company blog about TI SK-AM64B AM64B Starter Kit For AM64x Sitara™ Processors

TI SK-AM64B AM64B Starter Kit For AM64x Sitara™ Processors

Shenzhen Mingjiada Electronics Co., Ltd., a globally renowned distributor of electronic components, offers the TI SK-AM64B Starter Kit. This kit enables developers to rapidly familiarise themselves with the AM64x processor, evaluate its key performance characteristics, and undertake software prototyping.

The SK-AM64B is an entry-level development kit based on the Sitara™ AM64x processor, serving as a low-cost, standalone test and development platform specifically engineered for industrial applications. This kit integrates extensive peripheral and connectivity features, enabling developers to rapidly evaluate the performance of AM64x series processors within industrial automation and communications applications.

SK-AM64B AM64B Starter Kit Product Overview

The SK-AM64B is an entry-level development kit specifically engineered for evaluating and developing applications based on the AM64x Sitara™ processor series.

Core Processor and Performance

The kit is built around the Sitara AM6442 processor. This powerful multi-core heterogeneous processor integrates the following computational units to meet the demands of complex industrial applications:

Dual-core 64-bit Arm Cortex-A53 cluster: Operating at up to 1.0GHz, suitable for running advanced operating systems such as Linux.

Up to four Arm Cortex-R5F cores: Operating at up to 800MHz, dedicated to real-time control tasks.

One Arm Cortex-M4F MCU: Operating at up to 400MHz, for low-power management and real-time sensing.

Key Features and Interfaces

The SK-AM64B Starter Kit is engineered as a low-cost standalone testing and development platform to accelerate the prototyping phase of product design. Its hardware configuration is detailed below:

Function Category

Network Connectivity: Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz & 5GHz) / Bluetooth 5.1 / Two Gigabit Ethernet ports (supporting Time-Sensitive Networking TSN).

High-Speed Interfaces: 1 USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A port.

Expansion Capabilities: Provides three expansion interfaces, including a 40-pin Raspberry Pi-compatible header, PRU-ICSSG real-time I/O, and TI-MCU header pins for functional expansion.

Debugging and Storage: On-board XDS110 JTAG emulator; supports booting from MicroSD card, USB, OSPI flash memory, and other methods; equipped with 2GB LPDDR4 memory.

Industrial Communication: The processor's integrated PRU-ICSSG subsystem supports multiple industrial Ethernet protocols including Profinet, EtherCAT, and EtherNet/IP. The kit's dual Ethernet ports also support TSN, making it suitable for developing industrial communication controllers.

Real-time Control and Gateway: The powerful Cortex-R5 and Cortex-M4F cores, combined with extensive connectivity, make it suitable for developing intelligent gateways or edge computing devices requiring real-time control.

【SK-AM64B Core Hardware Configuration: Performance and Industrial Applications Converged】

The core of the SK-AM64B Starter Kit is a hardware platform based on the Sitara™ AM6442 processor. This evaluation board is designed to deliver robust processing power and extensive connectivity options for industrial applications.

The AM64x processor in the SK-AM64B kit employs a heterogeneous multi-core architecture, comprising:

- A dual-core 64-bit Arm Cortex-A53 microprocessor subsystem (up to 1.0GHz)

- Two dual-core Arm Cortex-R5F MCU subsystems (up to 800MHz)

- A single-core Arm Cortex-M4F MCU (up to 400MHz).

This configuration enables simultaneous handling of real-time control tasks and advanced applications, meeting the dual demands for real-time performance and computational power in complex industrial systems.

Regarding storage, the SK-AM64B incorporates 2GB of LPDDR4 memory and supports multiple boot interfaces, including removable microSD cards, USB, 16MB OSPI flash memory, Ethernet, and UART. This flexibility allows developers to select the most suitable boot method according to application requirements.

Industrial systems typically require continuous operation and rapid responsiveness, hence the SK-AM64B offers multiple boot options and robust power management. The evaluation board receives 5V power via a standard USB-C port, while integrated voltage monitors and power disturbance detectors track over/under-voltage conditions and detect rapid power transients, ensuring system reliability in industrial environments.

