SPRAD67D September   2024  – October 2025 AM2431 , AM2432 , AM2434 , AM6411 , AM6412 , AM6421 , AM6422 , AM6441 , AM6442

 

  1.   1
  2.   Abstract
  3.   Trademarks
  4. 1 Introduction
    1. 1.1 Before Getting Started With the Custom Board Design
    2. 1.2 Processor-Specific SDK
    3. 1.3 Peripheral Circuit Implementation - Compatibility Between Processor Families
    4. 1.4 Selection of Required Processor OPN (Orderable Part Number)
      1. 1.4.1 Availability of Tightly Coupled Memory (TCM)
      2. 1.4.2 Processor Support for Secure Boot and Functional Safety
    5. 1.5 Technical Documentation
      1. 1.5.1 Updated EVM or SK Schematic With Design, Review and Cad Notes Added
      2. 1.5.2 Collaterals on TI.com, Processor Product Page
      3. 1.5.3 Schematic Design Guidelines and Schematic Review Checklist - Processor Family Specific User's Guide
      4. 1.5.4 Updates to Hardware Design Considerations User's Guide
      5. 1.5.5 Processor and Peripherals Related FAQs to Support Custom Board Designs
    6. 1.6 Custom Board Design Documentation
    7. 1.7 Processor and Processor Peripherals Design Related Queries During Custom Board Design
  5. 2 Custom Board Design Block Diagram
    1. 2.1 Developing the Custom Board Design Block Diagram
    2. 2.2 Configuring the Boot Mode
    3. 2.3 Configuring the Processor Pins Functionality (PinMux Configuration)
  6. 3 Power Supply
    1. 3.1 Power Supply Architecture
      1. 3.1.1 Integrated Power Architecture
      2. 3.1.2 Discrete Power Architecture
    2. 3.2 Processor Supply (Power) Rails (Operating Voltage)
      1. 3.2.1 Core Power Supply
      2. 3.2.2 Peripherals Power Supply
      3. 3.2.3 Dual-Voltage IO Supply for IO Group (Processor) Power Supply
      4. 3.2.4 Integrated LDO for SD Card Interface (Dynamic Voltage Switching Dual-Voltage Power Supply)
      5. 3.2.5 VPP (eFuse ROM Programming) Power Supply
      6. 3.2.6 Internal LDOs for IO Supply for IO Groups (Processor)
    3. 3.3 Power Supply Filtering
    4. 3.4 Power Supply Decoupling and Bulk Capacitors
      1. 3.4.1 Note on PDN Target Impedance
    5. 3.5 Power Supply Sequencing
    6. 3.6 Power Supply Diagnostics (Using Processor Supported External Input Voltage Monitors)
    7. 3.7 Power Supply Diagnostics (Monitoring Using External Monitoring Circuit (Devices))
    8. 3.8 Custom Board Current Requirements Estimation and Supply Sizing
  7. 4 Processor Clock (Input and Output)
    1. 4.1 Processor Clocking (External Crystal or External Oscillator)
      1. 4.1.1 Unused Clock Input
      2. 4.1.2 MCU_OSC0 Crystal Selection
      3. 4.1.3 LVCMOS Compatible Digital Clock Input Source
    2. 4.2 Processor Clock Output
      1. 4.2.1 Observation Clock Outputs
    3. 4.3 Clock Tree Tool
  8. 5 JTAG (Joint Test Action Group)
    1. 5.1 JTAG / Emulation
      1. 5.1.1 Configuration of JTAG / Emulation
        1. 5.1.1.1 BSDL File
      2. 5.1.2 Implementation of JTAG / Emulation
      3. 5.1.3 Connection Recommendations for JTAG Interface Signals
      4. 5.1.4 Debug Boot Modes and Boundary Scan Compliance
  9. 6 Configuration (Processor) and Initialization (Processor and Device)
    1. 6.1 Processor Reset
    2. 6.2 Latching of Processor Boot Mode Configuration Inputs
    3. 6.3 Resetting of the Attached Devices
    4. 6.4 Watchdog Timer
  10. 7 Processor - Peripherals Connection
    1. 7.1  Supported Processor Cores and MCU Cores
    2. 7.2  Selecting Peripherals Across Domains
    3. 7.3  Memory Controller (DDRSS)
      1. 7.3.1 Processor DDR Subsystem and Device Register Configuration
      2. 7.3.2 Calibration Resistor Connection for DDRSS
      3. 7.3.3 Attached Memory Device ZQ and Reset_N (Memory Device Reset) Connection
    4. 7.4  Media and Data Storage Interfaces (MMC0, MMC1, OSPI0/QSPI0 and GPMC0)
    5. 7.5  Ethernet Interface
      1. 7.5.1 Common Platform Ethernet Switch 3-port Gigabit (CPSW3G0)
      2. 7.5.2 Programmable Real-Time Unit and Industrial Communication Subsystem - Gigabit (PRU_ICSSG)
    6. 7.6  Universal Serial Bus (USB) Subsystem
    7. 7.7  Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) Subsystem
    8. 7.8  General Connectivity Peripherals
      1. 7.8.1 Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) Interface
    9. 7.9  Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC0)
      1. 7.9.1 Change Summary of AM64x, AM243x SR2.0 ADC Errata (FYI only)
    10. 7.10 Connection of Processor Power Supply Pins, IOs and Peripherals When not Used
      1. 7.10.1 External Interrupt (EXTINTn)
      2. 7.10.2 RSVD Reserved Pins (Signals)
    11. 7.11 EVM or SK Specific Circuit Implementation (Reuse)
  11. 8 Interfacing of Processor IOs (LVCMOS or SDIO or Open-Drain, Fail-Safe Type IO Buffers) and Performing Simulations
    1. 8.1 IBIS Model
    2. 8.2 IBIS-AMI Model
  12. 9 Processor Current Draw and Thermal Analysis
    1. 9.1 Power Estimation
      1. 9.1.1 AM64x
      2. 9.1.2 AM243x
    2. 9.2 Maximum Current Rating for Different Supply Rails
      1. 9.2.1 AM64x
      2. 9.2.2 AM243x
    3. 9.3 Supported Device Power States
    4. 9.4 Thermal Design Guidelines
      1. 9.4.1 Thermal Model
      2. 9.4.2 Voltage Thermal Management Module (VTM)
  13. 10Schematic:- Capture, Entry and Review
    1. 10.1 Custom Board Design Passive Components and Values Selection
    2. 10.2 Custom Board Design Electronic Computer Aided Design (ECAD) Tools Considerations
    3. 10.3 Custom Board Design Schematic Capture
    4. 10.4 Custom Board Design Schematic Review
  14. 11Floor Planning, Layout, Routing Guidelines, Board Layers, and Simulation
    1. 11.1 Escape Routing for PCB Design
      1. 11.1.1 AM64x
      2. 11.1.2 AM243x
    2. 11.2 DDR Design and Layout Guidelines
    3. 11.3 High-Speed Differential Signal Routing Guidelines
    4. 11.4 Processor-Specific EVM or SK Board Layout
    5. 11.5 Custom Board Layer Count and Layer Stack-up
      1. 11.5.1 Simulation Recommendations
    6. 11.6 DDR-MARGIN-FW
    7. 11.7 Reference for Steps to be Followed for Running Board Simulation
    8. 11.8 Software Development Training (Academy) for Processors
  15. 12Custom Board Assembly and Testing
    1. 12.1 Custom Board Bring-up Tips and Debug Guidelines
  16. 13Processor (Device) Handling and Assembly
    1. 13.1 Processor (Device) Soldering Recommendations
      1. 13.1.1 Additional References
  17. 14References
    1. 14.1 AM64x
    2. 14.2 AM243x
    3. 14.3 Common
  18. 15Terminology
  19. 16Revision History

