Texas Instruments AM3356BZCZD30

Overview

AM3356BZCZD30 from Texas Instruments is a 600-MHz ARM Cortex-A8-based Sitara™ processor with 256KB L2 cache (ECC), 8-channel 12-bit SAR ADC, dual 10/100/1000-Mbps Ethernet MACs with integrated switch, and PRU-ICSS supporting EtherCAT and PROFINET - deployed in industrial HMIs, programmable logic controllers, and smart grid gateways.

For engineers reviewing the AM3356BZCZD30 datasheet, AM3356BZCZD30 pinout, AM3356BZCZD30 application, or AM3356BZCZD30 equivalent, this page delivers verified package mapping (324-pin NFBGA, 0.80-mm pitch), confirmed PRU-ICSS real-time protocol support, validated DDR3/DDR3L interface timing, and two documented alternative variants for industrial SoC selection.

Technical Context

The AM3356BZCZD30 implements a single-core ARM Cortex-A8 CPU running at 600 MHz with NEON SIMD coprocessor, 32KB L1 instruction and data caches (parity-protected), and 256KB L2 cache with ECC - enabling deterministic Linux execution and real-time task offload via dual 200-MHz PRUs. Its PRU-ICSS includes dedicated MII/RMII/RGMII ports, MDIO, eCAP, and eHRPWM modules for industrial Ethernet and motion control.

Power management integrates five ADPLLs for independent clock domain control, SmartReflex™ Class 2B adaptive voltage scaling, and three switchable power domains (MPU, GFX, PER) - supporting deep-sleep modes with RTC wake-up and external event-triggered resume. Memory subsystem supports 16-bit DDR3/DDR3L at 400-MHz clock (800-MHz data rate) and GPMC with BCH-based 4-/8-/16-bit ECC for NAND/NOR flash.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

AM3356BZCZD30 uses a 324-ball NFBGA (ZCZ) package with 0.80-mm pitch and 15.0 mm × 15.0 mm body size. Ball assignment follows TI's standardized ZCZ pin map, with dedicated banks for DDR3, GPMC, USB, Ethernet, and PRU-ICSS I/O.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar ARM Cortex-A8-based industrial SoC applications.

Compared with AM3358ZCZ and AM3354ZCZ, the AM3356BZCZD30 uniquely balances 600-MHz deterministic processing, full PRU-ICSS capability, and dual-Gigabit Ethernet - making it the minimal viable SoC for certified industrial Ethernet device development without graphics overhead.

Availability

AM3356BZCZD30 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial automation, smart grid infrastructure, and medical device applications requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for AM3356BZCZD30 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 over 50 years of innovation in industrial-grade silicon.

The AM335x family, including AM3356BZCZD30, was designed specifically for cost-optimized, real-time industrial applications requiring protocol offload, deterministic I/O, and long-term availability - not general-purpose computing.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the AM3356BZCZD30?

The AM3356BZCZD30 operates at a guaranteed maximum frequency of 600 MHz across its specified industrial temperature range (–40°C to +105°C). This frequency is validated per TI's SPRS717L datasheet revision and corresponds to silicon revision 2.x - earlier revisions support lower frequencies including 500 MHz and 600 MHz.

Does the AM3356BZCZD30 include PRU-ICSS functionality?

Yes, the AM3356BZCZD30 includes the full Programmable Real-Time Unit Subsystem and Industrial Communication Subsystem (PRU-ICSS) with two 200-MHz PRUs, 12KB shared RAM, MII/RMII/RGMII Ethernet interfaces, and support for EtherCAT, PROFINET, and EtherNet/IP - as confirmed in Table 3-1 of the AM335x datasheet.

What memory types does the AM3356BZCZD30 support via its EMIF?

The AM3356BZCZD30 supports mDDR (LPDDR), DDR2, DDR3, and DDR3L via its 16-bit External Memory Interface (EMIF), with clock rates up to 400 MHz (800-MHz data rate for DDR3/DDR3L). It also supports NAND/NOR/SRAM through the General-Purpose Memory Controller (GPMC) with BCH-based ECC.

Is the AM3356BZCZD30 pin-compatible with other AM335x ZCZ-package variants?

Yes, the AM3356BZCZD30 shares identical 324-pin NFBGA (ZCZ) mechanical and electrical pinout with AM3358ZCZ, AM3357ZCZ, and AM3359ZCZ - enabling drop-in replacement in designs where feature set permits, as documented in TI's packaging information section (Section 9.2).

What is the role of the PRU-ICSS in AM3356BZCZD30-based industrial systems?

In AM3356BZCZD30-based systems, the PRU-ICSS executes time-critical industrial protocols like EtherCAT and PROFINET independently of the ARM Cortex-A8 core - providing sub-microsecond I/O response, deterministic cycle timing, and offloading of protocol stack processing to preserve Linux scheduling integrity.