Texas Instruments AM3505AZCNA

Overview

AM3505AZCNA from Texas Instruments is a 600-MHz ARM Cortex-A8 microprocessor with integrated SDRC DDR2/mDDR memory controller, 186 GPIOs, dual DACs for NTSC/PAL video output, and industrial-grade temperature support. It delivers real-time multimedia processing for embedded HMI, digital signage, and portable industrial devices requiring Linux or Android OS support.

For engineers reviewing the AM3505AZCNA datasheet, AM3505AZCNA pinout, AM3505AZCNA application, or AM3505AZCNA equivalent, key selection criteria include its 491-pin NFBGA (17.1 × 17.1 mm) package, lack of PowerVR SGX graphics (distinguishing it from AM3517), TV-out capability, and dual 10-bit DAC support - all critical for cost-optimized display and control systems.

Technical Context

The AM3505AZCNA implements an in-order, dual-issue, superscalar ARMv7 architecture with NEON SIMD and VFP coprocessors, enabling efficient media decode and signal processing. Its memory subsystem includes a 256KB L2 cache, 64KB on-chip SRAM, and a 166-MHz 16/32-bit SDRC interface supporting up to 1GB DDR2/mDDR.

Peripheral integration centers on high-bandwidth interconnects: a 32-channel sDMA controller, five McBSP audio interfaces (two with sidetone), four McSPI ports, three I²C controllers, and dedicated VPFE video input with 75-MHz pixel clock support - all managed via programmable power, reset, and clock domains.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

AM3505AZCNA uses a 491-ball NFBGA (ZCN suffix) package with 0.65-mm pitch and Via Channel™ array technology. Ball assignment follows TI's standardized quadrant layout (A–D), with dedicated power/ground banks, configurable I/O banks (VDDSHV, VDDS, VDD_CORE), and function-multiplexed pins controlled via mode registers.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar microprocessor applications.

Compared with AM3517AZCNA, AM3505AZCNA removes the PowerVR SGX block to reduce cost and power, making it optimal for display-centric but non-3D applications; versus AM3352BZCZD, it retains integrated video DACs and VPFE but trades off PRU flexibility and clock speed for mature, stable multimedia features.

Availability

AM3505AZCNA is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial HMI, digital signage, and portable industrial terminals requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long product lifecycles.

Supply support for AM3505AZCNA 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 solutions for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

The AM3505AZCNA belongs to TI's Sitara™ ARM processor family, designed specifically for cost-sensitive, display-rich embedded applications requiring Linux/Android support, integrated video, and industrial reliability - without the overhead of 3D graphics.

FAQ

What is the maximum DDR2 memory capacity supported by the AM3505AZCNA?

The AM3505AZCNA supports up to 1 GB of total addressable space via its SDRC memory controller. This is achieved using 16- or 32-bit DDR2/mDDR SDRAM with a 166-MHz interface clock. The controller includes a SDRAM Memory Scheduler (SMS) and rotation engine to optimize bandwidth and latency for real-time applications. AM3505AZCNA's memory map is fixed and documented in Section 6.4 of the SPRS550F datasheet.

Does the AM3505AZCNA include a graphics accelerator like the PowerVR SGX?

No, the AM3505AZCNA does not include the PowerVR SGX graphics accelerator. That feature is exclusive to the AM3517 variant. The AM3505AZCNA relies on its ARM Cortex-A8 core and NEON coprocessor for 2D graphics and video processing, with hardware-accelerated display functions such as scaling, rotation, and alpha blending handled by the integrated Display Subsystem. This omission reduces cost and power consumption while retaining full video I/O capability.

Can the AM3505AZCNA generate NTSC/PAL video signals directly?

Yes, the AM3505AZCNA integrates two 10-bit digital-to-analog converters (DACs) that directly generate composite NTSC or PAL video signals and S-video (Y/C) outputs. These DACs are part of the Display Subsystem and require no external encoder IC. The device supports luma/chroma separation, optical black clamping, and built-in digital clamping - all confirmed in Section 1.1 Features and Section 5.10 of the AM3505AZCNA datasheet SPRS550F.

What package type and dimensions does the AM3505AZCNA use?

The AM3505AZCNA uses a 491-ball NFBGA package with ZCN suffix, measuring 17.10 mm × 17.10 mm with 0.65-mm ball pitch and Via Channel™ array technology. This package is distinct from the 484-pin PBGA (ZER) variant. Mechanical details, including solder paste stencil recommendations and thermal pad layout, are specified in Section 8 of the SPRS550F datasheet. AM3505AZCNA's ZCN package is optimized for high-density routing and thermal performance in industrial PCBs.

Which operating systems are officially supported on the AM3505AZCNA?

The AM3505AZCNA is officially supported by Linux®, Windows® CE, and Android™ operating systems. TI provides board support packages (BSPs), kernel drivers, and bootloader (X-Loader/U-Boot) reference code for all three. Support includes drivers for integrated peripherals such as EMAC, USB OTG, McSPI, McBSP, and the Display Subsystem. AM3505AZCNA's ARMv7 architecture and NEON/VFP units ensure compatibility with modern OS distributions targeting Cortex-A8.