Realize a smart factory with industrial processors! Sitara™ AM437x

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A processor capable of realizing "industrial" compatibility with a single chip

With the spread of Industry 4.0 (Fourth Industrial Revolution), we often see keywords such as "manufacturing revolution", "connected factory" and "smart factory". In Industry 4.0, various things are connected to the Internet (IoT), and it is said that AI will analyze the data accumulated from that to create new products and services. Specifically, there is a trend to connect each device in the factory to the network and develop an environment for real-time information transmission.

However, these days, it is not only possible to connect to a network, but like robot arms and servo amplifiers, it is possible to connect to an industrial open field network (EtherCAT®, etc.) and feed back information such as position and speed from the motor. The number of applications that need to be enabled has also increased.

Article header library 126165 pic01 1 — Networked factory application example

By the way, will the processor products you are currently using be able to respond to these immediately?
Are there any cases that existing processors cannot handle, such as adding an external FPGA or ASIC to support industrial networks, or installing an AD converter for position detection? Don't you think it would be nice if we could achieve this with a single processor chip in order to reduce costs and design time? This time, we will introduce recommended products for such people.

This place is amazing! Features of the Sitara Processor AM437x

The Sitara processor series from Texas Instruments (hereafter, TI) is offered mainly for industrial communication and FA-related applications as a lineup equipped with flexible peripherals with built-in Arm® Cortex®-A cores.
Among the Sitara processor series, this time we will introduce the AM437x in particular.

No external IC required! Enables industrial Ethernet/fieldbus communication

Compatible with industrial Ethernet/fieldbus communication protocols such as EtherCAT®, PROFINET®, Ethernet/IP™, PROFIBUS, Ethernet Powerlink, and Sercos III®.
Since it can operate on a coprocessor built in separately from the Arm® core and the software for the target communication protocol is provided by TI, it can be realized on a single chip without the need for an external FPGA or ASIC.
*Compatible with all Sitara series (AMIC, AM335x, AM437x, AM57x).

No external IC required! Possible to detect motor position and current

Communication protocols such as EnDat2.2 and Hiperface DSL can be supported so that position detection (position feedback) and current detection can be performed between the motor encoder and processor.
As before, it runs on the built-in coprocessor and is provided with software, so you can try it out right away.
*Currently only AM437x is supported.

Simultaneous processing of industrial Ethernet communication and motor position/current detection

This is the biggest attraction. For example, it is possible to simultaneously process motor position feedback while performing EtherCAT communication. The reason for this will be explained in the next chapter.
*Currently only AM437x is supported.

The key is "Coprocessor PRU-ICSS"

The features of the AM437x introduced earlier are explained below along with a block diagram of how they are realized.

The Sitara processor has a built-in coprocessor PRU-ICSS separate from the Arm® core.
PRU-ICSS stands for Programmable Real-Time Unit Industrial Communication Sub-System, which enables industrial real-time communication.

The reason why various industrial Ethernet communication, motor position detection, etc. are possible is that protocol processing can be assigned independently from the main core. One PRU-ICSS has PRU0 and PRU1 cores, two protocol processes such as industrial Ethernet can be used simultaneously, and position feedback and current detection can be assigned to PRU0 and PRU1 respectively.

Article header library 126165 pic02 1 — Sitara AM437x utilization image block diagram

The Sitara AM437x has two built-in PRU-ICSS.
One PRU-ICSS controls EtherCAT, and the other PRU-ICSS enables position feedback such as EnDAT2.2 and current detection to control motors with encoders.

Among the Sitara series, only the AM437x can achieve the above.

Try it now! AM437x Development Kit

The AM437x Industrial Development Kit (IDK) is an application development platform for evaluating the industrial communication and control features of the Sitara™ AM4379 and AM4377 processors for industrial applications. Various software and technical materials are also available, so you can try it immediately.

Article header library 126165 pic03 1 — AM437x Industrial Development Kit: TMDSIDK437X

At the end

What did you think. We have introduced the unique features of the Sitara AM437x series that you should definitely try for industrial applications.

There is also an article that introduces the contents of the demo that actually operates the motor using the evaluation board of the product introduced this time. Please take a look.
I tried to operate a brushless DC motor and encoder with Sitara AM437x

Contact Us

If you would like more information about TI's products related to the Sitara processors and Industrial Ethernet mentioned in this article, please contact us.

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