SPRY342 July   2021 AM2431 , AM2432 , AM2434

 

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The role of high-performance MCUs in modern factories

Just as a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, the link between the analog world and the digital world is only as strong as its weakest link. An often-overlooked element in this chain is the MCU. In many factory systems, such as motor control and robotics, this unheralded processor oversees the transformation from analog to digital and back, but the need for both high performance computing and control is placing overwhelming demands on its capabilities.

TI’s Sitara AM2x MCUs bring a new level of MCU performance to meet growing automation demands in the factory. The portfolio combines processor-level computing with the simple, power-efficient packages and high levels of integration typical of MCUs for applications needing precise real-time control. It further enables new capabilities such as edge analytics and real-time multiprotocol networking that are central to factory efficiency and intelligence.

Figure 2 shows the core building blocks of a Sitara AM2x MCU: processing cores, networking, analog integration, security and safety features, and custom acceleration.

GUID-20210615-CA0I-GRXX-HTLP-DQJKLMPFPF2K-low.jpg Figure 2 Sitara AM2x MCU combines fundamental building blocks from traditional MCUs and microprocessors

The first device in the Sitara AM2x MCU family is the AM2434, as shown in Figure 3. This device includes many of the fundamental features, with a quad-R5F processing subsystem, a flexible industrial networking engine (the industrial communications subsystem [ICSS]), tightly coupled analog peripherals and a security engine supporting the latest cryptographic standards.

Figure 3 Block diagram of the Sitara AM2434 MCU