPDDR2, DDR3, DDR3L; up to 2GB total addressable space |
| Peripherals | Up to two USB 2.0 high-speed dual-role ports, two industrial Gigabit Ethernet MACs, two CAN ports, six UARTs, two McASPs, five McSPIs, three I2C ports, one QSPI, one HDQ or 1-Wire |
| ADCs | Two 12-bit SAR ADCs (ADC0, ADC1); ADC0 can be configured as a resistive touch screen controller |
| Power Management | Two nonswitchable power domains (RTC and Wake-Up Logic), three switchable power domains (MPU Subsystem, SGX530 [GFX], Peripherals and Infrastructure [PER]), Dynamic Voltage Frequency Scaling (DVFS) |
| Package | NFBGA (491), 17.0 mm × 17.0 mm |
Key Features
- Programmable Real-Time Unit Subsystem and Industrial Communication Subsystem (PRU-ICSS): Supports protocols like EtherCAT, PROFIBUS, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, and EnDat 2.2.
- Real-Time Clock (RTC): Provides real-time date and time information, internal 32.768-kHz oscillator, and programmable alarm.
- Graphics and Display: PowerVR SGX 3D graphics, support for 18-bit pixel output, and integrated touch-screen solution.
- Security Features: Crypto hardware accelerators (AES, SHA, RNG, DES, 3DES), secure boot (available on AM437xHS devices), and support for trusted execution environment.
- Peripheral Interfaces: Multiple UARTs, McASPs, McSPIs, I2C ports, QSPI, and HDQ or 1-Wire interfaces.
- Enhanced PWM and Capture Modules: Up to six enhanced high-resolution PWM (eHRPWM) modules and up to three 32-bit enhanced capture (eCAP) modules.
Applications
- Industrial Automation: Suitable for applications requiring real-time processing, industrial communication protocols, and high reliability.
- Medical Devices: Can be used in medical devices that require advanced graphics, touch-screen interfaces, and secure data processing.
- Consumer Electronics: Applicable in consumer devices needing high-performance processing, advanced graphics, and multiple peripheral interfaces.
- Aerospace and Defense: Used in applications requiring secure boot, trusted execution environment, and cryptographic acceleration.
Q & A
- What is the processing speed of the AM4378 processor?
The AM4378 processor can operate at speeds up to 1000 MHz.
- What type of graphics processing does the AM4378 support?
The AM4378 supports PowerVR SGX 3D graphics.
- What are the key peripherals available on the AM4378?
The AM4378 includes peripherals such as USB 2.0 high-speed dual-role ports, industrial Gigabit Ethernet MACs, CAN ports, UARTs, McASPs, McSPIs, I2C ports, QSPI, and HDQ or 1-Wire interfaces.
- Does the AM4378 support secure boot and other security features?
Yes, the AM4378 supports secure boot and other security features like cryptographic acceleration, but some features like trusted execution environment are available only on AM437xHS devices.
- What is the purpose of the PRU-ICSS in the AM4378?
The PRU-ICSS supports protocols like EtherCAT, PROFIBUS, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, and EnDat 2.2, and provides real-time processing capabilities.
- How does the AM4378 manage power?
The AM4378 has two nonswitchable power domains (RTC and Wake-Up Logic) and three switchable power domains (MPU Subsystem, SGX530 [GFX], Peripherals and Infrastructure [PER]), along with Dynamic Voltage Frequency Scaling (DVFS).
- What is the package type and size of the AM4378?
The AM4378 is packaged in an NFBGA (491) with dimensions of 17.0 mm × 17.0 mm.
- Does the AM4378 support touch-screen interfaces?
Yes, the AM4378 can be configured to support resistive touch-screen interfaces using ADC0.
- What are the key features of the Real-Time Clock (RTC) in the AM4378?
The RTC provides real-time date and time information, an internal 32.768-kHz oscillator, and programmable alarm capabilities.
- Can the AM4378 be used in industrial automation applications?
Yes, the AM4378 is suitable for industrial automation due to its support for industrial communication protocols and real-time processing.
