TI disrupts the embedded market with the most powerful SoCs featuring real-time processing and multimedia

Texas Instruments Sitara AM57x

TI's new AM57x family, along with the Processor SDK, brings unrivaled integration, scalability, peripherals and ease of use associated with the powerful Sitara processor platform

Bringing developers advanced integration, scalability and peripherals all in one chip, Texas Instruments (TI) announced the Sitara AM57x processor family, the highest performance devices in this processor platform. Sitara AM57x processors are designed for a broad range of embedded and industrial applications through their unique heterogeneous architecture including ARM Cortex-A15 cores for high-performance processing and running a high-level operating system (HLOS). Additionally, AM57x processors integrate TI's C66x digital signal processors (DSPs) for analytics and real-time computation, programmable real-time units (PRU) and ARM Cortex-M4 cores for control functions, and video and graphic accelerators for advanced user interfaces and multimedia applications, making the AM57x processors unmatched in their class.

Texas Instruments: Sitara AM57x

The new Sitara AM57x family of processors was designed from the ground up with high performance and integration in mind. As a result, the processors bring developers unparalleled performance of more than 40 percent greater than quad-core ARM Cortex-A9 processors and 280 percent greater than standard dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 processors found in the broad embedded market.  

Advanced integration capabilities of Sitara AM57x processors:
Sitara AM57x processors provide the industry's most advanced integration of compute, real-time control, connectivity and multimedia capabilities, allowing developers to simplify their designs with a single chip instead of needing multiple chips for each function. This integration is ideal for applications involving industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), factory automation, machine vision, embedded computing, human machine interface (HMI), robotics, medical imaging, avionics and more.

  • Compute: Developers benefit from a unique combination of two different types of computing cores, both with up to two ARM Cortex-A15 cores and C66x DSPs that each perform a different task. The multicore architecture provides flexibility by distributing tasks to the right cores while driving system integration and best-in-class performance – all within one chip.
     
  • Control: In addition to the high-performance cores, AM57x processors also include two ARM Cortex-M4 cores and four PRUs to provide developers with low-latency, real-time control functions necessary for industrial applications such as controlling a motor or monitoring sensors.
     
  • Connectivity: The processors are equipped with an industrial communication subsystem (ICSS) for real-time fieldbus protocols and other industrial communication, and extensive system flexibility with integrated high-speed peripherals such as PCIe, SATA, Gigabit Ethernet, and USB 3.0. These features, along with the high-performance ARM Cortex-A15 cores and DSP, enable AM57x processors to transmit and receive data quicker.
     
  • Multimedia: The devices integrate up to two SGX544 3-D and a GC320 2-D graphic accelerators for advanced graphical user interfaces; a 1080p60 video accelerator and multi-display support for high-definition video playback; and multiple camera inputs for recording events, taking pictures or reading a barcode.

The AM57x processors are powered by a TI power management IC, TPS659037. In addition, the AM57x EVM includes a connector for plugging in one of TI's WiLink 8 modules, enabling both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

Texas Instruments: Sitara AM57x Block Diagram 

 

AM5716

AM5718

AM5726

AM5728

ARM Cortex-A15 (MHz)

Single core
500 MHz/1.5 GHz

Single core
1.5 GHz
Dual core @ 1.5 GHz
C66x DSP (MHz) Single core @ 500/750 MHz Dual core @ 750 MHz
ARM Cortex-M4 (MHz) Dual core @ 213 MHz
PRU-ICSS* Quad core @ 200 MHz
Graphics   Single core SGX544
(3D GPU)
Single core GC320
(2D GPU)
  Dual core SGX544
(3D GPU)
Single core GC320
(2D GPU)
Video Acceleration   1080p
encode and decode
  1080p
encode and decode
Display   Yes   Yes
  Pin and software compatible

Create tailored solutions with a completely scalable software experience

TI is redefining scalability with the pin-compatible AM57x processor family and the all new Processor SDK, the first scalable software experience across TI's Sitara and DSP processor portfolio. The processor families feature low- to high-end options (AM335x, AM437x and AM57x families) with a common code base so developers do not have to re-learn the software platform. Processor SDK is a unified software platform for TI's processor portfolio that uses a consistent software foundation including a mainline long term stable (LTS) Linux kernel (with RT-Linux coming later), Linaro tool chain and Yocto Project compatible file system. It provides developers with a consistent user experience without having to reinvest in software resources. TI-RTOS support is also available for optimum real-time performance. Additionally, users benefit from simplified development through programming frameworks such as Khronos OpenCL that allow developers to leverage the DSPs without needing any DSP expertise.

A vast development and support ecosystem

TI has collaborated with BeagleBoard.org to power the new BeagleBoard-X15 with the Sitara AM5728 processor and provide access to a large community of open-source hardware developers. Additional third-party solutions from members of the TI Design Network provide customers validated hardware modules and robust software offerings, such as hardware-accelerated video codecs. Developers benefit from flexible operating systems and a wide range of product needs with solutions such as Windows Embedded Compact 2013 and Android 5.0 from Adeneo Embedded, RTOS from Mentor Embedded, Green Hills, QNX Software Systems, and Wind River. Prebuilt hardware modules from Ittiam, PHYTEC, D3 Engineering, CompuLab, DAB-EMBEDDED and Z3 Technology further shorten the development cycle for customers.

Pricing and availability

Samples of Sitara AM57x processors are now available from TI. The AM57x evaluation module (EVM) (TMDXEVM5728) is available on the TI Store and through authorized distributors for $599. Contact TI's ecosystem partners to evaluate their Sitara AM57x-based solutions. Additional Sitara AM57x TI Designs reference designs are available now.

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