SolidRun Unveils SoM Sitara AM6442 and HummingBoard-T AM64x Carrier Cards

When we first wrote about the Texas Instruments 7-core AM64x processor for PLCs, motors, and industrial robots, we noted that SolidRun, TQ Embedded, and PHYTEC were working on processor-based module systems with a availability scheduled for Q4 2021 or Q1. 2022.

SolidRun has now officially announced two Sitara AM6442 TI module systems – Sitara AM6442R SOM and Sitara AM6442A SOM – as well as HummingBoard-T AM64x Base and Pro carrier boards for evaluation and development.

SolidRun Sitara AM6442 SOM

The two variants of the module share most of the same specifications:

• SoC – Texas Instruments Sitara AM6442 7-Core Processor with 2 Cortex A53 1.0 GHz Application Cores, 4 Cortex R5 800 MHz Real-Time Cores, 1 Cortex M4 400 MHz Isolated Core
• System memory – 1 GB DDR4 with inline ECC
• Storage room
  • 8 GB eMMC
  • AM6442A only – Optional QSPI flash
• Networking
  • AM6442R
    • 1x 10/100/1000 Mbps (PRU ICSSG, Support: TSN, EtherCAT, PROFINET, EtherNET / IP)
      
    • WiFi / Bt optional (WiLink)
  • AM6442A
    • 1x 10/100/1000 Mbps
    • 2x 10/100/1000 Mbps (PRU ICSSG, Support: TSN, EtherCAT, PROFINET, EtherNET / IP)
    • Optional TI CC1312 SimpleLink sub 1 GHz wireless MCU
• 3x Hirose DF40 connectors with
  • External Storage I / F – NOR Flash, 2x SD / MMC, PCIe SSD
  • Networking – Up to 3x Gigabit Ethernet
  • USB – 1x USB 3.0
  • PCIe – 1x PCIe Gen 2.0
  • I / O
    • 4x I2C, 1x SPI, GPIO, PWM, 2x CAN
    • AM6442R only – Up to 9x UART
    • 3.3 VI / O voltage
  • Debugging – JTAG
• Supply voltage – 5V
• Dimensions – 47 x 30 mm
• Temperature range – Industrial: -40 ° C to 85 ° C
• Humidity – 10% – 90% (non-condensing)

The company offers a Linux SDK for the module and states that the SOM targets industrial IoT and industrial machine applications with functional safety support. While the product page only lists the Sitara AM6422 processor, the Press release reads as follows: “AM64x SOM family offers several ordering options for single dual-core A53 and single quad-core R5F processors based on TI AM6411, AM6412, AM6421, AM6441 and AM6442 processors”, so more options may become available in the future.

HummingBoard-T AM64x Base and Pro carrier boards

Since it is not really practical to work directly with a system-on-module and waiting for the custom carrier board would delay software development, SolidRun also offers two HummingBoard-T AM64x carrier boards with the following key features:

• Supported SoM – SolidRun AM6442 SOM described above with 1 GB RAM, 8 GB flash memory
• Networking
  • HummingBoard-T AM64x Base
    • 1x 10/100/1000 Mbps (PRU ICSSG, Support: TSN, EtherCAT, PROFINET, EtherNET / IP)
    • Wi-Fi / Bt optional
    • 1x Cat 4 LTE optional with SIM support
  • HummingBoard-T AM64x Pro
    • 1x 10/100/1000 Mbps
    • 2x 10/100/1000 Mbps (PRU ICSSG, Support: TSN, EtherCAT, PROFINET, EtherNET / IP)
    • 1x Cat 4 LTE optional with SIM support
    • 1x CC1312 SimpleLink 1 GHz Wireless MCU (on optional module)
• USB – 1 USB 3.0 port
• Serial – 2x CAN-FD, 2x RS485 / RS232
• Extension – M.2 socket, GPIO header
• Debugging – Internal Console Port
• Miscellaneous – LED indication, user pushbuttons, RTC with battery back-up
• Power source
  • 9V-36V DC input
  • Optional battery charger
  • HummingBoard-T AM64x Pro only – PD 802.3af POE optional
• Dimensions – 150 x 85 x 40 mm
• Temperature range – -40 ° C to 85 ° C

The functional diagram of the HummingBoar-T AM64x Pro carrier card reveals some additional details including the presence of a USB hub, two M.2 sockets including one for the optional Cat 4 LTE modem listed in the spaces, a USB 2.0 header , and what seems to be an optional sensor module with humidity, temperature and optical sabotage sensors.

SolidRun states that TI AM64x S SOMs and Hummingboard carrier boards are available, but if we check the product page, carrier cards are displayed as “coming soon”, and there is no availability or pricing information for on-module systems. Hummingboard-T boards have their own product page with some additional details such as block diagrams.

Going through LinuxGizmos

Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 part-time, before stepping down as head of software engineering and starting writing daily news and reviews full-time later in 2011.