TI introduces programmable ARM9 SOC in Profibus version

Texas Instruments (www.ti.com) is proud to launch a new addition to its industrial-focused, ARM9-based Sitara AM1x system-on-chip (SoC) family with an integrated Profibus interface. Clocked to 375 MHz, the new AM1810 Sitara includes EtherCAT support and comes with a Linux-ready development module.

The AM1810 Sitara is optimally ideal for use in human machine interface (HMI) or programmable logic controller (PLC) applications. The SoC is based upon the Sitara AM1x line of ARMP processors the company announced in April.

The processor is similar to the top-of-the-line AM1808 unit, except for the addition of EtherCAT Master protocol support and Profibus interface.

In conjunction with the release of the AM1810 Sitara, the manufacturer noted that it has joined the Profibus International organization. Profibus is an industrial fieldbus like LONworks and CANopen, touted by TI as “the world’s most popular fieldbus used for communications between factory automation equipment”.

The Profibus DP slave implementation from TI used on the AM1810 Sitara is PI certified via ComDeC – a Profibus Certification Lab by Siemens AG (www.siemens.com).. By incorporating a Profibus interface into the AM1810, directly connecting it to the RS-485 transceiver, the need for an external Profibus device, FPGA, or ASIC is eliminated. This saves development cost and time, as well as improves system performance.

The company said customers can design smaller housings and enclosures with simpler thermal designs because of the low power architecture of the AM1810 SoC. The thermal advantage can further reduce total bill of materials (BOM) to up to 30%.