Texas Instruments AM3351BZCEA30

Overview

AM3351BZCEA30 from Texas Instruments is a 300-MHz ARM Cortex-A8-based Sitara™ processor with 256KB L2 cache (ECC), 64KB on-chip RAM, 8-channel 12-bit SAR ADC, and PRU-ICSS for industrial protocol offload - used in embedded HMI, industrial gateways, and smart metering systems requiring deterministic real-time I/O.

For engineers reviewing the AM3351BZCEA30 datasheet, AM3351BZCEA30 pinout, AM3351BZCEA30 application, or AM3351BZCEA30 equivalent, key selection factors include its ZCE 298-ball NFBGA package, single EMAC port, limited PRU I/O pinout, absence of CAN and SGX530 graphics, and industrial temperature support only at 300 MHz.

Technical Context

The AM3351BZCEA30 implements a single-core ARM Cortex-A8 CPU with NEON SIMD coprocessor, 32KB L1 instruction and data caches (parity-protected), and 256KB L2 cache with ECC - optimized for Linux-capable embedded applications with moderate compute and real-time I/O demands. Its PRU-ICSS subsystem operates independently at 200 MHz with 8KB instruction/data RAM per PRU and 12KB shared RAM.

It integrates a 16-bit DDR2/DDR3/mDDR EMIF supporting up to 400-MHz clock (800-MHz data rate), GPMC for NAND/NOR/SRAM, three I²C interfaces, six UARTs, two McSPI ports, three MMC/SD controllers, and a 24-bit LCD controller - all mapped to its 298-ball ZCE package with 0.65-mm pitch.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

AM3351BZCEA30 uses a 298-pin NFBGA (ZCE) package with 0.65-mm ball pitch and 13.0 mm × 13.0 mm body size. Pin functions are defined across three sections (left/middle/right) with dedicated power domains (VDD_CORE, VDDS_DDR, VDDA_ADC), I/O banks (GPIO0–GPIO3), and high-speed interface routing (DDR, MII, MMC).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar ARM-based industrial processor applications.

Compared with AM3351BZCEA30, AM3352BZCZA60 delivers 2× CPU performance and adds graphics/CAN but requires ZCZ package migration, while AM3354BZCNA30 retains ZCE compatibility and adds dual EMAC - making it the most direct functional upgrade for Ethernet-redundant designs.

Availability

AM3351BZCEA30 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial HMI, smart metering, and programmable gateway applications requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and verified thermal performance at 300 MHz.

Supply support for AM3351BZCEA30 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor leader specializing in analog, embedded processing, and connectivity technologies - with decades of experience in industrial, automotive, and communications markets.

The AM335x Sitara™ processor family targets cost-sensitive, Linux-capable industrial applications requiring real-time I/O, protocol offload, and scalable performance from 300 MHz to 1 GHz - with AM3351BZCEA30 optimized for entry-level deterministic control.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the AM3351BZCEA30?

The AM3351BZCEA30 is rated for 300 MHz operation - a fixed-frequency grade confirmed in TI's device comparison table and supported across its full temperature range (0°C to 90°C). This frequency is silicon-validated and does not support dynamic voltage/frequency scaling beyond OPP50. The AM3351BZCEA30 maintains consistent timing margins and thermal behavior at this speed, making it suitable for thermally constrained industrial enclosures.

Does the AM3351BZCEA30 include a graphics accelerator?

No, the AM3351BZCEA30 does not integrate the PowerVR SGX530 3D graphics engine. Unlike higher-tier AM335x variants (e.g., AM3357/AM3358/AM3359), the AM3351BZCEA30 omits the SGX530 block entirely - confirmed by the device features comparison table. Display functionality is limited to the 24-bit LCD controller and raster DMA engine, requiring external GPU or software-rendered UI for complex graphics.

How many Ethernet MAC ports does the AM3351BZCEA30 support?

The AM3351BZCEA30 supports one 10/100/1000-Mbps Ethernet MAC port (EMAC), as documented in the device features comparison table and functional block diagram. It lacks the second EMAC present in AM3352/AM3354/AM3356+ variants. This single-port configuration is routed to MII1 signals in the ZCE package and requires an external PHY for physical layer connectivity.

Is CAN interface available on the AM3351BZCEA30?

No, the AM3351BZCEA30 does not include Controller Area Network (CAN) controllers. The device features comparison table explicitly lists "-" under CAN for AM3351, confirming absence of DCAN modules. CAN functionality is only available starting with AM3352 and higher variants - meaning AM3351BZCEA30 designs requiring CAN must use external transceivers paired with GPIO or UART-based software protocols.

What package type and ball count does the AM3351BZCEA30 use?

The AM3351BZCEA30 uses a 298-ball NFBGA package with ZCE suffix, 0.65-mm ball pitch, and 13.0 mm × 13.0 mm body size - as specified in the mechanical packaging section and device information table. This via-channel package supports high-density routing and thermal dissipation appropriate for its 300-MHz power profile, and is distinct from the 324-ball ZCZ variant used in higher-performance AM335x models.