Texas Instruments AM3517AZCNC
- Part No.:
- AM3517AZCNC
- Manufacturer:
- Texas Instruments
- Category:
- Microprocessors
- Package:
- 491-LFBGA
- Datasheet:
-
AM3517AZCNC.pdf
- Description:
- IC MPU SITARA 600MHZ 491NFBGA
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:4,165
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Product details
Overview
AM3517AZCNC from Texas Instruments is a 600-MHz ARM Cortex-A8 microprocessor with PowerVR SGX graphics acceleration, 256KB L2 cache, DDR2/mDDR memory controller, and integrated display subsystem supporting NTSC/PAL video output - deployed in industrial HMIs, digital signage, and portable media players.
For engineers reviewing the AM3517AZCNC datasheet, AM3517AZCNC pinout, AM3517AZCNC application, or AM3517AZCNC equivalent, key selection criteria include its 491-pin NFBGA (ZCN) package, dual DACs for analog video, 186 GPIOs, USB OTG + multiport host support, and Linux/Android OS compatibility.
Technical Context
The AM3517AZCNC integrates an ARMv7-compliant Cortex-A8 core with NEON SIMD and VFP coprocessors, delivering >2× ARMv6 SIMD performance. Its memory subsystem includes a 166-MHz 16-/32-bit SDRC controller supporting up to 1GB DDR2/mDDR and a 16-bit GPMC with 128MB per chip-select for NAND/NOR/SRAM interfacing.
Graphics and display are handled by a dedicated PowerVR SGX accelerator (AM3517-only), paired with a programmable display subsystem featuring triple-layer composition, temporal dithering, HD resolution support, and RGB/S-Video/CVBS outputs - all synchronized via a 75-MHz pixel clock and REC656/CCIR656 compliance.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| CPU Core | ARM Cortex-A8 @ 600 MHz - enables real-time Linux kernel scheduling and deterministic interrupt latency for industrial control tasks. |
| L2 Cache | 256KB unified - reduces external memory bandwidth pressure during multimedia decoding and GUI rendering. |
| Graphics Accelerator | PowerVR SGX (10 MPoly/sec) - hardware-accelerated OpenGL ES 1.1/2.0 and OpenVG 1.0 for smooth UI transitions and 3D overlays. |
| Memory Interface | 166-MHz DDR2/mDDR controller with 1GB address space - supports low-power mobile SDRAM for battery-operated devices. |
| Display Outputs | Dual parallel digital (24-bit RGB) + composite NTSC/PAL + S-Video - enables simultaneous main display and auxiliary video feed without external encoders. |
| Video DACs | Two 10-bit DACs - generate analog CVBS and S-Video signals directly from internal frame buffers, eliminating discrete video DAC ICs. |
| USB Support | OTG + 3-port high-speed host - allows device-mode peripheral attachment (e.g., USB storage) and simultaneous host control of HID, mass storage, and audio class devices. |
Pinout & Package
AM3517AZCNC uses a 491-ball NFBGA package (17.1 mm × 17.1 mm, 0.65-mm pitch) with Via Channel™ array technology. Ball assignment follows ZCN suffix designation per TI SPRS550F Rev F.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| VDD_CORE | Core power supply | 1.2V nominal - requires tight regulation and local decoupling to sustain 600-MHz CPU operation without voltage droop. |
| VDDS_SRAM_MPU | MPU SRAM power rail | 1.2V - powers on-chip 64KB RAM; independent from VDD_CORE for optimized power domain sequencing. |
| SDRC_D0–D31 | DDR2 data bus | 32-bit bidirectional interface - supports burst transfers at 166 MHz; requires matched trace lengths and SSTL_18 termination. |
| DSS_DATA0–DSS_DATA23 | Parallel RGB/YUV display data | 24-bit digital video bus - drives LCD panels directly; supports programmable polarity, timing, and data alignment per display standard. |
| USB0_DP / USB0_DM | USB 2.0 differential pair | Full-speed/low-speed OTG PHY interface - integrated transceiver eliminates need for external USB PHY IC. |
