Smart factories require a strong backbone of technology to keep up with the rapidly evolving needs of Industry 4.0 in factory automation, motor drives and grid infrastructure.
Texas Instruments (TI) is doing its part to push the progression of smart factories with the introduction of its Sitara AM6x family of industrial-grade processors. These processors mark the industry’s first multiprotocol gigabit time-sensitive networking (TSN) processors.
They offer advanced communications, enhanced security, high reliability, and functional safety features. By utilizing the processors, factories can keep up with the digital evolution of smart factories around the globe and take advantage of new technologies that can streamline manufacturing processes.
Smooth networking and communications are keys to operating smart factories. By supporting gigabit throughput rates for TSN standards and other industry protocols, the new TI processors can handle the convergence of Ethernet and real-time data traffic on a single network. This capability is critical for real-time communication in Industry 4.0 applications and enables software-reconfigurable cyber physical systems in factories, according to TI.Optimized for industrial networking, the AM6x processors support multiple Ethernet protocols including TSN, EtherCAT, Ethernet/IP and PROFINET.
Other features include:
- On-chip isolated dual-core Arm Cortex-R5F central processing unit (CPU)-based MCU subsystem allows designers to use AM6x processors to create more dependable and safety-certifiable products while reducing system-level complexity for applications including programmable logic controllers and multi-axis motor drives.
- Secure boot, secure storage and smart crypto engines enable enhanced system security.
- Integrated 3D graphics and display enables HMI and Industrial PC applications.
- Supported by the Processor SDK, customers can seamlessly reuse and migrate Android, Linux and TI-RTOS software across TI processor families.
- Integrated subsystems, streamlined power sequencing, integrated low-dropout regulators and pin-to-pin compatibility enable hardware reuse across platforms and reduce system complexity and cost.
Developers can purchase Sitara processor-based development kits as well as preproduction samples of AM6548 processors through the TI store.
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