Introduction to TI AM62x Sitara™ Processors and ARMxy Industrial SBC BL350 Series

Overview

The Sitara™ AM62x processor series from Texas Instruments (TI) is a low-power, high-performance microprocessor unit (MPU) designed for industrial, automotive, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Built on an advanced 16nm process, this series features a heterogeneous multi-core architecture, integrating single, dual, or quad-core 64-bit Arm® Cortex®-A53 (up to 1.4 GHz), a single-core Arm Cortex-M4F (up to 400 MHz), and a Programmable Real-time Unit Subsystem (PRU-ICSS, up to 333 MHz). The AM62x series, including models like AM623, AM625, and AM620-Q1, supports Linux and Android (AM625 only) operating systems. Combined with a 3D graphics accelerator (AM625 only) and rich interfaces, it provides robust support for edge computing, human-machine interface (HMI), and real-time control.

Based on the TI AM62x processor, Shenzhen Beilai Technology Co., Ltd. has developed the ARMxy BL350 series of ARM industrial controllers. Tailored for demanding industrial environments, this series leverages the high performance and low power consumption of the AM62x, offering flexible hardware configurations, extensive communication interfaces, and a powerful software ecosystem. It is widely used in industrial control, edge computing gateways, energy management systems (EMS/BMS), electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, and smart manufacturing.

BL350 Series ARM Industrial Controllers

The BL350 series is an embedded industrial controller developed based on the TI AM62x processor, designed specifically for rugged industrial applications. Below are its core features and advantages:

Core Architecture and Performance

The BL350 series inherits the multi-core architecture of the AM62x processor, including:

• Main Processor: 1/2/4-core Arm Cortex-A53 (1.4 GHz), supporting complex Linux or Android applications for HMI and edge computing.

• Real-Time Co-Processor: Arm Cortex-M4F (400 MHz) with 256KB SRAM for real-time tasks such as industrial control and low-latency I/O.

• Cortex-R5F (400 MHz): Handles system boot, resource management, and power management.

• PRU-ICSS (333 MHz): Supports GPIO, UART, and I2C expansion for real-time I/O and customized control.

• 3D GPU (AM6254 only): Supports OpenGL 3.x/2.0/1.1 and Vulkan 1.2 for dual Full HD (1080p@60fps) displays.

Hardware Features

The BL350 series offers flexible hardware configurations with modular expansion options:

• Storage and Memory: 4/8GB eMMC storage, 512MB/1GB/2GB DDR4 memory.

• Network Interfaces: 1-3 adaptive 10/100M RJ45 Ethernet ports with ESD and EFT Level 3 protection.

• Expansion Interfaces:

  • 2 USB 2.0 host ports (up to 480 Mbps).

  • Optional HDMI 2.0 interface supporting 1080p@60fps.

  • 1 X-series I/O board slot (supports RS485, CAN, RS232, DI/DO, etc.).

  • 2 Y-series I/O board slots (supports AI, AO, RTD, PWM, etc.).

  • Mini PCIe slot for WiFi, Bluetooth, 4G, and 5G module expansion.

• Video Encoding/Decoding: Supports 1080p@60fps H.264 encoding and H.265/H.264 decoding.

• Other Features: Hardware watchdog, Nano SIM card slot, Micro USB debug port, DIN35 rail mounting, and aluminum alloy casing.

Software Support

The BL350 series provides a comprehensive software ecosystem:

• Operating Systems: Supports Linux-5.10.168, Linux-RT-5.10.168, Yocto 3.1 (dunfell), and Debian 12.

• Development Tools:

  • Qt-5.14.2: For graphical interface development.

  • Node-RED: Graphical IoT development tool.

  • BLIoTLink: Supports protocols like Modbus, PLC, MQTT, BACnet, IEC104, and OPC UA, compatible with AWS IoT Core, ThingsBoard, Huawei IoT, and more.

  • BLRAT: Remote access tool for convenient device maintenance.

• SDKs: Includes Processor-SDK Linux-RT and MCU-PLUS-SDK, providing drivers, sample code, and development examples (e.g., multi-core communication, EtherCAT, and 4G/WiFi development).

Environmental Adaptability

The BL350 series has undergone rigorous electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and environmental testing:

• EMC Testing: Complies with GB/T 9254 and IEC 61000 standards, passing tests for electrostatic discharge (±4kV contact, ±8kV air), radiated RF immunity (10 V/m), and surge (2kV differential, 4kV common mode).

• Environmental Testing: Supports -40°C to 85°C operating temperature, IP30 protection rating, vibration resistance (5Hz-500Hz, 2g acceleration), and drop tests (0.8m height).

Modular Design

The BL350 series adopts a modular design, allowing users to customize hardware configurations by selecting different System-on-Module (SOM), X-series, and Y-series I/O boards. For example:

• SOM Models: SOM350 (2-core A53 + M4F, 4GB eMMC, 512MB DDR4) to SOM353 (4-core A53 + M4F, 8GB eMMC, 2GB DDR4).

• X-Series I/O Boards: Support up to 4 RS485, CAN, or 16 GPIO.

• Y-Series I/O Boards: Support 4-8 DI/DO, AI/AO, RTD, and PWM outputs.

Naming Example: BL350-SOM351-X10 indicates 1 Ethernet port, 8GB eMMC, 1GB DDR4, and 2 RS485 interfaces.

Applications of the BL350 Series

Leveraging the performance of the AM62x, the BL350 series is suitable for the following applications:

• Industrial Control: Supports PLC, motion control, and real-time I/O for factory automation.

• Edge Computing Gateways: Connects IoT devices to cloud platforms with multi-protocol support and remote maintenance.

• Energy Management Systems (EMS/BMS): Optimizes energy distribution in commercial and industrial energy storage systems.

• EV Charging Stations: Supports HMI and communication management for reliable charging control.

• Smart Manufacturing: Enables object detection and gesture recognition for smart cameras and automated equipment.

• Medical Devices: Powers portable diagnostic devices like blood analyzers with low power and high performance.

• Rail Transit and AGV Robots: Provides real-time control and high reliability for demanding environments.

Synergistic Advantages of AM62x and BL350

The BL350 series fully utilizes the strengths of the AM62x processor:

• Low Power Design: AM62x’s five power modes and 16nm process, combined with BL350’s wide voltage input (9-36VDC) and reverse polarity protection, suit battery-powered applications.

• Edge AI Capabilities: AM62x supports basic AI tasks (e.g., object detection), and BL350 enables cost-effective vision analytics through software optimization.

• Real-Time Performance: AM62x’s Cortex-M4F and PRU-ICSS, paired with BL350’s industrial protocol support, ensure low latency and high reliability.

• Scalability: AM62x’s pin compatibility and BL350’s modular design facilitate system upgrades and customization.

Conclusion

The TI AM62x Sitara™ processor, with its high performance, low power consumption, and multi-core architecture, is an ideal choice for embedded applications. The BL350 series ARM industrial controllers, built on the AM62x, enhance its capabilities with modular design, extensive interfaces, and robust software support, making it a versatile solution for industrial control, edge computing, and smart manufacturing. Whether for real-time control, HMI displays, or IoT integration, the BL350 series delivers efficient, reliable, and scalable solutions, enabling developers to accelerate product development and market deployment.