Texas Instruments (Dallas, TX) announced the new Sitara AM437x processor family that integrates support for industrial protocols for both automation and industrial drives and includes new features such as dual camera for data terminals with bar code scanning. Allowing customers to further differentiate their designs, the AM437x processors enable real-time processing with available quad core programmable real-time units (PRU). The PRU offloads real-time processing from the ARM to manage deterministic tasks such as controlling motors and is robust enough to enable complex functions like multiple industrial fieldbus protocols. With a powerful 1GHz ARM Cortex-A9 core and other sub-systems, this SoC offers up to 40 percent more system performance than the previous generation of Sitara processors. An on-chip quad core PRU co-processor achieves deterministic, real-time processing, direct access to I/Os and ultra-low-latency requirements. Additional integrated peripheral options include:
- Dual port 1Gb Ethernet switch for networking.
- Two parallel camera ports for applications such as bar code scanners.
- Independent, up to 867ksps, eight-channel ADCs for servo motor control, audio sampling and sensor monitoring.
- Improved Vector Floating Point unit for motor control and audio algorithms.
For more information, visit www.ti.com