| TV_OUT1 / TV_OUT2 | Analog video outputs | Composite CVBS and S-Video Y/C signals - sourced from internal 10-bit DACs; require passive RC filtering per TI layout guidelines. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| ARM NEON + VFP Coprocessor | Hardware-accelerated integer/floating-point SIMD operations - enables real-time audio processing, image filtering, and codec execution without CPU load saturation. |
| Triple-Layer Display Processor | Independent scaling, rotation (90°/180°/270°), and alpha blending across three layers - supports overlay-based UIs with transparent widgets and video-in-picture. |
| VPFE 16-bit Video Input Port | 75-MHz pixel clock capture interface - acquires HD video from CMOS sensors with RAW, REC656, or YCbCr422 formats and built-in black-level compensation. |
| System DMA (sDMA) | 32-channel configurable priority controller - offloads CPU from memory-to-peripheral transfers (e.g., McBSP audio streaming, SDIO DMA), reducing ISR overhead. |
| HECC CAN Controller | High-End CAN with message objects and FIFO - meets ISO 11898-1 for robust industrial fieldbus communication with error confinement and timestamping. |
Applications
| Industrial HMI | Digital Signage |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Touch-enabled panel PC controlling PLCs and SCADA systems in factory environments. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Main application processor executing Linux with Qt-based GUI, managing CAN/EMAC peripherals, and driving 720p LCD with anti-aliased fonts. Use Value: Integrated PowerVR SGX and triple-layer display engine eliminate external GPU and video compositor, reducing BOM cost and board area. |
Use Scenario: Wall-mounted retail display showing dynamic ads, inventory status, and promotional videos. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Media playback engine decoding MPEG-4/H.264 streams while compositing HTML5 overlays and updating via Ethernet. Use Value: Dual 10-bit DACs enable direct CVBS output to legacy monitors; GPMC supports local flash storage for offline content caching. |
| Portable Media Player | Smart White Goods |
Use Scenario: Battery-powered handheld device playing HD video, displaying album art, and supporting USB OTG file transfer. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Application SoC running Android, handling HDMI/RGB display, stereo audio via McBSP, and USB mass storage class. Use Value: 600-MHz Cortex-A8 + NEON delivers smooth 1080p decode; mDDR interface optimizes power efficiency versus LPDDR1. |
Use Scenario: Front-panel interface on washing machine with animated UI, temperature graphing, and Wi-Fi connectivity. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Real-time UI controller managing touch input, sensor data logging, and local display updates using 24-bit RGB interface. Use Value: 186 GPIOs support direct button/LED matrix scanning; integrated DACs drive analog gauges or buzzer tones without extra drivers. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar ARM-based application processor applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| AM3505AZCND | No PowerVR SGX graphics accelerator; identical CPU, memory, and peripheral set otherwise. | Suitable for non-graphics-intensive applications like headless gateways or basic HMIs without 3D/UI acceleration. | Select AM3505AZCND when graphics acceleration is unnecessary and BOM cost reduction is prioritized over visual performance. |
| AM3358BZCZ100 | Newer 300-MHz ARM Cortex-A8; adds PRU-ICSS for real-time I/O, but lacks dual DACs and TV-out capability. | Better suited for industrial protocol gateways (Modbus, EtherCAT) requiring deterministic I/O, not analog video output. | Choose AM3358BZCZ100 for real-time control extensions and longer-term availability, accepting trade-offs in analog video functionality. |
Compared with AM3505AZCND and AM3358BZCZ100, the AM3517AZCNC uniquely combines TV-out DACs, PowerVR SGX graphics, and 600-MHz performance - making it optimal for cost-sensitive embedded displays where analog video and UI richness are mandatory.
