Texas Instruments AM3358BZCZ80

Overview

AM3358BZCZ80 from Texas Instruments is a 1-GHz ARM Cortex-A8-based Sitara™ processor with integrated PowerVR SGX530 3D graphics engine, dual 1-Gbps Ethernet MACs with switch, PRU-ICSS for EtherCAT/PROFINET, and 8-channel 12-bit SAR ADC. It supports DDR3/DDR3L at 800-MHz data rate, features 256KB L2 cache with ECC, and targets industrial HMI, programmable logic controllers, and connected automation gateways.

For engineers reviewing the AM3358BZCZ80 datasheet, AM3358BZCZ80 pinout, AM3358BZCZ80 application, or AM3358BZCZ80 equivalent, key selection criteria include its 324-ball NFBGA (0.80-mm pitch), 1000-MHz CPU frequency, dual Gigabit Ethernet with IEEE 1588v1 PTP support, PRU-ICSS real-time protocol offload capability, and industrial temperature range (–40°C to 90°C).

Technical Context

The AM3358BZCZ80 implements a dual-core programmable real-time unit subsystem (PRU-ICSS) with two 200-MHz RISC processors, 12KB shared RAM, and dedicated MII/Ethernet ports for deterministic industrial protocol execution-enabling concurrent EtherCAT master/slave operation without CPU intervention. Its MPU subsystem integrates NEON SIMD, 32KB/32KB L1 cache with parity, and 256KB L2 cache with ECC for high-throughput Linux application execution.

Memory subsystem includes 16-bit EMIF supporting DDR3/DDR3L at 400-MHz clock (800-MHz data rate), GPMC with BCH-based 4/8/16-bit ECC for NAND/NOR, and 64KB OCMC RAM with retention mode. Clock management uses five ADPLLs to generate independent domain clocks-including MPU, DDR, USB, and peripheral clocks-with SmartReflex Class 2B adaptive voltage scaling.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

AM3358BZCZ80 uses a 324-pin NFBGA package (ZCZ suffix) with 0.80-mm ball pitch and 15.0 mm × 15.0 mm body size. The package supports via-channel routing for high-density PCB layouts and thermal dissipation via central thermal pad.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with AM3358BZCZ80, AM3359BZCZ100 offers wider temperature tolerance while maintaining identical functionality and footprint, whereas AM4379BZDN80 trades PRU-ICSS real-time determinism for broader peripheral integration and dual-core scalability.

Availability

AM3358BZCZ80 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial automation, embedded HMI, and programmable gateway applications requiring stable component supply across long production lifecycles.

Supply support for AM3358BZCZ80 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 for industrial, automotive, and communications markets.

The AM335x Sitara™ processor family was designed for scalable industrial automation systems requiring real-time protocol offload, graphics-rich HMIs, and Linux-capable application processing in compact form factors.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the AM3358BZCZ80?

The AM3358BZCZ80 operates at a guaranteed maximum frequency of 1000 MHz across its specified industrial temperature range (–40°C to +90°C). This performance level is validated per TI's SPRS717L datasheet revision and enables 2000 MIPS throughput for demanding real-time Linux applications. The AM3358BZCZ80 achieves this using adaptive voltage scaling and five integrated ADPLLs to maintain stable clock domains under varying thermal and load conditions.

Does the AM3358BZCZ80 support EtherCAT protocol natively?

Yes, the AM3358BZCZ80 supports EtherCAT through its integrated Programmable Real-Time Unit Subsystem (PRU-ICSS), which includes dedicated MII Ethernet ports and real-time firmware execution capability. The PRU-ICSS handles EtherCAT frame processing with sub-microsecond jitter, independent of the ARM Cortex-A8 core. This allows the AM3358BZCZ80 to function as an EtherCAT master or slave without compromising application-layer responsiveness or requiring external ASICs.

What memory types does the AM3358BZCZ80 support via its external interfaces?

The AM3358BZCZ80 supports DDR3 and DDR3L SDRAM at 400-MHz clock (800-MHz data rate) via its 16-bit EMIF, plus LPDDR, DDR2, mDDR, NAND, NOR, and SRAM through the General-Purpose Memory Controller (GPMC). The GPMC implements BCH 4/8/16-bit ECC and Hamming 1-bit ECC with integrated Error Locator Module (ELM), enabling robust boot and data storage in industrial environments where bit errors are common.

How many Ethernet ports does the AM3358BZCZ80 integrate, and what speeds are supported?

The AM3358BZCZ80 integrates two independent Gigabit Ethernet Media Access Controllers (EMACs), each supporting 10/100/1000 Mbps operation with MII, RMII, RGMII, and MDIO interfaces. Both ports connect to an integrated Ethernet switch fabric, allowing internal packet forwarding without host CPU involvement. IEEE 1588v1 Precision Time Protocol support enables synchronized time-stamping for industrial motion control and distributed I/O applications.

What is the role of the PRU-ICSS in the AM3358BZCZ80 architecture?

The PRU-ICSS in the AM3358BZCZ80 consists of two independent 32-bit RISC processors running at 200 MHz, each with 8KB instruction RAM and 8KB data RAM, plus 12KB shared RAM. It operates autonomously from the ARM Cortex-A8 core to handle time-critical tasks such as industrial protocol stacks (EtherCAT, PROFINET), PWM generation, quadrature encoder counting, and GPIO bit-banging. This offloads deterministic real-time processing from the main CPU, preserving Linux responsiveness while meeting sub-100-μs control loop deadlines.