PHYTEC Announces an Ultra-Low Cost ARM Cortex-A8 System on Module (SOM) Supporting the Texas Instruments AM335x Family of Processors

May 15, 2012 -- PHYTEC announced the phyCORE-AM335x System on Module (SOM), a feature packed SOM supporting the Texas Instruments (TI) Sitara™ AM335x ARM® Cortex™-A8 processor and PowerVR™ SGX530 for 2D and 3D graphics acceleration. The SOM delivers up to 720 MHz performance with ultra-low power mode support. The 220-pin SOM interconnect carries the AM335x high-performance interfaces such as, Dual Gigabit Ethernet, USB2.0, CAN, LCD and more. The Industrial Communications Subsystem (ICSS) supports standards such as EtherCAT®, Ethernet/IP, PROFINET®, PROFIBUS®, POWERLINK™, SERCOS-III and CANopen®. This integrated subsystem eliminates the need for an external ASIC/FPGA, which saves substantial bill of material (BOM) costs.

phyCORE-AM335x SOM supports:

• TI’s Sitara AM335x ARM Cortex-A8 processors
• PowerVR SGX530 Graphics (AM3359, AM3358, AM3354 only)
• 512 MB DDR3, 1 GB NAND, 8 MB SPI Flash, 32 KB EEPROM
• 6x UARTs, 3x I2C, 2x McASP, 2x SPI, 2x CAN
• 2x USB OTG, 2x 10/100/1G Ethernet
• 24 bpp TTL or LVDS
• 44 x 50 mm form factor
• -40° to +85°C temperature range
• Linux, Compact 7, Android

The phyCORE®-AM335x SOM will be available in a PHYTEC Rapid Development Kit (RDK). The kit includes the SOM, carrier board, board support package (BSP), demo images and all contents required for immediate start-up. The carrier board serves as a reference design for target hardware development and the RDK provides an immediate platform on which to develop application code that can be seamlessly integrated along with the SOM into prototype, pre-production, and production systems. OEMs with aggressive timelines or limited resources can employ PHYTEC's full range of design services, which include embedded hardware design, Linux, Windows Embedded, and Android and complete turnkey designs.

"phyCORE-AM335x’s introduction is an exciting addition to PHYTEC’s product line of System on Modules supporting TI’s applications processors," states Josie Adams, director of product development, PHYTEC America. "Our production-ready hardware, in combination with robust BSPs, will enable OEMs to reach their product goals with minimal time and risk."

"Combining PHYTEC's strong reputation in reliable off-the-shelf embedded modules and software expertise offers a unique solution to many OEM problems," said Alejandro Erives, product manager, Sitara ARM processors, TI. “This new SOM from PHYTEC allows OEMs to develop a complete application and get to market faster.”

About PHYTEC

In over 25 years of operations, PHYTEC has earned a reputation for high quality design, production and integration support of OEM-able System On Module (SOM) subassemblies and Rapid Development Kits that accelerate embedded product developments. Headquartered in Mainz, Germany, PHYTEC remains a majority family-owned enterprise, with minority ownership shares held by the managers of operational divisions in Germany, the United States and France. PHYTEC provides off-shelf SOMs and hardware and software design services in support a variety of ARM® Cortex™ A8 and A9, ARM11™, ARM9™, Intel® Atom™ and XScale® devices. PHYTEC products have been deployed in thousands of embedded designs, ranging from industrial control to medical, automotive, avionic and data processing applications.

About the Texas Instruments Design Network

PHYTEC is a member of the TI Design Network, a premier group of independent, well-established companies that offer products and system-level design and manufacturing services complementing TI’s semiconductors to a worldwide customer base to accelerate product innovation and time-to-market. Network members provide product design, hardware and software system integration, turnkey product design, RF and processor system modules, reference platforms, software development, proof-of-concept design, feasibility studies, research, certification compliance, prototyping, manufacturing, and product life cycle management. For more information about the TI Design Network, please visit http://www.ti.com/designnetwork.

For more information about PHYTEC, visit http://www.phytec.com.