Availability
AM3517AZCNC is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial HMIs, digital signage, and portable media players requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.
Supply support for AM3517AZCNC 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 consumer markets.
The AM3517AZCNC belongs to TI's Sitara™ ARM processor family, designed specifically for cost-optimized, graphics-capable embedded applications requiring Linux/Android support and rich multimedia I/O.
FAQ
What operating systems are officially supported on the AM3517AZCNC?
The AM3517AZCNC is validated for Linux® (including TI's Processor SDK Linux), Windows® CE, and Android™. TI provides board support packages, kernel drivers, and graphics libraries (PVRSDK) enabling full utilization of the PowerVR SGX accelerator and display subsystem in AM3517AZCNC-based designs.
Does the AM3517AZCNC support DDR3 memory?
No, the AM3517AZCNC supports only DDR2 and mobile DDR (mDDR) SDRAM via its SDRC controller. It does not support DDR3 signaling or command protocols. Designs requiring DDR3 must migrate to newer Sitara processors such as the AM437x or AM57x series.
What is the thermal design power (TDP) of the AM3517AZCNC under typical operation?
At 600 MHz and 1.2V core voltage, the AM3517AZCNC exhibits a typical power consumption of 650 mW in active mode with moderate peripheral usage. Thermal design must accommodate θJA = 25.2°C/W (ZCN package) and include ≥4 thermal vias under the die pad per TI layout recommendations in SPRS550F.
Can the AM3517AZCNC's USB OTG port operate as a device-only interface?
Yes, the AM3517AZCNC USB0 port supports full OTG functionality including device mode, enabled via ID pin detection and software configuration. In device mode, it enumerates as a USB 2.0 full-speed device (e.g., CDC ACM, MSC) without requiring external PHY or level-shifting components.
How many independent display interfaces does the AM3517AZCNC support simultaneously?
The AM3517AZCNC supports two concurrent display outputs: one parallel digital (24-bit RGB) and one analog (CVBS or S-Video). Both are driven from the same display subsystem with independent timing generators, enabling mirrored or extended desktop configurations in AM3517AZCNC-based systems.
AM3517AZCNC Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Texas Instruments
- Package/Case:
- 491-LFBGA
- Series:
- Sitara™
- Packaging:
- Tray
- Product Status:
- Discontinued at Digi-Key
- Core Processor:
- ARM® Cortex®-A8
- Number of Cores/Bus Width:
- 1 Core, 32-Bit
- Speed:
- 600MHz
- Co-Processors/DSP:
- Multimedia; NEON™ SIMD
- RAM Controllers:
- LPDDR, DDR2
- Graphics Acceleration:
- Yes
- Display & Interface Controllers:
- LCD
- Ethernet:
- 10/100Mbps (1)
- SATA:
- -
- USB:
- USB 2.0 (3), USB 2.0 + PHY (1)
- Voltage - I/O:
- 1.8V, 3.3V
- Operating Temperature:
- 0°C ~ 90°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Security Features:
- Cryptography
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 491-NFBGA (17x17)
- Additional Interfaces:
- CAN, HDQ/1-Wire, I2C, McBSP, McSPI, MMC/SD/SDIO, UART
AM3517AZCNC FAQ
1.How can I place an order for AM3517AZCNC through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for AM3517AZCNC on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for AM3517AZCNC reliable?
The price and inventory of AM3517AZCNC are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for AM3517AZCNC is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for AM3517AZCNC?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for AM3517AZCNC transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for AM3517AZCNC?
AM3517AZCNC orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your AM3517AZCNC order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for AM3517AZCNC?
For technical support, including AM3517AZCNC datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your AM3517AZCNC requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that AM3517AZCNC is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All AM3517AZCNC products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that AM3517AZCNC meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of AM3517AZCNC?
All AM3517AZCNC units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with AM3517AZCNC, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The AM3517AZCNC part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for AM3517AZCNC:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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