【SK-AM64B Communications and Connectivity: Building Bridges for Industrial IoT】

Modern industrial systems demand exceptional communication capabilities, and the SK-AM64B delivers a comprehensive solution. The evaluation board supports both wired and wireless connectivity to meet diverse industrial scenarios.

Two onboard RJ-45 Ethernet ports support 1000/100 Mbps transmission rates and incorporate Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) functionality. TSN is a key technology for industrial IoT, ensuring reliable delivery of critical data within specified timeframes.

Beyond wired connectivity, the kit integrates dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz) alongside a Bluetooth/Bluetooth Low Energy 5.1 module. These wireless options provide flexible deployment for devices, particularly suited to applications where cabling is impractical or for mobile equipment.

To expand peripheral connectivity, the SK-AM64B features multiple standard interfaces: one Type-A USB 3.1 Gen 1 port, three UART ports accessible via micro-USB, six I2C interfaces, and nine configurable UART modules.

Industrial communication represents a key strength of the SK-AM64B. Its integrated dual Gigabit industrial communication subsystems (PRU-ICSSG) support multiple industrial Ethernet protocols, including Profinet IRT, Profinet RT, EtherNet/IP, and EtherCAT.

This capability makes the SK-AM64B an ideal platform for developing industrial communication gateways and controllers. Particularly for applications requiring multi-protocol support, developers can rapidly implement data exchange and protocol conversion between different industrial networks using this platform.

【SK-AM64B Development and Expansion: A Rapid Path from Prototype to Production】

TI provides comprehensive development support for the SK-AM64B, enabling developers to quickly get started and build complex industrial applications. The evaluation board itself incorporates multiple expansion options, facilitating functional validation and prototyping.

The software ecosystem represents a key strength of the SK-AM64B. TI offers several software development kits (SDKs) for selection, including the Processor SDK for Linux, the Processor SDK for RT-Linux, and the MCU+ SDK. These SDKs are built upon a unified software platform, providing out-of-the-box benchmarks and routines that streamline the development process.

For embedded development, TI recommends the Code Composer Studio™ integrated development environment. The SK-AM64B incorporates an XDS110 Joint Test Action Group (JTAG) emulator, enabling simulation and debugging via standard development tools to significantly streamline the development process.

Expandability represents another highlight of the SK-AM64B. The evaluation board provides three expansion headers: a 40-pin Raspberry Pi HAT interface, a PRU-ICSSG real-time I/O header, and a TI-MCU header. These interfaces enable developers to easily connect various peripheral modules for rapid functional concept validation.

【SK-AM64B Application Scenarios: A Versatile Solution for Industrial Automation】

The SK-AM64B is designed to address multiple key areas within the industrial market. Its robust processing power and extensive communication options make it an ideal development platform for diverse industrial applications.

Within the programmable logic controller domain, the SK-AM64B's multi-core architecture simultaneously handles real-time control tasks and advanced application logic. The Cortex-R5F core manages high-speed I/O and motion control, while the Cortex-A53 core executes complex algorithms and human-machine interfaces.

For industrial robotics applications, the SK-AM64B's real-time processing capabilities and extensive communication interfaces meet the demands of robotic control systems for high-precision motion control and multi-axis coordination. The encoder interfaces and PWM modules provided by the PRU-ICSSG subsystem are particularly well-suited for servo drive development.

The SK-AM64B also serves as an ideal platform for developing industrial communication gateways. Supporting multiple industrial Ethernet protocols alongside standard Ethernet, it enables protocol conversion and data exchange between disparate industrial networks. This capability is crucial for constructing interconnected smart factories.

Furthermore, the SK-AM64B facilitates the development of condition monitoring gateways. By connecting diverse sensors and executing data analysis algorithms, it enables real-time equipment status monitoring, predictive maintenance requirements, and reduced downtime.