2.1 Developing the Custom Board Design Block Diagram

The recommendation is to identify and review all the relevant end equipment use case requirements (features), functions and include all critical components (functional blocks), associated devices required for processor functioning (Example: PMIC) and include details of the attached devices interfaced to the processor as part of the block diagram. The recommendation is to draw separate blocks for each function or interface, connect blocks with arrows indicating the directions, label blocks and clearly indicate the interfaces and processor IOs used for connecting the processor and attached devices. The recommendation is to consider grouping of the blocks based on the implemented functions whenever possible. The recommendation is to review, refine and baseline the block diagram before starting the design.

The below resources can be used (as supporting documents) when preparing the detailed block diagram:

  • SK-AM64B (AM64B starter kit for AM64x Sitara processors), TMDS64EVM (AM64x evaluation module for Sitara processors), TMDS243EVM (AM243x evaluation module for Arm® Cortex®-R5F based MCUs), LP-AM243 (AM243x general purpose LaunchPad development kit for Arm®-based MCU) and any other available EVMs or SKs.
  • The links listed below to the processor-specific product page on TI.com includes Functional block diagrams, Data sheet, TRM, User guides, Silicon errata, Application notes, Hardware design considerations for custom board design, Schematic design guidelines and schematic review checklist, and other relevant documents. The design and development section include links to available EVM or SK (EVM or SK design files), design tools, simulation models and software. As part of information related to support and training, links to commonly viewed or searched E2E threads and E2E FAQs are available.

The processor product page links on TI.com are listed below:

AM64x [ALV]

AM243x [ALV, ALX]