Overview
The TMS320C6746 is a fixed- and floating-point Digital Signal Processor (DSP) from Texas Instruments, based on the C674x DSP core. This low-power applications processor is designed to provide high performance while minimizing power consumption, making it an ideal choice for various embedded systems. The device supports robust operating systems, rich user interfaces, and offers maximum flexibility through its fully integrated, mixed processor solution. It is particularly suited for original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and original-design manufacturers (ODMs) looking to quickly bring advanced devices to market.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Processor Core | 375- and 456-MHz C674x Fixed- and Floating-Point VLIW DSP |
| Instruction Set | Superset of C67x+ and C64x+ ISAs, up to 3648 MIPS and 2746 MFLOPS |
| Cache Memory | 32KB L1P Program RAM/Cache, 32KB L1D Data RAM/Cache, 256KB L2 Unified Mapped RAM/Cache |
| DMA Controller | Enhanced Direct Memory Access Controller 3 (EDMA3) with 64 independent channels, 16 QDMA channels |
| Memory Interfaces | DDR2/mDDR Memory Controller, EMIFA for asynchronous and SDRAM external memory |
| Peripheral Interfaces | UART, SPI, MMC/SD Card, I2C, USB 2.0 OTG, Ethernet MAC, Video Port Interface (VPIF), Universal Parallel Port (uPP) |
| Timers and Counters | Three 64-Bit General-Purpose Timers, one 64-Bit General-Purpose or Watchdog Timer |
| Pulse Width Modulators | Two Enhanced High-Resolution Pulse Width Modulators (eHRPWMs) |
| Real-Time Unit | Programmable Real-Time Unit Subsystem (PRUSS) with two independent PRU cores |
Key Features
- High-Performance DSP Core: Supports up to four SP additions per clock and two floating-point reciprocal approximation operations per cycle.
- Advanced Memory Architecture: 32KB L1P and L1D caches, 256KB L2 unified mapped RAM/cache.
- Enhanced DMA Controller: EDMA3 with 64 independent channels and 16 QDMA channels.
- Rich Peripheral Set: Includes UART, SPI, MMC/SD Card, I2C, USB 2.0 OTG, Ethernet MAC, VPIF, and uPP.
- Real-Time Processing: PRUSS with two independent PRU cores and dedicated interrupt controller.
- Power Management: Clock gating and power-down modes for reduced power consumption.
Applications
- Currency Inspection: Used in systems for detecting and verifying currency.
- Biometric Identification: Employed in biometric identification systems for secure authentication.
- Machine Vision (Low-End): Suitable for low-end machine vision applications requiring real-time processing.
Q & A
- What is the TMS320C6746 DSP core based on?
The TMS320C6746 DSP core is based on the C674x DSP core. - What are the clock speeds available for the TMS320C6746?
The TMS320C6746 is available in 375-MHz and 456-MHz versions. - What is the cache memory architecture of the TMS320C6746?
The device features a 2-level cache architecture with 32KB L1P and L1D caches and a 256KB L2 unified mapped RAM/cache. - What types of memory interfaces does the TMS320C6746 support?
The TMS320C6746 supports DDR2/mDDR memory controllers and EMIFA for asynchronous and SDRAM external memory. - Does the TMS320C6746 have USB and Ethernet capabilities?
Yes, it includes a USB 2.0 OTG port and a 10/100 Mbps Ethernet MAC. - What is the role of the Programmable Real-Time Unit Subsystem (PRUSS) in the TMS320C6746?
The PRUSS includes two independent PRU cores for real-time processing and has a dedicated interrupt controller and power management features. - Can the TMS320C6746 be used in safety-critical applications?
No, it is not recommended for safety-critical applications without proper validation and certification. - What development tools are available for the TMS320C6746?
The device has a complete set of development tools including C compilers, DSP assembly optimizer, and a Windows debugger interface. - How does the TMS320C6746 manage power consumption?
The device uses clock gating and power-down modes to reduce power consumption. - What types of timers and counters are available on the TMS320C6746?
The device includes three 64-Bit General-Purpose Timers and one 64-Bit General-Purpose or Watchdog Timer.
